Excellence Award 2023
SLEEP'N ATOCHA: a unique example of sustainable accommodation
"The biggest challenge we have is to live up to the company's purpose, which is not to be the best hotel in the world, but the best for the world."
- Gorka Rosell, director of SLEEP'N Atocha
The Excellence Award stands out as one of the most special recognitions of Traveling for Happiness, as it is awarded by public vote among all the proposals submitted in each edition. In this third year, SLEEP'N Atocha has had the privilege of being the winning project, being a hostel located in the Spanish capital that stands as the most sustainable accommodation and the only carbon neutral in the whole country.
This two-star establishment stands as a shining light shining brightly on innovation and sustainable commitment in today's tourism landscape. Its strengths go beyond the colorful images that often appear in Google results when searching for its name. Although the quality of its facilities has undoubtedly contributed to SLEEP'N Atocha 's position among the most recommended hostels in the capital on Tripadvisor, the real excellence that has won over the public has to do with its philosophy of sustainability and social responsibility.
Leaders in sustainability and social responsibility
What to many might simply be a place to rest, actually harbors a sustainable philosophy that goes beyond words. SLEEP'N Atocha, the first B Corp accommodation in Spain and the second in Europe, has become the fifth most sustainable in the world and the only carbon neutral in Spain as of 2019.
According to Gorka Rosell, director of the establishment, "the project came about unintentionally, when the CEO of the company created a hotel that materialized all his dreams. We are not talking about luxurious rooms or excessive meters, but an accommodation conceived as a Swiss watch, in the best possible way. Three years after opening, we realized our sustainability through Travelife and later B Corp certification."
As for the merit of being the only carbon-neutral lodge in Spain, Rosell explains: "It's not easy, as we have to weigh all the garbage that is generated, a task performed by the people who have the lowest pay in the company, dedicating their time to weighing other people's garbage. When you are able to do it and buy mini power stations that allow a child to read a book at night in Africa, you know it was worth the effort.
Measures that demonstrate SLEEP'N Atocha 's commitment to sustainability include the exclusive use of 100% renewable energy and the implementation of home automation technologies to optimize energy efficiency, consolidating the company as a benchmark in sustainable practices. Diversity and inclusion are also fundamental pillars of the project: 75% of middle management are women and 10% of the workforce is made up of people with intellectual disabilities.
SLEEP'N Atocha stands out among the most recommended hostels in the capital on Tripadvisor. Photo: SLEEP'N Atocha
A positive footprint in the world
The entire workforce has permanent contracts, fixed and variable salaries, and is governed by a philosophy that seeks to facilitate work-life balance, making the hotel an ethical employer committed to people's well-being. Beyond the walls of the accommodation, the commitment to social responsibility is evident.
An official member of The Code. Org - We protect children from sex tourism, the hotel reinforces its role as a responsible global player. In addition, it maintains active monthly donations to organizations such as the Food Bank and Reforesta, demonstrating its ongoing contribution to social and environmental causes.
"The biggest challenge we have is to live up to the company's purpose, which is not to be the best hotel in the world, but the best for the world. This involves daily scrutiny, constantly thinking about how to improve processes, reduce impacts and ensure that the experience is as spectacular as possible for the customer, as well as that employees are as happy as possible. Since there are not many of us working in sustainability, we strive to break new ground and encourage other companies to join in," explains the director of SLEEP'N Atocha.
Every guest who walks through the doors of the hostel becomes an agent of change, even without being aware of it. In addition to offering a comfortable stay, SLEEP'N Atocha invites its guests to be part of a more sustainable vision of the world, promoting a future where social and environmental responsibility is no longer the exception but the norm. In every corner of this unique accommodation, guests will find a deep commitment to the benefits of working to leave a positive footprint on the world.
The warmth of the spaces ensures that the experience is as spectacular as possible for the client. Photo: SLEEP'N Atocha