Castilla Termal Monasterio de Valbuena menus feature fresh, regional ingredients that celebrate the richness of the land while prioritising nutrition and environmental responsibility. 

A key initiative is the hotel’s organic garden, which supplies its kitchens with naturally cultivated produce. This project enhances the dining experience while reinforcing sustainable agriculture. The garden, located on historic land once farmed by 12th-century Cistercian monks, thrives with medicinal plants, wild asparagus, and seasonal vegetables.

Luis San José, the head gardener, upholds traditional farming methods, using natural compost and green fertilisers while respecting crop cycles. The hotel has also planted 20 traditional fruit trees, including acerola, apple, peach, pear, apricot, cherry, and plum, enriching biodiversity and providing fresh ingredients. 

Since launching the organic garden in 2017, the restaurant has served a seasonal array of vegetables such as cucumbers, watermelons, tomatoes, peppers, lettuces, and aromatic herbs, adhering to the Slow Food philosophy.

Beyond cuisine, Castilla Termal Monasterio de Valbuena prioritises sustainability by collaborating with local suppliers, eliminating single-use plastics, and using renewable energy. It upholds a circular economy by recycling corks and reusing by-products from its Converso Wine. 

Water conservation is another key focus, with measures saving approximately five million litres annually. Regular monitoring ensures efficient use, while innovative programmes optimise water recycling and protect natural ecosystems. The hotel also calculates its water footprint and implements action plans to prevent pollution, ensuring responsible water management that safeguards the environment.

Additionally, the hotel’s commitment extends to enhancing the overall guest experience through mindful, sustainable hospitality. By sourcing food locally and embracing eco-friendly operations, Castilla Termal Monasterio de Valbuena reduces its carbon footprint while supporting regional economies.

The hotel is housed in an iconic historic building of significant cultural importance, carefully restored through adaptive reuse to minimise energy consumption, reduce material waste, and lower environmental impact. 

This approach not only safeguards the architectural legacy of the structure but also strengthens social cohesion, fosters community engagement, and promotes sustainable development. By revitalising this treasured landmark, the hotel honours its history while ensuring it continues to serve future generations.

Innovation is central to the hotel’s sustainability efforts. Significant investment has been made in digital transformation and advanced technological solutions to optimise operations and enhance efficiency. Green roofs, planted with natural grass, provide thermal insulation, reducing energy consumption while contributing to urban biodiversity. Artificial intelligence-driven energy management systems detect, control, and rectify inefficiencies, ensuring optimal resource use. Additionally, renewable energy sources such as biomass and geothermal technologies have been incorporated to reduce the hotel’s carbon footprint.

The hotel also fosters a responsible and inclusive workplace. Gender equality policies are firmly in place, ensuring fairness, flexibility, and career growth for all employees. Women occupy 60% of management positions, and the hotel works actively to close the gender pay gap while supporting work-life balance. 

Local hiring is prioritised, extensive training is provided, and suppliers committed to sustainability and environmental stewardship are carefully selected.

To reinforce its values, the hotel runs awareness campaigns among its team, digitises workflows for improved efficiency, and offers psychological and nutritional support services to staff. These initiatives create a progressive, inclusive, and sustainable working environment.

Through a combination of innovation, sustainability, and social responsibility, the hotel ensures that its historic building not only preserves the past but also contributes to a more resilient and sustainable future.

Since 2017, the hotel has embarked on a journey of sustainability, beginning with the introduction of organic gardens within its grounds. These gardens not only supply the kitchens with fresh, high-quality produce but also align with the hotel’s commitment to providing guests with healthy, delicious meals while supporting sustainable agriculture. By cultivating this produce on-site, the hotel ensures that the food served reflects its dedication to both quality and the environment.

Alongside its culinary efforts, the hotel has taken significant steps to reduce its environmental footprint. Since 2017, it has been committed to responsible waste management, repurposing all organic waste as fertiliser for the organic vineyards and orchards on the grounds. This approach promotes a circular economy, reducing waste sent to landfill and enhancing the hotel’s sustainability.

Water conservation has been another key focus. Since 2017, the hotel has captured, recycled, and reused water, saving approximately 17 million litres annually. By renewing 3% of the pool water each day and using a grey water recovery system, the hotel maximises water resources and conserves up to 80% more than similar facilities. This system treats and repurposes water for toilet systems and green space irrigation, further reducing overall consumption. Through meticulous analysis and control of water use, the hotel saves an additional 5 million litres per year. By calculating its water footprint and implementing action plans to prevent pollution, the hotel ensures water is used efficiently and responsibly, all while safeguarding local ecosystems.

In 2018, the hotel took a significant step towards reducing its environmental impact by eliminating single-use plastics. This move led to a dramatic reduction in plastic consumption and aligns with the hotel’s broader sustainability goals of fostering a cleaner environment.

The hotel’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond waste and water management. Since 2019, it has introduced a range of technological innovations aimed at improving energy efficiency. Among these is an intelligent lighting system that adjusts to external light, occupancy, and time of day, ensuring that energy is consumed efficiently throughout the hotel.

In 2020, the installation of a biomass boiler furthered the hotel’s goal to reduce electricity consumption. Following a detailed study, the hotel achieved a significant reduction in energy use without compromising guest comfort, reaffirming its commitment to renewable energy and responsible resource management.

Through these interconnected initiatives, the hotel continues to lead by example, demonstrating a deep commitment to sustainability and a firm belief in the responsible use of resources. By optimising water and energy consumption, reducing waste, and embracing renewable energy, the hotel not only minimises its environmental impact but also fosters a positive effect on the local community and the broader ecosystem.