"E.c.ho Milan: Pioneering EcoLuxury in the
Heart of the City"
In the bustling heart of Milan, just steps away from Central Station, stands E.c.ho Milan, a pioneering example sustainable architecture in the cosmopolitan landscape. E.c.ho, which stands for 'Ecological Contemporary Hotel', is the Starhotels group’s visionary response to the growing demand for eco-conscious travel options in an era increasingly defined by slow tourism. Conceived by the insightful architect Andrea Auletta, E.c.ho was brought to life in 2011, at a time when sustainability was beginning to gain traction as more than just a trend.
F
rom Green Beginnings to DEEPERLUXURY: Tracing
Congratulations to Elisabetta Fabri, our HoteliersGuild Honorary Ambassador
We are thrilled to congratulate our Honorary Ambassador and Board Member, of sustainable luxury in an urban setting.
The Pioneering Days of
Eco-Hotels
In the 1980s, Costa Rica emerged as a leader in ecotourism, setting the stage economy from agricultural expansion to conservation and eco-tourism, which Among these, Rara Avis and Selva Verde Lodge were trailblazers, focusing on their appeal to wider audiences, these establishments were crucial in laying conservation, and effective waste management.
Urban Elegance with a Sustainable Heart
Elisabetta Fabri and STARHOTELS have brilliantly brought the essence of these luxury and sustainability. Their efforts have exemplified how sustainable practices and elegance. This achievement not only honors the legacy of the early eco-hotels
Thank you, Elisabetta, for your invaluable contributions and for leading the way innovative approach continue to inspire us all. The complete LookBook is available
Tracing the Evolution of Sustainable Luxury in Hospitality
Ambassador and Board Member
Member, Elisabetta Fabri, and her fabulous team for their visionary realization stage for the world's first eco-lodges. These early ventures shifted the local which helped preserve its lush jungles and provide a new economic backbone. on sustainability before it was mainstream. While their basic amenities limited laying the foundational practices of sustainability such as solar energy use, water these pioneering eco-hotels into the urban environment, seamlessly integrating practices can be incorporated into city hotels without compromising on comfort eco-hotels but also sets a new standard for urban sustainable luxury. way in redefining urban hospitality through sustainability. Your dedication and available for your viewing pleasure on
As President and CEO of Starhotels Group, Honorary Ambassador of the prestigious HoteliersGuild and Honorary Board Member of the Board of Governors at LeadingHôtelières Chapter, an esteemed initiative dedicated to fostering gender equality and empowering women in leadership roles within the hospitality industry, I am deeply committed to lead the way in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices within the luxury hotel sector.
Across all its operations and activities, Starhotels is dedicated to a long-lasting commitment to sustainability, social responsibility, and outstanding corporate governance. Our company embodies the philosophy of eco-friendly, locally sourced consumption. Indeed, we are devoted to shaping the way for both future generations and the community our hotels serve through strategic investments on ecological transition, championing Italian craftsmanship, responsible water resource management, and adherence to a stringent code of ethics.
Our ability to maximize and optimize hotel performances, devise a strategy and structure growth in a steady and sustainable way, propels us to strive for ever more ambitious challenges. One of these is making a difference in the ESG sector, a topic that is becoming increasingly vital from an ethical standpoint in the long-term vision of the hotel industry.
In this area, 2023 marked significant strides for Starhotels, with a particular focus on ecological transition. Our company has started an ambitious long-term investment plan, set for the period 2023-2028, with a financial commitment of 10 million Euros –among them, 2 million Euros have been already allocated. This strategy is designed to decrease the Group's total energy usage by over 30% by 2026, with a strong commitment to emission reduction, with the tangible goal of cutting its carbon footprint by 10,000 tonnes of CO2 over the next three years.
Among our extended hotel portfolio, Starhotels E.c.ho. in particular is a significant case study in the world of sustainability, a benchmark for green hotels in Italy. The building is
considered a gem of eco-friendly construction, enabling the hotel to not only receive the European Hotel Design Award for its sustainable design in 2012, but also the Green Globe certification. In 2023, Starhotels E.c.h.o. was the first city hotel in Europe to join the global portfolio of Beyond Green.
The hotel ensures a fully eco-friendly experience by minimising the environmental footprint of each guest stay. It promotes an ethos of energy conservation among its staff and guests, and is actively engaged in tangible initiatives that benefit the local area and community.
Social responsibility also plays a critical role in the luxury hotel industry, influencing the environment, society, and guest satisfaction. Supporting local communities, prioritizing employee well-being, and engaging in social causes are key aspects for us.
Aiming at uncompromising luxury, investing in customisation and attention to detail in order to make our hotels unique and distinctive, led us to strengthen the connection with the local areas and communities to which our hotels belong.
