by Mia Taylor
Last updated: 5:30 AM ET, Wed February 21, 2018
The effort to create a more environmentally sustainable travel industry is taking all forms.
The latest example of that comes courtesy of a new hotel in Ireland that will be powered entirely by a river running underneath the structure.
Located in Dublin, the just-opened Iveagh Garden Hotel is the first and only hotel in all of Europe to operate using such a low impact system, according to a statement from the hotel.
The unique property will rely upon natural energy produced by onsite turbines that convert power from the river Swan. The river will serve as an energy reserve that cools and heats the Iveagh Garden without needing to burn fuel.
The McGill family, which runs the hotel, is seeking to have the lowest carbon footprint possible for the Iveagh Garden.
To that end, the hotel was created in an existing, 40-year-old structure that was renovated. Two floors were added to the property, creating a total of 56,000-square-feet. Additional changes to the property included removing all of the heating, plumbing, cooling and hot water systems, in order to transition to the new natural energy approach.
Beyond the hotel's notable sustainability features, the Iveagh Garden will be a four-star property with 150 rooms to start. (More rooms will be added over the course of the coming year to create a total of 161 by next year.)
The property's interior design style is contemporary and features rich wallpapers, brass accents, vibrant tiled floors and an abundance of mirrors. There are also custom carpets. Many of these items were sourced locally, in Ireland.
Guest rooms in the back and on the side of the building will have outstanding views of the nearby Iveagh Gardens, a public park in Dublin that's designated a National Historic Property.
Room rates at the Iveagh Garden will start at around $344 per night in high season and about $196 per night during low season. Breakfast is not included in the nightly cost.
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