We are seeing an increasing number of empty streets around the world as a result of people having to remain indoors during lockdowns brought into place to slow the spread of COVID-19.  As a direct result, there’s a variety of wildlife venturing into towns and cities as the environment recovers just slightly during that period.

From clear water and fish now evident in the once murky canals of Venice, to wild boar venturing down from the hills around Barcelona. And from goats wandering the streets of Llandudno in Wales, to peacocks strutting through the streets of Ronda in Spain.

Perhaps once we are able to turn our thoughts to holidays again, the appeal of staying in a ‘green’ hotel may be even more attractive to tourists.  Having witnessed the rapid impact on the environment during our confinement, why not continue our efforts to protect our surroundings.

We have selected one luxury hotel from five different destinations in the Spanish Canary Islands. We’ve set out the main features they are recognised for in relation to their green / eco-friendly credentials, together with an overview of the general facilities on offer to guests.  The Canary Islands are known as being a year-round destination so will be ready to accept tourists again after lockdowns are released.

Tenerife: Jardines de Nivaria Hotel in Costa Adeje

You can fly direct to Tenerife from many major airports in the UK with a flight time of approximately 4.5 hours.

This luxury hotel has direct access to the beachfront promenade (via a lift), and is surrounded by exotic gardens. With 271 rooms over 5 floors, this is one of the larger hotels featured here. You will find 3 outdoor pools including 1 for children.  There’s an extensive sunbathing terrace with sunbeds and parasols.  To escape the sun, visit the hotel’s gym with cardio fitness equipment, weights, sauna and steam room.  There’s also mini-golf, table tennis and tennis available for guests to enjoy.

You can stay at the Jardines de Nivaria on bed and breakfast, half board and full board and you can enjoy a selection of restaurants including a la carte, Spanish, buffet, and international cuisine.

During the evening, the hotel provides evening entertainment throughout the year.

Amongst the green features offered at this hotel are:

• Tracking of energy use and carbon emissions of the building
• Linen re-use programme including housekeeper training and regular checks
• Recycling bins in common areas
• Recycling of at least two types of waste such as paper, glass, plastic and cardboard
• Education for guests and staff training on green practices
• At least 75% of interior lightbulbs are energy-efficient
• Air conditioning and heating temperatures set to save energy
• Energy saving lighting controls in public areas
• South facing overhangs and tree shading to keep building cool
• Sensors in over 90% of guest rooms turning off lights/electronics and controlling temperature when room is empty
• Water efficient guest bathrooms and public restrooms
• At least 90% of toiletries biodegradable and with organic ingredients, refillable toiletries dispensers, recycled packaging
• Over 50% of beverages are certified – eg organic, fair trade, etc.
• Up to 75% of furniture has ‘green’ characteristics
• Complete waste assessment of building with food waste composted, safe disposal of hazardous materials such as batteries and paint
• At least 90% of mattresses, furniture and flooring is recycled when replaced
• At least 75% of landscaping is plants native to region combined with low chemical gardening
• Paving designed to minimise flooding
• Over 75% of roof painted white to reflect heat and reduce energy needed for air conditioning
• Low VOC paints, primers, adhesives and sealants used
• EMAS: Eco-Management and Audit Scheme.  This enables hotels to assess, manage and continuously improve their environmental performance
• ISO 14001: Sets out the criteria and framework for an environmental management system

You can walk to the centre of Costa Adeje resort which is 1.8km from the hotel with the nearest shops, bars and restaurants just over 500m away.

Lanzarote: Melia Salinas in Costa Teguise

You can fly direct to Lanzarote from many major airports in the UK with a flight time of approximately 4.5 hours.

This 270 room hotel has a wonderful location overlooking the sea in the popular resort of Costa Teguise.  The large lagoon-style heated pools are surrounded by sunbathing terraces with sunbeds and straw parasols.  For active guests, there is an air-conditioned gym with cardio and strength equipment.  Aqua aerobics, dance classes, pilates and yoga are amongst the other leisure activities available. There is daily daytime and evening entertainment for guests year round.

