THERE’S a small booth beside the TRYP by Wyndham Dubai lobby dedicated to explaining the hotel’s considerable green credentials.
On the wall one of several framed statements proclaims the banishing of PET plastic from the 650-room property will reduce the number of water bottles used in a year by a staggering 306,630.
“Imagine the effect if every hotel in Dubai did the same,” says hotel general manager Jo-Ella Moore.
“Imagine the effect if every hotel in Dubai did the same,” says hotel general manager Jo-Ella Moore.
She’s been driving a range of environmentally-minded changes under the LUVE (Love Your Vibrant Earth) initiative - one of the most wide-ranging of any Middle East hotel.
This includes a water bottling system designed to eliminate use of those pesky single-use plastic bottles at the heart of the current global ocean pollution and landfill problem.
The Barsha Heights hotel invested in hundreds of trendy re-useable glass bottles that it fills for guests with mains tap water, liberated of chlorine and contaminants in-house. Staff operate an advanced filtration system that uses techniques including reverse osmosis and UV light, under the auspices of Dubai company No More Bottles.
This includes a water bottling system designed to eliminate use of those pesky single-use plastic bottles at the heart of the current global ocean pollution and landfill problem.
The Barsha Heights hotel invested in hundreds of trendy re-useable glass bottles that it fills for guests with mains tap water, liberated of chlorine and contaminants in-house. Staff operate an advanced filtration system that uses techniques including reverse osmosis and UV light, under the auspices of Dubai company No More Bottles.
FRESH DIGS: A simple colour scheme gives these TRYP rooms a youthful feel, plus a view of Dubai
Filtered water runs to a dispenser that can deliver different temperatures and even sparking water.
“By phasing out plastic bottled water and other green initiatives, we aim to raise the bar in terms of environmental best practice in the hospitality industry,” says Jo-Ella, who began the LUVE affair last year.
TRYP by Wyndham Dubai also claims to be the first hotel in the region to use sustainable paper towelling manufactured from 100% locally recycled cardboard; this includes toilet paper and tissues made in the UAE, exclusively for the hotel.
Beyond the obvious aesthetic change - the paper isn't white - the product does the same job, and actually looks good against the largely black and white design of guest bathrooms.
Likewise those glass water bottles…they’re a visual upgrade beside the Coffee Planet capsules, we found on staying in a suite last weekend.
With the silver cap and cool logo, they’ve even apparently been leaving with a few guests, presenting a practical souvenir opportunity.
“By phasing out plastic bottled water and other green initiatives, we aim to raise the bar in terms of environmental best practice in the hospitality industry,” says Jo-Ella, who began the LUVE affair last year.
TRYP by Wyndham Dubai also claims to be the first hotel in the region to use sustainable paper towelling manufactured from 100% locally recycled cardboard; this includes toilet paper and tissues made in the UAE, exclusively for the hotel.
Beyond the obvious aesthetic change - the paper isn't white - the product does the same job, and actually looks good against the largely black and white design of guest bathrooms.
Likewise those glass water bottles…they’re a visual upgrade beside the Coffee Planet capsules, we found on staying in a suite last weekend.
With the silver cap and cool logo, they’ve even apparently been leaving with a few guests, presenting a practical souvenir opportunity.
AL FRESCO: Cooler evenings can be spent wisely with L!QD, with eats and drinks above the bustle of Barsha Heights
The above all sits well with the feel of the hotel, from a modern meets traditional lobby - complete with vintage-look bubble chairs - to L!QD, a “luxe-bohemian” tapas-style restaurant and terrace bar with a beach chic ambience.
Guest room design is fresh and largely simple, with splashes of colour giving a millennial feel without surrendering comforts. Utilities include speedy free Wi-Fi, a safe, a minibar and in-room streaming entertainment, including a wide range of TV channels.
This cool ergonomic modern traveller vibe runs through the building, including the gym - compact but well equipped - and main restaurant Local, a spacious “rustic social eating house” serving delicacies inspired by favourite comfort foods.
BARBARY - Deli + Cocktail Club, accessed from beside the main hotel entrance, completes the F&B offerings.
Guest room design is fresh and largely simple, with splashes of colour giving a millennial feel without surrendering comforts. Utilities include speedy free Wi-Fi, a safe, a minibar and in-room streaming entertainment, including a wide range of TV channels.
This cool ergonomic modern traveller vibe runs through the building, including the gym - compact but well equipped - and main restaurant Local, a spacious “rustic social eating house” serving delicacies inspired by favourite comfort foods.
BARBARY - Deli + Cocktail Club, accessed from beside the main hotel entrance, completes the F&B offerings.
DINE TIME: Local is this hotel's main restaurant, with plenty of space and a terrace for when the temperatures are lower
For the working guest - as well as local freelancers - NEST has proved something of a hit. It was one of the region’s first full-service co-working spaces integrated with an international hotel brand.
Adjacent to LiQD, on the second floor, you’ll also find a sensibly shaped pool flanked by plenty of loungers and a recycling bin for those plastic bottles that arrive with guests.
If you don’t want too much sunshine, head up after lunch when the hotel building creates the shade.
So how have other guests responded to Jo-Ella’s environmental drive?
“Many have noticed the efforts we have taken to become eco-friendly and, given the global focus on sustainability, all changes have been welcomed with open arms,” she says.
