Hilton Focuses On Nature With Beehives, Gardens, Fruits And Flowers

As hotels continue to search for ways to be more eco-friendly and protect the planet, Hilton is incorporating nature into everything from landscaping to food and beverage to wellness. Some of their resorts have created their own gardens, growing herbs, fruits and vegetables that are then used in their restaurants and spas. Others are hosting bees which aid in pollination and provide honey.

This approach is not just important for sustainability but has added a deeper level to guests’ stays and made them more aware of the natural world around them.

“What brings me the most joy about working with the flora at Grand Wailea is the ability to engage with the natural terrain of the islands and the joy in our guests’ expressions when they feel, smell or taste the fruits or flowers for the first time in our gardens,” said Jim Heid, Landscape Director, Grand Wailea, Maui, A Waldorf Astoria Resort. “This is priceless – there is no substitute for nature.”

While Hawaii is an ideal natural setting for stunning landscapes, even Hilton properties located in big cities have found ways to develop rooftop gardens and practice beekeeping. Here are some of ones you’ll want to check out – and check into.

Grand Wailea, Maui, A Waldorf Astoria Resort

Boasting more than 600 plant species, Grand Wailea, Maui, A Waldorf Astoria Resort has made sure its gardens, landscape, fruits and flora respect and represent the rich history and culture of its lush surroundings. According to Heid, who oversees the property’s 23 acres of greenery and is known as the plant whisperer, “Gardens are a source of life that bring another dimension to the guest experience of a hotel – each plant has been selected with the intention and enhances the emotional response to the destination. We have made a conscious effort to incorporate plants that originate from the islands, developing a landscape that can thrive within the environment, and honor the legacy of their current home. One of my favorite features are the Red Ti plants surrounding our hula dancer sculptures at the entrance of the property. In the sunlight, the leaves of these appear red, like a fire during a celebration.” Native plants known for their medicinal qualities are custom blended for use in the just-opened Kilolani Spa, produce and cacao grown onsite are transformed into culinary delights by the executive chef and the hotel’s water usage has been minimized by adding plants that are endemic to Maui and require less maintenance.

Hilton Bogota

Many of the vegetables used in Hilton Bogota’s farm to table dishes – radish, chard, spinach broccoli, carrots and cauliflower, to name just a few – come straight from the hotel’s own organic orchard. Created alongside a local farmer of El Verjón, the garden is abloom with herbs like basil, dill, lemon balm and coriander, which are used to garnish those dishes. The reason that Mojito is so tasty? It’s been infused with mint from the garden.

Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort

The winner of the Arizona Lodging & Tourism Association’s inaugural 2023 Good Earth Keeping Achievement Award, the iconic Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort houses more than 25,000 bees in two hives. Overseen by an urban beekeeper in partnership with Alveole, the busy bees turn out 80 pounds of honey, which can be found in innovative onsite culinary creations and cocktails.

New York Hilton Midtown

Smack in the middle of the city, almost half a million bees make their home on the 16,000 foot rooftop of the New York Hilton Midtown. Tended by a dedicated beekeeper, their honey is incorporated into seasonal recipes and cocktails. You can pick up sandwiches, salads and sweets made with the honey at the hotel’s Herb N’ Kitchen.

Hilton San Diego Bayfront

Hilton San Diego Bayfront has partnered with the urban beekeeping experts at Alveole to create a home for more than 100,000 bees on the hotel’s fifth floor landing. Two beehives help pollinate local gardens and plant life and provide honey to Hudson & Nash, the hotel’s popular waterfront restaurant.

Hilton Salt Lake City Center

As part of its “Honey with Purpose” program, Hilton Salt Lake City Center houses 40,000 bees in four rooftop hives. Working in conjunction with local community partners including the certified beekeepers of the Bees Brothers and an urban gardener from Grow Brighter Gardens, the hotel is able to produce 12 gallons of raw honey annually and pollinate the herbs in its onsite gardens, offering the perfect complement to the locally sourced ingredients used in their restaurants.

Conrad New York Downtown

This year, with the help of Brooklyn Grange, the nation’s leading rooftop farming company, Conrad New York Downtown is bringing back its rooftop garden, which has been dormant since the pandemic. Not only will it produce fresh ingredients for the hotel’s restaurants but Team Members will participate as volunteers and the hotel will donate surplus produce to non-profit organizations benefitting the local community.