Ahead of Earth Day, 67% of Australians reveal sustainability is an important factor when choosing a hotel*. That’s why IHG Hotels & Resorts is highlighting its evergreen commitment to building a more sustainable future 365 days a year.
In 2021, IHG launched Journey to Tomorrow, a ten-year action plan with a series of ambitious commitments to help shape the future of responsible travel and care for people, communities and the planet.
In honour of Earth Day 2023 (April 22) and its ‘Invest in Our Planet’ theme, IHG Hotels & Resorts is showcasing some of its sustainability initiatives across its family of 18 hotel brands in Australia and beyond. See below for unique ways guests can get involved and give back to the communities they visit.
Foster a Plant Pal at Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants
Studies show plants can boost moods and reduce stress, but they’re tough to travel with. That’s why, from April in honour of Earth Day, guests of Kimpton hotels around the world can now request a plant in their room to brighten their stay with the new Plant Pals Program. Not only do plants provide an emotional benefit, they also improve air quality, produce oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide – so they’re great for us and the planet! Guests can simply ask at the front desk, and a plant from the local region will be delivered to guests’ rooms – a mood booster straight from Mother Nature.
Kimpton Margot Sydney will have 8 different plants available for guests from 19 April, including monstera, philodendron cordatum and homalomena.
Kimpton Shinjuku Tokyo will have 6 local plant varieties available to guests from 22 April. Additionally, guests can enjoy a special edition cocktail during the daily evening Social Hour to help guests show their love for . Based on traditional Japanese green tea, the cocktail combines KI NO BI dry gin made with Japanese botanicals, Lillet Blanc aperitif, Laphroaig Islay single malt scotch whisky, agave syrup, and premium green tea.
Get educated and inspired by marine life at InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa
Guests at InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort and Spa can attend interactive sessions with a marine biologist from Reef Safari at onsite Kama Lounge at 4 pm every Monday and Friday. Guests can learn about the rich marine ecosystem at Natadola Bay, the hotel’s restoration efforts and the impact of the work being done. This engaging and informative talk provides education and inspires a sense of personal connection to the ocean on the doorstep of the resort.
Plant a tree to offset your carbon footprint at voco Kirkton Park Hunter Valley
On the sprawling grounds of voco Kirkton Park Hunter Valley, guests can experience 70 acres of interactive farming complete with bees, solar panels, animal farms, interactive veggie gardens, and recycled water that feeds the lush estate. Guests can participate in regular ‘sustainability walks’ to learn more about what goes into the estate’s interactive farming practices and other unique innovations. The hotel’s ‘Bees for Trees’ program allows businesses to opt into planting a tree to offset the carbon footprint generated from hosting their event.
Help preserve the ocean at InterContinental Hayman Island Resort
At Australia’s most iconic private island located in the heart of the Whitsundays, a range of environmentally-friendly initiatives are in place to help conserve the stunning surroundings of the InterContinental Hayman Island Resort. The onsite Grove Boutique stocks many environmentally-friendly brands, including The island has a veto on non-reef-safe sunscreen and there are multiple still filtered water stations across the resort. In-Room thermal technology systems also mean lights, air conditioning, curtains, blinds and appliances are adjusted to optimise thermal efficiency and reduce energy use when guests aren’t in the room.
Be a waste warrior at Crowne Plaza Queenstown
In the world’s adventure capital, where stunning nature abounds, minimising the impact on the environment is a top priority for Crowne Plaza Queenstown. hotel company to commit to removing bathroom miniatures, which helps to reduce plastic waste by approximately 80%. Crowne Plaza Queenstown is a proud partner of the Hotel Weka Recycling Program, an end-to-end recycling program that stops used plastic toiletries from going into the sea and landfills, as well as the Soap Aid program, a not-for-profit that reprocesses and delivers recycled hotel soap to disadvantaged communities. Learn more about these initiatives here.
Breathe fresher air at voco Melbourne Central
Approaching its 1-year anniversary on 28 April, guests of voco Melbourne Central can enjoy operable windows in all of its 252 guest rooms, reducing the need for energy-depleting air-conditioning. Additionally, because greenery is good for air quality and health and wellbeing benefits, the hotel is cultivating plant life throughout its public spaces via a partnership with Victorian ecological garden specialists Fytogreen. Hotel guests can also enjoy an aesthetically pleasing kitchen garden located by the pool terrace, which is used by chefs of the hotel’s Blacksmith Brasserie restaurant.
Rebuild the reef at InterContinental Bora Bora Resort
In partnership with Espace Bleu, guests of InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa can experience a real coral nursery for themselves and learn how to make a coral cutting, doing their bit for regenerating the local reef. When the coral cutting becomes large enough to be viable, it is transferred to the coral reefs of Bora Bora. Guests can keep track of their hand-propagated coral as once it’s re-homed, they’re sent the location’s GPS coordinates and can watch their coral flourish.
Getting back to nature with Holiday Inn Melbourne Airport
Ever wondered what bathroom amenties and vegetables have in common? Guests of Holiday Inn Melbourne Airport can now find out thanks to the brand-new vegetable garden launched in partnership with luxury guest cosmetics provider, VANITY GROUP, to support the hotels’ switch to SOAK Superfood Skincare bulk amenities. The on-site garden offers a one-stop pop of nutrients, vegetables and herbs, and is an important step towards further reducing waste, while providing guests with fresh, seaonsal produce across its restaurants and bars.