With this in our mind, in 2019 we launched a significant project of ours called "La Grande Bellezza - The Dream Factory”, a contemporary patronage initiative designed to promote and heighten Italian expertise and craftsmanship. Fortunate to be backed by two significant institutions dedicated to preserving exceptional Italian craftsmanship such as Associazione OMA (Osservatorio dei Mestieri d’Arte) and Fondazione Cologni dei Mestieri d’Arte, the project is a powerful way to shine a light on heritage, beauty and high quality of Italian craftsmanship, encompassing a range of beneficial measures to support the small local businesses and, at the same time, open the extraordinary ateliers for our guests to experience beauty at first hand: authenticity, I can say, is my idea of the ultimate, luxury experience in hospitality.
Elisabetta Fabri, Starhotels President and CEOThe transformation of Hotel Splendido into E.c.ho followed a year-long renovation focused on sustainable innovation.
"Splendido shut down in 2010, and then, after extensive renovations focused on energy-efficient technology and sustainable materials, E.c.ho was born," recounts Elisabetta Fabri, President & CEO of Starhotels.
This bold reimagining earned the hotel the European Hotel Design Award for Sustainable Design just a year later, and by 2019, E.c.ho had achieved Green Globe Gold status, with a compliance score of ninety-five percent.
Sustainable Stays
E.c.ho Milan's Journey to Eco-Friendly Excellence
In the bustling heart of Milan, just steps away from Central Station, stands E.c.ho Milan, a pioneering example of sustainable architecture in the cosmopolitan landscape. E.c.ho, which stands for 'Ecological Contemporary Hotel', is the Starhotels group’s visionary response to the growing demand for eco-conscious travel options in an era increasingly defined by slow tourism. Conceived by the insightful architect Andrea Auletta, E.c.ho was brought to life in 2011, at a time when sustainability was beginning to gain traction as more than just a trend.
Spanning 3,500 square feet and accessible via the corner of Viale Andrea Doria, E.c.ho’s design maximizes natural lighting in its lobby through expansive glass walls that open up to serene garden views, home to a historic Renaissance chapel. This chapel, part of the remnants of Cascina Pozzobonelli, adds a touch of historical intrigue to the modern eco-hotel.
E.c.ho’s 143 rooms, spread across seven floors and various categories from superior to deluxe, including junior suites and suites, are a study in understated elegance. Decorated in soothing beige and cream tones with floral motifs, the rooms offer balconies that provide sweeping views of Milan’s iconic skyline—from the Pirellone to the Bosco Verticale.
Andrea Auletta, who has worked with the Starhotels group since 1995, oversaw the eco-design of E.c.ho, ensuring that every element from the porcelain stoneware flooring to the Nordic Ecolabel-certified wallpaper adhered to rigorous ecological standards. "The aim was to reduce energy consumption, choose recyclable materials, manage waste efficiently, and minimize room cleaning times," explains Auletta, highlighting the comprehensive approach taken to ensure the hotel’s sustainability.
On the top floor, the fitness room, designed like a greenhouse, offers panoramic views of the city, enhancing the workout experience with a visual connection to the urban landscape. Additionally, E.c.ho promotes low-carbon travel with pedal-assisted bikes and electric vehicle charging stations, furthering its commitment to sustainability.
Andrea Auletta, who has worked with the Starhotels group since 1995,
oversaw the eco-design of E.c.ho, ensuring that every element from the porcelain stoneware flooring to the Nordic Ecolabel-certified wallpaper adhered to rigorous ecological standards. "The aim was to reduce energy consumption, choose recyclable materials, manage waste efficiently, and minimize room cleaning times," explains Auletta, highlighting the comprehensive approach taken to ensure the hotel’s
The hotel's restaurant, in partnership with Eataly, focuses on sustainably sourced Italian ingredients, with dishes that celebrate the richness of Italy's culinary heritage.
The bar complements this with a selection of natural and biodynamic wines, alongside innovative cocktails like the ‘P31 Green Spritz’, which align with the hotel’s green philosophy.
E.c.ho’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond its operations to community engagement, including
partnerships with the Too Good To Go app to minimize food waste and collaborations with the Arca Foundation to support local charitable efforts.
E.c.ho Milan not only sets a precedent for sustainable luxury in hospitality but also serves as a vibrant testament to how hotels can lead in the fight for a more sustainable future while offering a luxurious and deeply engaging guest experience.
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Step into a world where luxury transcends mere opulence - it's about sustainability and making a real difference.
he HoteliersGuild SIRIUSACADEMYAWRDS isn't just another showcase of laureates; it's a testament to our deeper commitment. With every page turned, you'll uncover the remarkable stories of our sustainability champions - those who embody our mission to secure funding for the next generation of industry leaders who deserve a chance to shine, while prioritising environmental responsibility.
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Uncover the opulence of the HoteliersGuild Hall of Fame nestled within the Villa Padierna Palace Hotel in Marbella, Spain.