Remodelled Mexican hotel Maroma balances uber-luxe design with a commitment to preserving its local biodiversity. From green certifications to employee wellbeing programmes, here’s what you should check before you book your next sustainable stay
Luxury properties that claim to have made sustainability their mission are far from rare right now, so if minimising your impact on the environment is your top priority, then choosing where to stay can be tricky.
Maroma – a stunning retreat nestled between the jungle and ocean of Mexico’s Riviera Maya – is a stellar example of how to build (and run) a luxury hotel ethically. Inspired by its achievements, which earned the property the Flor de Caña Eco Hotel Award at this year’s edition of The World’s 50 Best Hotels, reference this checklist of eco-conscious considerations to help you find your next eco-friendly retreat.
1. Check the certifications
Maroma reopened in 2023 under Belmond ownership following a major refurbishment
Seals and stamps of approval from environmental bodies seem to feature on most hotels’ websites now and while a plethora of eco-accolades isn’t the only way to tell if a hotel applies sustainable practices, it certainly helps. To earn significant eco-responsible credentials, establishments must adopt a holistic approach to the environment, which means everything must ladder up to a more environmentally aware ethos, from employee values to education programmes for guests.
Maroma re-opened in August 2023 after an extensive renovation and redesign project, gaining coveted EarthCheck Design certification thanks to the way it handled the refurb. Not only did the refit preserve many of the existing structures, the brand-new fittings and materials and the design of the remainder of the hotel was crafted using sustainable materials. Beyond the facade, Maroma is recognised as a Starlight destination – locations with ideal conditions for observing the stars and where light pollution is controlled – so guests can expect star-gazing opportunities aplenty.
2. Check the biodiversity
Sustainable-focused resorts should aim to work alongside any local wildlife
Protection of local wildlife is vital to maintaining a thriving biodiversity and Maroma’s seaside resort has made the beauty of its resident flora and fauna its number one attraction. And it’s not just about how pretty the surrounding vegetation is, the hotel has made concrete steps towards habitat preservation by partnering with the NGO Parlay for the Oceans to reduce plastic pollution in a three-step programme: coral mapping with employees, organising daily beach cleanups and promoting talks with likeminded speakers to share their own experiences of environmental preservation. The resort even offers sustainable ocean golf with golf balls made from biodegradable material that automatically turns into fish food when they touch the sea!
The jewel in Maroma’s eco-crown is its wildlife programme that supports two endemic species: sea turtles and the Melipona bee. The hotel has a sea turtle nursery that has released more than 10,000 young animals into the ocean. The Melipona bee, an endemic species threatened by deforestation, has a sanctuary in residence at the property, and the staff have managed to incorporate the hive residents into their guests’ activities by offering ‘sound healing’ treatments to staff and visitors.
3. Check the support provided to local communities
Maroma supports its local community through buying local crafts for its rooms
Sometimes the best way to make an impact on the local environment is to actively engage with local communities, celebrating craft cooperatives along the way. Maroma takes this aspect seriously and has invested in sustainable amenities for its rooms and suites. All the beautifully made fans, caftans, beach bags and sandals are sourced from the workshops of regional artisans.
Beyond the hotel rooms, Maroma is investing in local communities with classes offered to children on the importance of preserving the region’s bees through a Bee School, while Maroma’s Life for My School project implements biotechnologies such as vermicomposting and hydroponics in schools within marginalised communities.
4. Check how the hotel deals with waste
Freddy's Bar inside Maroma operates with a zero-waste philosophy
Some waste is pretty much unavoidable in a hotel, but what really makes a difference is how the team handles it. Maroma’s smart approach involves sorting waste into a mind-boggling 15 different streams that make it easier to channel refuse towards composting, reuse or recycling, minimising true waste where possible.
On the food and beverage front, it promotes a zero-waste agenda at Freddy’s Bar as well as a cocktail programme that celebrates and sources spirits from local producers – so you can sip signature drinks like the Camomila (raicilla, local orange, chamomile, sake, elderflower) with a clear conscience. The hotel has three programmes to manage leftovers – some are donated to the local community, others are composted to fertilise the green spaces and non-compostable organic waste is sent to a local farm to be used as livestock feed.
5. Check staff wellbeing
Care for wellbeing should extend to a hotel's staff as well as its guests
Sustainability isn’t all about the natural environment. Being ethical also means being aware of social sustainability and treating staff with respect, which also involves caring for team members’ work-life balance.
Maroma’s policy for employees is defined by a Wellness Committee that oversees the organisation of monthly activities designed to boost the staff’s mood and nurture a healthier work environment.
The Maromerito programme also helps parents integrate their children into the hotel’s activities, while all the employees can benefit from a 24/7 medical service, mental health counselling, nutritional advice and even legal consultation if needed. Additionally, employees are given ‘community days’ so they can volunteer for a variety of local causes from dog shelters to park restoration, which in turn helps support and sustain the surrounding community and environment.
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