The Watermark hotel was rebranded to voco Gold Coast in November 2018 and, since then, the hotel has been focused on introducing a number of sustainable and energy-reducing initiatives including eliminating as much plastic as possible from the hotel from April 2019.
voco Gold Coast will replace miniature shampoo, conditioner and soap bottles with large bottle, refillable Aveda bathroom amenities in all its 389 guestrooms, reducing its plastic waste by 80%.
In addition, the hotel has introduced smart-down bedding made from 100% recycled materials and replaced plastic water bottles with glass bottles in key areas of the hotel. All plastic straws are gone, with biodegradable straws in their place.
“As well as our crusade to reduce our plastic consumption, we have chosen to participate in a green waste program headed up by Gold Coast City Council whereby we recycle all of our Food and Scrap waste out of all of our kitchens,” said General Manager for voco Gold Coast, Brenden van Blerk. “This waste is then turned into garden mulch which the council then uses on the garden beds and in parks and grounds, reducing the amount of water for these public spaces which in turn drives down the council rates charged to residents.
“We have also recently partnered with coffee brand Will & Co to be able to offer amazing handpicked coffee out of our Social House cafe. Will & Co is one of only a few brands that produce a biodegradable and compostable take away cup – so when guests leave the hotel, they know that they’re still doing their part.”
voco Gold Coast also has a resident beekeeper who manages more than 300,000 bees which are buzzing in beehives on its rooftop. The hotel uses the honey in its signature welcome honey and lavender shortbread biscuits, at the breakfast buffet and in Social House’s cocktail menu.
In what can be described as a Gold Coast first, a rare occurrence recently took place in the beehive, where the two beehives naturally split – which means the hotel has now seeded the local ecosystem with two hives of honey bees and a new Queen Bee has been born.
TOP IMAGE: voco Gold Coast – Deluxe Ocean View Suite
