C&TH x Polestar Sustainable Hotel Of The Year Award 2025: Meet The Winners
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1 month ago
These hotels are setting a new green standard
Sustainability has never been more urgent – or more politicised. Once a subject reserved for scientists, systems thinkers and quietly committed businesses, ‘net zero’ has now been dragged into the culture wars. In the UK, we’ve seen Ed Miliband argue for green growth while Nigel Farage calls climate policy a ‘con’. Across the Atlantic, Trump is campaigning on climate rollback, framing environmental protections as barriers to business.
It’s a dangerous narrative. When sustainability becomes politicised, it risks being seen as optional – or worse, ideological. But amid the noise, progress is being made: governments may stall, but brands can still lead. Especially in hospitality, which connects everything – people, place, nature, food, joy.
That’s why we launched the Country & Town House x Polestar Sustainable Hotel of the Year Awards. Over the past two years, entries have revealed a passionate network of purpose-led hoteliers already integrating sustainability behind the scenes – many without fanfare or recognition. This year, we saw even more ambition.
Our questionnaire went deep – covering food sourcing, biodiversity, carbon strategy, DEI, community initiatives, design and more – and the entries came in from every corner of the UK and Ireland. From the remote shores of Donegal to the heart of Knightsbridge, the best hotels showed us that sustainability isn’t a trend, it’s the only way to operate.
We also saw just how tough the path can be. Historic buildings, limited budgets, guest expectations, staff shortages, wage rises, a lack of clear regulation or shared measurement standards. Yet despite it all, passion and progress are in full view.
And so this year, we expanded the categories, because sustainability is not one thing. As well as crowning one Overall Winner, we’ve recognised brilliance across four key areas: Design & Architecture, Food & Drink, Nature & Gardens and Spa & Wellness.
Each category winner – and every highly commended hotel – represents an icon of progress. Some are heritage hotels adapting old frameworks for the future. Others are new-builds setting out with irreproachable practice baked in. But all are asking the right questions, making the right moves, and showing what it looks like to lead.
As one of our judges Juliet Kinsman put it: ‘The goal isn’t perfection – it’s progression. These awards spotlight what’s working, so others can follow faster.’
We couldn’t agree more.
We’re proud to partner once again with Polestar, the design-led EV marque, as committed as we are to purposeful innovation. The company has set ambitious targets for climate neutrality and circularity. In 2023, it launched the Polestar 0 project – a moonshot to create a truly climate-neutral car by 2030, without relying on offsetting. ‘Polestar’s ambition isn’t just to be “better than before” – it’s to reinvent what’s possible,’ says Lucy Cleland, editorial director of Country & Town House. ‘That’s exactly the kind of thinking we want to champion in hospitality, too.’
Meet The Judges
Alongside Great British & Irish Hotels editor and The Telegraph’s leading hotel reviewer Fiona Duncan, we welcome:
Fiona Duncan
Hotel critic for the Daily Telegraph since 1999, Fiona has over three decades of experience in hospitality writing. She founded the Charming Small Hotel Guides series and currently edits Country & Town House’s Great British & Irish Hotels, with a sharp eye for character and comfort.
Sarah Langford
A former criminal barrister turned author and regenerative farming advocate, Sarah manages a Suffolk farm transitioning to organic methods. She is the author of In Your Defence and Rooted, and speaks widely on sustainable agriculture, rural reform and the future of land use in Britain.
Francisca Kellett
Self-proclaimed eco-nut and hotel junkie, and one of the UK’s leading travel writers and editors, Fran is a regular face on panels about conservation and philanthropic travel. Fran is Country & Town House’s travel editor-at-large and writes a column on philanthropy for Times Luxx.
Petra Petterson
Petra is Inclusion Lead at Polestar, specialising in ethical supply chains, circularity and human rights. With over a decade of experience at brands including MQ and KappAhl, she holds a Master’s in Advanced Textile Engineering and drives Polestar’s equality and environmental agenda.
Lucy Cleland
As editorial director of Country & Town House, Lucy has spearheaded the brand’s sustainability strategy, including its 2023 B Corp certification. She leads on responsible editorial policy and is a regular speaker and panellist on regeneration, sustainability, and purpose-driven publishing.
Marian Boswall
Marian is a leading landscape architect known for her regenerative, ecologically sensitive designs. Her work spans floodplain restoration to heritage gardens, combining deep respect for land, people and place with sustainability and storytelling at the heart of every project.
Juliet Kinsman
A journalist, broadcaster and sustainability expert, Juliet was Condé Nast Traveller’s first sustainability editor and is the founding editor of Mr & Mrs Smith. She now runs Bouteco, a non-profit consultancy promoting responsible tourism, and frequently appears on BBC and Sky News.
The Industry Landscape In Numbers
Running a sustainable hotel is harder than ever – but the rewards are growing too. Here’s what the landscape looks like today:
- 70 percent of UK travellers now say sustainability is important to them when choosing accommodation.
