Eco-chic at Savoy Hotel Manila: From Rooftop Gardens to Reduce-Waste Goals

Savoy Hotel Manila is most often known as the leading airport hotel in Manila, but did you know that it is also a model for sustainable practices? If you are an eco-conscious traveler, this is a great hotel choice that is close to the airport and other spots in the metro.

At the time of this writing, we’d already been to Savoy Hotel Manila a few times (check out our staycation here). In our most recent visit, Marketing & Communications Director Ms. Thessa dela Paz and General Manager Den Navarro toured our media group around the hotel to learn more about their sustainability initiatives. In fact, the hotel has earned several recognitions, including a Badge of Honor from the United Nations Environment Programme for their WeSave Sustainability Program in 2022.

Eco-conscious travelers will love these features of Savoy Hotel Manila:

1. Eco-Friendly Room Amenities

As a guest, you’ll see for yourself how the hotel takes various measures to reduce waste and conserve resources—from their use of refillable toiletry dispensers to their choice of eco-friendly toothbrushes. They also encourage guests to reuse linens and towels to reduce water and energy consumption.

Moreover, the hotel has upcycling and recycling initiatives. Used bar soaps are given away for recycling to local communities. Old linens are given away to Nagkakaisang Mamayan ng Legarda, which upcycles them into other usable products. Even excess food is given away to the Scholars of Sustenance Foundation, where it is distributed to impoverished individuals.

2. Rooftop and Vertical Gardens

Savoy Hotel Manila also promotes urban green spaces with their rooftop and vertical gardens, which houses various edible plants used in their kitchens.

As a hotel guest, you’ll easily find the vertical garden at the poolside, a refreshing sight to see as you’re lounging in one of the sun beds, cooling off at the pool, or enjoying cocktails during the poolside café’s unlimited BBQ night.

The rooftop garden is not accessible to guests, but here the hotel practices sustainable hybrid farming where they grow various plants and herbs, including lettuce, eggplant, cucumber, tomatoes, pepper, and more. The garden uses recycled laundry containers from their housekeeping department, especially designed with a water catch system, and uses compost from the hotel waste.

3. Promoting Sampaguita—Philippine’s National Flower

The delicate white sampaguita flowers are a national symbol in the country, but it is also a dying livelihood. Outside of sampaguita garlands sold by children in streets and a few products, there isn’t much use for the flower.

Savoy Hotel Manila revives the use of sampaguita through its partnership with local communities that grow this plant. The national flower is used as local scent in common areas, as a blend for sampaguita oil used in their Signature Massage, and as ingredient in their own dishes and cocktails.

I personally love the hotel’s Sampaguita Project. Admittedly, I didn’t know much about growing sampaguitas, but it’s nice to know that it’s being utilized properly to give a distinct Filipino touch and, of course, to help local communities as well.

Our group sampled the hotel’s sampaguita-infused cocktails and food during a fun Thursday BBQ Night at the poolside. I personally love the Tamarind Mojito, while the Sampaguita Bliss I would recommend for those who likes drinks with a lemon juice base. Executive Chef Kit Carpio also served us Sampaguita-Rubbed Pork BBQ, Pan-Seared Sea Bass with Rice Pilaf (served with sweet mango salsa, a personal favorite), and Tres Leches Sampaguita, which are small cakes soaked in milk with sampaguita.

After the dinner, we booked a one-hour Signature Massage, which uses their special blend of sampaguita oil. It was a relaxing massage and a perfect activity to cap the day.

4. Other Hotel Initiatives

Since 2022, the hotel has employed various programs to reduce waste. Its “Waste We Can” program has successfully diverted 2.5 tons of recyclable waste from landfills between 2022 and 2024. In 2022, it held a “Trash to Cash” program to transform waste into value and promote recycling awareness.

5. Worldwide Recognitions

Savoy Hotel Manila’s efforts have received acknowledgments from the following:

• 2022: A “Badge of Honor” for their “We Save Sustainability Program” presented jointly by the United Nations Environment Programme, Department of Tourism, and Philippine Center for Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development.
• 2023: A “Guardians of the Grub” badge from the UK’s WRAP foor its outstanding food waste management effots. It was also certified by Green Destinations through the Good Travel Scan and later recognized as a Top 6 Finalist at the Green Destinations Story Awards at ITB Berlin 2024.
• 2024: Recognized as an “Eco Warrior Champion” for their “Trash to Cash” initiative.

Sustainable stays at Savoy Hotel Manila

Under the management of Mega World Corporation, Savoy Hotel Manila’s urban gardens, waste reduction strategies, and local partnerships set a high standard for urban hotels in the Philippines. As the hospitality industry faces growing pressure to decarbonize—experts estimate a 90% emissions reduction is needed by 2050—Savoy’s proactive approach positions it as a leader in sustainable tourism.

For eco-conscious travelers like me, staying at an eco-friendly hotel like Savoy aligns with my values and commitment to sustainability practices. Whether you’re a local seeking a staycation or an international guest looking staying in Manila, Savoy Hotel Manila offers a guilt-free escape.

You can check more about Savoy Hotel Manila’s green initiatives on their website. You can also book discounted rates here.