Mercure Krakow Stare Miasto - in the series "Wide open for sustainable meetings
Location in the heart of Krakow, professional service, conference rooms accommodating 300 people and 198 rooms - this is how the Mercure Krakow Stare Miasto Hotel can be described in a nutshell. However, the hotel's philosophy and approach to sustainability - from the technologies used to the creative approach to organizing events and promoting local products - strongly distinguish the property.
Sustainability in practice - or Mercure Krakow Stare Miasto
The Mercure Krakow Stare Miasto Hotel is one of the first hotels on the local market to receive a BREEAM certificate at the “very good” level, confirming high energy efficiency and the use of environmentally friendly materials from ISO 9001:2008-certified facilities. The certification took into account all stages of the facility's operation - from design, through construction, to operation.
Particularly noteworthy is the hotel's innovative façade, created using StoVentec R. This system not only promotes air circulation and moisture reduction, but also protects the walls from degradation while providing thermal and acoustic comfort. In addition, the systems used improve the sound insulation of the building by about 10 decibels.
The hotel has implemented modern technical solutions, such as air conditioning with heat recovery and a building automation system that continuously monitors water and energy consumption. The kitchen has been equipped with the Sicatronic system, which optimizes the energy consumption of catering equipment. In the garage, guests can use chargers for electric vehicles.
As part of its daily operations, the hotel has replaced all light sources with LED technology. In the bathrooms, aerators were installed to reduce water consumption - to 3.8 l/min in taps and 6 l/min in showers. In addition, temperature management was optimized according to the season, which also translates into lower energy consumption.
A significant reduction in waste has been achieved by eliminating disposable packaging and replacing it with returnable containers. The use of AI technology allows the hotel to effectively monitor and reduce food waste. Guests are encouraged to segregate trash through the availability of special garbage cans in the rooms. In addition, the hotel encourages guests to participate in programs to reduce consumption - such as forgoing daily changes of towels, linens and cleaning.
Creative approach to conferences, catering
The sustainable approach also manifests itself in the organization of conferences and events. The hotel offers alternatives to paper flipcharts in the form of electronic whiteboards, and encourages the use of filtered water served in glass carafes. Conference materials - notebooks made from recycled paper, wooden pencils - are available in thoughtful quantities. Event attendees use personalized reusable mugs with Krakow motifs to reduce water and energy consumption.
Conference and banquet menus are based on seasonal and local ingredients, with a wide range for vegetarians and vegans. The increasingly popular “Sustainable” option and “Local” menus not only respond to environmental needs, but also support local suppliers and shorten the supply chain. Event organizers can use an online carbon footprint calculator provided by the Accor chain.
Local yet global
One of the cornerstones of the Mercure brand is localness. The “Discover Local” concept is implemented through ongoing cooperation with Malopolska producers. Their products can be found in the hotel's Winestone restaurant, breakfast buffet, conference menu and hotel store.Mercure Krakow Stare Miasto's activities have been recognized by being awarded the “Green Key ”certificate - one of the most respected awards in the tourism industry in terms of environmental responsibility.
The hotel has seen a growing interest among guests in sustainability issues. Having certificates is becoming a standard for many clients, especially for companies with global reach. Increasingly, events are being organized at short notice, with a greater emphasis on minimizing food waste and combining business travel with several occasions.
Sustainability inspiration and knowledge is drawn from Accor's global network, as well as from the sharing of experiences between hotel employees and a community of professionals, such as on LinkedIn. It is the team at the Mercure Krakow Stare Miasto hotel, supported by the right policies and tools, that is responsible for creating such a comprehensive and responsible approach to hotel operations.
