Hotel Verde Strikes Gold Again as Africa's Leading Green Hotel

Back-to-Back Victory at World Travel Awards

Cape Town, South Africa, 2025 – Hotel Verde Cape Town Airport has been honoured as ‘Africa’s Leading Green Hotel’ for the second consecutive year at the 2025 World Travel Awards. This accolade was awarded at the prestigious World Travel Awards Africa & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony, held at the Johari Rotana in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on 28 June 2025, where tourism and hospitality dignitaries from across the region gathered to celebrate excellence and innovation in the industry.

“We are deeply honoured to receive the award for ‘Africa’s Leading Green Hotel’ 2025,” said Mario Delicio, owner and director of Hotel Verde. “As one of nine nominees in the category, winning this award for the second time running is a testament to our unwavering commitment to sustainability and innovation. At Hotel Verde, we believe that environmentally friendly practices are not just a trend but a necessity for the future of hospitality; it is our ethos, our vision, and what we practice daily.”

With this accolade, Hotel Verde proudly stands among the global pioneers in green hospitality. “Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword in tourism anymore; it is non-negotiable,” says Enver Duminy, CEO of Cape Town Tourism. “Hotel Verde has once again shown that there is no need to compromise on comfort or quality to be climate conscious. Congratulations to the team on this well-deserved recognition; their win is a win for Cape Town and for the future of responsible travel.”

The World Travel Awards, established in 1993, is renowned for acknowledging, rewarding, and celebrating organisations that push the boundaries of excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry. Among the celebrated achievements, Hotel Verde stood out for its groundbreaking sustainable initiatives, securing its spot as the greenest hotel in Africa. It is through the enthusiastic votes of their guests that it was honoured as ‘Africa’s Leading Green Hotel’. By actively listening to client feedback, Hotel Verde tailors its services to meet specific needs, whether it’s a prompt check-in, a spotless room, or a satisfying meal. This focus on customer satisfaction drives the hotel to exceed expectations, which is reflected in its top ratings at the World Travel Awards, enhancing the experience for every traveller who steps through its doors.

A Timeline Dotted With Green Awards  

Hotel Verde, just four minutes from Cape Town International Airport—hailed as the world’s best airport in the AirHelp Score 2025 report—offers a luxurious green retreat. Since its opening in 2013, this 4-star carbon-neutral hotel has been a leader in eco-friendly hospitality, achieving Africa’s first 100% carbon-neutral status for both accommodation and conferencing.

With 70% greater energy efficiency than other local hotels, Hotel Verde is known for its advanced green technology and water-saving features. Achieving LEED Platinum certification in 2014, it became the first in Africa and the sixth globally to reach this level of sustainable building design. In 2024, Hotel Verde became South Africa’s first hotel to achieve Net Zero Waste certification. 

The hotel’s serene wetland setting enhances its 151 sustainable rooms. Guests enjoy a holistic experience with facilities like the Nuovo Restaurant & Bar, Verde Vita Spa & Wellness Centre, and modern conference spaces. Activities such as the eco-trail jog and bicycle-powered gym encourage guests to participate in the hotel’s green initiatives, and complimentary airport shuttles are also provided. Hotel Verde seamlessly blends luxury with sustainability, ensuring guests leave feeling refreshed and environmentally conscious while positively impacting the planet.

Caron van Rooyen, General Manager of Hotel Verde, says, “Our commitment to sustainability shines through in our holistic approach, which includes renewable energy usage, advanced water-saving technologies, and comprehensive waste management practices. We engage our guests through educational programs and encourage participation in eco-friendly activities, such as carbon offset programs and Verdino’s—our in-house currency—offered to guests in return for practising sustainability initiatives onsite.”

“As we launch the new Hotel Verde website, we invite guests to embark on a self-guided journey through our innovative Sustainability Initiatives. Our website now boasts an interactive sustainability section, enabling visitors to find detailed information, photos, and engaging videos about each green project, from Rainwater Harvesting to our impressive Wind Turbines. Strategically placed QR codes throughout the hotel precinct allow guests to effortlessly access this wealth of information, transforming every stroll through the hotel grounds into an educational eco-tour. Each plant in our garden is tagged with a QR code that offers a full botanical description. This self-guided experience ensures that even guests with limited time can fully appreciate our commitment to sustainability and innovation, all while enhancing their stay with a touch of natural beauty and green technology,” explains van Rooyen.

As Africa’s Greenest Hotel, Hotel Verde Cape Town Airport is proud to promote sustainable tourism in South Africa, encouraging the hospitality industry and travellers to embrace greener practices. Hotel Verde extends heartfelt thanks to everyone who has voted for them, the guests who have stayed at the hotel, and the broader public for their continued support. Recognised as a 2025 Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards winner, Hotel Verde is celebrated for its outstanding quality, placing it among the top 10% of hotels globally.

For more information about Hotel Verde Cape Town Airport and its sustainability practices, visit www.hotelverde.com.