PARKROYAL on Pickering has been recognised as the most sustainable hotel at World Travel Awards Asia & Oceania 2019. Mallika Naguran finds out more about this Singapore-based urban hotel that is rather green, literally. And caters to vegans.

SINGAPORE, 22 October 2019. PARKROYAL on Pickering has been recognised as Asia’s Leading Green Hotel for the fifth consecutive year at the World Travel Awards Asia & Oceania Gala Ceremony, held in Vietnam. 

Critically acclaimed for its hotel-in-a-garden concept, PARKROYAL on Pickering is at the forefront of sustainability initiatives for the hospitality sector in the region. The 367-room property is located in Singapore’s Chinatown district and is distinctive for its pronounced greenery in an urbanized setting. 

PARKROYAL on Pickering is distinguished by its unique architecture, extensive landscaping and sustainability features. Designed by award-winning architectural firm WOHA, PARKROYAL on Pickering adopts a hotel-in- a-garden concept and incorporates energy-saving features throughout the property.

With 15,000 square metres of four-storey tall sky-gardens, reflecting pools, waterfalls, planter terraces and cascading vertical greenery, PARKROYAL on Pickering’s lush foliage constitutes more than 200% of the total land area. Rainwater harvesting and use of NEWater help conserve water resource in keeping the largely self-sustaining plants hydrated.

There are separate recycling bins for plastic, glass, paper and glass in all guest rooms and throughout the hotel.

Several energy saving initiatives include using air-to-water heat pumps with a coefficient of performance of at least 4.5 (or better) for hot water supply; centralized chiller system designed for efficiency via the Building Management System; and demand-based controls for ventilation systems to minimise energy use. To ensure good air quality there are carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide sensors to control car park fans and ventilation for air conditioned space.

These design and environmental features have earned PARKROYAL on Pickering the World’s Leading Green City Hotel accolade at the World Travel Awards 2018. The hotel is also certified BCA Green Mark Platinum, Singapore’s highest green rating.

There’s also a ‘No Meat, No Problem’ plant- based a-la-carte menu to encourage meat lovers to turn to healthy veggie alternatives in a bid to reduce their carbon footprint. Its Lime restaurant serves seven vegan dishes, from appetizers to desserts such as Beyond Burger, Fishless Fish & Chips, and the Omnipork Patty with Barbeque Sauce served with rice and fried mantous.

This is the fifth year running that PARKROYAL on Pickering has been recognised by the ‘Oscars’ of the travel industry as Asia’s Leading Green Hotel, highlighting the hotel’s successful integration of its green innovations into the overall guest experience.

Celebrating its 26th anniversary this year, the World Travel Awards has long been recognised globally as the hallmark of quality in the travel, tourism and hospitality industry. Voted by travel and tourism professionals across the globe, winners are often seen as the industry standard in their respective fields to which all others aspire.

Mr. Lee Kin Seng, Director of Marketing Communications, said: “We are delighted to win this impressive award for the fifth consecutive year. The continued success at the World Travel Awards is a testament to our green credentials, which we are always looking to build on as a cornerstone to our hotel offering.”

PARKROYAL on Pickering, Singapore, is managed by the Pan Pacific Hotels Group. The group has successfully implemented a zero plastic straw tolerance policy, and has embarked on energy and water consumption reduction initiatives, as well as a number of Corporate Social Responsibility projects.