The spa culture is based upon a paradigm of luxury. Traditional spas often reference the Roman baths, for instance, where excess and decadence were the standard. A more modern approach references Asian practice, including Shirodara and Ayurvedic treatments, but in these settings as well, luxury is expressed in an abundance plush and thirsty robes and towels, heat and steam features and other amenities which require substantial energy/fuel, water and labor to sustain.
“Greening” a hotel spa therefore requires redefining the client’s sense of luxury. The key to creating a client experience which is unmistakably deluxe, yet ecologically conscious, is to replace every conventional element which is removed with something equally delightful. Because after all, these days, the client is after a full-immersion experience (unless your hotel is in the minimalist category of a rugged boot camp or ashram).
Essential oils are a versatile category of amenities which may be introduced into the client experience in numerous ways which enrich the guest’s stay, and may easily take the place of practices which are not resource-efficient. While essential oils do require significant resources to produce, as products they are highly concentrated. A small vial contains many applications of the aromatic blend which may be used in a number of ways. Of course, with greening in mind, be sure that all essential oils used in your facility are sourced sustainably from fair-trade growers.
Grow Your Own Fresh Flowers or Buy Locally Grown
For instance, while we all love huge arrangements of fresh flowers, the truth is that they are not environmentally easy to procure. Growing your own blooms may be eco-wise, depending upon your environment. However, in order to be consistent with a green facility, such plantings must be maintained with a minimum of water and no chemicals—i.e. no fertilizer, herbicides, pesticides. This typically is not the sort of horticulture practice which produces those big lush roses, lilies, glads, peonies, carnations, anemones, tulips, iris, Gerbera daisies, mums and other blossoms which are the mainstay of room-arrangements. And more to the point, many flowers used commercially are grown outside the United States (Mexico and South America, for instance) using non-green practices, then transported at tremendous eco-expense, requiring refrigeration and fuel, to the upper 48. And, flowers are perishable. Their fragility is part of what defines their beauty, but this quality is difficult to defend from a sustainability standpoint.
So, instead of a short-lived bouquet of flowers in the spa, waiting room or guestroom, create a series of mini-experiences based upon the use of essential oils. Consider having a signature blend created for your facility by a master blender. If this is not practical, during the check-in ask the client to choose from three to five possible aromatherapy blends for their room: floral, stimulating, relaxing, spicy or earthy? Then customize the room with the blend in ways which are high-impact in terms of the guest experience but low-impact on the environment.
For example, create small sachets with the selected scent. These may be placed on the pillows, in the robe-pocket, and among towels for a deep “anchoring” olfactory experience. Add an aromatherapy diffuser to the shower. For a premium guest stay, offer an in-room hand, foot and scalp massage using the selected blend, given by a spa technician.
Remember that greening your hotel spa is an ongoing process and a journey of a thousand steps. Unless you are literally building from scratch, from your own green specs, making your spa more green won’t happen overnight. And, it’s a moving target. Green techniques and technologies continue to improve, and so it’s a creative challenge to keep pace with the always-emerging definition of green.
Use this checklist for inspiration, and prioritize what is possible, moving incrementally. Lastly, use the greening process as an opportunity to share the journey—namely through involving the local community. This is an opportunity not only to promote your own business, but to build business and cultural alliances which benefit the larger cause.
Checklist to “Green” a Hotel Spa:
• Upgrade to ozone laundry system with enzyme-based laundry detergents to reduce water and energy consumption.
• Initiate a green room-cleaning program which uses an H203 system to disinfect and refresh guest areas without the use of harsh chemicals.
• Install energy-efficient lighting.
• Choose only low-VOC carpets and paint for facilities.
• Install low-flow showers, faucets, toilets.
• Offer locavore, organic, sustainable and environmentally conscious spa menu cuisine choices (such as locally grown vegetables for green drinks).
• For spa guest bathrooms, choose amenities which are formulated and packaged from rapidly renewable material and are biodegradable.
• Replace wasteful individual amenities sizes with amenities dispensers which deliver a “single serving” of shampoo, etc. from a refillable sanitary pump container.
• For spa treatments, select vegan cleansers, scrubs, moisturizers, shampoos, conditioners, skin, body and hair care products.
• Deal exclusively with vendors who offer biodegradable and other green items.
• Make recycling easy for patrons.
• Offer reusable water bottles and implement whenever possible.
• Landscape spa exteriors to feature native and drought-tolerant vegetation.
• Install drip-irrigation system for spa gardens and grounds which is controlled by weather conditions.
• Replace current heating system with solar panels/collectors for water and space heating.
• Install cogenerating systems which simultaneously generate electricity while also heating water.
• Commercial cotton (towels, robes) is one of the most water-gobbling crops on earth. Consider reducing the number of cotton items used, and consider replacing items with organic cottons.
• Replace all washing machines/dryers with energy-efficient systems (to reduce ecological impact of laundry).
• Minimize single-use paper goods in spa other than bath tissue.
• Discontinue use of single-use plastic items such as plastic cups.
• Create a public relations campaign around your spa’s migration toward greener practices. Involve local community organizations (Big Brothers, Big Sisters, scouts) with initiatives such as re-planting your spa grounds with native plants, and proactively supply news items, photos and video to local newspapers, magazines, blogs and television stations to spread the word about the benefits of greener business and greener living.
Peter Friis, founder and CEO of ESSIO Essential Oil Diffuser, is an entrepreneur based in Los Angeles, home of his first lifestyle brand, ESSIO aromatherapy shower kit. Friis received his Master’s from UCLA Anderson, where he served as president of the Entrepreneur Assn. His aromatherapy product line, launched in 2013, is the first of a family of related products, all emphasizing modernity, sustainability and eco-luxury. He can be reached at (561) 901-5933, or by e-mail at pfriis@essioshower.com.
