Berkshire: Macdonald Windsor Hotel achieves top award for sustainability
The AA four red star Macdonald Windsor townhouse hotel has been awarded a top Gold rating in the Green Tourism Business scheme, the leading sustainable tourism certification programme in the UK, validated by VisitEngland.
Businesses are assessed by a qualified grading adviser against a rigorous set of criteria covering areas including energy and water efficiency, waste management and biodiversity.
Part of Macdonald Hotels’ Signature Collection, the three-year-old boutique townhouse hotel was designed from the outset to be ‘green’ incorporating as many environmentally-friendly initiatives as possible.
Beverley Molmans, general manager, said: “We owe much to our ‘green champion’ Greg Brown who has worked with our ‘green team’ to ensure the environmental initiatives are maintained and continually developed for the benefit of our guests and future generations.”
The Green Tourism adviser commented: “This award highlights the hard work and dedication to sustainability shown within the team at the hotel. Areas such as energy and energy monitoring are very strong as is the purchasing ethos of the Macdonald brand.”
Macdonald Windsor Hotel had the hotel group’s first four signature ‘green rooms’, named after trees in Windsor Great Park; all items in these rooms demonstrate that it is possible to be environmentally sustainable without sacrificing quality and comfort. Initiatives include natural artwork and eco-friendly low chemical paint; energy efficient irons and kettles, fair trade tea and coffee and rechargeable batteries on the safes and remote controls.
Other eco-friendly initiatives include a rooftop herb garden; motion sensor lighting for bathrooms and corridors; locked windows to save energy wastage; installation of a cardboard compactor and water bottling on site. Future plans include the installation of an electric car charging point for guests.
These achievements reflect Macdonald Hotels & Resorts’ industry leading ‘green’ credentials, which were recognised by scooping the prestigious 2012–2013 AA Eco-Hotel Group of the Year award.
The hotel has 120 bedrooms including 10 luxurious suites with views of Windsor Castle.