Rosebank hotel recognised for embedding sustainability into infrastructure, operations, and community impact
(Pictured left to right: Jessica Redinger: General Manager, Hyde Johannesburg Rosebank; Charity Mabuza: Rooms Divisions Manager, Hyde Johannesburg Rosebank; Cindy-Lee Cloete: WESSA CEO; Karel Mienie: Facilities Manager, Hyde Johannesburg Rosebank)
Johannesburg, South Africa, 27 March 2026: Hyde Johannesburg Rosebank has officially been awarded Green Key certification, an internationally recognised eco-label for tourism establishments committed to responsible and sustainable practices. Managed in South Africa by WESSA (The Wildlife & Environment Society of South Africa), the programme includes independent audits and annual verification, ensuring that certification reflects sustained performance rather than a once-off achievement.
Speaking at the official handover, WESSA CEO Cindy-Lee Cloete emphasised that Green Key certification represents more than compliance: “Green Key certification reflects a real commitment to sustainability, responsible tourism, and continuously improving how we operate as a hospitality establishment. This achievement is not just about receiving a certificate – it is about recognising the journey, the effort, and the people behind it.”
Sustainability engineered into the building
At the core of Hyde Rosebank’s sustainability journey is a design-led approach, where environmental performance is embedded into the building itself – not retrofitted.
The property operates with solar panels, a gas generator system, heat recovery for hot water, and a borehole supplying approximately 40% of its water needs, significantly reducing reliance on municipal infrastructure.
These systems are complemented by energy-efficient LED lighting, an Energy Performance Certificate, and water-saving aerators across guest rooms and operational areas, ensuring resource efficiency is maintained across all touchpoints.
“These aren’t cosmetic changes; they’re engineered into how the building runs every day. Sustainability is part of the infrastructure, and it shapes how we operate across every level of the hotel,” explains Jessica Redinger, General Manager of Hyde Johannesburg Rosebank.
Operational change embedded into systems
Beyond infrastructure, the hotel has embedded sustainability into daily operational practices and team behaviour, a critical factor in achieving Green Key certification.
Housekeeping and maintenance teams actively monitor energy usage, water consumption, and air conditioning systems, with daily checks ensuring unused rooms are not consuming unnecessary resources.
“We’ve already seen measurable reductions in energy and water consumption through daily monitoring and team accountability. It’s about turning awareness into action at every level of the operation,” adds Redinger.
Efforts to reduce waste are equally embedded. The hotel has eliminated single-use plastic water bottles, replacing them with a reusable glass bottle system supported by on-site purification and washing infrastructure, alongside broader waste reduction initiatives.
Embedding sustainability into experience, culture and community
A defining feature of Hyde Johannesburg Rosebank’s approach is the seamless integration of sustainability across guest experience, team culture, and community impact – without compromising comfort or design.
- From digital in-room systems and bamboo key cards to reusable glass water bottles and initiatives such as “Skip the Clean”, which reduces water, energy, and chemical use, guests can participate in more responsible practices without disruption.
- Beyond the property, Hyde Rosebank maintains a strong focus on local community engagement, with ongoing support for New Jerusalem Children’s Home through food, clothing donations, and regular visits, alongside participation in Rosebank clean-up initiatives and wellness-driven community partnerships.
- Internally, this approach is underpinned by a culture-driven model, where sustainability is embedded into daily operations. A cross-departmental ESG committee, supported by leadership and operational teams, ensures accountability through daily briefings, monitoring, and continuous reinforcement.
Redinger shares that, “The highest compliment is that guests often don’t notice because sustainability is built into the experience from the start. Where guests do have a choice, it’s positioned as a benefit, not a sacrifice.”
Green Key certification is recognised in over 90 countries and forms part of a global network of tourism establishments committed to sustainability.
For Hyde Johannesburg Rosebank, this milestone marks not an endpoint, but the beginning of a deeper commitment. “Sustainability does not sit in a file or a policy. It lives in daily actions, in how teams use resources, engage with guests, and contribute to a culture of responsibility. It’s about asking what more can be done and how we keep improving, and based on what we’ve seen here, this team is well positioned to lead in this space,” concludes Cloete.
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About Green Key
Coordinated internationally by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), Green Key is the leading global eco-certification for the tourism and hospitality industry. The programme recognises establishments that uphold high environmental standards through an independent auditing process and continuous improvement.
About Hyde Hotels, Resorts & Residences
From the moment Hyde hit the nightlife scene in 2005 with the eponymous Hyde Lounge on Los Angeles’ iconic Sunset Strip, it has been committed to bringing people together through exceptional communal experiences and impeccable setlists. Staying true to its roots, the brand has evolved to include Hyde Hotels and Residences, Beach Clubs, and Mixology Lounges, giving access to a new kind of lifestyle hospitality grounded in the spirit of discovery. Currently set in Dubai, Miami, Ibiza, Hollywood, FL, London and Johannesburg with upcoming openings in Bodrum and Perth, each Hyde location is individually curated to embrace its local music and creative scene yet is connected through a unique state of mind that celebrates freedom of expression and the spirit of collective experience. HydeHotels.com.
Hyde Hotels, Resorts & Residences is part of Ennismore, a creative hospitality company rooted in culture and community, with a global collective of entrepreneurial and founder-built brands with purpose at their heart. Formed in 2021, Ennismore is a joint venture with Accor, which holds a majority shareholding. ennismore.com
About WESSA*
WESSA (The Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa), established in 1926, is one of South Africa’s oldest and most respected environmental non-profit organisations. As WESSA marks its 100th year of action for nature in 2026, the organisation continues a proud legacy of advocating for sustainable solutions, conservation, environmental education, and evidence-based policy that supports both people and the planet. Through its diverse programmes and strategic local and global partnerships, WESSA has played a pivotal role over the past century in fostering a culture of environmental responsibility and care across South Africa’s landscapes, coastlines, schools, and communities. As the national operator of the Green Key programme in South Africa, WESSA works with partners across the tourism sector to embed sustainability into everyday operations and promote a healthier planet. https://www.wessa.org.za/green-key/. *Media note: In all communications, please write as WESSA (The Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa). WESSA Media Liaison: Ronell Swartbooi, marketing@wessa.co.za, +27 (82) 460 9368
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