QHotels, AA Hotel Group of the Year, is celebrating after all its 21 properties in the UK were awarded at least bronze accreditation within the Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS).

GTBS, the leading green tourism certification scheme in the UK, assesses hotels against a rigorous set of criteria that includes energy and water efficiency, waste management, environmental impact, biodiversity and innovation.

In a period of just three months, all 21 of the QHotels properties achieved the bronze standard, with nine properties scoring silver.

Silver properties include Forest Pines Hotel & Golf Resort, Crewe Hall, Nottingham Belfry, Norton Park, The Cheltenham Chase Hotel, The Westerwood Hotel & Golf Resort, The Cambridge Belfry, The Hampshire Court Hotel and Ashford International Hotel, the highest scoring hotel in the group. Of these, two are less than 5% from a gold grading.

Andrea Nicholas, Manager of the Green Tourism Business Scheme comments: “Overall the GTBS assessors were impressed with all 21 properties and their positive and focused approach to becoming more sustainable. Some of the best practices noted included the use of the latest LED lights, condensing boilers and ultra violet filtration of swimming pools to reduce chlorine demands.

“It was evident that all sites were extremely committed and enthusiastic, not just in gaining an award, but aiming ultimately for a gold standard. Guests should feel assured that by choosing QHotels they are helping to support a genuinely environmentally focused hotel chain” she added.

Vivien Sirotkin, Director of Hotel Operations at QHotels comments: “We are very proud of this achievement, as it follows the implementation of our new CSR policy this year, and especially pleased with the short time frame in which these excellent standards were achieved by our Green Champions and hotel staff”.

Vivien adds: “Guests have long been aware of sustainability related issues and this certification demonstrates our environmental credibility in a clear and comparable way. As a group we are committed to continually developing in these areas - this is only the beginning!”

Not one to rest on their laurels, the hotel group is also working towards other CSR developments including the selection of a company nominated charity for 2010 and a group wide carbon offsetting scheme.