There are hotels that leave you with a memory because of the view from the window. Others, because of that silence that embraces you when you close the door to your room. And then there are some that, over time, you realize leave you something else: the feeling that your stay can also make a positive contribution.

Recently, while strolling through the center of Girona, I came across a piece of news that brought a smile of satisfaction to my face: the Hotel Ciutat de Girona has achieved the Biosphere Certified distinction, a label awarded after verifying that sustainable practices are being properly implemented.

And as a traveler — one of those who pays as much attention to details as to stories — I thought: this isn’t just about sustainability; it’s about a way of working.

What exactly does “Biosphere Certified” mean?

The Biosphere Certified distinction works as a guarantee: it’s not a “we would like to be sustainable,” but rather a “we are doing it, and it has been verified.” In the public Biosphere profile, commitments and efforts are described in areas such as water, energy, responsible consumption, local impact, and social initiatives, among others.

Very concrete attributes linked to the guest experience also appear: Km0 products, vegan options, bicycle parking, reduced plastics, recycling, renewable energy, green spaces, and accessible facilities, along with a focus on positive local impact and social projects.

A Story That Began Some Time Ago: The “Step Forward” of 2014

What I like about these distinctions is when they are not a “final goal,” but rather the reflection of a journey. In an internal sustainability dossier, it is explained that in 2014 the hotel began a phase focused on improving the efficiency of energy and water resources, and that later it decided to integrate these values into the DNA of its daily management by aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Sustainability You Can Notice in Everyday Gestures

When I think about sustainability, I think about things that don’t always appear in the picture… but that change the way things work.

And there’s another idea I love because it’s so practical: buying products in bulk (even when thinking about breakfast cereals) to avoid unnecessary packaging.

I love it when sustainability is not only about “nature,” but also about “process”: using videoconferencing to avoid unnecessary travel, and tools such as online check-in, digital welcome information, or even room keys through an app.

In fact, I’ve been told that more and more materials are no longer printed and are handled digitally instead — this is the kind of cumulative change that truly makes a difference.

Sustainability That Connects with the Territory: Local Products and Social Networks

Girona is also what builds the city. Such as the commitment to high-quality local gastronomy (like the Girona Excel·lent label and other locally sourced products).

And there is one initiative that I find especially beautiful because it is so concrete and human: the project “1 garment less, 1 key garment.” It indicates that at reception there is a box to collect clothes that are no longer used, and that the management is carried out by Ecosol, the social enterprise of Cáritas; the first collection is even described.

Why This Matters If You’re Coming to Girona

Because traveling is also about deciding what impact we leave behind when we go. And when an establishment holds the Biosphere Certified label, the message is clear: there is a framework, a verification process, and a consistent underlying commitment.

If you ever stay in a place like this, there’s something I always do: think about how I can contribute as well (separating waste, choosing local products, getting around on foot or by bike…). Girona is an ideal city for this, because it invites you to experience it at a human pace.

Iona Webster

A Scottish woman who loves cultures. Voluntarily lost in the world. Travel blogger for Hotel Ciutat de Girona.

Biosphere Certified in Girona: When a Label Explains a Way of Doing Things

Biosphere Certified in Girona: When a Label Explains a Way of Doing Things