How Red Carnation Hotels is ensuring luxury stays can go hand in hand with sustainability
ABOUT THIS PROJECT
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At The Red Carnation Hotel Collection, sustainable travel is more than just a concept. From London to the Okavango Delta (Xigera Safari Lodge pictured above), County Mayo to Cape Town, the hotel group owns 17 lavish stays in top destinations around the world. Yet, unlike most luxury accommodation, these are steeped in sustainable practice – and Red Carnation has the results to show for it.
At Red Carnation Hotels, saving more than 230,000 meals’ worth of food waste last year to sourcing electricity from 100 per cent renewable sources is a reality.
At the heart of Red Carnation Hotels’ operations is the mission to make travel a force for good. With the aim of protecting the planet, its people and wildlife, Red Carnation is actively pursuing climate action, food waste reduction, increased diversity and inclusion, wildlife conservation, and the adoption of more immersive travel experiences that benefit surrounding communities and travellers.
Red Carnation is tackling these big ambitions in two ways – through the aptly named five-year sustainability strategy How We Tread Right, made up of 11 measurable goals, and through its TreadRight Foundation – a non-profit organisation set up by The Travel Corporation's (TTC) Chairman Brett Tollman.
Prioritising a net zero target
The goal to run on 50 per cent renewable electricity across the portfolio by 2025 is well and truly underway, with TTC committing to the long-term achievement of reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Frequent energy audits across the six London hotels mean low-carbon projects' methods are constantly being assessed and implemented even in the busiest of settings. With 13 of its 17 properties already operating on renewables – over 58 per cent of the group’s electricity comes from a renewable energy source – it seems Red Carnation is on target to achieve its vision.
In London, The Curry Room and The English Grill (The Rubens at the Palace), Cheneston's Restaurant (The Milestone Hotel & Residences), The Blue Door Bistro (The Montague on the Gardens) and Butlers Restaurant (The Chesterfield Mayfair) are striving to decrease food waste in a buzzing city environment. In fact, the 2025 mission aims to reduce food waste across all hotels by 50 per cent.
This is no mean feat; but thanks to the adoption of Winnow, an artificial intelligence-based waste management system, Red Carnation saved 94 tonnes of food – or 234,329 meals – in 2023, cutting waste across 11 hotels by 30 per cent.
By buying produce from local and organic producers, the hotels’ executive chefs ensure that income goes directly into the communities surrounding its hotels. In 2023, 76 per cent of suppliers provided local products to hotels – and 42 per cent of suppliers provided organic products.
Immersive experiences with Red Carnation
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Perhaps most noteworthy is the company’s MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences – immersive excursions exclusively designed to suit each destination that introduce visitors to artisans, charities and other local initiatives. Each Red Carnation Hotel hosts a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience that guests can participate in.
The idea is to bring education and enrichment to the guest, while the surrounding community thrives. The experiences are carefully put together to align with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals to ensure true positive change is made.
At the prestigious Grade II-listed Milestone Hotel & Residences in London, guests are invited to join a professional forager, and to go in search of edible species that can be found among London’s wild spaces.
Pre-made wild treats, such as jams and chutneys, can be enjoyed along the way while learning more about the art of foraging.
A welcome new arrival in the Scottish capital
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The newest addition to the UK portfolio launches in April 2024. Historic Edinburgh's 100 Princes Street stands in the place of the old Royal Overseas League and has been restored to showcase its deep-rooted architectural heritage.
Against a contemporary backdrop of fabrics, furnishings and artwork of local entrepreneurs, guests can sample fine Scottish whiskies in the Wallace Dining Room and Bar and enjoy local cuisine and unrivalled views of Edinburgh Castle.
Red Carnation Hotels allows travellers to enjoy luxury stays in top destinations while ensuring they have a positive environmental and social impact. To learn more, visit redcarnationhotels.com/sustainability