Toddler friendly hotel in Valencia, Spain

Planet

We are dedicated to embracing sustainability in all aspects of our operation. As parents and a responsible hotel, we recognise our role in minimising our ecological footprint and promoting sustainable practices.

CARBON REDUCTION

Off Grid Energy – We take pride in being powered by clean renewable energy with over 90% of our electricity generated from solar panels. By relying on solar power, we significantly reduce our carbon footprint and minimise our dependence on fossil fuels. By harnessing the abundant power of the sun we can avoid fluctuations in energy prices and any impact from the larger energy infrastructure. With 20 years’ experience, we have showcased the feasibility and benefits of renewable energy which we hope inspires our guests, staff and local community to embrace clean energy solutions in their own lives.

Energy Efficiency – Creating an ambient and inviting setting can be achieved through a sustainable approach that prioritises energy efficiencies and thoughtful design.
• Awnings are used to shade outside areas, the house and keep direct sunlight away from guest apartments. This deflects summer heat and reduces the need for cooling systems.
• Heating - surplus electricity generated by the solar panels powers a heat exchanger to heat energy efficient underfloor heating.
• High load activities are carried out while there is solar power to avoid charging and discharging batteries unnecessarily.
• Lighting in communal areas is automatically controlled with motion sensors and timers and light fittings using LED bulbs.
• Air conditioning loading is controlled by timers to avoid units be left running for extended periods.

Locally sourced seasonal food
We pride ourselves on our food providence and minimising food waste. We source the freshest and best quality local ingredients to give the healthiest, most nutritious and flavoursome meals. We use fresh eggs from our chickens, fresh fruit and vegetables from our kitchen garden. Local markets support local farmers and we love the sun ripened produce, it is more sustainable using less transport and less packaging too. Fruit and vegetables are seasonal and with abundant produce available locally there is little need to import anything from outside. Even our paella is made from Valencian rice and local olive oil.

Food waste is closely monitored, care is taken to prepare the correct quantities as we usually know beforehand guest numbers. Managing food effectively makes economic sense, reducing transport and refrigeration, and minimising waste. Most kitchen waste is fed to the animals so there is hardly any food waste thrown away.

Vegetarian and vegan foods
Each meal is prepared from scratch and can be adapted to any specific requirement. With such a wide variety of good quality fruit and vegetable available, catering for vegetarian or vegan meals is simple. We often split meals into meat and vegetarian options, and catering for vegans only requires some additional thought and planning about ingredients. Guests can chat to our chef and learn about ingredients and recipes. We like to spend time to make sure that everyone is catered for, happily accommodating non-gluten, non-dairy and any allergies too.

ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE
Reducing our environmental impact
Water Use – Fresh water consumption is significantly reduced by collecting rainwater and treating wastewater to be repurposed for irrigation. This helps conserve local supplies which is especially important in summer months in a Mediterranean climate when demand is at its highest. Water is a precious resource, our supply comes from a local well where reserves are limited and finite. By reducing our consumption, we lessen impact we have drawing water from the local environment and any strain on the water infrastructure. Recycling water is energy efficient and ensures that there are no polluting discharges. The irrigation encourages green, diverse and well maintained gardens, growing vegetables and planting trees for shade in the summer. There are multiple sustainable impacts of treating wastewater that enhance and benefit our surroundings.

Plastic packaging is avoided where possible. Plastic, glass and cardboard are recycled. All guests have recycling bins.

Restoring Nature
For over 700 years the Islamic Moors ruled this area of Spain. From north Africa they introduced and cultivated almonds, citrus fruit, apricots, and rice among many other foods we take for granted today. They are responsible for irrigation schemes that are still in use and building the hillside terracing to retain water and nutrients to grow their produce. With the industrialisation of modern farming, cultivating on distant hillsides is no longer viable. Younger people find more lucrative jobs elsewhere and the land is abandoned with miles of stone walls falling into disrepair. Reforestation is taking over as an old way of life disappears.

When we moved to Spain, our plot of land was heading in this direction. Old walls hidden behind thick brambles and gorse were collapsing. We decided to restore the terraces by clearing the land and repairing the worst of the wall failures. Open space was created for grazing ponies and donkeys. As the grassland developed, wild flowers became more prominent and bees and butterfly more noticeable. In 2005, the neighbouring Sierra Bernia was designated a Natural Reserve park to protect its wildlife and landscape. Being at high altitude so close to the coast, it was important to preserve its a rare and diverse range of flora.

We have also created a home for beautiful wild flowers, including different orchids, rock roses, wild gladioli and daffodils, iris and multiple poppies. The insects feed off the pollen and lots of different bees return each year. We see lots of birdlife including birds of prey and owls. We continue to repair the walls, retaining the character of the terraces and helping this grassland ecosystem to be a refuge for rare plants to flourish and valuable wildlife to prosper.

Sustainability is an integral part of our values and operations. By embracing sustainability, we aim to minimise our environmental impact, create a positive social effect and provide our guests with an exceptional experience rooted in conscious and responsible practices. We strive to foster a culture of sustainability and act as an example that extends beyond our hotel. We invite you to join us on our journey towards a more sustainable future.

People

LOCAL ECONOMY
The hotel is a local business, owned and operated by local people.
We feel a part of our local community and enjoy the wide range of local produce that keep alive age old traditions. We want our guests also to experience this rich diversity that we love about this area of Valencia.
Food lovers can lose themselves in any number of treats. High end butchers and bakers, olive oils and wines and locally grown fruits. Jalón comes alive on market day, we love the fresh fruit and vegetables piled high, full of colour with no plastic packaging. This is a real opportunity to mix with the locals and get a flavour of our lively little town at its best. We like to allow some time for a coffee or a beer at a market bar and simply watch the world go by.

Jalón is famous for its wine and we buy all our local wine from the cooperative, a collective where farmers deliver their grapes to a communal winery. Visitors can enjoy wine tasting and there is also a shop selling local olive oils, nuts, raisons and fruit jams.

People come from miles around to enjoy the bars and restaurants in Jalón. They are always welcoming, lively and fun, serving traditional food. Many have pretty terraces, an easy tapas menu or the option just to have a cold beer.
A favourite place to visit is the honey shop offering distinctive floral flavours depending on the specific flowers where the hive is located. These hives are scattered around our valley and produce the most delicious honey.
By promoting and supporting our local community we look to enhance local opportunities and help maintain well loved traditions.

EMPLOYMENT, INCLUSIVITY AND DIVERSITY
As a long established business, it is important to have a long standing dependable team. Most of our staff have been with us for many years and it is gratifying that if ever we need an extra pair of hands, it is our staff who recommend us to their friends and family. As a family business, we have family values and we look to our staff for continuity and sharing our success as a business. It is also important that during difficult times, such as covid, our staff are supported too.

Most of our staff are from Spain. There are some guest facing jobs that require spoken English, such as taking Pilates classes, beauty treatments or serving meals. We find a balance between catering to the comfort of our guests while offering an authentic Spanish experience.

We believe in diversity that nurtures equal employment without regard for race, gender, sexual orientation or nationality.

We are LGBTQ+ friendly, with regular guests from this community who are welcomed, valued and made to feel at home, regardless of any orientation.