The 167-bedroom hotel achieved over 85% in the worldwide environmental rating system for buildings due to its state-of-the-art heat, cooling and energy-saving technologies, which Premier Inn estimates will reduce energy consumption by 30% on current building regulations.

Sustainability measures installed in the hotel include using air-source heat pumps to provide heating and cooling for the hotel. The pumps incorporate heat recovery technology and result in lower overall carbon emissions when compared to traditional technologies. 

Sustainable hospitality

Domestic water is provided by a combined heat and power (CHP) energy saving unit with thermal storage, while low-energy LED light fittings have been installed throughout the hotel and restaurant to minimise energy wastage. The hotel also uses 100% renewable certified electricity.

The hotel has been designed to be user-friendly by enabling guests to control lighting and heating in bedrooms from an app. In addition, hub team members are trained in energy and water awareness to promote sustainable behaviour and good environmental housekeeping.

Premier Inn will not know the actual amount of energy saved until it receives energy usage data when the hotel has been open for six months (in three months’ time).

“As a global standard, achieving the highest BREEAM rating for a hotel in the UK is a real step-change for the hospitality industry,” said Simon Ewins, director of CSR at Whitbread Hotels and Restaurants and chief operating officer of the hub by Premier Inn brand. “The rating demonstrates that even with heavy water and energy usage by guests, companies can prioritise sustainability alongside great customer service.” 

Sustainability Leader

BREEAM director Gavin Dunn added: “This is a real achievement at the hub by Premier Inn, Covent Garden. It shows a strong commitment to innovation and sustainability and as the first ‘outstanding’ rated hotel in the UK provides an exemplar for the industry as a whole.”

Hub by Premier Inn is a new generation of compact budget hotels in the heart of the city, featuring compact rooms and digitally enhanced connectivity. The Covent Garden site the first of 11 hub hotels planned by 2018 in London and Edinburgh.

Premier Inn is owned by hospitality giant and sustainability leader Whitbread, which was one of the winners at the Sustainability Leaders awards 2014 in November for water management. In December, it reiterated its commitment to green growth with a 2014 CSR report that demonstrated significant progress with its various sustainability initiatives.

Lucinda Dann

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