ODS
The 17 SDGs at Hotel Rompeolas: a real commitment rooted in everyday actions
At Hotel Rompeolas, we have been applying responsible practices for years without, until now, calling them by name. They did not arise from a formal strategy or a regulatory obligation, but from a very specific way of understanding hospitality: caring for the environment, people and the local area so that the project remains viable in the long term.
When we analysed our actions in the light of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) promoted by the United Nations, we realised that much of what we do naturally aligns with them. This article is not about “patting ourselves on the back”, but about honestly explaining how a family-run hotel can contribute to the 17 SDGs through small, realistic and measurable decisions.
Environmental sustainability: doing more with less
Energy and efficiency (SDG 7 and SDG 13)
Our building does not have heating systems, which significantly reduces energy consumption. In recent years, we have focused on improving thermal insulation by replacing windows and terrace doors with double glazing—an investment made for guest comfort and long-term sustainability.
Currently, around 20% of our lighting is LED, and corridors are fitted with timers to avoid unnecessary consumption. We know there is still a long way to go, but we believe in gradual and responsible improvement, adapted to the reality of a small hotel.
Water management (SDG 6)
Water is a particularly sensitive resource in a coastal destination like Baiona. 80% of our rooms are equipped with dual-flush cisterns, we carry out regular checks on consumption and potential leaks, and we encourage towel reuse at the guest’s request.
Our laundry service is outsourced, allowing us to optimise processes and reduce indirect impacts by working with specialised providers.
Waste and plastics (SDG 12)
At the hotel we separate waste (organic, packaging, paper and glass) and have clearly reduced the use of single-use plastics, especially in amenities and café services, where we use refillable dispensers.
Not everything is immediate or perfect, but every decision is assessed with a clear question in mind: does it really add value for the guest and for the environment?
Responsible purchasing: supporting what is local (SDG 8 and SDG 12)
We prioritise local and nearby suppliers whenever possible. We look for a balanced combination of price, quality and close relationships, because we believe sustainability is also built through the local economy.
A very representative example is breakfast: fruit, yoghurts and bread from Adrianas bakery, a local supplier we work with regularly. Choosing local products reduces transport, strengthens the local economic fabric and offers guests an authentic product.
People at the heart of the project (SDG 8)
During the opening season, from June to September, the hotel employs 10 people, all on permanent seasonal contracts, a formula that provides stability within the inherent seasonality of tourism.
We offer internal training, mainly through our consultancy and occupational risk prevention company, and we strictly comply with working hours, rest periods and conditions established in the Pontevedra tourism agreement.
We are a small company with clearly defined roles, which limits opportunities for internal promotion. Even so, we place special care on the working environment, respectful treatment and team involvement, and in many cases employees feel the project as their own.
The guest as an ally (SDG 12 and SDG 13)
We believe sustainability is built with the guest, not against them. That is why we communicate our actions through:
In-room signage
Messages on our website
Direct communication at reception
Guests can actively participate through towel reuse, responsible consumption and respect for the natural environment. We do not impose; we propose. And the response is usually very positive.
Commitment to Baiona and its surroundings (SDG 11)
We recommend local businesses, restaurants, routes and experiences in the area, and we collaborate whenever possible with local companies, municipal events and cultural or sporting activities.
Our aim is for visitors not only to sleep by the sea, but to get to know, value and respect the destination. Tourism that does not care for its environment is doomed to disappear.
Governance: values that guide decisions (SDG 16)
A close, family-style approach, transparency and service quality over volume are non-negotiable values at Hotel Rompeolas. We do not seek to sell more at any price, but for guests to want to return.
We make decisions with the long term in mind, even when that means giving up immediate profits. We believe this is the foundation of a truly sustainable project.
The 17 SDGs: a roadmap for continued improvement
We do not directly fulfil all the SDGs, nor do we intend to. But many of them are already present in our daily operations: responsible consumption, decent employment, care for the environment, support for the local economy and ethical business management.
This analysis serves as a starting point, not an end goal. From now on, the SDGs become a guide to prioritise future improvements, always in line with our size and our identity as a family-run hotel by the sea.
Because sustainability is not about doing everything, but about doing well what is within your reach.
