Art therapy retreat in Spain

Planet

CARBON REDUCTION

We think about water and power usage and what waste we are producing. In 2024 92% of our electricity came from our PV panels.

The historic house has been rebuilt in the old ways but with added insulation, so it stays warm in winter but cool in Summer. The walls are 60cm thick, so slowly heat up in the Summer and then keep their heat through the winter. This system works, so you do not need much AC, but we do have AC units which run by the suns energy via a PV system, which enables us to keep the indoors at a maximum of 25°C even in the heat waves. People are always amazed how cool it is inside in the Summer. We also have shutters fitted and use shade to prevent the sun warming up the rooms.

The walls are really thick and with window placement, and shade trees and kites the summer sun misses the south facing windows due to the sun height, but in the winter can warm up the rooms as the sun is at a lower height and therefore shines in. We also ventilate in the cool night air in the Summer. The new suites have the eco ventilation for the night and we run the AC in the afternoon via the PV panels. The window and the roof placement for the new suites allows for shade in the Summer and the suns warmth in the Winter, so we hardly ever need to heat the new garden suites in Winter.

We have a solar pool cover and a PV solar system run the AC and the hotel in daylight hours. This means our pool is swimmable from March through to November all via the suns power. Our light bulbs are all eco and we think about each watt that is used. Our hair dryers are all 1kw rather than 2kw for example and we do not have electric kettles. Instead, we provide thermoses of hot water for tea and coffee in the dining room and kettles on the gas rings of the BBQs. We look at each product and try and research and buy the ones that used the least amount of power but still function well.

ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE

We plant local plants like olives, rosemary and lavender that require little watering and include shade trees to keep the buildings and pool area cool in Summer. We have left the wood at the back of the property that we look after and harvest, which helps cool the environment. The harvested wood is used in the wood burning stoves in Winter. We have underfloor heating as in the winter the nights can be a little chilly.

All waste is divided and recycled. We also compost. All our wastewater goes through a septic tank which technically produces drinkable water and the water is returned to the ground. We run the whole of our small boutique hotel on 4kw usually but can up the power automatically for example if everyone turns on their hairdryers at the same time. But usually we run at less than 4kw, which for such a large place is unheard of in Spain. We are off grid, but do not be scared, most people do not even notice.

People

LOCAL ECONOMY

Where we can, we buy local in season produce, so for example our onions are Figueres onions, apples & pear from local orchards, local wines etc etc. We buy locally (KM zero produce) and use local companies from our electrician, plumber, gardeners, mechanics etc. We also support the local restaurants, by encouraging our clients to enjoy different restaurants in the area by booking tables etc. It is important for the local economy that our guests enjoy eating out.

We also inform our guests about the local market days and festivals including the honey festival, the Gegants, medieval festivals etc.

We also help all visitors with maps and information about everything in the local area, from festivals, to museums, to sites of interest and the times of the local markets etc.

EMPLOYMENT, INCLUSIVITY AND DIVERSITY

We are an equal opportunity employer and offer good wages to locals and train them in sports coaching, hospitality etc.

We have school groups who come to learn more about sustainability, and we have also been part of a final end of school project on sustainability.

We are also part of the Switchers, Happy Cow and GozeroWaste networks, as well as very importantly being with Responsible Travel. We also take part in eco fairs to learn more about becoming sustainable.