A picture showing the Dublin Hotel. A glass front, bamboo trees, and a waitress with a tray and two Guinness glasses on it.

Shaping a sustainable hotel sector together

What can hotels do to embrace sustainability? For the hotel sector, the path to sustainability may require a different approach. Together with the Dalata Group, Deka Immobilien has succeeded in successively improving the sustainability of a total of five hotels in Ireland and the UK.

For example, the designer hotel The Gibson offers its guests various relaxing indoor and outdoor green lounge areas. On the operational side, an updated, digital building management system makes it possible to record and evaluate resource consumption, which optimises the operation of the building’s systems. These and other qualities have been confirmed by the first BREEAM In-Use certification for a hotel in Ireland.

Side view of the Dublin hotel, showing the complete window façade.

Sustainable tourism meets real estate investment

Sustainability has been a hot topic for many years in the hotel and tourism sector. Discussions within the industry cover everything from selecting the type of holiday and destination and choosing the means of transport through to how sustainable everyday life is at resorts. At Deka Immobilien, we play a part in this development through the hotels we invest in, which are mainly in central urban locations, and make an active contribution to sustainability together with the hotel operators. Since tenants have greater operational responsibility in the hotel asset class than in other asset classes, there is an increasing need for the companies and individuals involved to actively work together to improve the sustainability qualities of buildings.

 

Together with our hotel operators, we are actively looking for solutions to make our hotel portfolio more sustainable. Our cooperation with the Dalata Group shows how to both plan and successfully operate hotels sustainably.

Kay Strobl Asset Manager Hotels

Sustainability in operations

Through its Living Green environmental programme, the Dalata Group aims to reduce energy and water consumption as well as waste generation in its buildings. The progress it has made is published in the annual report of the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), a respected non-profit organisation.

Building on the Dalata Group’s environmental programme, the first step involved teaming up with Deka Immobilien to obtain BREEAM In-Use certification for the Dublin properties The Gibson and Clayton Charlemont, both of which were rated Very Good according to the recognised green building standard.

In the second step, the Clayton Hotel in Birmingham and the two hotels in Dublin, the Maldron Smithfield Hotel and the Clayton Hotel Burlington Road, each received a ‘Good’ certification.

This sustainable approach to certification is of particular importance to the Dalata Group and Deka Immobilien. In addition to improvements in economic criteria, progress is also being made in terms of creating a feel-good climate and enhancing the quality of guests’ stay at the hotel.

The Gibson is the first certified hotel property in Ireland.

The main factors that earned the hotel this recognition were active management in the area of energy efficiency, the use of rainwater in hotel operations and a diversified waste concept.

The Gibson’s other strong points include natural ventilation and plenty of daylight. The hotel entrance has a three-storey atrium with a green wall. There are green spaces throughout the building, including accessible courtyards and terraces, as well as a green roof area. All of these features improve the building’s carbon footprint, provide a habitat for native species and reduce stormwater run-off from the building, mitigating the risk of flooding in surrounding areas.

In addition, a glass wall was erected between the three-storey atrium and the reception area in 2025. This structural measure significantly reduces the hotel's heating costs, as the atrium is no longer heated and has been returned to nature, so to speak. At the same time, this adjustment has significantly improved the indoor climate for the hotel area.

The BREEAM In-Use certification system for The Gibson in Dublin addresses the following UN Sustainable Development Goals, among others:

Icon of the UN Sustainable Development Goal number 3. To the right of the number is written "Good health and well-being". Below that, a cardiac tension curve and a heart symbol, in white against a green background.

3 Good health and well-being

A green wall, green courtyards and roof terraces promote well-being in the hotel and increase the quality of guests’ stay.

Icon of the UN Sustainable Development Goal number 6. To the right of the number is written "Clean water and sanitation". Below that, a water glass with a downward arrow in white outlines against a light blue background.

6 Clean water and sanitation

Use of water-efficient fixtures and rainwater.

Icon of the UN Sustainable Development Goal number 7. To the right of the number is written "Affordable and clean energy". Below that, a sun with a power button icon in white on a yellow background.

7 Affordable and clean energy

The building management software has been updated, and relevant consumption meters are gradually being digitally connected so that the hotel can be operated in a more energy-efficient manner.

Icon of UN Sustainable Development Goal number 11. To the right of the number is written "Sustainable Cities and Communities". Below it, various buildings in white outlines against an orange background.

11 Sustainable cities and communities

Linking of hotel operations with public transport services.

12 Responsible consumption and production

Comprehensive waste disposal concept and reduction of single-use plastic in hotel operations.