Victoria Hotel's Double Win Sets New Standard for Sustainable Luxury

VICTORIA, BC – April 21, 2026 – In a landmark achievement for the Canadian hospitality industry, The Parkside Hotel & Spa has secured two of the most coveted honors at the 2026 BC Hotel Association (BCHA) Awards Gala. The Victoria-based property was named both "Accommodation of the Year" and "Sustainability Champion," a rare dual recognition that validates its nearly two-decade-long mission to seamlessly blend exceptional guest experience with profound environmental stewardship.

The awards, presented on April 15 in Nanaimo, highlight a new paradigm in luxury travel—one where five-star service and planetary responsibility are not competing interests, but two sides of the same coin. For a single property to be recognized as the province's best in both guest satisfaction and environmental leadership signals a significant shift in industry standards, positioning The Parkside as a model for the future of hospitality.

Redefining the Gold Standard in Hospitality

The dual accolades from the BCHA, a prestigious body representing the province's accommodation sector since 1917, are a testament to a philosophy woven into The Parkside's DNA since it opened in 2009. The "Accommodation of the Year" award recognizes a property that demonstrates outstanding achievement, leadership, and innovation, while the "Sustainability Champion" award honors a leader in environmental responsibility. Winning both confirms the hotel's long-held belief in a holistic approach.

"Receiving both the Sustainability Champion and Accommodation of the Year awards is a very meaningful moment for our entire team," said General Manager Trina White in a statement. "We opened in 2009 with the belief that doing right by people and the planet would always be good hospitality. These awards confirm that belief and fuel everything we do next."

This confirmation is evident in every detail of the guest experience. The all-suite hotel eschews traditional rooms for spacious one- and two-bedroom accommodations complete with full kitchens, private balconies, and in-suite laundry—amenities that offer the comforts of home. The experience extends beyond the suites to a 25-meter indoor pool, a private movie theatre with Dolby surround sound, and serene rooftop gardens where guests can gather around fire pits. The Parkside Spa offers a full suite of restorative treatments, anchored by its exclusive Drift Float program, a sensory experience unavailable elsewhere in Victoria. From the tranquil, light-filled atrium with its lush greenery and koi pond to the sweeping city views from the rooftop, every space is designed to provide a sense of sophisticated serenity.

A Legacy of Environmental Leadership

While guests enjoy the luxurious amenities, they are simultaneously participating in one of the most comprehensive sustainability programs in the global hotel industry. The Parkside's "Sustainability Champion" title is not the result of recent trends but the culmination of a foundational commitment. It was the first hotel in Canada, and the first urban hotel globally, to be accepted into the Beyond Green portfolio, a curated collection of the world's most sustainable hotels.

Membership in Beyond Green is not merely symbolic. It requires passing a rigorous, ongoing vetting process based on more than 50 sustainability indicators aligned with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. These standards cover three pillars: environmentally friendly practices, protection of natural and cultural heritage, and the social and economic well-being of local communities. The Parkside excels in all three, a fact substantiated by a suite of third-party certifications, including a 5 Key rating from Green Key Global and a Biosphere Certification.

The hotel's operational statistics are staggering. It has maintained an industry-leading 92% waste diversion rate, achieved through comprehensive recycling programs and the elimination of single-use plastics. The property has been carbon neutral since 2019 and is now certified as Climate Positive, actively offsetting more emissions than it generates. This is accomplished through contributions to verified carbon projects like the Great Bear Forest Carbon Project in British Columbia and the Three Gorges Solar Panel Project in China. Further initiatives include on-site beekeeping, expansive green roofs, rainwater harvesting, and a partnership with the Surfrider Foundation to protect coastal ecosystems.

A Beacon for British Columbia's Green Tourism

The Parkside's success is not an isolated achievement but a reflection of a broader movement within its home city and province. Victoria is a Biosphere Certified Destination, recognized for its community-wide commitment to sustainability. It is also home to the annual IMPACT Sustainability Travel and Tourism Conference, a key forum for advancing responsible tourism. The Parkside’s dual win elevates this reputation, providing a tangible example of what the region's green ethos looks like in practice.

The hotel’s leadership aligns perfectly with provincial goals, such as those promoted by the BC Tourism Climate Resiliency Initiative (BCTCRI) and the BC Tourism Sustainability Network (BCTSN), which aim to help tourism operators integrate sustainability into their core business models. By demonstrating a clear and profitable path, The Parkside serves as an inspiration and a blueprint for other businesses in the province.

Furthermore, its commitment extends to social and cultural sustainability. In 2021, the hotel became the first in Greater Victoria to begin formal steps toward a Memorandum of Reconciliation with the Songhees Nation, becoming their exclusive hotel partner. This deep respect for local heritage and community well-being fulfills a core tenet of the Beyond Green philosophy and sets a powerful example of responsible corporate citizenship.

The Guest as a Partner in Sustainability

What makes The Parkside model truly revolutionary is how it invites guests to become partners in its mission, often without them even realizing it. The luxury and comfort are not compromised by the green initiatives; they are enhanced by them. The thermal insulation drapes and heat-reflective glass that reduce energy consumption also ensure a quiet, comfortable room temperature. The lush rooftop gardens that support biodiversity also provide a beautiful space for relaxation.

Guests are also given direct opportunities to contribute. Through a partnership with Veritree, the hotel plants one kelp in British Columbia's coastal waters for every guest stay, directly supporting marine ecosystem restoration. Guests who opt out of daily housekeeping services see that contribution increase to ten kelp plants. This simple program connects a guest's stay directly to a positive, measurable local impact.

By proving that a hotel can be a world-class destination and a force for good, The Parkside Hotel & Spa has done more than win two awards. It has offered a compelling vision for the future of travel, where doing right by the planet is the ultimate luxury.