AN EDINBURGH hotel is making traditional paper directories a thing of the past in its latest green effort.
Four-star boutique hotel Nira Caledonia has moved its directory online to its specially-designed mobile app in a bid to be more environmentally conscious.
The New Town hotel’s General Manager, Chris Lynch, said: “Making this decision was a no-brainer. The leaflets on display are often used once and then disposed of – we can’t be sure they’re even being recycled.
“They become dated, or shabby and replacing the traditional paper directories in rooms is costly for both us and for the environment too.
“Like many others, the tourism industry is coming under scrutiny for its negative environmental impact so we’re doing everything we can to reduce our footprint as much as possible.”
The 28-room hotel on Gloucester Place in the New Town is known for its eco-credentials, making small changes such as introducing totally compostable coffee pods to its restaurant and rooms and getting rid of plastic miniature toiletries in bathrooms earlier this year.
Chris added: “We should all be doing our bit to reduce our impact on the environment in whatever way we can – even the smallest of changes can make a difference.
“Our free app which is available to guests has been designed to act as a new and improved replacement for traditional directories.
“Guests can use the app to access local insights into the best attractions and shopping spots in Edinburgh, useful phone numbers, room service and the all-important wi-fi password. Essentially, the app includes everything that we would put in our normal directory and some, in a more accessible and environmentally-friendly way.
“While the app will never replace our provision of personal service to guests, we love this additional way of ensuring that they can make the most out of their stay.”
Designed by Edinburgh-based Criton Apps, the Nira Caledonia app also allows guests to make requests for their stay – even being able to request for a bath to be run ahead of their arrival.
Nira Caledonia is set across two Georgian townhouses, just a 10-minute stroll from the City Centre.
Its location makes it ideal for city getaways being in close proximity to Edinburgh’s main shopping district as well as a host of historical landmarks and attractions.
An award-winning luxury hotel, Nira took home the accolade for Boutique Hotel of the Year in 2019 – less than 12 months following a period of major refurbishment after a devastating fire took out half of the rooms and restaurant.
It is part of Shanti Hospitality, a hotel and leisure company with a focus on building and developing exceptional assets and brands. There are three other hotels in the Nira portfolio; Nira Alpina in Switzerland, Shanti Maurice in Mauritius and Oniro Mykonos in Greece.
For more information, please call 0131 225 2720 or visit https://www.niracaledonia.com/
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