…By Larry John for TDPel Media.
In this travel article, Juliet Kinsman addresses the question of how to determine if a hotel is truly sustainable.
Kinsman admits that the term “sustainable” has become overused and somewhat meaningless, making it difficult for travellers to determine which hotels are genuinely committed to the environment and community.
She suggests that hotels that contribute more to the environment and community than they take away are the most appealing, but this can be difficult to discern.
She recommends looking for independent, owner-run hotels with a clear mission to be better businesses.
For example, The Bull Organic Inn in Totnes is a trailblazer in ethical eating and drinking, but the hotel’s upcycled-chic bedrooms do not have efficient glazing.
Kinsman emphasizes that there are no hard and fast rules for determining sustainability in hotels.
Hotels that are actively boosting biodiversity or prioritizing climate solutions are often more challenging to find in cities.
Kinsman praises Saorsa 1875 in Perthshire as the UK’s first fully vegan hotel, which promotes plant-forward living.
She also recommends Bravo Gilpin Hotel & Lake House in Windermere with its new green battery and light-touch buildings without heavy concrete foundations.
Kinsman encourages travellers to stay closer to home and suggests Scotland as a destination, praising The Scottish Rewilding Alliance for their tree-planting efforts.
She also recommends Nordic countries, which are impressive in their use of renewable power.
She highlights Madeira for its balmy microclimate and magnificent biodiversity, and London for its sustainable tourism options such as Apricity’s zero-waste tasting menu and charity-funding walking tours.
Overall, Kinsman suggests looking for hotels that are independently owned and have a clear mission to be better businesses, as well as those that are actively contributing to the environment and community.