The Vineyard Hotel & Spa's two recent accolades, the Green Leaf Environmental Standard and the 2011 Corobrik-ILASA Awards of Excellence, both honour the hotel's ongoing environmental efforts.
The Green Leaf Environmental Standard is an international standard that measures green accommodation, green business, green products, green conferencing and green events. The Vineyard Hotel & Spa recently completed an independent and impartial on-site audit against the Green Leaf Environmental Standard Hotelier Framework 2011. The hotel obtained a score greater than 75 percent compliance and was therefore issued with a Silver Status level of compliance.
The Green Leaf Environmental Standard measures the effects of consumption on the environment while inspiring environmental and social change. The “Green Leaf” symbol is internationally recognised and is synonymous with South African environmental educator, conservationist, sportsman and activist, Dr Ian Player.
“We're one of only 6 hospitality properties in the Western Cape with a Green Leaf status - it would be great to see this number increase,” said Chris van Zyl, the hotel's group environmental manager and horticulturist. “Limiting the impact we have on the environment has become a non-negotiable component of our business. It's become an integral part of our success and future planning.”
The 2011 Corobrik-ILASA (Institute for Landscape Architecture in South Africa) Awards of Excellence were held in Durban earlier this month. They aim to acknowledge and promote excellence in landscape architecture and environmental planning.
The 2011 awards enjoyed a record 34 entries, and the Vineyard Hotel & Spa was one of nine projects to receive an Award of Excellence. “We were the only hotel entry for South Africa,” van Zyl confirmed.
Renowned landscape architect Ann Sutton was also awarded for the clearly informed balance she has achieved between the urban and natural context at the Vineyard Hotel & Spa. “The Petousis family purchased the hotel in 1980 and Ann was commissioned in 1983 to develop the gardens alongside the renovation and expansion of the hotel. She's been consulting to us ever since.”
“It's been an on-going, yet incredibly rewarding process to witness the development of our gardens, so justifiably we are very proud of these achievements,” van Zyl concluded.