It’s a subject that is increasingly important to all of us, and is all around us. From the way we recycle everything from packaging to old clothes, to the choices we make from browsing supermarket shelves, and big picture interest in airlines moving to more sustainable forms of fuel.

And it’s the detail that matters from brands and businesses with whom we like to deal. We want and expect clarity if we go looking for information, and this is increasingly relevant when it comes to selecting the places we choose to stay.

We have probably all seen the smart towel policy, with hotels asking us as guests to think whether we really need our towels replaced every day to save on energy used to wash and dry materials that in reality don’t need that level of effort. We wouldn’t wash towels every day at home, right?

On the deepest level some hotels are pursuing green building certifications for new builds or refurbs, ranging from use of materials to energy efficient design to the choice of partners they hire for the job.

But on the everyday level, smart hotels are making improvements everywhere, and taking time to build understanding of that in their own storytelling, recognising we all want to know, and therefore being front foot about what it is they are trying.

Every step can help, and the things to look out for as guest can be across many parts of the hotel footprint. It’s hard to be perfect, and winning in sustainability is a long term mission, but being on the journey is what matters, seeking improvements wherever possible.

And at LiBi we are keen to bring all these elements to life in the stories we help tell for our partners in the hotel space, but also with the brands you can find there too. It’s about being joined up.

Things we would suggest you look out for when checking a hotel’s approach to sustainability, and that we are seeing more regularly, include:

• Choice of bathroom brands, their sustainable credentials, biodegradable packaging and increasingly refillable bottle approaches
• Smart shower timers
• A commitment to local brands behind the bar or elsewhere that show not only a focus on reducing travel miles, but also to broader community support and shared values
• The same with the restaurant and food - is there a championing of local produce, is there a policy that talks about food waste and how/why/where it is being recycled or composted?
• And in the bedroom - are furnishings, mugs and glasses made from sustainable materials and built or supplied by ethical companies?
• Digital check in policies to reduce paper
• Electric transportation partnerships, from charging points or e-hiring partnerships for guests after an electric scooter to travel around perhaps
• And possibly even loud and proud green charters for choosing the suppliers they work with across al parts of the hotel

There is no exhaustive list, but it matters that we look, ask questions and support those that are helping the planet as well as creating a great stay experience, as increasingly the former will be important for the latter.

This is forward thinking sector where guest impressions matter on every level, and the potential to make a difference can make a powerful contribution to positive futures.