Hotel Cateys 2025: Sustainable Hotel of the Year – The Headland, Cornwall

In an era where climate urgency can no longer be ignored, the Sustainable Hotel of the Year winner has risen to the challenge, embedding sustainability not just into its operations, but into its very culture.

 

Partnering with EarthCheck was the Headland hotel in Newquay’s first conscious step to establish a science-based framework to guide future efforts – with the hotel achieving Bronze Benchmark status in 2024 and Silver Certification in 2025. While recruiting a full-time sustainability lead was crucial to creating a strong sustainable culture, as well as focusing on capturing data, training and building a solid Environmental Management System.

 

And it is paying off, with energy use, water use and carbon all down on last year, while recycling is up 66.1%. And these reductions in water and energy use has seen overall saving of around £100,000 a year – a win-win for the planet and the business.

 

Sustainability for the Headland now underpins its entire business strategy, ensuring readiness for new government legislation, investor expectations and guest demand. From laser-focused food waste reduction and locally sourced produce – with 70% of food coming from Cornwall and Devon – to eliminating single-use water bottles and even creating coffee liqueur from recycled grounds, every detail tells a story of innovation and impact.

 

Thanks to thoughtful leadership, Headland employees are embracing sustainability too – 90% of the team have completed a sustainability induction, ensuring the team embraces environmental and social values from day one, while workers are entitled to cycle-to-work schemes, beach cleans during paid hours and unlimited paid volunteering days.

 

Food is another hugely important part of this hotel’s mission to tackle the climate crisis. It tracks and reduces food waste, and champions local procurement, and a recent partnership with Adam Handling and Ugly Butterfly 2.0 was a perfect match owing to the chef’s own sustainability credentials.

 

When renovating the property, thoughtful considerations are made, such as upcycling and reupholstering furniture before considering new purchases. In fact, when refurbishing the ballroom 37 pieces of furniture were reupholstered by a local business.

 

The hotel is growing year-on-year and it is putting this down to engaging with guests in the right way – through business practices which help to look after the planet and the hotel’s local surroundings.

 

Most importantly, this hotel has taken its entire team on the journey – through inductions, town halls, and even friendly league tables that make progress visible and rewarding.

 

By effectively engaging both employees and guests, the team has been able to bring everyone along on its journey of making responsible business both purposeful and fun.

 

What the judges said

“A brilliant example of taking a holistic approach to sustainability. Supporting local and reducing its negative impact.”

Kate Harvey

 

“Lots of community initiatives, strong engagement with employers and plenty of environmental programmes.”

Kevin Brooke

 

“This winner had a purposeful, targeted and measured approach to sustainability. Its storytelling and communication demonstrated its ambition, passion and longevity. A strong entry in a strong year – congratulations.”

Debra Patterson

 

 

The shortlist

• Calcot & Spa, Tetbury, Gloucestershire
• Fowlescombe Farm, Ugborough, Devon
• The Headland, Newquay, Cornwall
• 1 Hotel Mayfair, London
• The Lakes by YOO Hotel & Residencies, Lechlade, the Cotswolds
• Swinton Estate, Ripon, North Yorkshire

 

The judges

• Kevin Brooke
• Kate Harvey, the Pig Hotel Group
• Sue Williams
• Debra Patterson, the Savoy