Auckland’s The Hotel Britomart has picked up another global accolade, this time in National Geographic Traveller Magazine’s annual Hotel Awards.
The London-based magazine’s annual Hotel Awards acknowledge the latest tastemakers, trendsetters and game-changers in the hotel business around the world.
The Hotel Britomart, New Zealand’s first 5 Green Star hotel, was awarded runner-up in the Good Egg (most sustainable hotel) category. Xigera Safari Lodge in Botswana won the category, while Costa Rica’s Cielo Lodge was also a runner-up.
“We feel honoured to be included in this prestigious list, and delighted that the hard work we put into ensuring The Hotel Britomart is a sustainability leader, is being recognised,” says Clinton Farley, general manager.
“Genuine sustainability requires serious commitment in the design and build of a hotel and in its ongoing operations. We know that sustainability matters to our guests, and that our efforts in this area enhance their experience of visiting the hotel. That’s why we continue to strive to minimise the environmental impact of every facet of our day-to-day work.”
The Hotel Britomart’s 5 Green Star rating is certified by the New Zealand Green Building Council. This rating required detailed attention in every aspect of the building, from choice of materials and paints to the selection of efficient tapware, lighting, and state-of-the-art air conditioning systems.
Eighty percent of construction waste at the hotel was recycled, while the building is designed to have 50% fewer carbon emissions than a structure that meets the minimum standards of the local building code.
The commitment of the hotel team to sustainability extended beyond what was required for certification. The hotel’s uniforms, for example, are made of sustainably sourced linen and organic cotton and were dyed and made in New Zealand. They can be re-dyed to extend their life, and will compost when they’re no longer suitable to wear.
Pillows and duvets in the guest rooms are filled with a microfibre derived from recycled plastic bottles, while the bed linen, bathrobes and towelling are all certified organic cotton. The hotel’s restaurant kingi, works with a local glass studio, recycling glass water bottles into plates and carafes and is a champion of supporting sustainable fisheries.
Like all the buildings in the Britomart precinct, The Hotel Britomart’s ongoing environmental performance is audited and managed using the NZ Green Building Council’s Green Star Performance Tool. The full list of Hotel Award winners is on https://www.nationalgeographic.co.uk/travel/2021/08/national- geographic-traveller-hotel-awards-2021-39-of-the-worlds-best-new-hotels and in the magazine’s October issue.
