Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) has welcomed seven more actively sustainable luxury hotels to its recently launched Considerate Collection, demonstrating a continued commitment to sustainability.
Launched in October 2021, the Considerate Collection now features 33 hotels across 25 countries. Six of the *new hotels are existing SLH member hotels, indicative of SLH’s 30-year deeply rooted sustainable ethos. They are: Arctic Bath, Harads, Sweden; Bergwelt Grindelwald – Alpine Design Resort, Grindelwald, Switzerland; Breidenbacher Hof, Düsseldorf, Germany; Ca’ di Dio, Venice, Italy; Grand Forest Metsovo, Metsovo, Greece; and The George, Christchurch, New Zealand.
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The program’s launch has also given way to new hotel prospects such as the new-to-SLH hotel Op Oost, Oosterend, Netherlands, which also joins the Considerate Collection.
All Considerate Collection hotels have either been certified by a GSTC Accredited Certification Body or certified to a GSTC Recognised Standard, or have passed an assessment by the SLH Sustainability Advisory Panel with review by the GSTC.
The group also rolls out a new 50-point sustainability module within its comprehensive Mystery Inspection program from January 2022 to support the efforts of its 500+ strong portfolio of independently-owned luxury hotels.
Daniel Luddington, VP of Development, SLH, said: “Given the trials and tribulations the hospitality sector is still facing, it fills us with pride to see more SLH hoteliers passionately progressing on their sustainable journey, and for the Considerate Collection to spark immediate interest from new hotels that further prove sustainable luxury is the way forward.”
Renewed Hotel Mystery Inspection Program
SLH is renowned for its leading Quality Assurance program involving annual mystery inspections of its hotel members to maintain standards for the portfolio. From January, it introduces a new 50-point sustainability module for the entire portfolio, aligned with SLH’s Considerate Collection pillars: Environmentally Conscious, Cultural Custodians and Community Minded.
“Our guests have shown growing concern for the planet following the pandemic and our overall aim is to support our 500+ strong portfolio to provide more visibility on their sustainable efforts. The new module will deliver valuable insight for our hotels, prompting them in the same way we have done with our luxury standards,” said Richard Hyde, Managing Director, Small Luxury Hotels of the World.
The module specifically looks for noticeable signs online and on-property for the following:
- Promotion of energy efficiency & SOPs and encouraging renewable energy
- Water conservation
- Waste and organic waste management
- Elimination of plastic and single use products
- Community support
- Local procurement, food and other products
- Healthy, seasonal and sustainable produce
The renewed and now 800-point report provides a 360-degree review of a hotel. It examines all guest touchpoints from initial booking through to housekeeping & room service and finally departure from a hotel.
New Considerate Collection Hotels
Arctic Bath, Harads, Sweden – Reminiscent of a Viking boat house, this one-of-a-kind hotel is run on 100% renewable energy, instilling every guest experience with the spirit of the small Swedish Lapland community. Activities include moose safaris, ice-fishing and a floating spa boasting a cold bath supplied directly by natural river water.
Bergwelt Grindelwald – Alpine Design Resort, Grindelwald, Switzerland – a sympathetically designed chalet style resort, using local wood and marble. The hotel is in tune with every element of its high-alpine surroundings and draws mineral water directly from the glacier, used to serve guests throughout the resort.
Breidenbacher Hof, Düsseldorf, Germany – An historic hotel that has achieved EarthCheck Silver Status and offers guests an authentic taste of its surroundings from home-brewed gin and eggs from a shared hen house, to fresh milk from the hotel’s own dairy cows.
Ca’ di Dio, Venice, Italy – Drawing water directly from the lagoon to power its heat exchanger and cooling system, Ca’ di Dio is as innovative it is efficient. The meticulously restored historic Venetian palace invests in work reintegration paths and supports the inclusion of inmates from a Venice prison in a series of social impact projects such as selling Malefatte bags and accessories made by the female inmates.
Grand Forest Metsovo, Metsovo, Greece – This secluded hideaway is perched on the slopes of the Pindus Mountain range in the foothills of the Pindus National Park, an important protected area for the maintenance of alpine. The hotel is owned by a Metsovian family who handpick staff from the local community and keep the Epirus region at the heart of all they do from the local handcrafted furniture through to it’s network of local activity experts for exploring the region.
Op Oost, Oosterend, Netherlands – New to SLH, Op Oost is a converted 18th century farmhouse with roaming free-range chickens. Almost everything is foraged, farmed, and fermented within 150 metres of the hotel. The hotel’s heartfelt connection to nature is tangible with touches such as homemade in-room vegan cosmetics and dried reusable flower arrangements.
The George, Christchurch, New Zealand – An urban oasis boasting some of the greenest views in the city, with most rooms overlooking Hagley Park – Christchurch’s largest gardens. The George passionately supports the TIAKI promise, a Tourism New Zealand initiative which involves educating guests about how to treat Aotearoa New Zealand with respect on their travels.