“We have been able to implement the various initiatives without impacting the service we offer and have even managed to enhance it in certain areas. Now that we produce all drinking water in house, we are able to offer guests unlimited complimentary water in rooms free of charge, as well as sparkling water at breakfast.
Adjacent to LiQD, on the second floor, you’ll also find a sensibly shaped pool flanked by plenty of loungers and a recycling bin for those plastic bottles that arrive with guests.
If you don’t want too much sunshine, head up after lunch when the hotel building creates the shade.
So how have other guests responded to Jo-Ella’s environmental drive?
“Many have noticed the efforts we have taken to become eco-friendly and, given the global focus on sustainability, all changes have been welcomed with open arms,” she says.
“We have been able to implement the various initiatives without impacting the service we offer and have even managed to enhance it in certain areas. Now that we produce all drinking water in house, we are able to offer guests unlimited complimentary water in rooms free of charge, as well as sparkling water at breakfast.
COOL OFF: TYRP's pool offers welcome respite from the summer heat and good shade when required
“Overall both businesses and homes are making changes to reduce waste and energy consumption, so when guests see our initiatives in action they are very impressed.”
LUVE also tackles another of the major waste areas in hotel operation…disposal of barely used soap bars from guest rooms.
These are collected and sent to developing countries to be reprocessed and compressed into new 500g bricks, thus creating jobs and improving living standards.
Added to that, TRYP by Wyndham Dubai bathroom amenities are made from 86% organic ingredients that feature packaging made from 100% recyclable materials.
Jo-Ella introduced LUVE in late 2018, and is now really starting to feel the effects. Her sister property, Wyndham Dubai Marina, is also installing water dispensers and a water bottle refilling process.
“As hospitality is such a competitive industry, we are always looking for inspiration from others in the market to see how we can improve service and the overall experience that we offer,” continues Jo-Ella.
LUVE also tackles another of the major waste areas in hotel operation…disposal of barely used soap bars from guest rooms.
These are collected and sent to developing countries to be reprocessed and compressed into new 500g bricks, thus creating jobs and improving living standards.
Added to that, TRYP by Wyndham Dubai bathroom amenities are made from 86% organic ingredients that feature packaging made from 100% recyclable materials.
Jo-Ella introduced LUVE in late 2018, and is now really starting to feel the effects. Her sister property, Wyndham Dubai Marina, is also installing water dispensers and a water bottle refilling process.
“As hospitality is such a competitive industry, we are always looking for inspiration from others in the market to see how we can improve service and the overall experience that we offer,” continues Jo-Ella.
STYLISH SETTING: With a modern meets traditional design and furnishings mix BARBARY has made a name for itself
“Having implemented our sustainable initiatives, it has definitely given us a competitive advantage, particularly given the growing global focus on being eco-friendly.
“For us, implementing the initiatives was an easy decision; we can have less of an impact on the environment and if we attract new guests in the process, then even better.”
In a bid to encourage other hotels to follow their example, in March the GM invited all hotels in Dubai to come and see the initiatives in practice and discover how they could apply them.
“As all industries are gearing up to be fully ready for Expo 2020 it’s a great time for such initiatives to be encouraged and will see all hotels take action on becoming more sustainable,” adds Jo-Ella.
“Over the next 12 months we will be focusing on reducing waste and decreasing our carbon footprint further, which we will be able to back up with figures.”
“For us, implementing the initiatives was an easy decision; we can have less of an impact on the environment and if we attract new guests in the process, then even better.”
In a bid to encourage other hotels to follow their example, in March the GM invited all hotels in Dubai to come and see the initiatives in practice and discover how they could apply them.
“As all industries are gearing up to be fully ready for Expo 2020 it’s a great time for such initiatives to be encouraged and will see all hotels take action on becoming more sustainable,” adds Jo-Ella.
“Over the next 12 months we will be focusing on reducing waste and decreasing our carbon footprint further, which we will be able to back up with figures.”
SIGN IN: The lobby and reception area offers plenty of space to sit and plan your day in comfort
And if you need a further reason to stay, the hotel is offering “24 Hour TRYP”, whereby guests can check-in any time and check-out a full 24 hours later (instead of the industry standard 3pm until noon).
Helpful to guests with awkward flight times or residents unable to check in until later because of working hours, the deal applies to bookings now until the end of September.
DETAILS:
BOOKINGS can be made by emailing [email protected] or calling 04 247 6666 – mention “24 Hour TRYP” to avail the above offer.
GO to www.wyndhamhotels.com/tryp/dubai-united-arab-emirates/tryp-by-wyndham-dubai/overview to see more of the hotel.
IF you hold the current Dubai Entertainer app, you'll find Local in there offering 2-4-1 on main meals. There's also a sharing platter under 'monthly offers' and there are adult refreshment offers with Cheers Dubai.
Helpful to guests with awkward flight times or residents unable to check in until later because of working hours, the deal applies to bookings now until the end of September.
DETAILS:
BOOKINGS can be made by emailing [email protected] or calling 04 247 6666 – mention “24 Hour TRYP” to avail the above offer.
GO to www.wyndhamhotels.com/tryp/dubai-united-arab-emirates/tryp-by-wyndham-dubai/overview to see more of the hotel.
IF you hold the current Dubai Entertainer app, you'll find Local in there offering 2-4-1 on main meals. There's also a sharing platter under 'monthly offers' and there are adult refreshment offers with Cheers Dubai.
