The Royal Lancaster Hotel in London, a British Hospitality Association (BHA) member and host of the association’s annual luncheon for the past two years, was last week named the Considerate Hotel of the Year 2006.

The hotel was named overall winner for making the most progress in more than two of the challenges and having the highest average ranking over all four challenges.

This year the leading organisations in their fields set four challenges for UK hotels.

The Envirowise challenge, to save at least 30 per cent on water and effluent bills over the period July to October 2006 (or the nearest comparable billing period), was jointly won by Crowne Plaza St James Part and 51 Buckingham Gate.

The WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) challenge to reduce the volume of waste sent to landfill by at least 20 per cent over the period July to October 2006, was scooped by the Royal Lancaster, for achieving a reduction in the amount of landfill waste of just over 50 per cent per guest night.

The Oxford Brookes University/Sustain challenge, to demonstrate the greatest commitment to promoting seasonal British food on menus over the period July to October 2006, was awarded to One Aldwych, in London, for its ‘Taste of Britain’ promotion in the summer of 2006.

The Hospitable Climates challenge, to reduce energy consumption by the greatest amount over the period July to October 2006 (or the nearest comparable billing period), was won by Novotel London Waterloo.