Visit Starhotels Ec.ho. in Milan

StarhotelsE.c.ho. in Milan it´s a hotel that have taken into account green design. Take a look on this sustainable hotel.

This Hotel as received a recognition for its sustainability at the European Design Awards. The 143 bedroom hotel, was completely converted from a classic urban hotel into an ‘eco hotel’ in central Milan.

According to the judges, the Starhotels E.c.ho was considered the best in its category as it not only delivers a sustainable performance but also makes the guest experience sustainable. The hotel’s energy saving figures were impressive, as were the ways in which the guest experience was influenced by a desire to reuse locally sourced materials. Sustainability was regarded as a significant part of the overall guest experience and not just kept to the back of house.

Starhotels E.c.ho. is the result of a complete renovation of Starhotels’ Splendido in Milan. After nine months and an investment of over EURO 13 million, the hotel opened on September 8^th 2011. E.c.ho., the first ecological hotel from Starhotels, was designed by interior designer Andrea Auletta, alongside the creative team at Starhotels. The name and concept of the hotel was inspired by nature and to draw attention to current environmental issues. The hotel has an original design, using selected materials with minimal power consumption as well as being extremely comfortable and oozing ‘eco-chic’ appeal.

The following are some of the most exciting sustainable initiatives going on in the hotel at present:

In the winter of 2012, perfectly in tandem with Starhotels’ green philosophy, New York artist Josh Hadar created an eco-friendly art installation at the Starhotels E.c.ho. Milano. ‘Constellation Bonsai’ is a unique, hand-crafted Bonsai tree which converts solar radiation into electricity, enabling 110 LED lights hidden amidst the branches to automatically switch on at sunset;
The hotel’s Orto Green Food & Beverage restaurant follows a ‘zero-mile’ approach by offering only seasonal, locally sourced produce in its menu. In addition, it features wall lights that recall sunrise, noon and sunset – reflecting the hotel’s symbiosis with nature;
A bike-hire scheme has been installed near the hotel.

SEE ALSO: GREEN DESIGN PROJECTS WORLDWIDE

Interior Design

Bathroom amenities such as soaps and liquids are made with essential oils without the presence of parabens and silicones. The packaging is also made from recyclable materials such as HDPE pipe stem (high density polythene), polypropylene caps, bags and polyethylene film, which are all 100% biodegradable materials;
The table place mats and bread baskets in the restaurant are made from recycled material and are, in turn, recyclable;
Room floors, corridors and bathroom covering are made from gres certified by ‘Live Green’
Communal areas and hotel corridor carpets are certified by ‘Eco Solution Q’;
Room wall paper certified by ‘Nordic Ecolabel’;
Room and communal areas upholstery certified by ‘Greenguard’ and ‘E.U. Ecolabel’;
Communal areas’ fabrics certified by ‘Ecolabel’;
Spring mattresses made of recycled materials.