Viceroy Bali lands GSTC sustainability certification

Viceroy Bali has become one of the first boutique hotels in Ubud to earn GSTC Certification, verified by Control Union in June 2026. The milestone formalizes sustainability practices the property says it has used since opening in 2005, from water recycling and plastic reduction to community programs and local sourcing.

Why it matters: - Viceroy Bali’s GSTC Certification gives the Ubud boutique hotel a third-party sustainability benchmark tied to tourism standards used globally. - The certification can matter to travelers, operators and local communities because it covers environmental practices, cultural heritage and socioeconomic benefits. - The hotel says the recognition formalizes work that has been part of its operations since 2005.

What happened: - Viceroy Bali earned certification from the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, becoming one of the first boutique hotels in Ubud to achieve the standard. - Control Union independently verified the certification in June 2026. - The announcement was made Sept. 17, 2026, in Ubud, Bali. - The certification covers the full property, including 40 private pool villas across nine categories.

The details: - GSTC assessed the hotel across four pillars: sustainable management, socioeconomic benefits, cultural heritage preservation and environmental responsibility. - Drinking water comes from an 80-metre mountain spring and is treated by reverse osmosis. - Tap water in every villa is drinkable, which removes the need for single-use plastic bottles. - An 18-step organic wastewater treatment system returns clean water to the Petanu River. - Bathroom amenities are supplied in locally made refillable ceramic containers. - About 37% of the team comes from the neighbouring village of Petulu. - The rest of the team comes from surrounding villages. - The hotel runs monthly village clean-ups in Banjar Nagi. - Viceroy Bali supports local schools and offers internships for Indonesian students. - Local partners include The Plastic Exchange, which has collected 928,000 kg of plastic, and Bali Sama Sama, which makes glassware from 100% recycled glass. - Each villa has a heated pool facing the Valley of the Kings.

Between the lines: - The certification highlights a broader shift in hospitality, where sustainability claims are increasingly expected to be verified rather than self-described. - Viceroy Bali is also positioning sustainability as part of the guest experience, not just back-of-house operations. - The hotel’s location, amenities and food-and-beverage venues suggest the certification is meant to reinforce a luxury brand, not replace it.

What happened: - General Manager Patrick Farrell said the milestone reflects responsibility to the wider communities in Bali and the daily choices involved in running the property. - Farrell said sustainability affects how Viceroy Bali operates, supports the local community and protects the surrounding natural environment.

The details: - Apéritif Restaurant offers the Guided by the Moon degustation with five or seven courses. - The restaurant’s philosophy is “European Technique. Indonesian Soul.” - Apéritif Restaurant was named among Tatler Indonesia’s Best 20 Restaurants in 2025 and 2026. - Apéritif Restaurant appears on the Star Wine List of the Year 2026 for Southeast Asia. - CasCades Restaurant & Bar serves casual dining from 11 a.m. and offers a nine-course Royal Balinese Rijsttafel. - CasCades Restaurant & Bar features a Balinese dance performance every Monday at 7:30 p.m. - Pinstripe Bar serves The Clairvoyant cocktail menu, inspired by artist Miguel Covarrubias. - Akoya Spa has three single treatment rooms and three double suites. - Akoya Spa treatments combine Balinese healing traditions and modern Western techniques.

What's next: - Viceroy Bali says the certification continues its sustainability work. - The hotel says more details are available in its latest sustainability report on its website. - The property will likely use the GSTC credential as a public marker of its environmental and community practices.