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sustainable hotels

Sustainable hotels balancing comfort with positive changes for our environment

Four Australian hotels that prove you don’t have to sacrifice holiday comfort in the name of sustainability.

In today's modern world, the social and environmental impact of businesses has never been more important to consumers, and the travel sector is absolutely no exception. Our understanding of humanity's footprint means the privilege of visiting awe-inspiring destinations comes with an inherent responsibility to respect the surrounding environment. To help, we've made it easy for you to ensure your stays are sustainably conscious. Here's how we're doing our part at some of Australia and NZ's most sustainable Hotels.

Accor's sustainable hotel practices

At Accor, we’ve developed a sustainability strategy called Planet 21, which was built around 2 key priorities, each with their own dedicated objectives, to work towards a more sustainable future for the travel and hospitality industries:
Eliminate all guest related single use plastics by 2022. A huge factor for reducing our impact on marine life and the broader natural ecosystem, Accor has eradicated single use plastic straws, cotton buds, and drink stirrers from the business since 2018, as well as convincing multiple suppliers to discontinue plastic packaging. 
Reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050. To achieve this, Accor has committed to key Science Based Target initiatives with targets of 46% reduction by 2030 and to reach net-zero by 2050, which will include implementation of a Net Zero Carbon Calculator, and development of a new carbon reporting and tracking system.
Accor has also recently joined the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance which develops free practical resources and programmes to enable the wider industry to operate responsibly and grow sustainably. 
Here are just some of the sustainable hotel practices established in the Pacific region:
Solar panels on the Pullman Quay Grand roof
The Pullman Quay Grand installed 350 solar panels on its roof

Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour

The luxurious 5-star Pullman Quay Grand Hotel which is located in East Circular Quay near the iconic Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge is another solar power adopter. This hotel installed a whopping 350 solar panels (100kWh solar system) on its roof. This system will provide electricity to cover the majority of base building systems which is equal to about 20 conventional houses.2 It’s one of the largest solar systems to be installed in the Sydney CBD. 
Swissotel Sydney house a sustainable beehive on the hotel's rooftop
Swissotel Sydney house a sustainable beehive on the hotel's rooftop

Swissotel Sydney​

The ideal location for travellers looking for a sustainable stay with all the features and amenities of a 5-star hotel, Swissôtel Sydney delivers a considered luxury experience with a clean conscience through the creation and implementation of "seamless sustainability" - a concept that lets the guests enjoy their stay while the hotel works hard to be eco friendly. The hotel staff work behind the scenes to deliver a smooth, sustainable and ethical visit, which they achieve through several policies, checklists, certifications, and practices. 
Perhaps their most intriguing sustainable practice, Swissôtel Sydney & their house restaurant Ten Stories currently work with Sydney Bee Rescue to create a sustainable beehive housed on the hotel's rooftop, which helps in the conservation, rescue, and relocation of at-risk bee colonies. These bees will often visit the nearby Royal Botanic Gardens for their nectar needs and supply the restaurant with freshly harvested honey and honeycomb, which is used as a springboard to create their fantastic menu of locally sourced and sustainable produce.
Swissôtel Sydney also implements a strict Ethics & Corporate Social Responsibility checklist for all Hotel purchases, ensuring that their partners also engage in ethical and sustainable business practices. They also use 100% recyclable bathroom amenities from Pürovel, grown in the Swiss Alps.
As a Platinum Certified property, Swissôtel has achieved the highest possible group ranking for sustainability and is a must-visit for those looking for a sustainable Sydney getaway.
Embers Restaurant at Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains
Embers Restaurant at Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains recycles cooking waste

Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains, MGallery by Sofitel

Found on the edge of the dramatic Jamison Valley and known as one of the best accommodation experiences in this heritage-listed area, Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains features everything from an indoor & outdoor pool, tennis court, and KidsZone, to three restaurants, a whiskey bar and an award-winning Day Spa, as well as close access to scenic walking tracks and the adjacent Leura Golf Course.
The resort is committed to ensuring it runs ethically and sustainably. With multiple 100kw solar panels feeding the electric rooftop generator, the resort is constantly using renewable energy while also offering two complementary Electric Vehicle charging stations for guests to use.
Fairmont also implements several sustainable policies across different departments. Fairmont ensures they recycle electronic equipment and encourages staff to prioritise paperless administrative processes. Their kitchen collects and recycles cooking fat and donates surplus stock to the local community through Earth Recovery Australia. They've switched to an in-house filtration system, which stops an additional 20,000 plastic bottles from going into landfill. They've also created their own Native Garden Regeneration project.
Located just 90 minutes west of Sydney with 224 rooms & 23 flexible event spaces, Fairmont is suited to both personal and professional eco-tourism.
Mercure Melbourne Doncaster has been designed with sustainability in mind
Mercure Melbourne Doncaster has been designed with sustainability in mind

Mercure Melbourne Doncaster

Mercure Melbourne Doncaster has been thoughtfully designed with the next generation of guests and travellers in mind, combining elegant but approachable styling and decor with leading environmental and sustainability practices to deliver guilt-free luxury located in the heart of one of Melbourne's premium lifestyle and shopping complexes.
They've carefully installed sensor lights in shared areas and sensor air conditioning in guest rooms, which significantly reduce energy consumption and wastage. They introduced an innovative QR code ordering system in every room to drastically reduce paper wastage and have eliminated single-use plastic bottles from the hotel by providing reusable bottles for guests. 
Mercure Melbourne Doncaster also prides itself on using locally sourced ingredients and guest amenities and providing eco-friendly stationery for staff, guests, and events. And if you're an electric vehicle driver, they've got you covered with their complimentary onsite EV charging stations.
Accommodation room at Pullman Melbourne on the Park
Accommodation design at Pullman Melbourne on the Park reduces energy consumption

Pullman Melbourne on the Park

Pullman Melbourne on the Park has recently completed an award-winning refurbishment, including innovative double-glazed windows, which reduce reliance on indoor heating and significantly reduce their overall energy consumption. 
Announced in Adelaide in May of 2022, The Australasia-Pacific Hotel Design Awards recognise projects that demonstrate design innovation, a commitment to sustainable design practices, and an exceptional guest experience, and have nominated Pullman Melbourne On The Park for their recent refurbishment that also saw 19 floors of Superior, Premium and Deluxe rooms and suites completely upgraded, as well as the addition of a new Executive Lounge and Sky Villa, following earlier investments to transform the ground floor lobby, reception, and Bar and Dining areas.
The facade of ibis Styles East Perth
ibis Styles East Perth has sustainable food practices

ibis Styles East Perth

If you're looking for a more Western way to enjoy a sustainable holiday, look no further than Ibis Styles East Perth and its stunning riverfront location. Offering an outstanding balance of luxury and affordability, this 4-star hotel is also strongly committed to sustainable business practices. This commitment is evident through their achievement of Gold Status with the Accor Group's Planet 21 Programme, which commits to deliver action against four key pillars, including Tree Planting, EcoDesign, and Sustainable Food Practices.
Their Tree Planting initiative comes to life as a request that guests reuse towels, with all water savings used to plant one tree every minute worldwide. The EcoDesign pillar encompasses practices such as using eco-designed beds made from sustainably managed FSC-certified forests, as well as bedspreads and pillowcases made from recycled bottles, eco-certified amenities, and environmentally friendly cleaning products. 
Their sustainable food practices include an overall focus on reducing food waste, the use of kitchen gardens to grow produce, and the complete ban of any overfished aquatic species from the menu. Finally, Ibis Styles East Perth is also an active member of the Containers for Change scheme, which aims to recycle as many plastic bottles and containers as possible.
Novotel Auckland Airport accommodation
Novotel Auckland Airport is Silver ranking in the Planet 21 Programme

Novotel Auckland Airport - Auckland

Located centrally in New Zealand's largest international airport, Novotel Auckland Airport is the perfect base of operations for your conscious NZ getaway. This 4.5-star hotel offers all the comfort and convenience you need, complemented by full-length soundproof windows, and all wrapped up with the usual high standards of hospitality that Kiwis are famous for.
The hotel has achieved a Silver ranking in the Planet 21 Programme, which commits to delivering action against crucial pillars incluidng Tree Planting, EcoDesign, and Sustainable Food Practices.

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