London’s Royal Lancaster Hotel is making its mark in the sustainable hospitality scene with its rooftop honey farm and bee conservation efforts. Previously known for hosting iconic events such as the Beatles’ release party for ‘Yellow Submarine’ and featuring in Michael Caine’s ‘The Italian Job’, the hotel is now garnering attention for its commitment to sustainability.
The hotel’s rooftop honey farm, where bees forage in Hyde Park located just opposite the hotel, produces approximately 140kg of honey each year. This honey is then used in the hotel’s kitchens and bars. With a total of 10 hives and around 60,000 to 80,000 bees per colony, the Royal Lancaster Hotel is contributing to the preservation of the declining bee population.
Recognizing the vital role bees play in ecosystems and the threats they face, the Royal Lancaster Hotel has partnered with Bees Abroad. Through this collaboration, the hotel has twinned its rooftop honey farm hives with hives in Tanzania, supporting the charity’s initiatives focused on teaching rural women on Kome Island about beekeeping practices, environmental conservation, and creating sustainable businesses.
Jo Hemesley, the hotel’s resident beekeeper, highlights the bees’ behavior, stating that they travel up to three miles from the hive to collect nectar. With Hyde Park right on their doorstep, the bees primarily forage from the park’s Italian Gardens and its abundance of common lime trees. This contributes to the light, slightly citrusy taste of the hotel’s fresh honey.
The Royal Lancaster Hotel was a pioneer in London when it installed hives on its roof back in 2009. Since then, other institutions in the city, including the Ritz, the London School of Economics, Fortnum & Mason, and the East London Mosque, have followed suit, aiming to boost the bee population and support the environment.
Sally Beck, the hotel’s general manager, emphasizes the importance of protecting pollinators and maintaining ecological balance. To encourage guests to join the cause, the Royal Lancaster Hotel offers a Bee Our Guest package, which includes a £10 donation towards Bees Abroad. Guests can enjoy guaranteed views of Hyde Park and the rooftop beehives from their rooms, as well as a honey cocktail served in a beeswax glass and a breakfast spread featuring fresh honeycomb.
With a seamless incorporation of honeycomb design elements throughout the building’s 411 guestrooms and suites, the Royal Lancaster Hotel pays homage to its sustainability efforts. Apart from its eco-friendly practices, the hotel aims to provide high-quality services and experiences to its visitors.
In a world where sustainability and environmental conservation are increasingly important, the Royal Lancaster Hotel sets an example by prioritizing bee conservation and sustainable practices. By creating awareness, supporting bee populations both locally and abroad, and offering unique experiences to its guests, the hotel demonstrates its commitment to making a positive impact on the world.
