At Casa Hotel, our commitment to sustainability is at the core of everything we do. Our mission is to provide the perfect space to meet, eat, sleep, or celebrate right in the heart of England in the historic market town of Chesterfield. Our four-star independent property is here to provide a genuine home-from-home experience for those seeking comfort, style, and laid-back luxury. We exceed the desires and expectations of every guest and visitor. Put simply, we are the perfect home-from-home. Mi casa es su casa.

We uphold strong values while delivering modern convenience and quality to our guests. Our dedication to responsible business practices is unwavering. We do not have a “win at all costs” attitude and believe in looking after our employees, guests, suppliers, neighbours, and the planet.

Our owner, Steve Perez, accepts that “This is a journey and a balancing act, but if we make as many steps as we can – in every decision we make – towards building a sustainable business, we will continue to do what we can to be the best we can. You can’t ignore the hotel and hospitality industry’s impact on both people and the planet, particularly around water usage and energy consumption, so we cannot ignore our role in helping to build a more sustainable future. Our employees play a crucial role in this journey, and we value their contributions immensely”.

At Casa Hotel, we take a comprehensive approach to sustainability. For us, sustainability is not just about the environment; it’s about people and doing good business. We firmly believe that ethical business practices are the right thing to do and the most profitable in the long term.

Environmental Initiatives

• Energy Efficiency: We have implemented energy-saving measures throughout our hotel, including the use of energy-efficient lighting and appliances and motion sensors in public areas. Our heating and cooling systems are designed to minimise energy consumption while maintaining guest comfort, and we have recently installed a new central heat processing plant to reduce our energy consumption and energy waste. This has seen our energy consumption decline considerably since installation.
• Water Conservation: We recognise the importance of water conservation and have installed water-saving fixtures in all guest rooms and public areas. Our housekeeping team is trained to use water efficiently, and we encourage guests to participate in our towel and linen reuse program.
• Waste Reduction: We actively promote waste reduction and recycling and have established comprehensive recycling programs for paper, plastic, glass, and other materials. Our goal is to minimize waste sent to landfills. We aim to eliminate single-use plastics and have introduced compostable alternatives for items like straws and cups. We also use bulk toiletries to help eliminate the use of single-use plastic.

Sustainable Sourcing

• Local and Seasonal Produce: Our chefs design menus to use seasonal and locally sourced ingredients, supporting local farmers, including our own 360-acre Walton Lodge Farm Estate, and reducing food miles and our carbon footprint. Over 90% of our produce comes from the UK, with the vast majority coming from local suppliers like The Bakewell Bakery, Thornbridge Brewery and The Mushroom Emporium.
• Eco-friendly Products: We choose suppliers who demonstrate high standards of sustainability, from cleaning products to food items. Our housekeeping team has reduced the use of harmful cleaning products on site. We source ingredients whose provenance and sustainable credentials can be displayed on the menu.

Supporting People

• Supporting Local Communities: We actively engage with and support local community initiatives, ensuring that our presence benefits the surrounding area. This includes working with local charities and associations and supporting schools with over 20 work placements each year, with an additional 20 students as part of a college takeover day. We are active members of the local visitor economy, and Visit Peak District Derbyshire and Destination Chesterfield.
• Supporting Employees: Our staff is at the heart of our business. We provide more than 200* jobs locally, ensuring our teams are well-trained and supported and have a good work-life balance. With a recent increase in holiday allowance (+ 5 days annually) and an increase in discounted food and drink rates (to 50%) in the last 12 months, we reward and acknowledge our team’s efforts. In addition, all contacted team members have access to Westfield Health and are paid above the National Living Wage.

Future Goals

• Carbon Footprint Reduction: We are committed to further reducing our carbon footprint through continuous improvements in energy efficiency and the adoption of renewable energy sources, including installing a biomass plant.
• Sustainability Certifications: By 2026, we aim to achieve recognised sustainability certificates, starting with the Environmental Quality Mark, to validate our efforts and guide our future initiatives.

Conclusion

At Casa Hotel, doing business sustainably is at the heart of everything we do. We are dedicated to positively impacting the environment and our community, ensuring that our guests can enjoy a responsible stay in laid-back luxury.

As an independent and thriving business, we are very proud of our contribution to the local economy while protecting people and the planet.

*Our teams are flexible and work across both Peak Edge Hotel and Casa Hotel.