The Portsmouth Marriott City Hotel consists of 7 floors, 172 guest rooms and 8 conference rooms. Located on the Coast, the hotel is close to Port Solent and Porchester Castle, with the town centre, seafront and continental ferry port located nearby. Portsmouth became the first Marriot City hotel to achieve full Green Globe 21 accreditation in March 2001 and their environmental policy forms part of this formal Environmental Management System. The hotel has been proactive in sharing the best practices with other Marriott hotels and assisting other to achieve full accreditation. In November 2002 their Green Globe champion in conjunction with their Head Office assisted in the improvement from a local management system to a system which is now used by all Marriott hotels.

Nominated Initiative

The Portsmouth Marriott has a well managed EMS which forms part of the everyday working practices of staff. Staff are made aware of environmental issues through environmental champions from 12 departments, and are encouraged to use the hotel’s reduce, reuse and recycle ethos in their own homes. Implemented energy efficiency measures which have resulted in significant environmental improvement. A Combined Heat and Power plant has saved around £22,000 on electricity. Daily readings are recorded from sub-meters for water and energy, which allow the General Manager to challenge team leaders on their departments energy use measured against number of guests. Water consumption has been reduced by displaying tent cards in guest bedrooms, encouraging guests contemplate the water required to wash all towels daily. Portsmouth Marriott has influenced Head Office so that this is now common practice in all Marriott hotels. Other energy saving efforts include; use of lower voltage lamps, motion sensors in public toilets, hippos in cisterns and importantly monitoring to ensure no unnecessary use of heating, air conditioning and lighting.

In addition to improved energy efficiency measures, the hotel undertakes a number of other good environmental practices. Following refurbishment any hard or soft furnishings are offered to Whitbread in the Community so they are able to distribute to local charities and community groups. The hotel also aims to employ staff who live within a 15 mile radius and a minibus operates for staff and guest until 7pm within 15 mile radius. The hotel’s most significant environmental achievement has been to lead the way for other Marriott hotels and by putting pressure on its parent company to change the way corporate culture views environmental issues. It has been the case that potential guests are choosing Marriott hotels over other chains because of their environmental credentials.

Certainly, this winning case study is an example of how changes in one location can have a positive effect within the whole organisation and result in constructive and beneficial changes being implemented across the business.

Mr Peter Johnson

Health and Safety Manager

Portsmouth Marriott Hotel

Tel: 023 9238 3151

Email: peter.johnson@marriotthotel.co.uk