The aptly named Green House Hotel in Bournemouth has just announced its most recent carbon calculations. The Grade II listed Victorian Villa is producing 52% less carbon emissions than the average UK hotel, confirming its spot as the UK’s number one eco-hotel.

First opening in 2010 following a £5 million, 18-month refurbishment where the environmental impact of every decision was considered, the independent luxury 4-star hotel has been green from the outset. From furniture that’s made from fallen trees, to beehiveson the roof, EV charging points for guests to use, and a wildlife-friendly garden complete with bug hotels, native plants and bird and bat boxes, the Green House Hotel takes sustainability as seriously as it takes its guests’ comfort.

Neil Carter, the General Manager at The Green House Hotel, explains: “We’ve always strived to be the greenest hotel in the UK, every decision we make is carefully scrutinised to make sure it has minimal impact on the environment. The hotel’s carbon calculation is based on our 2019 activity, pre-Covid, when we were running normally. This will now set the baseline for us to make reductions against for this year, 2022, the first full year of trading after the pandemic.”

“We’re delighted with these results, to be producing less than half the carbon emissions of the average UK hotel is excellent news. We have been working tirelessly since we opened, and throughout the pandemic, to assess all that we do, to research new technologies and products. It’s a constantly evolving process, and these results are testament to our team’s continued hard work.”

The hotel's Carbon Calculations include Scopes 1,2, and 3 which calculate everything from direct emissions, emissions from the generation of energy purchased from a utility provider, indirect carbon emissions from purchased goods and services, and capital goods. Like many hotels during the pandemic, the Green House Hotel used the downtime for some housekeeping. As well as redecorating the hotel, the management team also engaged the services of Green Consultancy, Warrior Agency, who conducted a Green Audit assessing every element of the hotel from energy, waste, and water to the natural environment, decoration, and interactions with the community.

“The carbon calculation was part of Warrior’s Green Audit” Neil continues, “We needed a benchmark so we could set our reduction targets for our carbon emissions this year. It wasn’t easy, there was a lot of data crunching involved but it’s really important for us that we have a reduction goal in place.”

As well as offering guests 32 stunning rooms which have all been beautifully furnished with hand-crafted furniture made using UK sourced sustainable materials, The Green House Hotel is also home to Arbor, the hotel’s multiple award-winning two rosette restaurant. Head Chef Andy Hilton specialises in honest but imaginative seasonal cooking using local, organic, Fairtrade produce from treasured artisan suppliers. The hotel’s menus change seasonally to ensure the best of what is local and sustainable is showcased.

Neil continues: “Although we pride ourselves on our environmental credentials here, and will always strive aim to keep that top spot, the last thing we want to do is lecture our guests on our environmental credentials. It just makes us very happy to know that your stay in our luxury and boutique hotel in Bournemouth is doing no harm while it’s doing you good. If that makes you happy too, all the better.”