Gold across the board: Thwaites achieve top sustainability award for hotels

Nine of Thwaites’ hotels and spas have achieved a Gold ECOSmart certification.

12th February 2026…// The award recognises venues and businesses – particularly in hospitality – for exceptional sustainability.

It verifies environmentally responsible practices across areas like energy, waste, carbon, and social responsibility through an extensive auditing process across all departments of a business.

The accreditation is awarded by Greengage, an industry leading organisation which helps businesses maintain and improve sustainability effort.

Rick Bailey, executive chairman of Thwaites said: “As a business, we pride ourselves on quality, and being awarded this gold accreditation reflects years of commitment to responsible hospitality.

“Through initiatives like our large solar projects at Aztec Hotel & Spa and Thorpe Park Hotel & Spa, introducing EV chargers at all sites, reducing single use plastic in hotels, and actively monitoring and reducing food waste, we’re able to continuously work towards a greener, more sustainable future.”

Winning hotels include:

  • Aztec Hotel & Spa and The Lodge at Bristol in Bristol
  • Solent Hotel & Spa and the Lodge at Solent in Fareham
  • Cottons Hotel & Spa in Knutsford
  • Kettering Park Hotel & Spa
  • Middletons Hotel in York
  • North Lakes Hotel & Spa in Penrith
  • Thorpe Park Hotel & Spa in Leeds

 

ECOSmart – a resource for eco-conscious corporate bookers and travellers that highlights sustainable businesses – has four tiers: bronze, silver, gold, and platinum, with Thwaites having future aspirations to achieve platinum across the board.

Rick added: “Each year we are continuing to improve. We started entering the awards in 2023 and previously held silver standard at all hotels. Our scores increased to gold standard this year, and we’re now aiming for platinum – a goal which we believe is in near reach.”

Other 2025 winners include Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, QEII Centre, and DoubleTree by Hilton St Anne’s Manor.

From its origins as a regional brewer with just ten public houses, Thwaites has evolved into a collection of over 223 award-winning pubs, hotels and spas, and inns across England.