Sustainability cannot be an afterthought for luxury hotels operating today. According to research conducted by Deloitte, one in two consumers are worried or anxious about climate change. Many hotels within the UK’s luxury hotel sector have begun responding to the concerns of their customers, with brands of all sizes implementing green solutions. One such venue is Grantley Hall, a luxury five-star hotel and wellness retreat, that has successfully balanced its sustainability drive with preserving its luxury standards and aesthetic.
A partnership focused on sustainability
Located on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales, Grantley Hall initially approached Advantage Utilities in 2019 with three initial goals: to improve sustainability, save on energy costs and ensure compliance with UK regulations. Known for its exceptional service, stunning location and exclusive offering, Grantley Hall was able to successfully meet its 2024 sustainability target ahead of schedule by implementing solutions that achieved £500,008 in energy procurement savings. In percentage terms, this delivered a procurement saving of 33.18% of Grantley Hall’s total energy spend.
Balancing luxury and sustainability with solar PV
As an excellent low-cost and green alternative to grid-source energy, solar photovoltaic (PV) onsite generation is an attractive method to boost sustainability. Solar PV was to be used strategically within Grantley Hall’s sustainability efforts via the installation of a 32kW solar array on the hotel’s roof. Carried out in collaboration with renewable energy specialists Engenera, the solar array is expected to generate approximately 34,010 kWh of energy annually, positively contributing to the hotel’s long-term sustainability goals whilst maintaining its distinctive and visually impressive site. Over the 25-year lifespan of the system, it is estimated to deliver carbon savings of 9,431kg CO₂ annually.
Tackling logistical challenges with precision
Sustainability in the luxury sector often presents unique challenges, particularly for its potential impact on the aesthetics and operations of a site. Having assessed the primary challenges of the project, a comprehensive action plan was implemented to address three key issues: aesthetic concerns, installation logistics and minimising disruption.
- Aesthetic concerns: Grantley Hall was able to greatly minimise the visibility of the solar panes by placing the panels in a non-visible area on the central roof and by scheduling the installation during quieter periods.
- Installation logistics: In effectively managing the project’s logistics, cranes and forklifts were used to precisely position the panels in the central part of the hotel, ensuring a seamless installation took place.
- Minimising disruption: To ensure that the installation process did not disrupt the guest experience, the installation was scheduled during quieter periods.
Despite these logistical hurdles, the project was completed successfully and greatly minimised the impact on the guest experience – a compelling example of how sustainability can be achieved in the luxury hospitality sector.
Real-time energy monitoring for continued savings
Data-driven energy management also plays an important role in ensuring continued energy savings. Grantley Hall’s energy management platform enables the tracking and optimisation of its energy usage by ensuring that its energy-saving initiatives are performing at peak capacity. The ability to monitor energy in real time will play a critical role in achieving future energy savings, fostering a data-driven, proactive approach that helps Grantley Hall to maintain control over energy consumption and further reduce energy waste.
Ensuring compliance and sustainable efficiency
As part of Grantley Hall’s sustainability drive, compliance with regulatory standards was also a key focus. Advantage Utilities helped guide the luxury hotel through the complexities of Phase 3 of the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) and Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR), ensuring that they remain compliant with all necessary regulations across its site.
One effective method of achieving this was through a site audit. Conducted in 2021, this led to improvements in equipment efficiency and prompted positive behavioural changes among the staff that continues to contribute to sustainability goals today. These changes not only enhanced energy efficiency, but also helped develop a more environmentally aware culture within the hotel’s operations. In this case, the compliance journey has not only fulfilled regulatory obligations, but has also contributed to Grantley Hall’s long-term sustainability vision.
Sustainability as a cornerstone of luxury hospitality
Grantley Hall’s successful sustainability project demonstrates that luxury and environmental responsibility can go hand-in-hand, offering important insight to other luxury hotels looking to implement sustainability as a core element of their business strategy. By partnering with Advantage Utilities, Grantley Hall achieved significant financial and environmental benefits whilst maintaining the highest standards of service and aesthetics that its guests expect.
As more hotels in the high-end hospitality sector look to improve their sustainability credentials, Advantage Utilities is well-positioned as a trusted partner of hotels of all sizes, offering bespoke solutions to align with environmental and business goals.
Tim Ross is the Commercial Director at energy and sustainability consultancy Advantage Utilities. With over a decade of experience as director, Tim offers businesses and organisations bespoke energy management advice.
