Sierra de Grazalema hotel in rural Spain

Ecology is part of hotel management. At hotel we offer ecological training for employees and we provide information for clients about ecological advances. We control energy consumption by means of computerised systems. We use temperature controllers in rooms and we have installed automatic light controls by card in rooms. We have an automatic disconnecting switch in the air-conditioning before the opening of the doors and windows of the rooms.

The kitchen's staff have received the necessary guidelines to rinse vegetables in saucepans whenever possible and to use the dishwasher at the highest possible capacity. We put information in the toilets about the importance of saving water. We change the towels or bed linen when the client wishes. We avoid the use of toilet paper made with chlorine and dye. In our hotel we have increased the number of solar panels to reduce emissions of contaminants.

We use recyclable and/or returnable packaging at our hotel whenever we can. We use recycled computer material (ink cartridges, toners). We use detergents and cleaning products produced under environmental management systems. We chose suppliers with ecological criteria. We buy wholesale to avoid unnecessary packaging. Drinks are always served in glass or directly from barrels, except in the solarium areas.

Xerogardening techniques are used for both indoor and outdoor landscaping: authocthonous plants and other plants strongly adapted to ensure both adaptation and avoiding the rising of plagues and deceases; located watering system so avoiding uncontrolled water consumption, combining vegetables species with other non vegetable elements, so giving outdoor areas a bigger functionality. Outside we use autochthonous plants because they need less water and so we care for them and the environment and we maximise wherever possible the green areas. We avoid whenever possible weed killers, pesticides and chemical fertilisers.

We collect minor waste produced by our guests to keep the beaches clean. We recycle oil, glass, paper and batteries. We compost vegetable remains (prunings). We avoid the purchase of products in non returnable packaging and in small or individual units. We avoid the purchase of products which are doubly packaged. We use refillable or returnable containers when serving food. Ecological chlorine systems with mineral salt are used in the swimming pool. We offer excursions and activities which respect the environment. We promote environmentally friendly transport, bike rental, trekking. We promote local cultural activities such as exhibitions, concerts, local festivals.

Solar panels used for sanitary water heating as well as for the heated swimming pool. This way the solar possibilities of the area are fully used and the energy saving is remarkably increased. At our hotel special attention is given to the swimming pool purifying and maintenance of the water, since traditional products based on chlorine together with other products result in harmful substances for the health. This is why we have chosen saline electrolysis systems both for the indoor swimming pool and for the outdoor one. Totally safe methods which guaranty the health of bathers.

Most of the employees come from the surrounding area of the hotels. We promote the consumption of natural, fresh and in season foods and promote the consumption of produce from local farmers. We buy to the nearest supplier to grant this. We use handicraft products in the decoration.

We also have a foundation with the aim of gathering and managing the wish of the company in collaborating with solving the problems within its social surroundings. The foundation wants to favour sustainable development for the persons at risk or with physical and/or cultural shortage within Spain and abroad. This mission will be developed by means of assistance or the creation of projects which wholly improve living conditions, education, dwelling and/or human development.

The hotel cooperates with and supports the Asociación Horizonte Proyecto Hombre in Marbella, in all its activities and programmes in order to achieve the Association’s goal. The Association’s goal is to assist people with dependence problems, working in preventing drug addiction by encouraging the dependents personal development and social insertion. The hotel is a basic cooperation pillar for all Horizonte Programmes such as Therapeutic Programmes, Care Home to support treatments, Youngsters Programme, community and family prevention, training and promotion of volunteers. We support financially, in kind, with infrastructure, equipment, qualified personnel for technical projects, human resources, management office. The hotel donates €0.60 to Horizonte for each reservation made through the website.

A cooperation agreement was signed in March 2005 with the Magdala Foundation. This foundation has a long experience and works in poverty sectors helping the development of the people in their own environment. At present our foundation and the Magdala Foundation are working together in a project aimed to build a house, a sports track and a water reservoir, for the lodging and development of a therapeutic programme to help youngsters from 12 to 16 years of age, The house is located in the countryside, in the municipal district of Victoria, some 100 Km away from Caracas (Venezuela). The foundation is promoting the building of a settlement for families affected by Hurricane Emily through a “self-construction” system, by managing improvements in kitchens, communal bathrooms and refurbishment of the existing rooms (Las Galeras), promoting infrastructure and designing a house model type thus helping shanty towns and marginality in an area of new development. A multiple purpose “cultural lounge” shall also be created.