Small steps, big impact - our path to greater responsibility
We are a hotel. Not a laboratory, not a research institute, not a showcase eco-project. But we are hosts - with heart, mind and the determination to do things better.
We know that: We are not (yet) perfect. And we don't believe that sustainability has to start with bans or sacrifices. For us, it means making more conscious decisions where we can. With small changes in everyday life that - taken together - make a big difference.
When we stock the buffet in the morning with regional organic products instead of relying on bulk. When our guests voluntarily forego daily room cleaning and save thousands of litres of water in the process. When a reusable cup in the room suddenly becomes a symbol for less waste.
Each of these decisions is a step towards the future - and we are travelling this path together. With our team. With our partners. And with our guests, who are opting for a conscious holiday.
In this interview, Melina, our deputy reception manager and newly certified sustainability manager, explains how sustainability is practised at the Beach Motel - honestly, pragmatically and with a lot of enthusiasm
Melina, was there a moment when you particularly realised how important sustainability is for all of us - even in everyday hotel life?
Melina:
The turning point came during my training in breakfast service: every morning I saw with my own eyes how much perfectly good food ends up in the bin. This waste was shocking. When you consider that many people in the world are starving, you really realise the absurdity of this affluent society. I realised that the hotel industry in particular - where large quantities of food are processed every day - needs smarter, more responsible solutions.
What does sustainability mean to you - personally and at work?
Melina:
Personally, for me it means living more consciously: Less consumption, more mindfulness. I pay attention to what I buy, how I travel and how I use resources.
For me professionally, sustainability means organising everyday hotel life in such a way that environmental awareness is not equated with doing without. It's about enabling guests to enjoy an environmentally friendly stay - without compromising on comfort.
A good example:
We have refill dispensers with natural cosmetics instead of mini plastic bottles - better for the environment and more convenient for our guests. And at breakfast, we prefer to focus on selected, regional delicacies instead of an overloaded buffet with lots of packaging.
What does the Beach Motel do specifically in the area of sustainability? Are there any examples that are particularly close to your heart? How do guests feel that you act sustainably in everyday life - e.g. at breakfast, in housekeeping or at reception?
Melina:
Here are a few examples of what we have already changed in terms of sustainability:
🌿 Rooms & housekeeping
- No daily room cleaning → every two days = savings per cleaning:
130 ml cleaning agent, 11 litres of water (approx. 1 minute shower), 0.05 kWh electricity
-Water-saving shower heads in all rooms
-No minibars in the rooms, but a communal fridge at reception → less electricity consumption
-Reusable cups in the rooms ("one cup for everything")
-Own deposit coffee cups (produced in Berlin, 100% recycling system)
🍽️ Breakfast & food waste
-Focus on regional & seasonal products (partly in organic quality)
-Buffet is only refilled in small portions from 11.30 a.m. onwards
- Cooperation with Too Good To Go:
714 surprise bags saved = 1.93 tonnes of CO₂ saved
(equivalent to approx. 14,850 km car journey - from Hamburg to Sydney!)
- No individually packaged portions (e.g. butter) → less packaging waste
- Conscious use of food
Chickpea juice from the breakfast chickpeas is used in the bar in the evening as a vegan substitute for egg white in our cocktails
⚡ Energy & resources
- Green electricity from the region
- Shared guest fridge instead of minibars
- Planning for photovoltaic systems and storage solutions (future project)
🚲 Mobility & region
- Free use of the e-MINIs
- Bicycle hire directly at the hotel → Guests can leave their car at home
- Purchase from local partners such as James Farm & Trollebüller ice cream - support your locals!
💛 Commitment & social issues
- Viva con Agua suite: 20% of the price of the overnight stay goes to Viva con Agua
→ approx. €8,000 per year for clean drinking water worldwide
- Fair working conditions & team culture
- Value-orientated work, training & co-design
- Open communication & respectful cooperation
All of this shows that it doesn't always take a grand gesture - many small changes make all the difference in the end.
Do you also think about sustainability in economic terms?
Melina: Absolutely. We focus on long-lasting, efficient solutions - whether in terms of energy, procurement or personnel. For example, if we do without daily cleaning, we save resources and operating costs at the same time. Sustainability pays off - also economically.
Is sustainability also taken into account when selecting partners and service providers? (e.g. regional products, fair working conditions -> James Farm, Trollebüller,...)
Melina:
Absolutely - when selecting our partners, we make sure that the products are produced fairly and sustainably. Short transport routes are just as important to us. That's why we source a lot of our food directly from our James Farm - regional, fresh and with a clear conscience.
