naked Retreats: where sustainability and luxury go hand in hand
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naked Retreats: spearheading sustainability in the Asian hospitality market WRITTEN BY
LAURA MULLAN PRODUCED BY
NATHAN HOLMES
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Nestled in the hilltops of Zhejiang Province, China, naked Retreats is helping guests reconnect with nature through a sustainable approach
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or those wanting to relax, switch off their phones and reconnect with nature then
you need look no further than naked Retreats. Offering immersive local experiences in the picturesque hilltops of mainland China, the 12-year-old hospitality company has etched a unique path in the travel world. Today, naked Retreats operates two retreats in Zhejiang province, naked Stables and naked Castle, with several more in the pipeline set to take the naked
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experience across China. The compa-
Championing what the company
ny has high aspirations: it wants to
describes as ‘wild luxury’ – where
redefine how we connect with people,
visitors enjoy nature but experience
places and nature. “We try to take
luxurious hospitality at the same time
people out of their normal routines and
– guests can be sure of a one-of-a-kind
help them switch off their minds so
experience at naked Retreats. “You
that they can reconnect with nature,”
can ride a horse, for example, or pick
explains Paul de Vreede, VP of Sustain-
tea in our tea field,” says de Vreede.
ability and Strategic Initiatives. Even
“There’s always something to do.”
the company’s name ‘naked’ alludes
Yet, whilst you’re bound to have an
to the idea of connecting with nature.
unforgettable stay, perhaps one of
“In Chinese the name is Luo Xin, which
the most distinguishable hallmarks
means ‘naked heart’,” adds de Vreede.
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06 sustainable vision. Whilst the company goes above and beyond to provide a memorable getaway, it does so in a pioneering fashion which isn’t detrimental to the environment. “Sustainability has been a part of our DNA since day one,” observes de Vreede. Indeed, whether it’s reducing waste through compost and recycling or purchasing local produce, this green way of thinking is vital to the business. Energy efficiency has always been a priority for the hospitality industry. However, in recent years, it’s been afforded a new urgency as consumers
“ We try to take people out of their normal routines and help them switch off their minds so that they can reconnect with nature” — Paul De Vreede, VP of Sustainability and Strategic Initiatives, naked Retreats
CLICK TO WATCH : ‘NAKED CASTLE AND MASARATI’ 07 have become increasingly aware of the
systems which heat the soil and rock
catastrophic nature of climate change.
underneath, turning the ground
naked Retreats has taken this chal-
below into a heat reservation ‘tank’.
lenge on since its genesis, ensuring
“We collect heat from the buildings in
that the building envelope of its
the summer, store it underground and
retreats is able to preserve energy
then we retrieve it again in the winter-
injected into the building. “The building
time,” de Vreede explains. “This means
envelope is very important,” stresses
we re-utilise 70% to 80% of the heat
de Vreede. “You can buy high-tech
we use.” Additionally, the company
heating equipment but if the heat flows
uses LED lighting and thermal solar
out of the building through the walls,
collectors in a bid to save energy.
windows or roof then it isn’t productive.
For instance, at the naked Stables
We use several techniques to ensure
retreat, PV solar panels are installed
heat transfer is minimal.” Elsewhere,
on all 30 Tree Top Villa rooftops,
the firm is using geothermal borehole
saving 374 tons of CO2 emissions. w w w.na ke dre t rea ts . cn
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“ We leave it in the hands of the guest to decide how much energy they want to consume and reward them if they control their consumption” — Paul De Vreede, VP of Sustainability and Strategic Initiatives, naked Retreats
It’s clear that naked Retreats has taken a forward thinking approach to its energy consumption – and it’s also getting guests involved. “With the naked Guestroom Energy Monitoring System, we allow guests to see how much energy and water they’re consuming,” notes de Vreede. “We leave it in the hands of the guest to decide how much energy they want to consume and reward them if they control their consumption.” naked Retreats is keen to champion water efficiency and as a result, it abides by the mantra: ‘reduce, treat and reuse.’
