Why This Stunning Hotel in Mexico Won the 50 Best Eco Hotel Award

Why Maroma won the Flor de Caña Eco Hotel Award 

AN OUTSTANDING COMMITMENT TO BIODIVERSITY 

Maroma's commitment to sustainability takes a holistic approach, but one important focus is biodiversity protection, with initiatives that aim to educate and raise awareness of both for employees and guests. As a seaside resort, a key highlight is Maroma’s partnership with Parley for the Oceans, an NGO that works to protect the ocean from plastic pollution. This partnership involves three initiatives:  

1. Coral Mapping: employees are involved in monitoring the coral barrier, engaging with scientific experts and learning how to use an AI programme called Map2Adapt to create a 3D model of corals.  
2. Beach Clean-ups: employees and their families are invited to participate in regular clean-up days, supporting education and awareness. 
3. Parley Talks: tailored Parley talks raise awareness of the state of the oceans, inspire employees to act and generate support for initiatives that protect oceans. 

As part of their efforts to safeguard native wildlife, and working in partnership with the government, they protect four species of sea turtles, relocating those at risk to their turtle camp. This initiative led to more than 10,000 young turtles being released in 2023.  

Beyond the sea, Maroma has a sanctuary for the Melipona Bee, an endemic species threatened by deforestation, raising awareness and educating both staff and guests. They’re also gathering data to implement appropriate measures after a recent study has found that two species of endemic parrots feed and nest in their site. 

SOURCING SUSTAINABLY AT MAROMA

At the beginning of 2024, Maroma established a sustainability purchasing policy; this guides their decision-making process and specifies the minimum standards, certifications and information required to validate their traceability and sustainability. Within their F&B operations, this is supported by Executive Chef Daniel Camacho, who has become an ambassador of ‘Pesca con Futuro’, a communication campaign that aims to enhance transparency and traceability in sourcing seafood, promote sustainable and responsible seafood consumption and guarantee the future of fishing, aquaculture and marine biodiversity in Mexico and Latin America. 

SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY AT MAROMA

In addition to their extensive training programmes, Maroma also takes care of its staff through a wellness committee that implements monthly activities, as well as 24/7 medical services, mental health counselling, nutritional advice and legal consultation.  

Beyond the team itself, Maroma also supports their community with education-focused projects. These include:  

• Bee School, an educational programme for students from marginalised communities designed to raise awareness of the importance of protecting bees and maintaining traditional know-how, 
• Life for My School, which implements biotechnologies (such as vermicomposting and hydroponics) in schools within marginalised communities, and 
• Community Day, which offers the opportunity for staff to volunteer three times a year for various causes, from dog shelters to rehabilitation of parks.  

HOW MAROMA MINIMISES ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT 

Their ambitious waste management system separates their waste in 15 waste streams. They donate surplus food to a community dining hall that serves over 70 children, compost waste to use in their green areas and nursery, and send non-compostable organic waste to a nearby farm to be used as livestock feed. Circularity is built into their F&B offering, with Freddy's Bar operating on a zero-waste policy on their produce.  

They celebrate the richness of the culture of the area, with caftans, fans, beach bags, sandals, etc. made by regional artisans; they’ve implemented reusable cloth bags for stocking fruit in rooms; have refillable containers for their honey, and are actively working to reduce their glass waste, by installing their own refillable water-bottling facility.  

Their recent renovation preserved as much as possible of the existing structure, fittings and materials, ensuring minimal environmental impact and garnering them an EarthCheck Design certification; and their operations hold the Silver EarthCheck Operation certification. They are also a Starlight accommodation, which certifies the hotel for their practices to reduce light pollution, resulting in reduced energy consumption and no adverse effects on wildlife. 

Congratulations to the team at Maroma for their incredible commitment to protecting our natural world and supporting local and indigenous communities. Learn more about the Food Made Good Framework here and read more about this fantastic hotel at their website!