Gran Meliá Hotel Chain Opens Carbon-Zero Villa On Mediterranean Island

As sustainable travel takes off, the Gran Meliá is pulling out all the stops with the unveiling of a new, five-star carbon-zero hotel.

The neutral-emissions hotel, Villa Le Blanc, is located on the island of Menorca, off the coast of Spain. Menorca was recognized by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve in 1993. As such, the hotel chain has made great moves to protect the island and the environment in general with the building of its latest hotel.

Innovative green technology was incorporated into the building to reduce emissions by 87%. For example, the heat emitted from Villa Le Blanc’s air-conditioning systems will be distributed to heat up its pools. Rainwater will also be collected and used as an irrigation system to water the plants on the property.

Its three onsite restaurants will also take part in the sustainability efforts by sourcing organic produce from the local fishermen and community.

In addition, Villa Le Blanc is turning its waste management into a circular system by taking waste materials and upcycling them into something else.

The remaining percentage will be eliminated through other offsetting programs set up by the company. 

The villa isn’t just easy on the environment, but it’s easy on the eyes as well. Swathed in an island blue and white, the Mediterranean lodging has 159 rooms, and each comes with its own balcony and ocean views. There are also private pools and rooftop areas for guests to overlook the sea.

[via Robb Report and Hospitality Net, cover image via Gran Meliá]