E XE CU T I VE PRO FI LE
Paul de Vreede After more than 30 years in 5-star hotel development as a Project Director, Paul de Vreede joined naked in early 2013 when the company was still in its infancy. When de Vreede took over, he had to immediately make improvements to the most successful retreat in China. He was one of the early professionals with real hospitality experience, truly incorporating naked lifestyle, simple and sustainable, into every aspect. He has not only been critical in putting processes and systems in place to protect the company’s existing assets, he has been a true pioneer (in the naked style) in introducing cutting-edge green technologies to naked.
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“Sustainability has been a part of our DNA since day one” — Paul De Vreede, VP of Sustainability and Strategic Initiatives, naked Retreats
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CLICK TO WATCH : ‘NAKED RETREATS – STABLES’ 13 As such, a daily average of 180 tons of water is biologically treated in each retreat and fully re-used for irrigation
2007
Year founded
and flushing toilets, with the remainder being released into surrounding wetlands for ecological balance. Sustainability not only defines operations at naked Retreats, it has also shaped the design and build of each retreat. For instance, naked Stables was the first retreat in China to be awarded LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum status, the highest possible
700
Approximate number of employees
HQ
Loushanguan Lu, Shanghai
certification buildings can receive. w w w.na ke dre t rea ts . cn
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On top of this, the hospitality firm also uses local materials, traditional crafts and state-of-the-art construction techniques to ensure that all construction is executed in a sustainable way. “We use materials like structurally insulated panels (SIPs) which reduces heat loss, as well as autoclaved aerated blocks,” explains de Vreede, noting how all products are chosen for their aesthetic value as well as their reduced environmental impact. Recognising that guests may wish 14
to get from point A to point B quickly, naked Retreats has also ensured transportation is green by offering electric carts. However, de Vreede highlights that the company didn’t want to implement carts which use lead-acid batteries because they “don’t last very long and need replacing often”, which is not environmentally friendly. Instead, the firm adopted electric carts which are powered by “Ultra-Capacitors” – an eco-friendly alternative which can be fully recharged in 12 minutes and last more than 20 years without replacement or maintenance. Developing a sustainable hospitality firm from the ground up is no easy feat;
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it takes a deep understanding of the hotel world as well as a clear grasp of the complexities of sustainable design and operations. As a result, de Vreede says that the business has not only tried to employ local people who have an innate appreciation of the native environment, but it has also forged meaningful relationships with companies which share a similar vision. “We have several strong strategic partners including Jaga, who provide products like heat pumps, as well as Kohler who create water fittings, taps and showers which promote low water usage,” he says. These deep-rooted relationships have meant that every decision at naked Retreats, from the food on your plate to the retreats’ design, has been made with sustainability in mind. The Chinese hospitality market has gone from strength to strength in recent years, and with several new properties in the pipeline, naked Retreats has cemented itself as a key player in the market – but what is the secret to the firm’s success? “I think increasingly people are looking for more of a meaningful travel experience,” reflects de Vreede. “By going w w w.na ke dre t rea ts . cn
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“ By going to a green retreat, guests feel like they’re supporting the planet” — Paul De Vreede, VP of Sustainability and Strategic Initiatives, naked Retreats
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to a green retreat, guests feel like
impact on the environment and
they’re supporting the planet. At naked
promotes maximum sustainability.
Retreats, we’re committed to recycling,
We welcome others to share this vision
energy and water efficiency and a
because it will only benefit the world.”
variety of other sustainability initiatives. We educate people and empower them with knowledge so that they can be more aware of how they live and treat their surroundings. “We feel we are making a contribution to the world by developing this kind of retreat – one which has a minimal w w w.na ke dre t rea ts . cn
naked Retreats 5/F, 35 Loushanguan Lu, Shanghai, Shanghai 200336, China T +400 9200 518 www.nakedretreats.cn