Sustainable Luxury: Our Commitment to a Greener Future at Seaham Hall
Here at Seaham Hall, perched on the stunning Durham Heritage Coast, we stand as a beacon of sustainable luxury among the best hotels in North East England.
- Date published
- 9 October 2024
Our Georgian country house, transformed into one of the region's premier 5-star luxury spa hotels UK, is not just a haven of relaxation and indulgence—it's a testament to how luxury hospitality can lead the way in environmental stewardship.
Our Partnership with EarthCheck
We've partnered with EarthCheck, the world's leading Benchmarking and Certification Provider, to ensure our sustainability efforts are both measurable and impactful. Our commitment revolves around three core themes: Planet, People, and Prosperity, with regular progress monitoring. This partnership allows us to benchmark our performance against other luxury properties worldwide, ensuring we're always at the forefront of sustainable practices in the hospitality industry.
"Here at Seaham Hall, we are continuously striving towards a sustainable future," shares our dedicated sustainability team member. "Our efforts encompass reducing our carbon footprint, embracing eco-friendly practices, and supporting local communities. We are committed to seeking innovative solutions to minimise waste, conserve energy, and protect our natural surroundings and wildlife in our day-to-day operations."
Sustainable Spa Experiences
For guests seeking luxury spa breaks in the North East, our eco-conscious approach extends to every aspect of their stay. Our Serenity Spa, a cornerstone of the Seaham Hall experience, uses Temple Spa and ishga products, both brands passionate about sustainability. Temple Spa's packaging is made from recycled plastics, with 100% recyclable tubes and 90% recyclable components. They've removed 7.3 tonnes per year of non-recyclable plastics from our ecosystem by changing from jars and removing spatulas. ishga, meanwhile, sources seaweed locally from the Isle of Lewis, reducing carbon footprint. This commitment to sustainable products ensures that our guests can indulge in luxurious treatments without compromising their environmental values.
Energy Efficiency and Resource Management
Energy efficiency is a top priority for us. We actively work to reduce carbon emissions from energy, waste, water, food, and our supply chain. LED lights with motion sensors in back-of-house areas ensure power-saving, while an iPad system for spa check-ins eliminates paper waste. We've also implemented a comprehensive monitoring system for water usage across our hotel and spa facilities, allowing us to identify and address any inefficiencies promptly.
Sustainable Culinary Experiences
Our culinary experience in The Dining Room, our award-winning five-star restaurant in Durham, is a perfect blend of sustainability and gastronomic excellence. Executive Chef Damian Broom's commitment to local sourcing and "nose-to-tail" philosophy ensures minimal waste and maximum flavour. "We use wild garlic, 3 corner leeks, sea buckthorn berries, wild raspberries and gooseberries, elderflowers, dog roses, rosehips, jack by the hedge, lavender," Chef Broom enthuses, showcasing the rich tapestry of flavours foraged from our own grounds.
Chef Broom further elaborates on our sustainable culinary practices: "Every part of the animal, vegetable and fruit [gets used]. We create a vegan celeriac 'jus' from the skins of salt-baked celeriac. Carrot tops make a version of salsa verde - we have the approach that if someone has taken the time and effort to grow or rear something, we need to utilise as close to 100% of that product as possible."
Biodiversity and Natural Surroundings
Our dedication to biodiversity is evident in our wildflower patches, which support local pollinators and small mammals. This initiative not only enhances the natural beauty of our estate but also aligns with our goal of reducing our carbon footprint. These areas are environmentally sustainable, requiring less water and maintenance, encompassing and aiding our overall goal to reduce our environmental impact.
Guest Engagement in Sustainability
For our guests, engaging with our sustainability efforts is seamless and enriching. We offer digital menus accessed via QR codes, recycling bins in suites, and options for reduced towel and robe changes as just a few ways to participate in our green initiatives. We've also removed all brochures from our premises, opting instead for digital information available online or through our in-room welcome screens. Our tea bags are fully biodegradable and soil-associated certified, and our coffee pods are compostable, ensuring that even the smallest details of our guests' stay contribute to our sustainability goals.
Our team concludes, "By fostering and implementing a culture of environmental responsibility, we aim to create a positive impact for ourselves and our guests. We are ensuring as a team we are doing our part to continue to champion sustainability in all aspects of our lives, knowing that our collective actions today will shape a brighter and more sustainable future for generations to come."
Our Commitment to the Future
Looking to the future, we're excited about several upcoming projects that will further enhance our sustainability credentials. We're looking to install additional electric vehicle charging points for our guests, investigating renewable energy sources to power our facilities, and developing partnerships with local conservation groups to protect and enhance the natural beauty of our surroundings.
As one of the best luxury hotels in the North East, we're proud to prove that luxury and sustainability can go hand in hand. Whether you're looking for a spa break or a luxury hotel experience in the North East, we offer a guilt-free indulgence that doesn't compromise on quality or comfort. Our commitment to sustainability extends to every aspect of our operations, from our energy-efficient lighting to our locally sourced menu ingredients.
We invite you to experience firsthand how we're redefining luxury with a conscience, proving that the best indulgences are those that nurture both our well-being and our planet. When you choose Seaham Hall for your next stay, you're not just treating yourself to a luxurious escape—you're also supporting a vision of hospitality that prioritises the health of our planet alongside the comfort of our guests.