What is a smart hotel?

Amsterdam. Less than a year ago, the global real estate investment manager of Invesco Real Estate acquired on behalf of CBRE Global Investment, the most remarkable example of "green property" in Europe: the QO Hotel Amstelkwartier in Amsterdam. Two weeks ago, the hotel management welcomed the third annual Invesco Roundtable about sustainability – before its participants were introduced to the QO in detail. The discussion revealed: Investors are looking into it but still lacking courage, corporate clients are not willing to pay more for sustainability, while global eco-conscious travelers are not able to find the desired green property at one online portal.

Amsterdam. Apparently, the most sustainable hotel in Europe is in Amsterdam. The QO Amsterdam, a unit with 288 rooms and suites and a modern take on Art Deco interior design operated by IHG, is actually located in the upcoming Amstelkwartier, which is 15 minutes away from the old city center and right on the banks of the Amstel River. Water and energy savings are massive, waste has been reduced from 60 to 12 kilos of garbage per square meter, and the "Greenhouse" on top of the building also serves neighbors today… The investor challenged architects and operations proving "that hospitality is a catalyzer for making the world a better place", he believes. A story of unexpected results.