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Nearest train station
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Quito’s Carlota has had sustainability at its heart from the outset. Created by Renato Solines and Veronica Reed, the hotel is housed in Solines’ grandmother’s home, originally built in 1905. The couple went through a four-year process to restore the space to its original spirit, recovering 90% of the building—including walls, flooring, doors, and windows—and adding their contemporary touch through vibrant color and geometric patterns. Whenever possible, they used the home’s original furniture and built new pieces, such as desks and benches, with wood reclaimed from other construction sites. Today, the hotel is a cultural beacon in the community, hosting events, exhibitions, and salon talks and sourcing food from local, organic producers. Carlota became Ecuador’s first certified B Corporation hotel in October 2019.
During construction, new pieces of furniture were made with reclaimed wood from other construction sites. No packaged snacks are served, and only glass bottles are used.
In addition to using LED lights and efficient appliances, an onsite solar energy system generates 10% of the total energy use and gives the hotel two hours of autonomy.
Water-conserving fixtures and a waste water treatment system reduce consumption against a standard baseline by up to 40%.
All hotel toiletries and linens are locally sourced. Produce and beverages are also sourced from local, organic producers.
A beacon in the community, Carlota hosts live music, Ecuadorian art cinema nights, cultural presentations and exhibitions, and TEDx talks.
Guests are invited to join walking tours of historic Quito, visit local parks, and engage with local businesses.
As required for B Corporation certification, Carlota follows all principles that shape a quality workspace for staff and suppliers.
In addition to the hotel website, information on their conscious initiatives can be found in each guest room and public space.
We spoke with Veronica Reed, one of the Originals behind Carlota, to learn the latest on the hotel’s conscious journey.
We aim to have a minimum impact on the environment and generate a positive impact on our community.
We are working to revitalize the historical core of Quito, generating spaces where neighbors and visitors can connect and learn. At Carlota, we engage with the community through a range of cultural events such as live music and performances on our rooftop, local art cinema nights, market visits, and cooking classes of Ecuadorian cuisine. We work with and recommend local businesses so that our guests can discover the neighborhood’s jewels.
As an industry, it’s easy to interfere with or damage our surroundings. Hotels bring visitors, which places a great burden on built systems such as energy and water, but also on ecosystems. There needs to be a balance where travelers actually improve their social and natural surroundings. This starts with how the hospitality industry creates solutions and alternatives that do just that, reducing the environmental footprint and fostering cultural appreciation and interaction. This can be through both the architecture and systems that can minimize the impact on resources and give value to existing cultural heritage, and through creating a sense of place through local community engagement.
The Originals Renato Solines & Veronica Reed
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