• Eco-conscious luxury

Jumeirah leads the way with its first environment-focused luxury resort, Jumeirah Saadiyat Resort

Jumeirah Saadiyat Resort is leading the way in eco-tourism

Guests are now able to soak up the island way of life with the added luxury of a clean conscience at Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort, the first hotel in the Middle East recognised and awarded by The Oceanic Standard for its revolutionary plastic-free and sustainable initiatives. The resort’s mission to seamlessly blend luxury and sustainability, has resulted in the resort being awarded the prestigious Ocean Champion badge. Here’s how:

The resort is the first hotel in the UAE to set up an on-site water filtration system, reducing energy usage and transport. The resort’s team believes that hotels and resorts must join in the fight to preserve the planet for future generations and recognise that going green does not necessarily mean cutting out the luxuries. Becoming as sustainable as possible will not only benefit Earth, but also all our collective conscience.

The Oceanic Standard is an international NGO that works to verify and spotlight eco-friendly hotels the world over. Hotels that make a significant effort to reduce their environmental impact are awarded for their efforts, to encourage a positive shift in the industry. Many elements of each hotel’s practices are assessed, both on the surface and behindthe-scenes, and these include single-use plastic consumption, food waste management, sustainable food procurement and the use of non-toxic products. Jumeirah at Saadiyat has taken important steps to promote environmental health and is delighted to be celebrated with an Ocean Champion badge.

Guests can now enjoy personal care products that are non-toxic or packaged in bulk containers or glass containers instead of single-use plastic. The resort is also partnered with Trust Your Water, a Dubaibased water management company. Steps have also been taken to improve single-plastic usage, from refillable shower amenities to swapping plastic straws for ecofriendly wheat straw alternatives. Takeaway containers are made with fibre-based materials and cloth laundry bags. Other eco initiatives launched at the resort include an extensive in-house recycling scheme, greywater recycling, environmentally friendly thermostats in guest rooms and marine degradable packaging for toiletries.

The resort’s Marine Biologist is always on hand to offer guests educational sessions and can talk about the resort’s various eco-conscious initiatives to teach various practices that guests can take home with them and share with friends and loved ones.

A recent study conducted by the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD) found that over 700 humpback dolphins live close to the coast of Abu Dhabi, making it the largest known population in the world. Guests are able to enjoy an eco-tour through the nearby Saadiyat mangroves to view these beautiful creatures in the wild, as the humpbacks are often seen hunting in the wetland forests that border the sea. Sea turtles have long been a protected species in the Gulf, and you can find seven different species in the surrounding undisturbed beach at the resort, including the endangered Hawksbill.

For more information, visit jumeirah. com/en/stay/abu-dhabi/jumeirah-atsaadiyat-island-resort