Located on the world-renowned Boulevard de la Croisette, the Hôtel Martinez is one of the most recognizable hotels on the French Riviera. Built in 1929, the Art Deco property was the first in Cannes to receive Green Globe certification, and following an extensive renovation program, it has recently reopened and been recertified for its ongoing commitment to sustainable management and operations.
Overseen by Parisian architect and designer Pierre-Yves Rochon, the redesign combines the hotel’s historic style with contemporary features, which include improvements to further cement its environmental credentials. Among the major technical innovations introduced to control and reduce environmental impacts are the installation of LED lighting and sensors, centralized in-room systems to control both temperature and lighting, a water preheating exchanger and low flow water faucets.
“I am proud that Hôtel Martinez has been certified by Green Globe year after year since 2010,” said Alessandro Cresta, the hotel’s General Manager. “We all continue to be involved in the development of our sustainability practices”. And this year, as part of its ongoing efforts, as much plastic as possible will be removed from the hotel.
Waste sorting strategies and responsible seafood purchasing are also part of the sustainability plan – Hôtel Martinez is home to La Palme d’Or, Cannes only two Michelin star restaurant – as are waste management practices, including dehydrating food waste, recycling pens and converting cooking oil into biofuel. And one of its reuse initiatives encourages members of the public to drop off their old eyeglasses at the hotel, which are then redistributed by Lunettes Sans Frontière (Glasses Without Borders) to needy adults and children living in France, Africa, Asia, South America and Europe.
The hotel also supports local producers by showcasing their food and beverages at its restaurants and bars. And it promotes local craftsmanship, such as the work of La Palme d’Or’s executive chef Christian Sinicropi, whose ceramic plates inspired by the area grace the dining tables of the restaurant.
Green Globe certification is evaluated on 44 core criteria supported by over 380 compliance indicators, and across three pillars of sustainable development: economic, environmental and social. Based in California and represented in over 83 countries, Green Globe is an environmental and social certification program specifically for travel and tourism businesses, and is recognized internationally as the first certification for sustainable development of its kind within the hospitality industry.
