Ca’ di Dio opened in 2021 as a member of SLH, but it has also now met the strict criteria of the Considerate Collection, which focuses on community impact, preservation of local culture, environmental awareness and sustainability systems.

It joins a selection of 33 other hotels so far to reach the standards of the collection, a concept that was also launched last year.

Ca’ di Dio passed an assessment by the SLH Sustainability Advisory Panel, which was reviewed by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, an international, independent, non-profit organisation established by UNEP and UNWTO.

Sustainability was a top priority in the hotel’s design by architect Patricia Urquiola, including several facilities and systems that limit Ca’ di Dio’s environmental impact.

These include using lagoon water in innovative ways to save heat and water, with measures estimated to save 20% of energy (compared to traditional systems), and eliminate roughly 110 tons of CO2 emissions per year.

Part of VRetreats, the hotel is collaborating with Malefatte Venezia, a fashion brand that helps reintegrate prisoners into society. Together with Ca’ di Dio, the brand has created sustainable gifts such as organic cotton T-shirts, bags recycled from posters and notebooks covered with wallpaper left over from the hotel rooms.

Meanwhile, hotel staff wear Wao Nylong shoes made by local company Dress to Live, which creates them from waste such as fishing nets, fabric scraps and industrial plastic.

Chef Raimondo Squeo creates seasonal menus for the hotel’s Vero Restaurant using produce grown in the onsite vegetable garden and purchases locally wherever possible, including wine from Tri-Veneto and meat from Montello.

“I am very proud of this important recognition, which rewards our commitment as a group, and the work of our collaborators,” said hotel manager Christophe Mercier. “Ca’ di Dio has a strong focus on sustainability – we want guests to feel at home here, and to know they have made a responsible choice for the environment and our future.”

“Given the difficulties that the hospitality industry is still facing, we are proud to see more SLH hoteliers passionately moving forward on their sustainable journey,” added Daniel Luddington, VP of development of SLH. “Ca’ di Dio is a shining example of a small luxury hotel making a big difference.”

SLH said it is also making it easier for the trade and customers to identify each Considerate Collection hotel by featuring them within a specific section on its website.