What does a real, sustainable holiday mean to you - in terms of people, nature and relaxation?
Melina:
For us, a real, sustainable holiday means, above all, pure relaxation - a time-out where you can really come to rest. At the same time, humanity plays a major role: we attach great importance to treating each other as equals and showing mutual respect. And, of course, this includes a conscious and respectful approach to natural resources so that future generations can also enjoy this special environment.
It's not about being perfect - it's about making good decisions together.
How do you deal with contradictions - for example, when guests express wishes that contradict your sustainability goals?
Melina:
In such situations, we rely on open and transparent communication. If guests' wishes don't directly match our sustainability goals, we explain our motives clearly - always based on facts, figures and data. Because everything we do has a measurable basis. In this way, we create understanding and usually find a solution together that takes into account both the guests' wishes and our values.
Are there any offers and/or events that actively involve the guests?
Melina:
Yes, guests can get actively involved with us - for example at our regular beach clean-ups, which we organise together. If you want to explore the surrounding area in an environmentally friendly way, you can easily use the Cruiser King bike hire service. There is also the option of booking our Viva con Agua suite - part of the proceeds go directly to drinking water projects worldwide.
What is currently the biggest challenge when it comes to sustainability in hotel operations? What do you think a sustainable hotel will look like in the future?
Melina:
One of the biggest challenges today is to really think about sustainability holistically in hotel operations - in other words, not just ecologically, but also socially and economically. When I think about 2030, I see a hotel that is climate-neutral or even climate-positive - with its own energy production, intelligent consumption control and modern storage solutions. Digitalisation plays a central role here, but with real added value: AI-supported processes help to save energy, avoid food waste and offer guests individual, sustainable options. At the same time, the hotel is strongly integrated into the region - with local producers, initiatives and talents. And within the business itself, the focus is on the circular economy: from upcycling to bio-waste utilisation. Sustainability is then no longer an extra - but a natural part of the big picture.
If you had an unlimited budget - what would be the first thing you would change at the Beach Motel?
Melina:
If I had an unlimited budget, the first thing I would do would be to install photovoltaic systems on every roof and create our own energy storage systems to be completely self-sufficient and climate-friendly. I would also set up a zero-waste kitchen that works with partners to conjure up creative new dishes from leftover food. I would also focus on cradle-to-cradle products for the guest beds and textiles, i.e. materials that remain in the cycle for the long term. And last but not least, there would be a smart water control system for housekeeping and sanitary facilities - this would save even more resources and protect the environment.
What are the next steps at Beach Motel SPO?
Melina:
The next steps at Beach Motel SPO are currently being planned - a precise timetable is still being drawn up. Sustainability is very important to us and, as a pioneer in the tourism industry, we want to show how to act responsibly. Among other things, we are planning a digital check-in to optimise processes, as well as new room cards, which we want to purchase from a regional provider in order to become even more sustainable.
Sustainability is based on three pillars: ecology, economy and social responsibility. That is why our focus does not end with energy-saving light bulbs or organic jam. For us, respectful cooperation is just as important as fair working conditions, team culture and social commitment. Because only when people feel comfortable can they make a difference together.
How do you manage to create a working environment in which everyone feels comfortable and wants to stay for the long term?
Melina:
We focus on trust instead of control - personal responsibility is very important to us. Anyone with a good idea is given the space to realise it. At the same time, we know that work and private life cannot always be strictly separated, which is why we treat each other with flexibility, understanding and consideration. Everyone brings different experiences to the table - whether a career changer or a professional - we look at how we can facilitate individual development. And what is never neglected: the team spirit. Flat hierarchies, open doors and shared laughter - even over an after-work drink - make our working environment special.
What values or beliefs play an important role in the team - even apart from rules and measures?
Melina:
Our hotel-wide values are the basis for our cooperation - they characterise how we work together and treat each other. The most important value for us is quite clear: enthusiasm. We don't do things because we have to, but because we really want to - for our guests and for each other as a team.
Sustainability at the Beach Motel doesn't mean doing without and following rules. It means living more consciously, working together and enjoying your holiday with a really good feeling. It's about small things that together make a difference - for the environment, for us as a team and for everyone who spends their holiday here.
For Melina, this can be seen in her personal favourite place: the plateau on the Key West building. "You have the best view of the sea from there. Just sit down, take a deep breath and enjoy the moment - sometimes that's all you need." And this is exactly the feeling we want our guests to take away with them: relaxed, honest and with an eye for what matters.
