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Sustainable ambitions in Brussels and Rotterdam
The Usual hotels has achieved BREEAM In-Use ‘Outstanding’ certification for both of its hotels — The Usual Brussels and The Usual Rotterdam. This places the sustainable hotel brand in an exclusive group of only seven other hotels worldwide to have achieved this highest possible rating, and it is also the only hotel brand in the Benelux region with two Outstanding certifications.
BREEAM In-Use is one of the world's leading sustainability assessment methods for existing buildings. The methodology assesses performance in the areas of energy, water, materials, ecology, transport, resilience, and Health & Wellbeing. The Outstanding rating reflects exceptional building quality and performance that significantly exceeds standard statutory requirements.
Sustainability is deeply embedded in both the buildings and daily operations in Brussels and Amsterdam. The hotels run entirely on renewable energy and are not connected to the gas grid. Water-saving facilities and monitoring systems limit water consumption, while the strong score on Health & Wellbeing is a result of high standards in daylight, indoor climate, user comfort, and accessibility. Furthermore, both properties are highly integrated into their urban surroundings, with excellent public transport accessibility and facilities for sustainable mobility.
Within the ‘Resources’ category, both locations received exemplary recognition for facilitating reuse and future adaptability. The buildings have been designed with provisions for reuse and recycling and remain flexibly deployable over time, contributing to long-term value and the reduction of material waste.
The Usual Brussels achieved a total score of 87.1 percent, with particularly strong results in Resources and Land Use & Ecology, including biodiversity measures such as green roofs and ecological integrations.
The Usual Rotterdam achieved an Outstanding Asset score of 86.26 per cent, excelling particularly in the categories of Transport, Land Use & Ecology, and Health & Well-being. The redevelopment of the property in the city centre of Rotterdam demonstrates how existing urban buildings can be transformed into future-proof and resilient hospitality environments.
Besides recognition, BREEAM serves as a long-term framework for The Usual's further European expansion. While each building has its own characteristics, the certification provides a rigorous structure that guides sustainable renovation, operational performance, and resilience planning for future sites. Achieving Outstanding for the first two hotels underscores The Usual's ambition and confirms BREEAM In-Use as the leading framework for further development. “We are proud that both of our first hotels have achieved the Outstanding rating,” said Gisela Boersma, ESG Manager at The Usual. “The certification process challenged us to critically examine every aspect of our buildings and operations. It confirms that high environmental performance and a strong guest experience can reinforce each other.” For a detailed overview of the scores per category and the sustainability measures applied, The Usual refers to the technical factsheet.
As well as offering recognition, the certifications provide a measurable ESG framework for The Usual's European expansion. As the brand prepares to open additional sites, BREEAM In-Use serves as both a benchmark and a roadmap.
According to The Usual hotels, certifications not only validate their commitment to the highest standards but also offer invaluable guidance for ESG practices when expanding the hotel concept. The issue of climate change is more pressing than ever. Acquiring and occupying space is no longer considered a responsible option. With uncertainty all around, it is even more crucial to secure our future as best as we can. The BREEAM In-Use certification provides a solid, proven framework, a sustainable investment in the future that will retain its value, as sustainability is only going to become more important.
The Usual has also received Green Key certification and won multiple international design and sustainability awards, further strengthening its position as a regenerative hospitality brand.
The Usual is a new hotel concept with locations in Rotterdam and Brussels, developed by a team of non-traditional hospitality experts. The team's mission is to create a new way of meeting, sleeping, eating, drinking and working, with a focus on doing good for people and the planet. The group operates on the principle that everything they do – in construction, daily operations, and guest experience – has the least possible negative impact on people and the environment. The ecological footprint of all locations is carefully monitored and published annually in an impact report.
The Usual has the ambition to become a B-Corp and open fifteen hotels within five years. With its ‘love for local’ mentality, the connection between international guests and local residents is central. Since its launch in 2023, The Usual has won several awards, including the Gaia Green Award, the LIV Hospitality Design Award, the Iconic Innovative Architecture Award, and the German Design Award. Additionally, the brand was nominated for, among others, the Hotel Property Awards, the Sleeper Magazine AHEAD Awards, the FX International Interior Design Awards, and the Independent Hotel Show Amsterdam Award for Best Hotel Design of the Year.
