Rentals and ecology: how to make an establishment more eco-responsible
When the planet knocks on the reception door
Every year, millions of travellers type in «room with a view» and press Input. They want to relax, but increasingly they also want to avoid raising the global temperature. Hotels, self-catering accommodation and holiday lets account for almost 8 % of CO₂ emissions linked to tourism sustainabletravel.org. In other words, if the planet were an establishment with one hundred rooms, eight of them would be occupied by our carbon footprint alone.
For independent owners and groups alike, the question «How can we reconcile Rentals and ecology This question has become as strategic as setting the right high season tariff. If you refuse to answer this question, you risk losing customers, energy savings and, ultimately, your competitive edge. This human and accessible guide shows how to turn good intentions into simple, measurable and profitable actions, without needing an engineering degree.
Hotel Web Design is the web agency 100% dedicated to the hotel industryWe can help you with all aspects of digital communication for your accommodation: booking websites, natural referencing specialising in the hotel industry, Google Ads referencing and Google Hotel Ads, social networking campaigns, graphic charters and logos for hotels.
Make an appointment today for free advice on how to optimise the digital management of your accommodation.
Why travellers are already demanding greener accommodation
- Climate awareness on the rise 70 % of Europeans say they consider environmental impact before booking, according to the Booking 2024 study.
- Volatile energy costs Reducing consumption protects the margin, a crucial point when electricity prices are rising.
- New regulations These include local labels, regional carbon taxes and compulsory energy ratings for certain furnished accommodation in France from 2028.
- E-reputation Negative opinions about wasting water or plastic are proliferating on search engines.
The good news? Taking action is easier than it sounds, especially if your site and booking engine already highlight these commitments.
Portrait-robot of an eco-responsible establishment in
| Dimension | Best practice | Immediate benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | LED bulbs, presence detectors, solar panel for hot water | Up to -40 % on electricity bills |
| Water | Mousseurs, rainwater recovery, leakage monitoring | Savings + a strong message for customers |
| Waste | Simple sorting, composting, no more mini bottles | Lower collection costs |
| Mobility | Charging stations, bicycle partnerships | Attracts car-free urban customers |
| Purchasing | Recycled fibre bedding, biodegradable home products | Plastic reduction + green marketing |
| Technology | Booking engine displaying the footprint of each stay | Transparency and differentiation |
The figures that motivate action (and convince decision-makers)
- The sector Travel & Tourism weighs 6.5 % of global greenhouse gas emissions wttc.org.
- Tourism-related transport could grow by 25 % by 2030 if nothing changes unwto.org.
- A room in energy class D can consume up to twice the electricity consumption of a B-rated room (source Ademe, 2024).
In other words, investing €1 in energy efficiency not only pays off in terms of your bill, but also in terms of customer preference.
Current best practices for greener accommodation
Drawing up a clear inventory
- Check your water, electricity and heating consumption over a 12-month period.
- Note the peaks: high season, air conditioning.
- Set a realistic target (-10 % within a year).
Saving energy without sacrificing comfort
- LEDs everywhere 10,000 h life, reducing consumption by a factor of eight compared with halogen.
- Presence detectors in corridors and shared bathrooms.
- Eco key card Switches off the power when the customer leaves.
- Condensing boiler or Air-water heat pump for large volumes.
Managing water like a treasure
- 6 l/min aerators and showerheads (comfort preserved).
- Fun posters («A 5-minute shower = a song»).
- Wash at 30°C for laundry, eco-labelled detergent.
Reducing and recycling waste
- Stop individual bottles Large refillable dispensers.
- Compost for peelings if you have a garden.
- Partnership with a local brewery to recycle coffee grounds into soap (it's true!).
Promoting soft mobility
- Discount for arriving by train (ticket required).
- Walking and cycling maps ready on the counter.
- Collaboration with an electric bike hire company: delivery on site.
Responsible design and decoration
- Low-VOC paints, FSC-certified wood.
- Elegant recovery: headboard made from old oak doors.
- Organic or recycled cotton linen, 300g density to last.
Digital focus: how your website can boost your green credentials
Hotel Web Design has published a number of practical articles on the subject, including «Creating a sustainable hotel website» (read more here). Their approach: a fast, eco-designed and clearly committed site automatically attracts environmentally conscious travellers.
- Optimised weight WebP images, low-power hosting.
- Sober palette light backgrounds, sufficient contrast.
- Eco-responsible school“ badge” visible on the home page.
- Dedicated page detailing your actions: energy, water, waste.
To see these best practices in action, take a look at their demonstration of eco-responsible booking engine. The calendar shows carbon offsetting as an option - it's simple and easy for customers to understand.
Practical advice that's easy to put into practice this season
| Action | Cost | Time | Possible gain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Installing aerators | < € 5 per tap | 1 h | -30 % of shower water |
| Going all-LED | 3 €/ampoule | 2 h | -75 % lighting electricity |
| Create a butt box | 0 € (recycled box) | 20 min | Clean outdoor areas |
| No daily housework“ banners” | 0 (A4 printer) | 15 min | -15 % laundry |
| Eliminating paper ads in bedrooms | 0 € | immediate | Less wasted paper |
You see? The first step costs next to nothing and already shows your commitment to Rentals and ecology.
How Hotel Web Design takes you step by step
- Free audit : status of your site and eco-design recommendations.
- Light or complete overhaul according to your budget.
- Integrated booking engine with carbon calculation and secure payment.
- Green dashboard : consumption monitoring and compensation.
- Responsive support chat and video tutorials.
Discover all the services on the Hotel Web Design home page and take advantage of a free trial.
Essential features to be integrated into the booking engine
- Display of estimated CO₂ footprint per night.
- Climate fund contribution option in just one click.
- Low consumption rooms“ filter” if your accommodation is large.
- Automatic synchronisation to avoid over-consumption due to over-booking (already included in theHotel Web Design solutions).
- Pre-stay emails encouraging people to come by train or to bring a water bottle.
Ask for a quote
- Want to measure the footprint of your bedrooms? Test the Hotel Web Design booking engine.
- Need a faster, greener site? Make an appointment for a free audit.
- Questions about eco-labelling or solar financing? Contact our experts using the form at the bottom of the page.
One click today can be a big step for your bottom line - and another small step for the planet.
Conclusion: your establishment, a future sustainable oasis
Adopt the Rentals and ecology is not a luxury or a fad. It's a profitable, expected and rewarding choice. By reducing your consumption, speaking the truth on your site and using the right tools, you become more than just a web host: you become a visible agent of change, a refuge where you can sleep peacefully... with a light mind.
Hotel Web Design's turnkey solutions make the transition simple: audit, fast site, transparent booking engine, ecological monitoring. So, are you ready to open the doors to a greener future?
Take action now!
