Hotels Taking Steps Towards Sustainability in Rethymno

Situated on the alluring shores of Rethymno, Nautilux by Mage Hotels embodies the perfect blend of sustainability and luxury. A strong advocate of environmental respect, Nautilux is rooted in the belief that even the smallest efforts can lead to significant environmental benefits. This belief has shaped an ethos that guides the training of the hotel staff, turning them into valuable contributors to their community's wellbeing. The hotel itself is built to Energy Class A specifications, highlighting its dedication to minimizing energy consumption. Equipped with Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) heating pumps, the hotel ensures efficient temperature management with minimal energy usage.

Continuing its green practices, Nautilux utilizes LED technology for lighting across the premises. The LED bulbs utilized in the hotel are recognized for their durability and energy-saving capabilities, and can be completely recycled, thus conforming to the hotel's environmental objectives. To enhance energy efficiency even more, the hotel capitalizes on the region's plentiful solar energy via the implementation of photovoltaic systems, consequently lessening reliance on exhaustible resources. An automatic sprinkler irrigation system nurtures the hotel's lush flora, demonstrating sustainability in the most basic aspects of hotel maintenance. Recycling forms a core policy, implemented throughout the hotel's operations. Furthermore, Nautilux pays homage to its locale by sourcing food supplies from local, seasonal produce, supporting community businesses while providing fresh, delicious fare to its guests. All these practices underline Nautilux's commitment to environmental stewardship while offering a remarkable stay experience.

Sun-kissed and sustainable, the Belvedere Luxury Apartments & Spa is an eco-conscious haven for green travellers. Drawing its power from the sun, Belvedere Luxury Apartments & Spa exemplifies commitment to sustainable practices through its choice of eco-friendly building materials and architectural design, which harnesses natural light and air circulation, reducing dependence on air-conditioning and artificial lighting. The hotel manifests its dedication to environmental responsibility not just through the use of heat-regulating triple-glazed windows but also by choosing non-toxic cleaning products and incorporating energy-saving LED lighting throughout its premises.

At Belvedere, conservation is an essential part of everyday operations. An environmental manager oversees adherence to environmental policies, guiding the well-trained staff on eco-friendly practices. It also boasts innovative systems to minimize waste and conserve resources, from toilets that only flush up to 6 litres of water to the reuse of treated wastewater. All waste is meticulously separated into at least three categories, and the use of disposable items such as cups, glasses, plates, and cutlery is strictly avoided. Further, the hotel smartly uses automatic systems that turn off lights and electrical appliances when guests leave their room. In its restaurant, most of the ingredients are sourced locally and a vegetarian menu is always on offer, reducing food miles while offering a diverse palette of choices. Regular energy audits ensure the effectiveness of these initiatives, ensuring the Belvedere Luxury Apartments & Spa remains a shining example of eco-friendly hospitality.

Galini Breeze hotel stands out for its dedication to sustainable tourism, evident through its certification under the Booking.com Travel Sustainable category. The hotel makes extensive use of renewable energy, using solar radiation and a private Photo Voltaic installation, which yields 20MWh annually, in addition to a Solar Collector hot water production system. Constructed with eco-friendly materials, the structure of the building is optimized to harness natural light and facilitate air circulation, thereby diminishing energy requirements. The hotel advocates water preservation by employing a rainwater gathering system. Furthermore, the implementation of LED lighting and intelligent heating and cooling mechanisms aids in realizing the establishment's aspiration of attaining an annual net energy consumption of zero.

Waste management at Galini Breeze is taken seriously, with waste separated into several categories, organic waste composted, and the elimination of single-use plastics. Guests are subtly encouraged to play their part, with signs promoting towel reuse to reduce water usage. Employee training on environmental policies ensures all staff contribute to the hotel's sustainability efforts, which extend to involvement in initiatives such as reforestation and wildlife conservation. This commitment to sustainability shows that luxury and environmental responsibility can coexist harmoniously in the hospitality industry.