The hotel offers stays on a bed and breakfast, half board, or all inclusive basis.  Enjoy the a la carte Italian restaurant for dinner or a buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner in the Mosaico Restaurant.

Amongst the green features offered at this hotel are:

• Tracking of energy use
• Linen re-use programme including housekeeper training and regular checks
• Recycling bins in common areas
• Recycling of at least two types of waste such as paper, glass, plastic and cardboard
• Education for guests and staff training on green practices
• At least 75% of interior lightbulbs are energy-efficient
• Air conditioning and heating temperatures set to save energy
• Energy saving lighting controls in public areas
• South facing overhangs to keep building cool
• Sensors in over 90% of guest rooms turning off lights and controlling temperature when room is empty
• Water efficient guest bathrooms and public restrooms
• At least 90% of toiletries have recycled packaging
• Over 50% of cleaning products are ‘Green’ certified
• Safe disposal of hazardous materials such as batteries and paint
• At least 90% of furniture and mattresses are recycled when replaced
• At least 90% of crockery and cutlery is reusable
• At least 75% of landscaping is plants native to region

The hotel is seafront and approximately 500m from the nearest shops, bars and restaurants.  You’ll find yourself just 1.3km from the centre of the resort of Costa Teguise.

La Gomera: Jardin Tecina in Playa de Santiago

You cannot fly direct into La Gomera from any airport in the UK.  The most straight forward way to get to this island would be to fly direct into Tenerife South from most of the major UK airports. Then a 30 minute ferry ride from the harbour at Los Cristianos over the La Gomera.  The flight to Tenerife South is approximately 4.5 hours.

Located just 50m from the beach, the Jardin Tecina hotel is located on a clifftop overlooking the Atlantic. With 5 swimming pools, you’ll be spoiled for choice. The main pool is a set of 3 adjacent pools for adults and children.  There is an adult only pool with Balinese beds, for those guests staying in a duplex suite room.

Guests can stay at the hotel on bed and breakfast, half board and full board.  Breakfast and dinner can be taken by the sea in the main restaurant. Breakfast can also be taken at the Gara Restaurant with views of the gardens surrounding the hotel, and the sea.

Sporting guests will enjoy the 5 tennis courts, beach volleyball court, squash court, table tennis, fitness centre, mini-golf and a championship 18-hole clifftop golf course.

Amongst the green features offered at this hotel are:

• Tracking of energy use
• Linen reuse programme including housekeeper training and regular checks
• Recycling bins in common areas
• Recycling of at least two types of waste such as paper, glass, plastic and cardboard
• Education for guests and staff training on green practices
• At least 75% of interior lightbulbs are energy-efficient
• Completed energy assessment of the building
• Energy saving lighting controls in public areas
• Sensors in over 90% of guest rooms turning off lights/electronics when room is empty
• Water heated by solar thermal system
• Tree shading to keep building cool
• Water efficient guest bathrooms and public restrooms
• Uses alternative water sources for watering gardens including collecting rainwater and condensation
• Over 50% of fruit and vegetables are certified organic, fair trade, etc.
• Refillable toiletries dispensers and 100% biodegradable toiletries in over 90% of guest rooms
• Yard waste and food waste composted
• Safe disposal of hazardous materials such as batteries and paint
• At least 90% of mattresses recycled when replaced
• At least 90% of crockery and cutlery is reusable
• Low chemical gardening
• Electric car charging station
• Tracks carbon emissions of the building
• EMAS: Eco-Management and Audit Scheme.  This enables hotels to assess, manage and continuously improve their environmental performance
• ISO 14001: Sets out the criteria and framework for an environmental management system

Gran Canaria: Seaside Grand Hotel Residencia in Maspalomas

You can fly direct to Gran Canaria from many major airports in the UK with a flight time of approximately 4.5 hours.

This is a smaller hotel with just 94 rooms over 2 floors, and is Gran Canaria’s only member of the Leading Hotels of the World group.  The hotel’s surroundings are beautiful and very close to the Maspalomas sand dunes which are only 300m away.

