Sustainability
OUR COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL
As a collective, we make a difference around the world.
1. We believe independent hotels embody sustainable hospitality
Local hotels are an integral part of their local community and foster a sense of place and authenticity. Guests in an independent hotel know their stay directly impacts the community by protecting the cultural heritage; supporting local jobs; and caring for the surrounding environment. This ensures future generations can continue enjoying the adventure and transformation that travel brings. To us, sustainability is an integral, long-term and ever-evolving mission.
Local hotels are an integral part of their local community and foster a sense of place and authenticity. Guests in an independent hotel know their stay directly impacts the community by protecting the cultural heritage; supporting local jobs; and caring for the surrounding environment. This ensures future generations can continue enjoying the adventure and transformation that travel brings. To us, sustainability is an integral, long-term and ever-evolving mission.
2. We want our guests to know how to actively contribute
We shine a light and give voice to our hotels’ initiatives As a guest, you become a part of their sustainability: reducing consumption, emissions and waste, nurturing natural ecosystems, funding and conserving the arts, supporting education and equal employment opportunities and supporting local businesses, including homegrown foods that go straight to your table.
We shine a light and give voice to our hotels’ initiatives As a guest, you become a part of their sustainability: reducing consumption, emissions and waste, nurturing natural ecosystems, funding and conserving the arts, supporting education and equal employment opportunities and supporting local businesses, including homegrown foods that go straight to your table.
3. We build upon our ecosystem of like-minded industry partners
Our partners, from a wide range of industries and sectors, are connected with hospitality. We assess their mode of operation, general conduct, sustainability policies and vision to align them with our own.
Our partners, from a wide range of industries and sectors, are connected with hospitality. We assess their mode of operation, general conduct, sustainability policies and vision to align them with our own.
Independent, local hospitality is sustainable hospitality. Our Great Hotels of the World Members are doing great things and making a world of difference. Shining a light and celebrating their outstanding initiatives is our small way of contributing towards a great future where generations to come will continue to benefit from the transformative power of travel.
Economic Sustainability in Hospitality
Winner: Onyria Quinta da Marinha
Grupo Onyria stands out for its long-term commitment to investing in people as a cornerstone of sustainable hospitality. In 2025, the group launched The Training Lab on Leadership, an annual development program aimed at empowering managers and emerging leaders with the skills to drive success and strengthen the Onyria culture from within.
This internal investment is complemented by initiatives like The Breakfast Club, a series of ongoing learning sessions for leadership department-wide team-building activities—from spa retreats to International Housekeeping Week celebrations fostering a culture of continuous learning and excellence.
Beyond the property, Onyria actively contributes to wider economic empowerment. A standout example is its partnership with Girl MOVE Academy.
Through leadership development, inclusive mentorship, and a strong internal culture, Onyria demonstrates how workforce empowerment and local engagement can be powerful levers for economic sustainability in hospitality.
This internal investment is complemented by initiatives like The Breakfast Club, a series of ongoing learning sessions for leadership department-wide team-building activities—from spa retreats to International Housekeeping Week celebrations fostering a culture of continuous learning and excellence.
Beyond the property, Onyria actively contributes to wider economic empowerment. A standout example is its partnership with Girl MOVE Academy.
Through leadership development, inclusive mentorship, and a strong internal culture, Onyria demonstrates how workforce empowerment and local engagement can be powerful levers for economic sustainability in hospitality.
Environmental Sustainability in Hospitality
The Chedi Lustica Bay
The Chedi Luštica Bay was recognised for its innovative Analog Hologram initiative—an inspiring blend of environmental consciousness, artistic expression, and guest engagement. Created in collaboration with artist Milena Živković and her Mental Ecology Project. This installation transformed over 200 repurposed art prints into a gallery-style exhibit throughout the hotel’s corridors.
Titled “Piece of the Sea – Analog Hologram,” the artworks featured serene seascapes paired with poetic texts exploring the intersection of nature, science, and spirituality. The initiative encouraged guests to slow down, reflect, and connect with their surroundings, offering not just visual beauty but a moment of mindfulness during their stay.
This project diverted materials that would have otherwise gone to waste, aligning with The Chedi’s broader zero-waste philosophy and commitment to circular design. It also introduced the concept of mental ecology fostering internal clarity as a path to external environmental care.
Beyond its aesthetic impact, the initiative has become a touchstone for The Chedi’s evolving sustainability strategy, demonstrating how luxury hospitality can lead with purpose, blending environmental stewardship with culture, creativity, and community awareness.
The Chedi Luštica Bay was recognised for its innovative Analog Hologram initiative—an inspiring blend of environmental consciousness, artistic expression, and guest engagement. Created in collaboration with artist Milena Živković and her Mental Ecology Project. This installation transformed over 200 repurposed art prints into a gallery-style exhibit throughout the hotel’s corridors.
Titled “Piece of the Sea – Analog Hologram,” the artworks featured serene seascapes paired with poetic texts exploring the intersection of nature, science, and spirituality. The initiative encouraged guests to slow down, reflect, and connect with their surroundings, offering not just visual beauty but a moment of mindfulness during their stay.
This project diverted materials that would have otherwise gone to waste, aligning with The Chedi’s broader zero-waste philosophy and commitment to circular design. It also introduced the concept of mental ecology fostering internal clarity as a path to external environmental care.
Beyond its aesthetic impact, the initiative has become a touchstone for The Chedi’s evolving sustainability strategy, demonstrating how luxury hospitality can lead with purpose, blending environmental stewardship with culture, creativity, and community awareness.
Social Sustainability in Hospitality
Winner: Ilunion Atrium
Owned by ONCE, Spain’s National Organization for the Blind - is internationally recognized for championing accessibility and inclusion in hospitality. In 2024, it launched Umániko, a groundbreaking gastronomic concept that merges these values with responsible consumption, zero-waste practices, and locally sourced cuisine.
Umániko, whose name fuses “humano” and “único,” is designed to offer a unique, human-centered dining experience that reflects ILUNION’s founding philosophy of inclusivity. The first Umániko opened at ILUNION Atrium in Madrid and is now expanding across all ILUNION hotels designated as Special Employment Centers, where at least 70% of staff are people with disabilities.
Beyond accessibility, Umániko embraces cultural diversity, sustainable supply chains, and personalized service. The restaurant showcases local ingredients, environmentally conscious practices, and an immersive guest experience rooted in storytelling and social impact.
With its motto “El sabor de la diversidad” (The taste of diversity), Umániko isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a movement. It demonstrates how hospitality can be a driver of equity, dignity, and sustainability, transforming everyday experiences into meaningful social change.
Owned by ONCE, Spain’s National Organization for the Blind - is internationally recognized for championing accessibility and inclusion in hospitality. In 2024, it launched Umániko, a groundbreaking gastronomic concept that merges these values with responsible consumption, zero-waste practices, and locally sourced cuisine.
Umániko, whose name fuses “humano” and “único,” is designed to offer a unique, human-centered dining experience that reflects ILUNION’s founding philosophy of inclusivity. The first Umániko opened at ILUNION Atrium in Madrid and is now expanding across all ILUNION hotels designated as Special Employment Centers, where at least 70% of staff are people with disabilities.
Beyond accessibility, Umániko embraces cultural diversity, sustainable supply chains, and personalized service. The restaurant showcases local ingredients, environmentally conscious practices, and an immersive guest experience rooted in storytelling and social impact.
With its motto “El sabor de la diversidad” (The taste of diversity), Umániko isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a movement. It demonstrates how hospitality can be a driver of equity, dignity, and sustainability, transforming everyday experiences into meaningful social change.