Sector answers the call for environmentally friendlier facilities with various energy saving and recycling initiatives
IF HONG KONG'S serviced apartments sector provides a barometer of the city's economy, then the outlook is good.
Amid robust economic growth, demand remains healthy and customer expectations are rising. This has led to a general upgrading of facilities throughout the sector, and the emergence of a trend towards environmental friendliness. 'Our serviced suites guests, especially expatriates from Canada, Britain and Australia, are very environmentally conscious. This thinking is also coming from local sentiment. We are paying very close attention,' said Stephen Henry Chu, deputy general manager for leasing, Harbour Plaza Hotel Management. Mr Chu oversees one of the 'greenest' serviced apartment facilities in an increasingly diverse market.
Tucked away in the northwest New Territories, the Harbour Plaza Resort City offers more than 500 serviced suites close to the Mai Po Marshes, Deep Bay and the new Tin Shui Wai wetland park. The hotel is in the centre of the 2 million sqft Tin Shui Wai Central Park.
With this location, it seems only natural that the hotel should adhere to lofty eco-friendly standards.
Mr Chu spelled out the specifics: 'In terms of hardware, all serviced suites are equipped with energy-saving light bulbs, which use 80 per cent less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs. Where more illumination is needed, custom light reflectors are installed behind bulbs, thereby making a room brighter without additional energy cost. Windows are tinted to reduce the greenhouse effect from sunlight. Air-conditioning is carefully adjusted throughout the day in the public areas to ensure they are not 'overcooled'.