- Only 5 percent of UK hotels have a formal carbon reduction strategy in place, according to Green Tourism UK.
- Energy accounts for up to 60 percent of a hotel’s carbon footprint, followed by food waste and water use, according to the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance.
- Food waste in the UK hospitality sector equals nearly one million tonnes per year — with only 18 percent currently recycled or composted.
- Retrofitting old buildings is cited as the number one barrier to progress among heritage hotel owners, according to Historic England.
- Staff training and team engagement are now top priorities for forward-looking hotels – with 46 percent planning sustainability-related education in 2025.
In a year where net zero became a political football, these British and Irish hotels showed how hospitality can hold the line – with intelligence, integrity and impact. But which one has scooped the Country & Town House x Polestar Sustainable Hotel of the Year Award 2025? Drumroll please…
C&TH x Polestar Sustainable Hotel Of The Year Award 2025: The Winners
Best Spa & Wellness Experience
Awarded for a wellness offering that supports human flourishing and planetary health.
Broughton Sanctuary, Yorkshire – WINNER
‘This is the future of spa – meaningful, grounded and rooted in nature.’ Lucy Cleland
More than a spa, Broughton Sanctuary is a 3,000-acre blueprint for a different way of living. Located within a rewilded estate in North Yorkshire, it seamlessly connects inner healing with outer restoration – a rare feat in luxury hospitality. The Avalon Wellbeing Centre is powered by renewable ground-source heat, while its woodland sauna, wild swimming pools and ice bathing rituals offer guests a visceral reconnection with nature.
The judges were unanimous: this is not wellness as indulgence – it’s wellness as alignment with the land. Juliet praised its hybrid of regenerative estate and healing retreat, while Francisca admired how ‘you can feel the soul of the place in everything from the forest trails to the therapy programmes’. The Sanctuary’s citizen science project, where guests help monitor biodiversity and plant trees, earned further praise for giving visitors a sense of contribution as well as calm. ‘Broughton shows that you don’t need to pump in fragrance or turn up the heat to create a transformative spa experience. Let nature lead,’ says Fiona.
South Lodge, West Sussex – HIGHLY COMMENDED
‘A classic country spa that’s evolving with care and credibility.’ Francisca Kellett
South Lodge may look like a traditional five- star country house spa, but beneath the surface it’s making serious strides towards sustainability. The judges commended its thoughtful transition away from excess and towards experience, with nature-led spa days, wild swimming weekends, and vinotherapy treatments using local grapes. Fiona acknowledged its value in reaching a more mainstream audience: ‘It’s doing what the big heritage hotels must do – meet people where they are, but offer a better way forward.’ Petra highlighted the importance of South Lodge’s guest education and carbon awareness initiatives.
Best Nature-Conscious Design Or Architecture
Awarded for buildings that tread lightly, celebrate place, and prioritise both aesthetic and ecological intelligence.
Native Ballydehob, West Cork – WINNER
‘Proof that off-grid doesn’t mean off-trend – design-led, low-impact, and utterly beautiful.’ Francisca Kellett
From its hemp lime rendered walls to its hand-thrown ceramic sinks, Native Ballydehob redefines the potential of sustainable design. This new off-grid guesthouse and retreat in West Cork was born from a simple yet radical idea: that regenerative architecture should be accessible, sensory and joyful. Built using as many natural and recycled materials as possible – many sourced on-site – it demonstrates that low-tech can still be gorgeous. Francisca admired its immersive design that gently guides guests back into nature. Six carbon-neutral cabins powered by renewable energy and supported by solar power are planned, while the architectural approach allows the buildings to almost disappear into the landscape.
Two bedroom penthouse. (© Jack Hardy)
Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London – HIGHLY COMMENDED
‘A grand dame going green – showing others how it’s done in the city.’ Juliet Kinsman
For a luxury hotel embedded in London’s Knightsbridge, the sustainability challenges are steep – but the Mandarin Oriental is rising to them with style and substance. This year, it became the first luxury hotel in London to install Naked Energy’s solar thermal system, helping significantly reduce its carbon emissions. The panel also noted its use of AI-powered food waste tech (Winnow Vision) and plastic-free operations. What impressed judges most was the ambition within constraints – finding ways to cut impact while retaining the hotel’s sense of occasion. ‘They’re not greenwashing,’ said Petra. ‘They’re changing systems behind the scenes – and that’s where real impact starts.’ ‘A heritage building, a global name, and yet they’re pioneering some of the most cutting-edge environmental tech in hospitality,’ adds Francisca.
Best Seasonally Inspired Restaurant
Awarded for reimagining hotel dining through sustainable sourcing, zero-waste thinking and culinary creativity.