Embodying a firm commitment to environmental sustainability, Kriti Beach Hotel stands proudly with certifications from Green Key and the ISO 14001 Environmental management systems, testifying its eco-friendly initiatives. The hotel harnesses solar radiation as a primary source of renewable energy, helping to reduce its carbon footprint. A written environmental policy statement anchors its eco-friendly stance, with a dedicated environmental manager overseeing its implementation. The hotel design incorporates triple-glazed windows that help maintain optimal internal temperatures, thus reducing the need for heating and cooling systems. LED lighting enhances energy efficiency throughout the premises, and the use of non-toxic cleaning products ensures a chemical-free environment.

At Kriti Beach Hotel, conservation extends beyond energy, with significant attention paid to water and waste management. The toilets are designed to use up to six litres per flush, and room signs encourage guests to reuse towels. With an effective waste separation system that categorises waste into at least three different categories, the hotel ensures responsible waste disposal. The elimination of disposable cups, glasses, plates, and cutlery further minimises unnecessary waste. An automatic system turns off lighting and electrical appliances when guests leave their rooms, and heating and air-conditioning also switch off automatically when windows are open, preventing energy wastage. As part of its sustainable dining initiatives, the hotel offers a vegetarian alternative menu in its restaurant. Lastly, the provision of electric car charging stations and regular energy audits carried out every five years, mark Kriti Beach Hotel's commendable approach towards a more sustainable future in the hospitality industry.

Situated in the charming area of Crete, Arcus Suites is not just any ordinary place to stay. As a certified TripAdvisor GreenLeaders property, it stands tall as an icon of eco-friendly tourism. The architectural design of the property is thoughtfully planned to capitalize on natural light and airflow, significantly lessening the dependence on artificial lighting, heating and cooling systems. Rooms are illuminated using LED lights that conserve energy, and a clean and healthy atmosphere is maintained by using eco-friendly, non-toxic cleaning supplies.

The hotel takes several measures to conserve resources and reduce waste. The toilet systems are water-efficient, flushing only up to 6 litres per flush. Guests are informed via in-room signs about the policy of changing towels only upon request. The hotel's waste management plan includes separating waste into at least three categories, and there is a no-use policy for disposable cups, glasses, plates, and cutlery. The conscientious energy use extends to an automatic system that turns off lights and other electrical appliances when guests leave their rooms, and heating or air conditioning systems that deactivate when windows are opened. The hotel's commitment to sustainability even reaches its kitchen, where the majority of ingredients used are locally sourced. Along with this, Arcus Suites ensures to measure and maintain its carbon footprint through a recognized CO2 measurement tool. Such intricate attention to sustainability makes Arcus Suites a perfect choice for the eco-conscious traveller.

Within the elegant confines of Thalassa Boutique Hotel, sustainability is no mere afterthought but a fundamental operating principle. Harnessing the power of solar radiation, the hotel employs renewable energy sources to meet its requirements. A commitment to the environment is evidenced in the sustainable resources used in building materials and a dedicated environmental policy statement that steers operations. The architectural blueprint of the hotel underscores its commitment to environmental conservation. By enhancing airflow and utilizing natural light to the fullest, the establishment drastically minimizes the reliance on air-conditioning, heating, and artificial lighting.

Every lighting fixture in the hotel is fitted with energy-conserving LED bulbs. Furthermore, the infrastructure incorporates energy-efficient doors and windows, with the addition of triple-glazed windows acting as effective thermal barriers against extreme temperatures. Moreover, Thalassa Boutique Hotel uses an automatic system or key card that turns off lights and electrical appliances once guests exit their room, further minimizing energy consumption. The hotel's gastronomic offerings also promote sustainability, with most ingredients sourced locally and a vegetarian menu available in the restaurant. From flush-efficient toilets to the proactive training of staff to follow environmental policies, every aspect of the Thalassa Boutique Hotel experience is tinged with eco-consciousness.