When looking for a green pioneer in Ards and North Down – in Northern Ireland for that matter - Clandeboye Lodge Hotel is it. Its owners, Pim and Mandy Dalm, and staff work hard to integrate hospitality and sustainability to offer a 4 star deluxe sleeping, eating and event experience. Located in the countryside near Bangor in its own garden setting, the hotel is easily accessible from Belfast.
With 43 bedrooms which radiate luxury, the famous Coq and Bull brasserie which serves exquisite, locally sourced food in an atmosphere of rare conviviality, and 55 full time equivalent staff, this independent hotel prides itself on offering “charm and service from dawn to dusk and seamless, consistent quality throughout our guests’ experiences at the hotel.”
In the detached events building centred around a 19th century schoolhouse, 4 suites with state of the art facilities support weddings, events and conferences for up to 350 guests. Every aspect of the building is crafted and unique, with sparkling glass, burnished metal, antique brass, rough brick and immaculately polished wood and stone to create a special sense of warmth and intimacy.
Plastic water bottles have been replaced with hotel branded glass bottles of water in guest rooms. Irish Voya’s luxurious organic seaweed-based body wash and shampoo dispensers in guest rooms have replaced the traditional 30ml guest amenities bottles, saving up to 50,000 bottles ending up in landfill sites.
Genuinely and consistently award winning – from guest reviews to industry business awards - guests’ experiences are underpinned by honed sustainability and environmental practices. The philosophy is that these must both enhance guests’ stays and support the viability and profitability of the hotel. Best practice systems and processes are constantly reviewed and improved, enhancements are identified by staff and management, resulting in continuous change and innovation.
The following is just a sample of enhancements - energy efficient lighting throughout; occupancy sensors for toilets and most of the back of house areas; photocells and light sensors in car park areas; thermostats, time clocks and individual bedroom heating controlled from reception; low flow showers and taps; fuel mix supplied from 35% renewable sources; food waste collection for energy or compost production; cardboard and glass recycling; instant feed boiler to eliminate hot water storage; ordering efficiencies to reduce the number of supplier deliveries, helping cut emissions further.
To stay, dine or hold your event at Clandeboye Lodge call 02891 852500 or visit the website.
The Green Tourism programme was funded by the Council’s Recycling Community Investment Fund - a scheme which is powered by the recycling efforts of local residents and businesses. Thanks to an increased amount of recycling by the local community, almost £15M has been saved in landfill costs since the programme’s inception. These savings have allowed the Council to create the RCIF which supports new and existing environmentally friendly initiatives.
