Inhabit embodies the essence of B Corp, from zero-waste policies and sustainable furniture to a plant-based restaurant and in-suite snacks made by social enterprises. Olivia Palamountain reports
Inhabit Queen’s Gardens, the west London hotel that opened in May 2022, has achieved a major sustainability milestone by earning B Corp certification.
The rigorous assessment process evaluated the hotel’s operations and business practices across five key impact areas: customers, community, environment, workers and governance.
The B Corp recognition comes after Inhabit, Queen’s Gardens initially received Green Key certification in May 2023 for its deep emphasis on monitoring its supply chain, reducing its environmental footprint, and creating positive social impact since opening last year.
“This B Corp certification reflects our steadfast commitment to sustainable practices and social responsibility,” says Vera Bruntink, Sustainability Manager at Inhabit Hotels. “We are committed to continuous improvement of our sustainability strategy, practices, and reporting.”
A zero-waste hotel, Inhabit has diverted nearly 2,000 items equating to over 16,000kg of waste from landfills by redistributing unwanted goods through Globechain, and the hotel actively partners with ethical suppliers using minimal plastic packaging, net-zero transportation and refillable product systems.
Restaurant, Yeotown at Inhabit, offers a plant-based menu and suite mini bars are stocked by Social Supermarket, whose snacks and drinks are all ethically made by social enterprises.
Furniture and furnishings are made by sustainable brands including Goldfinger and ethical homewares label Kalinko, while further eco-friendly initiatives include working with social enterprises such as Granby Workshop, which created the lobby’s terrazzo mantelpiece from recycled materials.
“Sustainability is a journey, and we recognize we still have a long way to go,” says Samantha van Exter, Montcalm Collection’s Head of Hotels, which manages Inhabit. “But we’ve created a solid foundation to improve upon, inviting guests and partners to join our conscious journey.”
In achieving B Corp status, Inhabit aims to inspire the broader hospitality industry, guests, employees and suppliers to prioritise environmental initiatives and social impact.
Extending its ethos to mindset, the hotel is now in a new partnership with contemporary mental health service Self Space to facilitate inspiring talks and workshops that focus on enhancing and maintaining mental health awareness and wellbeing.
Part of Montcalm Collection, the upcoming opening of Montcalm Marble Arch later this year and Montcalm Brewery in 2025 will further build on the sustainability best practices and partnerships achieved by the Inhabit brand.
“We cherish our planet and believe hospitality should be a force for good,” adds Nadira Lalji, Inhabit Hotels co-founder. “Let’s nurture a more responsible experience valuing guest comfort and planetary well-being for a sustainable legacy.”