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sustainable RESPONSIBLITY 

At the Fairmont Olympic Hotel, we are committed to operating thoughtfully within one of the nation’s most sustainability-focused cities. Our approach blends luxury with responsibility—reducing waste, conserving resources, and supporting community partners who share our environmental values.

Water conservation
Partnerships
Sustainable food
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
Sustainable certifications
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Luxury meets Nature

High above downtown Seattle, our rooftop garden and apiary create a thriving urban sanctuary. Established in 2008, Fairmont Olympic Hotel pioneered urban beekeeping in the city, becoming home to one of Seattle’s first rooftop honeybee apiaries. Today, approximately 400,000 honeybees support local biodiversity while producing our signature rooftop honey, featured throughout the hotel in culinary creations, cocktails, and guest experiences.

The rooftop herb garden features over 20 varieties of herbs, harvested by our culinary team for seasonal menus and handcrafted cocktails. Together, the gardens are expected to produce more than 130 pounds of honey each year.

As part of Fairmont's global Bee Sustainable program—the first luxury hotel brand to introduce on-site honeybee initiatives over 25 years ago—we're proud to help protect vital pollinators while creating memorable guest experiences.

On-Property Initiatives

Fairmont Olympic Hotel is committed to responsible, locally focused sourcing, partnering with organic and regional farms within 100km of Seattle whenever possible. This farm-to-table approach reduces food miles, supports local producers, and ensures seasonal, high-quality ingredients across our culinary program.

 

We source extensively from the Skagit and Snohomish Valleys, Washington, USA —leading agricultural regions of the Pacific Northwest known for sustainable farming practices.

 

All seafood is responsibly sourced and certified sustainable, supporting healthy ocean ecosystems. Our in-room water comes from protected watersheds in the Cascade Range foothills, Washington, USA, ensuring purity from source to guest.

Our comprehensive recycling program encourages guests and staff to minimize waste by recycling paper, plastic, and other materials.

We’ve eliminated single-use plastics with initiatives like plastic-free key cards, grab-and-go containers, straws and large-format bath amenities, reducing 135,000 small plastic bottles annually. Our reusable bath products and water filtration system save an additional 268,000 plastic bottles each year, supporting a more sustainable guest experience.

Through our carbon management program, we aim to reduce emissions by improving energy efficiency and using renewable energy sources.

Drive electric? Charge while you stay! Then, explore Seattle’s stunning surroundings on a biodiesel excursion. Visit Mount St. Helens to learn about the 1980 eruption, hike Mt. Rainier for breathtaking valley views, or discover Olympic National Park’s million-acre wilderness and Pacific coastline.

From seed to plate, our rooftop honeybee garden is a testament to sustainability. We cultivate fresh produce and vibrant flowers in compost-enriched soil, supporting bee pollination while handpicking herbs that are thoughtfully showcased in the seasonal dishes at The George restaurant.

We follow a responsible purchasing policy by sourcing food locally (within 200 miles), partnering with eco-friendly suppliers (B Corp, carbon neutral), using eco-friendly products like cleaning supplies, and supporting local upcycled goods.

At Fairmont Olympic Hotel, we take a holistic approach to water stewardship, integrating efficiency and conservation across guestrooms, kitchens, landscaping, and building operations.

 

In our culinary areas, a high-efficiency commercial dishwasher upgrade has reduced water consumption by nearly 50%, while housekeeping teams employ refined, low-water cleaning methods that uphold our luxury standards without compromise.

 

Throughout the property, low-flow fixtures, leak detection improvements, and upgraded plumbing systems help reduce unnecessary water loss and ensure efficient daily use. Guestrooms are equipped with high-performance showerheads designed to conserve water while maintaining guest comfort.

 

Outdoors, we’ve enhanced irrigation through drip systems, improved controls, and targeted infrastructure repairs to optimize water delivery across landscaped areas. Expanded rainwater collection further supports our onsite gardens and reduces dependence on municipal water during peak demand periods.

 

A full cooling tower refurbishment strengthens system-wide efficiency, reinforcing long-term operational resilience and supporting Seattle’s broader commitment to sustainable resource management.

GREEN KEY CERTIFICATION

 

Green Key Global Eco-Rating Program awarded Fairmont Olympic Hotel, Seattle a 4 Green Key rating, recognized by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council.