The Bull Inn, Totnes – WINNER
‘They’ve proved it’s possible to be both ethical and exciting – and to run a business with soul.’ Francisca Kellett
The Bull Inn, Totnes, has been flying the sustainability flag in food long before it became fashionable. It was one of the UK’s first organic pubs, and today continues to radically reshape what hotel dining can look like, from sourcing and supply chain to storytelling and joy. Everything here is intentional: they work only with organic farms, buy animals whole, create menus around availability rather than demand, and make their own ethanol to avoid global commodities linked to unethical practices. Even their wine list reduces glass waste through Bag-in-Box. ‘Geetie [The Bull Inn’s founder] is not going to let anyone get away with saying, “It’s just too hard to do that” – because she’s done everything. From the very start, she’s looked for a better way,’ says Sarah.
Ashford Castle, County Mayo – HIGHLY COMMENDED
‘A heritage hotel making real changes in the kitchen – and showing what scale can look like responsibly.’ Fiona Duncan
At first glance, Ashford Castle is the epitome of grand tradition – but dig deeper and you’ll find a forward-thinking food programme underpinned by solid sustainability principles. From partnerships with local organic farms to seasonal menu redesigns and ongoing use of food waste tracking (via Winnow), this is a kitchen committed to improvement. Marian highlighted the property’s waste reduction mindset, while Francisca noted the value of large hotels like this setting the tone for the luxury sector. ‘They’re a quiet but powerful presence,’ she says, ‘with the potential to influence guests who aren’t already converted.’
Best Scheme For Nature
Awarded to a hotel that nurtures the natural world through habitat restoration, rewilding or biodiversity stewardship.
Broughton Sanctuary, Yorkshire – WINNER
‘Broughton doesn’t just respect nature – it gives it space, time and structure to thrive.’ Marian Boswall
For many, Broughton Sanctuary is the gold standard in regenerative hospitality. Beyond its outstanding wellness offer lies an ambitious rewilding and biodiversity restoration programme that is unmatched in England. With more than 3,000 acres under nature recovery, it combines ecological science with guest participation in ways that are truly unique. From beaver reintroduction to native tree planting, from citizen science wildlife tracking to the 30km Odyssey Trail that encourages an immersive exploration of the landscape, guests are invited not just to observe nature but to be part of its revival. ‘This isn’t wellness in a marble basement – it’s birdsong, forest bathing, ritual. A pivot back into the world. And that’s what people want,’ says Sarah.
Calcot & Spa, Cotswolds – WINNER
‘The fact they’ve audited their land and are working through a management plan – that really shows commitment. Not just doing a bit of this and a bit of that. It’s methodical.’ Sarah Langford
A more traditional country-house hotel with a modern outlook, Calcot impressed judges with its clear, structured plan for biodiversity improvement. Unlike many who make vague claims, Calcot has completed a full land management audit and is acting on it – with pollinator-friendly planting, tree protection initiatives, and community engagement. ‘It’s a great example of a heritage hospitality business applying contemporary environmental thinking – and doing it without shouting,’ says Fiona. calcot.co
Sustainable Hotel Of The Year
Awarded to the hotel that demonstrates leadership, ambition and accountability across every aspect of sustainability – from carbon to community.
Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London – WINNER
‘Mandarin Oriental is retrofitting sustainability into a grand Edwardian pile. That’s not easy. And yet they’re showing it can be done.’ Juliet Kinsman
This year’s winner may come as a surprise to some, but the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park impressed the judges on every metric – and all from within the constraints of a Grade II-listed building in one of London’s busiest postcodes. Where others have tiptoed, they’ve taken bold steps: installing Naked Energy’s solar thermal collectors (a first for a luxury London hotel), which will allow the building to generate its own renewable heat to provide hot water for the hotel’s 181 rooms and suites, integrating AI-driven food waste systems that have cut wastage by 50g per cover, and delivering measurable annual impact targets across water, waste and energy. Sustainability at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park is not a bolt-on – it’s a strategic priority. Judges were particularly impressed by the breadth of its approach: from near-total plastic elimination to Fairtrade procurement, DEI training and ongoing team engagement. Mandarin Oriental is setting the benchmark – and with its global influence and impact, others should take note and follow.
The Bull Inn, Totnes – HIGHLY COMMENDED
‘Soulful, values-led, and wildly creative. They make hospitality feel joyful.’ Francisca Kellett
Once again, The Bull Inn has captured the judges’ admiration for its radical transparency, low-waste ethos and deep connection to place. This nine-bedroom inn runs on principle as much as on profit, with a regenerative food system, on-site refill store, in-house natural cleaning products and a Scope 1 and 2 carbon tracking framework. ‘If you want to understand what “regenerative” really means, go to The Bull Inn,’ says Juliet. While it may not have the same scale or legacy systems to rewire as the Mandarin Oriental, nor can it (due to the physical building) be easily accessible, The Bull Inn is a lighthouse for small independents, proving that ethics and experience can – and should – go hand in hand.
