Lanzarote, the captivating island of volcanic landscapes and whitewashed villages, holds a unique charm. But its delicate ecosystem, heavily reliant on tourism, faces significant sustainability challenges. From water scarcity to waste management, preserving the island’s natural beauty requires a conscious effort from everyone, including its visitors and the businesses that cater to them.

During my recent stay at the stunning Princesa Yaiza Suite Hotel Resort in Playa Blanca, I was heartened to witness the small yet significant steps since our last visit, that they are taking towards a more sustainable future. It’s not like they’ve suddenly built a wind farm on the beach next to them or anything – though with the considerable winds here, of course, there is one wind farm near Arrecife and another was approved in 2024 – but it’s all these clever little things they’ve been doing over the last couple of years that really add up.

Listen to my audio intro above.

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the global climate crisis, but Princesa Yaiza demonstrates that even seemingly minor changes within a hotel can collectively make a real difference. This is a big hotel, with 385 rooms – anything over 300 rooms is considered a large hotel – when you multiply these small changes by the number of annual occupants, well, just do the maths and its easy to see how these small things add up positively.

One of the first things I noticed in my beautifully appointed room was a notepad by the bed. Instead of the usual virgin paper, this one was clearly made from recycled paper, with a recycled envelope – a simple reminder that even our everyday choices have an environmental footprint.

Similarly, the luxurious bath products provided were from Purr, a brand committed to 100% natural and sustainable ingredients and packaging. Now I find it difficult to find a decent 100% natural brand at home, whose body cream I like, this one was really nourishing and long lasting, with a pleasant aroma but not perfumed. I also liked that the soap they provided, from the same brand, was small. You could easily request new ones when you the bar was nearly done, but being small, no wasted bars to be dealt with when each guests stay is finished. It’s a thoughtful touch that allows guests to indulge without compromising their values.

Subtle, yet effective notices were placed in the guest rooms, encouraging us to consider the environmental impact of our towel usage. In a place where water is a precious resource – a fact underscored by additional information provided about the importance of water to Lanzarote – opting to keep towels for an extra day becomes a meaningful contribution. Lanzarote’s reliance on desalination plants for much of its water supply means that every drop saved is vital.

And I love the simple room isolation switches – by just removing your card before you leave, everything electrical turns off. Means you don’t head out to dinner or the beach and leave all the lights on burning unnecessary energy. These small changes at Princesa Yaiza reflect a growing awareness and commitment to sustainability. It’s not just about grand gestures, but about embedding eco-conscious practices into the daily operations and encouraging guests to participate in these efforts.

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Sustainability on Lanzarote: Key Considerations

Lanzarote’s unique environment presents specific sustainability challenges:

  • Water Scarcity: As an arid island, access to fresh water is limited, making its conservation paramount. Hotels like Princesa Yaiza play a crucial role in responsible water management.
  • Waste Management: The influx of tourists generates a significant amount of waste. Implementing effective recycling programs and reducing single-use plastics are essential. Princesa Yaiza’s move towards natural, refillable and sustainable bath products with eco-friendly packaging is a positive step in this direction.
  • Preserving the Natural Landscape: Lanzarote’s volcanic terrain and unique architecture are key attractions. Sustainable tourism practices must prioritise the preservation of these assets, minimising the impact of development and tourism activities.

Seeing the Princesa Yaiza making these conscious efforts, even in the small things, gives me hope. It shows that businesses can be luxurious and environmentally aware at the same time. It’s not just about saving the hotel money; it feels like they genuinely care about looking after the island that we all love to visit and contributes to a larger movement towards responsible tourism on Lanzarote. By focusing on reducing waste, conserving water, and choosing sustainable products, they are setting a positive example for the industry and empowering guests to make more environmentally conscious choices during their stay.

It’s these small steps, multiplied across countless guests and throughout the hotel’s operations, that will ultimately lead to a more sustainable future for this remarkable and beautiful island.