The organizers of the 34th annual Hotel Investment Conference Asia Pacific (HICAP) are pleased to announce the winners for the HICAP 2024 Sustainable Hotel Awards. HICAP will be held 16-18 October 2024 at the Fairmont Singapore & Swissotel The Stamford.
The annual HICAP Sustainable Hotel Awards are designed to recognize hotels in the Asia Pacific region creating innovative new methods, strategies, and technologies to face today’s sustainable development challenge, while providing tangible examples of
sustainable best practices that can be replicated and adapted across the region.
In the category of Building, Renovation, Preservation, Adaptive Reuse, & Conversion, the winner is Crystalbrook Kingsley in Newcastle, Australia. Crystalbrook Kingsley in Newcastle, Australia, is a 130-room, five-star hotel that was once a Council
Administration Centre. This adaptive reuse structure is a result of architectural sensitivity, impressive circularity, design precision, and sustainability-linked financing. The renovation retains the 1977 architectural features of the original building.
Circularity is actualised with a deconstruction approach that recycles and repurposes as much as possible, maximising material salvage and diverting 900 tonnes of waste. The hotel sources recycled timber, wool carpets, and eco-friendly furnishings
from local suppliers. A WasteMaster system processes on-site food and waste, turning it into compost-like material. Smart occupancy lighting and air conditioning enhance both energy and operational efficiency. The hotel’s conditional EarthCheck Silver
Certification attests to its ecologically responsible presence. The custodians of Crystalbrook Kinglsey saw what the structure could be - a innovative investment model, a high-performing luxury asset, a community uplifter, and a planet-aware building.
In the category of Climate & Biodiversity Action the winner is Six Senses Ninh Van Bay in Khanh Hoa, Vietnam. The Six Senses Ninh Van Bay is a resort located in Khanh Hoa, Vietnam. The 62 pool villas and overwater bungalows, several bars, and restaurants
are on the beach, over the water, between the rocks, or perched on the mountainsides. Since 2022, Ninh Van Greens, the first in-resort solar farm in Vietnam, has consistently provided electricity, organic produce, and hot water for the resort. Guests
are invited to share the responsibility by offsetting their carbon footprint, or by joining the resort on their three major sustainability projects: black-shanked douc langur conservation, coral restoration, and biodiversity preservation. Their Sustainability
Fund was injected to conduct biodiversity surveys identifying 300 species of flora and fauna. Among these, 7 animal and 10 plant species are listed as rare and precious in the Vietnam Red Book 2007 and the IUCN Red List. The black-shanked douc langurs
only found in the area are under their conservation program. It is clear that they are walking the talk with the concept of ‘Glocalization’ applying globally-recognized responsible actions locally.
In the category of Positive Community Impact, the winner is Song Saa Private Island in the Koh Rong Archipelago, Cambodia. Song Saa Private Island has a strong focus on the economic stability of the local community. As well as prioritising employment of local people, they enable the community to increase the productivity and health of their fisheries through more sustainable
fishing practices and habitat preservation techniques. The hotel also helps protect 10,000 ha of mangroves and seagrass in the Koh Rong Marine National Park, which they helped to set up, supporting blue carbon sequestration. Alongside this, they have
provided education to 1,800 people and supplies to local schools, delivered vitamins to local schools and healthcare to 4,400 locals. Aware that access to clean water is a local issue, Song Saa Private Island have distributed 200 water filters to
the community and installed rainwater harvesting and greywater recycling on site. They have also worked to improve sanitation through recycling and composting programmes with the local community.
In the category of Sustainable Design, the winner is Citadines North Walker Sydney in North Sydney, Australia. The Citadines North Walker in Sidney CBD is a property of 252 keys in the Ascott Limited portfolio. Designed with Sustainability at its core,
targeting a 5-Star Nabers Energy Rating alongside 5-Star Green Star Design. Located in a dense urban area, on a small site. The use of composite steel and post-tensioned transfer structures resolved the constraint of the site and addressed durability
and resilience. The project incorporates various energy efficiency strategies, compared to reference buildings this hotel reduces operation greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 40% and peak electricity demand by 30%. The façade design manages
natural light reducing glare and the need of artificial light efficiently. Water conservation, rainwater harvesting allow for a reduction of 24% in potable water consumption. In short meticulous planning, harmonious facades, and strategic services
distribution further exemplify sustainable principles; the tower's climate resilience and structural stability demonstrate a forward-thinking approach to sustainable design.
For additional information on HICAP or the Sustainable Hotel Awards, visit the website. HICAP’s 2024 event will take place 16-18 October 2024 at the Fairmont Singapore & Swissotel The Stamford.