Sustainability at Aleenta Hua Hin Resort
Celebrating the community,
culture and environment that make our resort special
culture and environment that make our resort special
From the moment we began building Aleenta, our guiding principles have been to respect the environment and to cultivate practices that have a positive impact on our planet as well as the communities who host our hotels and our guests.
We strive to lessen our carbon footprint by blending traditional practices with modern technologies so that we can provide memorable experiences that our guests can feel good about.
The following highlights illustrate our commitment to being a leader in sustainable, ethical and community focused hospitality.
We began removing single-use plastics in our guest rooms and dining outlets long before it was trendy!
- we provide guests with bathroom amenities in refillable ceramic dispensers; avoiding thousands of plastic bottles along the way.
- glass water bottles in the villas ensure less waste (thousands of plastic bottles avoided) and better water quality to keep our guests hydrated.
- smoothies, juices & cocktails are sipped through gorgeous glass straws (paper on request).
- the complimentary footwear provided in villas are made from cotton and are professionally washed; ensuring they are reused not refuse!
Guest amenities (soap, shampoo, shower gel, conditioner and spa products) are 100% natural and made exclusively for Aleenta by a local supplier using locally sourced essential oils and with ZERO chemical perfumes, parabens or animal testing.
- for guests who would like to take something home, the locally-made celadon containers used in the rooms, and the amenities themselves, are available for purchase in our refill boutique, Galleria. Guests who have their own bottle(s) can buy as much or as little as desired, from organic shampoo to body wash to mosquito repellant.
While reducing waste generation is our first priority, minimising what is sent to landfill, or incinerated, is equally important. We take great pride in our efforts to:
- compost food and organic waste into nutrient rich fertiliser for our garden and landscaping.
- sort plastics, paper and metals for recycling.
- sort glass and wood for reuse and / or recycling.
- non-biodegradable plant oil is recycled for sustainable biodiesel and eco-friendly aviation fuel, redefining the essence of green hospitality.
- donate aluminium cans to the Prostheses Foundation (Chiang Mai) which produces artificial limbs. To date, they have given new life to over 20-thousand amputees … for free!
- The resort’s low rise design was carefully planned to protect the local ecosystem and preserve the views of the peaceful surroundings; all contours, soil, trees and natural water resources were kept either in their original form or utilised with minimal change.
- We use responsibly sourced natural materials, such as engineered woods, that help us prevent deforestation, reduce waste generated (the engineered woods last about 5x longer than pure hardwoods), and improve interior air quality by avoiding products that off-gas dangerous VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) commonly found in synthetic materials and the finishing treatments often used on pure hardwoods.
To minimise the impact of water usage on our neighbouring communities:
- every villa has its own water treatment system; utilising microorganisms and enzymes rather than harsh chemicals to treat the water.
- floating aerators oxidate the water in storage ponds, promoting good bacterial growth.
- we maintain healthy water gardens by using a variety of aquatic plants that absorb carbon dioxide and oxygenate the water; keeping it clear, with less algae, and allowing our fish to thrive.
- treated water is analysed monthly by a professional laboratory to ensure quality and safety.
- water released back into the environment meets or exceeds government standards
- the government reviews waste water treatment as part of our annual license renewal
- to conserve freshwater supplies:
- grey-water is used for watering gardens and landscape
- water remaining in drinking bottles is used for potted plants
- The water heating system was designed to ensure guests can enjoy hot water while minimising heat loss and electricity usage by:
- using copper pipes rather than steel or PVC.
- insulating all the water heaters.
- capturing heat from air conditioning systems to help heat the water.
To reduce our use of carbon based electricity and fuels we:
- designed the buildings to maximise natural daylight usage.
- coated all those glass windows and doors with Solar Guard film (St.Gorbain ©), thereby reducing 60% heat transmission, 99.9% of UV and keeping the rooms cooler without the need to constantly use air-conditioning.
- have budgeted for solar panels to be installed within five-years.
- fitted public areas with motion detectors to reduce energy use when no one present.
- installed landscape lighting that is solar powered and timer controlled.
We have embedded ourselves into the local community by:
- hiring locals and giving them the opportunity to make their community proud.
- organising regular beach cleanups throughout the year.
- supporting local marine research and conservation via our charitable foundation, Pure Blue, which sponsors two turtle sanctuaries; Koh Kloi and Thai Mueang.
- purchasing from local businesses, thereby contributing to the local economy and reducing the pollution and waste needed to transport goods from abroad or even other provinces.
As a small, luxury hotel, we focus on ensuring our guests are provided with genuine and ethical opportunities to experience the exceptional range of activities that surround us.
- complimentary wellness programs such as yoga, tai chi and meditation blend local expertise with stunning hillside and ocean views.
- we offer guests a ‘taste’ of the local flavour with interactive learning experiences such as a tour of our 25-acre organic farm that includes helping to collect eggs from our free-range chickens, learning to extract aloe vera sap and folding pandan leaves, as well as cooking classes.
- our ‘Anti-Animal Exploitation Policy’ means we do not sell tickets, accept commissions or in anyway promote tours and shows that exploit animals (i.e. elephant rides, tiger or dolphin shows).
- we do promote rewarding and immersive experiences such as visiting Thailand’s first marine park, Khao Sam Roi Yot. Guests can explore incredible mangroves, assist park rangers with reforestation projects and learn about this amazing ecosystem which sustains countless marine species.
A fee of THB30 (<US$1.00) is required for every tree planted; this directly funds further environmental projects within the park. For guests who require transportation to / from the park, we can arrange for a nominal cost.
Our chefs not only source locally and ethically to ensure fresh and authentic flavours, they also grow more than 50 herbs as well as seasonal vegetables in our dedicated organic garden. The items we grow are used!
- in the kitchen to prepare exquisite Thai dishes as well as international cuisine; ensuring nutritional value and flavours are maximised.
- by the mixology team to create unique infusions for refreshing and innovative cocktails.
- at the spa to prepare our in-house oils and lotions used for soothing and healing in signature treatments such as scrubs, wraps and massage therapy.
- For guests who are vegan or simply trying to reduce their meat consumption, we have a diverse menu of healthy, delicious and ethical options that will calm the conscience and tantalise the tastebuds!
Aleenta Hua Hin-Pranburi Resort & Spa welcomes feedback from our guests, community and staff about the work we are doing to improve our environmental and social impacts, including suggestions about how we can improve. Please email your comments or ideas to [email protected].