There are 3 outdoor heated swimming pools (including one for children) and are surrounded by small sunbathing terraces.  Although it is a small hotel, you will find a gym with cardio fitness equipment, weights area, strength equipment, sauna and steam room.

There is 1 main restaurant serving both buffet and a la carte menus where you can take breakfast and evening meal.  You can either stay on bed and breakfast or half board at this hotel.  During the evening, the hotel provides entertainment which is more regular during the winter season than the summer season.

Amongst the green features offered at this hotel are:

• Tracking of energy use
• Linen reuse programme including housekeeper training and regular checks
• Recycling bins in common areas
• Recycling of at least two types of waste such as paper, glass, plastic and cardboard
• Education for guests and staff training on green practices
• At least 75% of interior lightbulbs are energy-efficient
• Efficient laundry dryers
• Completed energy assessment of building
• Sensors in over 90% of guest rooms turn off lights and adjusts temperature when a guest room is empty
• Air conditioning temperature set to save energy
• Water efficient guest bathrooms and public restrooms
• At least 90% of toiletries have recycled packaging
• Safe disposal of hazardous materials such as batteries and paint
• At least 90% of crockery and cutlery is reusable
• At least 75% of landscaping has plants native to the region and maintained with low chemical gardening
• Low VOC paints, primers, adhesives and sealants used

The hotel is just 300m from Maspalomas beach and 700m from Meloneras resort centre.

Fuerteventura:  Gran Hotel Atlantis Bahia Real in Corralejo

You can fly direct to Fuerteventura from many major airports in the UK with a flight time of approximately 4.5 hours.

This is a larger hotel with 242 rooms over 3 floors and in a privileged position right on the beach in the popular resort of Corralejo in the north of the island.   There are 3 outdoor swimming pools (one of which is heated), each being surrounded by sun terraces with sunbeds and parasols.

You can enjoy the air-conditioned gym with cardio fitness equipment, an aerobics studio, strength equipment and a whirlpool.  Fitness classes are also available including Zumba, pilates, spinning, yoga and aqua aerobics.

Guests can stay at the hotel on bed and breakfast and half board.  There are a good number of restaurants to choose from serving from a la carte to buffet menus.  You can enjoy Spanish and Japanese cuisine as well as international menus.  There’s evening entertainment year round including live music for guests.

Amongst the green features offered at this hotel are:

• Tracking of energy use
• Linen reuse and towel reuse programme including housekeeper training and regular checks
• Recycling bins in common areas
• Recycling of at least two types of waste such as paper, glass, plastic and cardboard
• Education for guests and staff training on green practices
• At least 75% of interior lightbulbs are energy-efficient
• Efficient laundry dryers
• Completed energy assessment of building
• Efficient heating/air conditioning system
• South facing overhangs keep building cool
• Sensors in over 90% of guest rooms turn lights off / adjusts temperature / turns off electronics when a guest room is empty
• Energy saving lighting controls in public areas
• Water efficient guest bathrooms and public restrooms
• Uses alternative water sources for watering gardens
• At least 90% of toiletries have recycled packaging and toiletries produced with organic ingredients
• Safe disposal of hazardous materials such as batteries and paint
• At least 90% of crockery and cutlery is reusable
• At least 90% of furniture / flooring / mattresses are recycled when replaced
• At least 75% of landscaping has plants native to the region and maintained with low chemical gardening
• Special paving designed to minimise flooding
• Low VOC paints, primers, adhesives and sealants used
• Education for guests on local environment
• Biosphere Certified

With over 50 ‘green’ hotels throughout the Canary Islands, there are many opportunities for solo travellers, couples, or families to enjoy holidays whilst being conscious of any impact on the environment.  There’s certainly time to search out where you’d like to travel to next whilst we remain in the confines of our homes.  Hopefully the latter part of the year will see us enjoying travelling once again, and some form of normality returns to our lives.

By Gail Hewitt