Going green sells in the hospitality business

25.5.2017 BY Maria Turenkova

Ecological lifestyle is a global mega-trend. People want to care for nature and their living environment as a counteraction to the impacts of climate change. This can also be seen in the hospitality business: eco hotels have become an increasingly popular alternative in the tourism industry.

Today, the creation of new planet-friendly holiday buildings begins with choosing an ecological building material and method – logs made of natural wood.

By preferring green holiday options, we seek to come closer to nature but also to protect it. For many of us, contact with nature is inherent to a perfect holiday. This is why eco hotels are so popular: they provide opportunities to enjoy beautiful sceneries and heart-touching environments both in and outdoors. Their natural materials and ecological building processes provide the desired look, touch and feel.

What makes a hotel or resort ecological?

The basic definition of an eco hotel is “an environmentally responsible lodging that follows the practices of green living”. Eco hotels are certified by an independent third-party or by the state they are located in. An ecological hotel or holiday resort is integrated into the environment without damaging it. Often the hotel also contributes to the progress of the local community and to sustainable growth in the tourism industry.

There are many ways to promote sustainability in the operations of the hotel or resort. Eco-friendly principles vary from serving organic or locally grown food to using natural cooling instead of air conditioning.

The key credentials of an eco hotel

• Overall sustainability from materials to energy solutions
• Organic building materials, interior decorations and consumables
• Efficient recycling
• Support and cooperation with the local community

The ecological features of a log building

The basis for an ecological hospitality business is created with its premises. Building of new properties with renewable wood promotes sustainability and creates a unique natural atmosphere in one go.

With modern, certified log technology, the buildings can be designed to blend in with their environment. Combining different materials – e.g., stone or glass – with logs is easy, so the eco hotel can also be contemporary in design.

Levi Spirit villas respect the fragile Arctic nature. View Case Study

This is why we at Honkarakenne have paid special attention to managing our internal and external processes according to sustainable principles. We optimise and save material throughout the production and delivery chain and supply log buildings that are durable and economical in use.

Forests and log houses reduce the impacts of climate change as they act as carbon sinks throughout their life cycle – which can last up to hundreds of years. When a tree is felled for a log house, new ones are planted. Log buildings store more carbon than is released during their production and building. Furthermore, they are 100% recyclable, so they fit perfectly with the idea of eco hotels and ecological construction.

How to use the log frame in eco hotel design

Log houses are an easy choice for eco hotel buildings. They are warm and welcoming. They are fast to build. They promote natural health and well-being and, with today’s technology, can look as traditional or modern as the eco hotel concept demands. Furthermore, modern log technology can be used to build buildings both small and large.

The eco hotel Izumrudy Les near Moscow, Russia, offers leisure activities and relaxation in a peaceful countryside setting. The resort is targeted towards customers who value an active, healthy and ecological lifestyle. Ecological, safe and durable log buildings were a natural choice for this eco hotel. The modern Scandinavian-style cottages offer beautiful views over the forest, park or pond.

The luxurious Prince Villa Karuizawa mountain resort in Japan combines rental cottages and exclusive hotel services in a naturally beautiful environment. It offers the perfect getaway for skiers and nature lovers. Natural, solid logs were chosen as the building material in order to provide the guests with relaxing stays in perfect harmony with nature.

The Avalon Park tourism centre in the Bükk Mountains, Hungary, provides high-standard holidays in unique natural surroundings. The park’s facilities have been built with respect to nature, providing unforgettable stays in modern log villas.

MORE FROM THE BLOG: PRO LOG HOUSES

Log building is not limited only to small-scale private buildings. The material is very versatile and its benefits also scale up to large public buildings. Read on and get new ideas and support for your own building project!