Sustainability at Amanjena

At Amanjena, nothing is thrown away should it be suitable for a second life. In the absence of official easy-to-implement recycling programmes, Amanjena strives for circularity. One of the smartest services this property has signed up for is the repurposing of used cooking oil for it be used as biodiesel. Amanjena aspires to explore as many second-life solutions as possible in a destination where it can be challenging to find a way to responsibly sort organic, aluminium, plastic, glass, PET, paper and eco-challenging batteries, in addition to ordinary household rubbish waste. Here, the team is enthusiastic about closed-loop systems. Organic waste becomes compost, and discarded items are reborn. Another way Amanjena avoids landfill is by donating items of value – such as decommissioned furnishings – to charities the resort works with.

Adding in motion detectors and LED lights was part of Amanjena's journey towards important savings being made in terms of carbon emissions, with a goal of doing much better at gaining power from the Aveo biomass system, such as burning olive pips as fuel which would be a big win for setting a new benchmark for the destination instead of relying on power from fossil fuels. At a hotel that’s famously magical when it twinkles with thousands of candles, the glass votives here are made reusing wax. The default temperature setting in the rooms in warm weather at a more relaxed 24º instead of 21º, allowing for a cool-enough comfort which doesn’t come at such a cost to the environment. 

Amanjena strives to infuse time spent at the Ed Tuttle-designed resort with the touch, feel, taste, and spirit of the Berbers, the Indigenous peoples. Sensitively planned dedicated experiences host guests in a way that puts visitors to Morocco at eye level with the Berber people, while helping generate a direct income for families living in remote communities. Spending time in a way that opens minds and promoting awareness and understanding of a different way of living, guests hike with the Berber guide, make and drink tea with their family and together enjoy a relaxed, authentic engagement that encourages learning about traditions, beliefs, history, first hand, as well as raising awareness around this centuries-old way of life. 

Morocco has earned attention on the world stage for its vintages, and Amanjena's wine list is a proud walk-through of local varieties from vineyards surprisingly close to the hotel. Serving Moroccan wines rather than imported options from far afield has been a great way to reduce the supply chain's carbon footprint, while providing a respectful nod to local culture and the host economy. Among the most lauded of these respected labels are Perle Noir de Mogador, Perle Rose de Mogador Perle Blanche de Mogador, and from the organic gardens of Chateau Roslane comes Les Cellier de Meknès. Guests often mention these much-loved local wines are widely appreciated as an eco-sensitive alternative to European or New World wines. 

Cultivating a deeper compassion for animal welfare has been one of the aims of Amanjena. Children and adults who stay at Amanjena enjoy time with our donkey and its presence helps raise awareness of the value of every animal species and helps demonstrate to the wider community the importance of treating all animals with kindness. We actively encourage guests to interact with Jarjeer, as he is affectionately known, who comes from the haven of rest for working animals. It serves as a dedicated sanctuary for retired donkeys, providing them with a peaceful and well-deserved retirement. Our donkey has a loving home with us and is an important part of our community.

Amanjena’s grounds are a library of native species, such as date palms, argan and fig trees, the Atlas cedar, River Red Gum, Phoenician Juniper and Turbinate Sumac, as well as rosemary and aloe vera. Recognising the importance of climate-conscious hospitality extends to having grounds landscaped with indigenous plants suited to the terrain and weather conditions.