 

This distinction represents the program’s highest level of recognition and reflects leadership in environmental and social responsibility across all areas of hotel operations—from energy and water stewardship to waste reduction, procurement, and guest experience. It signals a verified commitment to sustainability performance at scale within a luxury hospitality setting.

 

While the 4 Green Key rating affirms strong existing practices, it also provides a structured roadmap for continued improvement, identifying opportunities to further enhance efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and strengthen long-term sustainability outcomes.

 

FOOD WASTE REDUCTION AMBASSADOR | CITY OF SEATTLE

 

Fairmont Olympic Seattle is proud to participate in city-led sustainability initiatives focused on reducing food waste and advancing responsible hospitality practices.

 

Director of Culinary Eraj Jayawickreme has been appointed by the Seattle as a Food Waste Reduction Ambassador, working in collaboration with Seattle Public Utilities and local hospitality partners. This initiative supports citywide efforts to reduce food waste through improved sourcing, kitchen efficiency, menu innovation, and diversion programs across the hospitality sector.

 

In parallel, he serves as Chair of the Food Waste Reduction Committee for North and Central America within Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, helping advance brand-wide strategies that empower culinary teams to make informed, lower-impact decisions in daily operations—from food preservation to waste prevention.

 

Together, these programs reinforce a shared commitment to measurable environmental progress and more sustainable food systems within luxury hospitality.

Leading the Way in Sustainable Hospitality

At Fairmont Olympic, we are deeply committed to sustainability, recognizing that the pristine beauty of the Emerald City is not just a backdrop, but a responsibility we share.

EVERY DAY IS EARTH DAY

Small choices make a meaningful impact. Join our sustainability initiatives by conserving water and energy, refilling your in-room glass water bottle, recycling, and participating in our Every Day is Earth Day program by opting out of daily linen changes during your stay.

SUSTAINABLE DINING

Experience sustainable dining at Fairmont Olympic Hotel, where locally sourced ingredients, seasonal menus, and partnerships with Pacific Northwest farmers, fishers, and artisans celebrate the best of Seattle's culinary scene.

Land Acknowledgement

We acknowledge the land on which Fairmont Olympic Hotel stands is situated on the traditional territory of the dxʷdəwʔabš (Duwamish Tribe) and is part of the broader ancestral lands of the Coast Salish peoples of the Puget Sound region, including neighboring communities such as the Suquamish, Muckleshoot, Tulalip, and other Salish-speaking peoples who have stewarded these lands since time immemorial.

Our Corporate Responsibility

The social dimension of sustainability is crucial. Ensuring that people have equal and just access to community opportunities, resources, and safe spaces to live and connect is paramount.  A progressive commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, including a strong focus on developing and promoting women leaders.

PARTNERS

Fairmont Olympic Hotel proudly partners with organizations who share our commitment to a more sustainable future. Together with local and global collaborators, we continue to advance initiatives that protect our natural environment and strengthen our community.

  • MAKE-A-WISH AMERICA

    We’re proud to support Make-A-Wish America through an ongoing partnership that helps grant life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.

     

    Enjoy our Wish for Tomorrow dessert at The George year-round—each purchase gives back. During the holiday season, our Trees of Hope package offers another meaningful way to support this cause through your stay.

  • THE FRENCH BEEKEEPER

    We’re proud to partner with The French Beekeeper, a family-run Parisian beekeeping business. They maintain our rooftop apiary and produce our signature Fairmont honey, featured in cocktails, retail jars, travel candles, and more.

  • SEATTLE PRIDE®

    The Fairmont Olympic Hotel proudly participates in LGBTQIA+ cultural events through its ongoing partnership with Seattle Pride®, supporting programs that promote health, happiness, connection, and advocacy for Seattle’s LGBTQIA+ community.

  • Stumptown Coffee Roasters

    A certified B Corporation, Stumptown is committed to building a more equitable and sustainable coffee industry through direct trade sourcing, responsible supply chain practices, and waste-reduction initiatives. Their people-first culture prioritizes employee wellbeing and community impact, while ambitious environmental goals focus on reducing resource consumption and eliminating landfill waste in manufacturing operations.

  • SEATTLE CHILDREN’S

    For over 30 years, Fairmont Olympic Hotel has partnered with Seattle Festival of Trees and Seattle Children’s to support local children and families, benefiting the Autism Center and uncompensated care. Guests can enjoy more than 20 patient-inspired holiday trees and the Teddy Bear Suite, or enjoy a child co-designed dessert that celebrates the spirit of giving.