Responsible travel at Santalahti Resort

Nature and the sea are an essential part of Santalahti. We are committed to developing tourism responsibly, with respect for the environment, local community and sustainable business practices.

Santalahti Resort is a Finnish family-owned business that has operated in Kotka since 1991.

We want to make recycling as easy as possible for our guests. Recycling points around Santalahti Resort are available for mixed waste, biowaste, metal, glass, plastic, cardboard and paper. We encourage all our guests to sort the waste generated during their stay.

Waste and recycling instructions

Other recyclable waste:

https://www.kierratys.info/

Santalahti Resort is a Finnish family-owned business founded in 1991. Our location surrounded by the archipelago nature of the Gulf of Finland makes protecting and respecting the environment especially important to us.

We take the surrounding nature into consideration from the earliest stages of planning new buildings and services. Our aim is to preserve the natural environment and minimise unnecessary changes to the landscape.

See our story

Our responsible actions

• We consider environmental impacts in our decisions and investments
• 95% of our buildings are heated and cooled using geothermal and air-source heat pumps
• We use electricity produced from 100% renewable energy sources
• We also generate our own solar power, approximately 15,000 kWh per year
• Our buildings use energy-saving automation for heating, ventilation and water consumption
• We continuously improve the energy efficiency of our buildings and have added insulation to cottages used year-round
• We use energy-efficient LED lighting indoors and outdoors
• We monitor water consumption regularly – systematic monitoring has been in place since 1995
• Several recycling points are available around the resort, and we encourage our guests to sort their waste
• We avoid unnecessary changes of bed linen and towels
• We minimise the use of environmentally harmful chemicals
• Guests can rent bicycles and e-bikes for environmentally friendly transportation
• We expect our business partners to follow responsible practices

Financial responsibility

Financially sustainable business enables the long-term development of Santalahti. Profitable operations allow us to employ people, make new investments and achieve our environmental and social responsibility goals.

Our aim is to develop Santalahti as a year-round travel destination while supporting local employment and the vitality of the region.

Social responsibility

For us, responsibility also means taking care of our employees, guests, business partners and local community. We want Santalahti to be a safe and welcoming place for everyone.

• We comply with applicable laws, regulations and responsible business practices
• We are a Finnish family-owned business and pay our taxes in Finland
• We favour local products and services and employ local people whenever possible
• We develop year-round tourism with the aim of creating more year-round employment
• We treat our guests, employees and business partners equally and with respect
• We do not tolerate racism, discrimination or inappropriate behaviour
• Everyone is welcome at Santalahti regardless of background, nationality, culture, religion, sexual orientation or disability
• Santalahti Resort is pet friendly
• A defibrillator is available at Bistro Santalahti and reception for the safety of our guests and staff

Location

• Santalahti is located in Kotka with good transport connections
• Kotka can be reached by bus and by train connections via Kouvola
• Bicycles and e-bikes are available for rent at Santalahti for exploring Kotka
• Local bus services connect Santalahti with other parts of Kotka
• Electric vehicle charging is available at Santalahti