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Award-winning luxury

Delphina maintains sustainability focus after scooping green accolades at 2023’s World Travel Awards
Katie Hill - Editor-in-Chief, My Green Pod
Expect eco-luxury in nature at Delphina Hotels & Resorts

This article first appeared in our COP28 issue of My Green Pod Magazine, published 30 November 2023. Click here to subscribe to our digital edition and get each issue delivered straight to your inbox

Delphina Hotels & Resorts has won five of the most coveted accolades in the international tourism industry at the World Travel Awards 2023, known as the ‘Oscars of global tourism’.

The chain was crowned Europe’s Leading Green Independent Hotel Group and Italy’s Leading Hotel Group.

The Valle dell’Erica Resort was named Europe’s Leading Green Resort and Italy’s Leading Green Resort, while the Resort & SPA Le Dune in Badesi was recognised as Italy’s Leading Beach Resort.

Following the news, the 5* and 4* independent hospitality chain in Northern Sardinia announced it has bolstered its green investments with the completion of two in-house photovoltaic (PV) systems.

‘The completion of the two solar plants represents a significant achievement towards our goal of total energy independence’, said Libero Muntoni, general manager at Delphina Hotels & Resorts, ‘and these awards are a testament to the forward-thinking path we embarked on 30 years ago. We’ll continue striving to offer an increasingly eco-friendly holiday experience that respects and protects the unique and wondrous natural Sardinian environment.’

Harnessing Sardinian sunshine

The first solar mechanism, built at the Resort & SPA Le Dune, comprises nine single and 30 double canopies. With a total power of 752.1 kilowatt-peak, it will provide enough power for internal energy consumption and electric car charging.

The parking area housing the canopies includes 276 parking spaces and 45 charging points.

The second facility was set up to service the Park Hotel & SPA Cala di Lepre in Palau. The 421 solar panels, installed on various building roofs, provide enough power (231.5 kilowatt-peak) to meet the facility’s energy needs.

‘We’ve completed the first phase of a significant direct production project’, Libero explained, ‘and these awards prove that the path we embarked on 30 years ago was the right one. We’ll continue with further substantial investments aimed at an ever-decreasing environmental footprint.’

Celebrating local culture

Sardinia, fondly known as the ‘Caribbean of Europe’, rivals long-haul destinations for British holidaymakers looking for a green, luxury and authentic holiday with epic landscapes.

Delphina’s sustainability journey began even before the first of its resorts was established. Today the chain uses 100% green energy from renewable sources in all Delphina hotels and the main office. This has saved around 20,663 tonnes of CO2e over the last six years – roughly the same amount sequestered annually by 146,089 trees.

This effort culminated in the We are green® brand, conceived and registered by Delphina to symbolise its commitment to the environment.

The company has adopted significant plastic free policies, saving 722,871 plastic bottles over the last four years.

The chain’s Genuine Local Food Oriented® initiative supports local suppliers, promoting healthy cuisine based on genuine, seasonal and where possible local ingredients.

Europe’s leading green resort

This is the fifth time Delphina’s Valle dell’Erica Resort was confirmed as Europe’s Leading Green Resort.

The 5* resort, in Santa Teresa Gallura, is nestled within 28 hectares of parkland, overlooking the La Maddalena and Southern Corsica archipelagos. It boasts 1,400 metres of white beaches and coves.

The Resort & SPA Le Dune in Badesi was also reaffirmed as Italy’s Leading Beach Resort. ‘What makes our offering unique’, concludes Libero, ‘is the beauty of the Li Junchi beach, which has also been awarded a Blue Flag this year. Stretching 8 kilometres right in front of the resort, it’s much adored by guests who can take long walks on almost deserted areas.’

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