Sofitel The Palm Dubai: Cozy retreat with green innovations

Located on the prestigious Palm Jumeirah, Sofitel The Palm Dubai is a Polynesian themed five-star resort, comprising 361contemporary rooms & suites and 182 apartments. A cozy retreat from Dubai’s urban cityscape, the resort sprawls over a long private beach on Palm Jumeirah’s East Crescent. The resort strikes an elegant balance between luxurious facilities, a relaxed Polynesian island feel and Sofitel’s sophisticated French art de recevoir.

Green Globe recently recertified Sofitel The Palm Dubai and awarded the property a notable compliance score of 87%.

Rohit Salunke, Director of Engineering at the resort said, “We believe sustainability is not only a corporate responsibility but a global responsibility of everyone living on this planet. It’s important that we take every step forward by having the best energy efficient technology within the design and also by following the best sustainability practices as part of our normal daily routine in everyday life. The certification process provided us with a perfect framework to create awareness about sustainability throughout the resort. This has and will support our plans for further investment in energy efficiency.”

The property’s one-of-a-kind design transports guests on a sensory trail of discovery inspired by green indoor walls, lush outdoor gardens and the 500-meter private beach. The live Green Walls featuring 120 different species of plants are incorporated within lobby corridors covering an area of 600 square meters. The resort’s entire building roofing, measuring almost 7,000 square meters, is covered with cape reed thatching. Cape reed grows only on a small strip of land in the southern cape region of South Africa and provides one of the most durable natural fibers on earth. It has a life expectancy of 20 – 50 years and allows trapped water and heat to escape making it waterproof and UV-proof, an ideal material that suits the local climate in Dubai.

A comprehensive sustainability management plan and environmental policy has been implemented at Sofitel The Palm Dubai and a committee with representatives from each department has been formed. The resort continues strict monitoring of the daily consumption of energy (electricity, gas and diesel). Best energy efficient technology installed at the property include energy and water meters that identify high consumption areas where corrective measures are taken if necessary while sensors, photocells and lifts set to energy saving mode also regulate energy usage. Incandescent lamps have been completely phased out and replaced with LED/CFL lamps and almost 90% of halogen lamps in public areas and guest rooms have been replaced with LED lamps. Furthermore, approximately 50% of hot water is generated by 232 solar panels installed on the roof which produces 2,200 kw of heating output per day.

In total, Sofitel The Palm Dubai has saved almost 1,000,000 kwh/year in energy consumption. The air-conditioning and ventilation system is controlled by a Siemen’s BMS system. In addition, the resort has 15 fresh air handling system units installed with energy recovery units that recover energy from the bathroom exhaust system and saves almost 230kw daily. To improve insulation, exterior guest room windows and public area balcony widows are double-glazed.

Water is another precious resource that is managed effectively. Water passes through a separate filtration system and stored in 24 water storage tanks that are insulated to avoid heat loss located in the basement and rooftop of buildings. All chilled water and hot water pipes have glass wool insulation. While water saving devices have been installed on water taps in guest rooms, kitchens and public areas reducing water consumption by up to 30%.

The resort uses 100% recycled wastewater for its landscaping areas that spreads over 27,000 square meters. Wastewater is connected to the government sewage network, recycled at a treatment plant and used for irrigation purposes. In addition, the property’s air-conditioning condensation drains are connected to an irrigation tank. The water collected is then recycled and used to irrigate gardens and grounds.

Sofitel Hotels & Resorts is an ambassador of modern French style, culture and art-de-vivre around the world. Established in 1964, Sofitel is the first international luxury hotel brand to originate from France with over 120 chic and remarkable hotels in the world’s most sought-after destinations. Sofitel exudes a refined and understated sense of modern luxury, always blending a touch of French decadence with the very best of the locale. The Sofitel collection includes such notable hotels as Sofitel Paris Le Faubourg, Sofitel London St James, Sofitel Munich Bayerpost, Sofitel Rio de Janeiro Ipanema, Sofitel Washington DC Lafayette Square, Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour and Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort. Sofitel is part of AccorHotels, a world-leading travel and lifestyle group which invites travelers to feel welcome at more than 4,200 hotels, resorts and residences, along with some 10,000 of the finest private homes around the globe.

Green Globe is the worldwide sustainability system based on internationally accepted criteria for sustainable operation and management of travel and tourism businesses. Operating under a worldwide license, Green Globe is based in California, USA and is represented in over 83 countries. Green Globe is an Affiliate Member of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). For information, please visit greenglobe.com