Sustainable Holidays

Here at On the Beach, we're looking to take a greener approach to holidays. We've been reflecting on our sustainability practices, and we want to do better. Now, our options to get you on your jollies are a bit limited (unless you fancy a very long hike or a very long boat ride), but we're embracing what we can control, by making a more conscious effort to work with hotels who are as determined as we are to show the planet some love.

That's why we're buddying up with our friends over at Rating.Bio to compare and measure the sustainability of the hotels that we sell, meaning we can be 100% transparent with you from the get-go. Going forwards, you'll be able to clearly spot our sustainable hotels as the ones marked with a little green leaf logo, like below:

What makes a hotel sustainable?

We're glad you asked. Rating.Bio is a super snazzy tool used to assess the sustainability of hotels based on their ability to meet Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria. It all sounds very technical, but here are a few examples of what some hotels are doing to achieve this:

• Towel re-use programmes

• Water-efficient taps and showers

• Recyclable alternatives to single-use plastics

• Locally-sourced food and vegan menu options

• LED lighting across at least 80% of the property

• Eco-friendly cleaning products

• Collaboration with local businesses and organisations

• Open and transparent communication

• Accessible services

Some of our fave sustainable hotels...

There are plenty of sustainable hotels leading the way (and we could shout about them 'til the cows come home), but here are just a few of our faves to kick things off...

Iberostar Alcudia Park - Majorca, Spain

Iberostar Hotels might be big on fun, but it turns out they're pretty big on sustainability too. In fact, they have their very own Wave of Change programme that's all about boosting the circular economy, promoting responsible fish consumption, and improving coastal health. Talk about making a splash! Here are a few of their initiatives:

• All Iberostar hotels are single-plastic free (with an aim to be completely waste-free by 2025!)

• 83% of the fish served in hotel restaurants is sustainably-sourced (with an aim to be 100% by 2025!)

• Star Camp kids' club runs sustainable-themed activities for the kiddos, with access to the hotel gardens

• On-site charging stations for electric vehicles

• 100% renewable electricity

Pssst! Peep the huge mural by artist Joan Aguiló at the hotel, too! It measures a whopping 1,900 square feet and showcases the importance of conserving the planet and ecosystems around the hotel.

Evenia Olympic Resort - Costa Brava, Spain

Evenia hotels are smashing it with their eco-friendly game - they even have their own sustainability concept called 'Ecovenia'. Evenia Olympic Resort is the perfect example of this, with a stack of awards to its name for all of its green practices, such as:

• Providing reusable water bottles with water stations dotted around the hotel so you can stay hydrated without the icky single-use plastics

• Recycled paper...literally everywhere - from trusty loo roll to napkins and tablecloths

• Local food is the star of the show in all the restaurants - no imports from far and wide here!

• A dedication to reducing use of conventional plastic throughout the resort, swapping out for more eco-friendly, compostable plastics instead

• Recycling points all throughout the grounds for tossing plastic, paper and glass

Aeolos Beach Resort - Corfu, Greece

Aeolos Beach Resort is another one that's changing the game, capturing a luxury feel but with sustainability at its core. Here's what Babbis Voulgaris, the CEO and big boss had to say: "Our comprehensive actions and initiatives aim to reduce energy consumption, minimize waste, conserve water, promote biodiversity, and support local communities." We are so on board with that, and here are just a few of the ways those initiatives are being put into practice:

• 100% of the property's lighting comes from LED bulbs

• Rooms are kitted out with low-flow, water-efficient showers (don't worry, they still feel amazing)

• The hotel works around a 'Towel Reuse Programme', instead of having towels washed daily

• At least 80% of the restaurant's food is locally-sourced (within 50km)

• Plastic drinks stirrers have been swapped out for more eco-friendly alternatives

• All cleaning is done using chemical-free products

Jupiter Albufeira Hotel - Family & Fun, Albufeira, Portugal

Jupiter Albufeira Hotel - Family & Fun, aside from having a really promising name, is also smashing it in the sustainability game. All hotels that make up the Jupiter Hotel Group have the Green Key Award to their name (an international award that's basically a big fat thumbs up for eco-greatness), and this hotel right here is no exception. Here are a few of the sustainable practices they have up their sleeve:

• Flow-control technology on taps to minimise water waste

• Rocking a 'recycle, refill and reuse' policy to reduce waste

• Teaming up with Phenix to donate any leftover food that's close to its expiry date

• Amping up the solar power and using low-consumption light bulbs

• Charging ports on site for electric vehicles

• Kissing goodbye to single-use plastics and saying hello to reusable cups

More sustainable holidays

This way for more holiday inspiration