Hospitality with responsibility

Preserving a building with centuries of history also implies taking care of the territory. The Convento do Espinheiro adopts measures for energy efficiency, responsible water and waste management, reduction of plastics, and support for the local community.

The Convento do Espinheiro Historic Hotel & Spa is certified by BIOSPHERE, where we have implemented various policies that promote good environmental practices, which reveal respect and responsibility regarding this topic, namely in the areas of environmental sustainability, energy efficiency, and social responsibility.

Consult Responsible Tourism Policy

Main environmental sustainability practices:

• Waste separation and responsible forwarding to the competent authorities;
• Organic vegetable garden with aromatic herbs and fruit trees for use in the hotel's restaurants and bars;
• Provides several waste collection points with separation for use by guests and associates;
• Allows guests to choose whether they wish to have their sheets and towels replaced;
• Purchases paper from companies with environmental policies;
• Reduces the use of various plastic products, including straws, plates, cutlery, and water bottles;
• Charging points for electric vehicles;
• Gardens exclusively watered with borehole water;
• Garden waste is sent for composting;
• All toilet flushes do not exceed 6 L;
• Faucet flow rates are controlled by limiters;
• Use of solar panels to heat the indoor pool water;
• Minibar is empty and turned off, products available upon request.

Main energy efficiency practices:

• HVAC system with reuse of outdoor temperature to climatize rooms and common areas;
• Monthly CO² emission control tools, with the aim of reducing these values;
• Implementation of renewable energy production systems (self-consumption);
• HVAC system with dynamic temperature set points depending on the time of year;
• LED lighting technology;
• Public lighting controlled by sensors or BMS;
• Fresh air handling unit equipment equipped with heat recovery.

Main social responsibility practices:

• Food, clothing, and equipment donation programs;
• Solidarity movement that celebrates the “Earth Hour” event;
• Information on sustainability best practices available on digital platforms;
• Various digital platforms are available with all the necessary information for you to get to know the hotel in order to reduce document printing.