Snug as a bug: UK hotel group Hallmark Hotels has appointed a new official to take care of its new sustainable ‘Bug Hotels’ which are set to offer real creature comforts to a series of slightly surprising guests in its many gardens.
The newly developed bug hotels provide a safe garden hideaway and shelter to many living creatures including bees, hedgehogs, insects and spiders and were introduced to support biodiversity in a number of its ‘garden hotels’.
Matt Davis is the group’s first ever ‘Hotel Insector,’ based at Hallmark Hotel Cambridge. He’s required to maintain the sites first ever bug hotel, situated in the garden grounds and ensure guests can take the weight off their wings, or many legs and to preserve space that caters for a wide range of species. His responsibilities include gathering materials such as moss, dry leaves and soil to ensure the local creature’s retreat is maintained and driving awareness of the initiative throughout the group’s 26 hotels.
Hallmark Hotels was inspired to build a creature friendly environment in its hotel grounds following recent reports that hedgehog numbers have plummeted by 50% in the last 20 years. While one third of the UK’s bee population has disappeared over the past decade citing ‘habitat loss’ as one of the main causes.
Matt Davis, the ‘Hotel Insector’ at Hallmark Hotel Cambridge, said: “Hospitality is what we’re all about here, so it made a lot of sense to extend it to our neighbours in nature and give them a helping hand. Not only do these hotels provide a safe house for animals and little creatures, our human guests love to visit and see who’s checked in.”
Hallmark is also encouraging guests to make their own bug hotels, when they return home, using garden waste, and odd bits and pieces found around their home and gardens.
Debbie Neate, head of marketing at Hallmark Hotels said: “Bug hotels are just one of our sustainability drives and we can’t wait for even more of our guests to help out during their stay and create a wildlife-friendly space at home.”
Hallmark Hotels currently has six sustainable bug hotels across its properties including Hallmark Hotel Cambridge, Hallmark Hotel Chester The Queen, Hallmark Hotel Derby Midland, Hallmark Hotel Stourport Manor, Hallmark Hotel Hull and Hallmark Hotel Wrexham Llyndir Hall.
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