Okay, so I’ve been messing around with this idea of “sustainable hotels,” right? It’s all the rage, and I wanted to see what the fuss was about. I’m not gonna lie, at first, I was kinda rolling my eyes – like, how much difference can a hotel really make?
But then, I started digging.
My Deep Dive into Sustainable Stays
First, I scoured the internet. Just simple searches, you know, like “eco-friendly hotels” and “sustainable tourism.” I found a bunch of articles and lists – some helpful, some… not so much. It was overwhelming, honestly. There’s a lot of greenwashing out there, with places claiming to be eco-friendly, but their actions do not match the words.
So, I decided to narrow my focus. I picked a few hotels that popped up repeatedly and seemed legit. Then, I dove into their websites. I was looking for specifics, not just vague promises.
- Did they have any certifications? (Like, actual, verifiable ones, not just a green leaf logo they slapped on themselves.)
- What were they doing about water usage? (Low-flow toilets? Rainwater harvesting?)
- How about energy? (Solar panels? LED lighting? Smart thermostats?)
- Waste management? (Recycling programs? Composting? Eliminating single-use plastics?)
- Were they supporting the local community? (Hiring local staff? Sourcing local food?)
I spent hours on this, I’m not kidding. My browser was full of open tabs, I should take a picture of it. I made notes, compared different hotels, and started to see some patterns.
The ones that seemed truly committed weren’t just doing one or two things; they were taking a holistic approach. It was about the entire operation, from the construction of the building to the daily cleaning routines. I read the story behind the owner’s journey to a sustainable hotel, and it was impressive.
I even emailed a couple of hotels with some specific questions. I wanted to see how responsive they were and if they could back up their claims. One of them was a complete failure. The person who returned my email was so rude. Some were surprisingly helpful, even sending me extra info and photos, so that’s a good thing.
I have not completed what I set out to do, but I realized that finding a truly sustainable hotel is more than just a quick search. It takes time and effort to find the gems. Next, I think I’ll try to actually stay at one of these places and see what it’s like firsthand.
I planned to book and visit one and see for myself.
So, yeah, that’s my journey so far. It’s been way more involved than I expected, but also kind of interesting. Stay tuned for part two, hopefully with some actual hotel experiences! I’m so excited!
