Engineering Archer’s Green Luxury Hotel Portfolio

When Archer Hotel Capital in The Netherlands set out to elevate the environmental performance of €2.5 billion portfolio, under premium brands like Marriott, Sheraton and Renaissance, they needed a partner who could navigate complexity with clarity and deliver results across borders. Here’s where Deerns stepped in.

While the day-to-day hotel operations are run by these global brands, Archer itself focuses on asset management and long-term investment strategy. What began as a focused contract for Level 2 energy audits soon evolved into a comprehensive engagement spanning energy simulations, water audits and technical advisory support throughout the renovation lifecycle across 14 of Archer’s 14 high-quality hotels in gateway European cities,

From Pilot to Portfolio

Deerns Spain was contracted to conduct Level 2 ASHRAE compliant energy audits and calibrated energy simulation models for Archer’s properties, starting with two assets in Spain in March 2023. Following the success of that initial commission, Archer quickly expanded the scope to include American Water Works Association (AWWA) compliant water audits. The engagement now spans all 14 hotels, from Ireland to Sweden and is set to conclude in early 2025.

“We started in Spain because we were most familiar with the local regulations,” said Gabriela Ledesma Hidalgo, Senior Energy Model & Energy Consultant at Deerns Spain. “But as the work grew to include hotels in the Netherlands, UK and beyond, we collaborated closely with Deerns’ local offices to ensure regulatory compliance and contextual relevance.”

Deep Dives into Buildings

One of the defining features of this project was its hands on, investigative nature. Since most of Archer properties are not new builds but historic or previously refurbished buildings, documentation was inconsistent and data scarce. This meant that the Deerns team had to rely heavily on-site visits and user interviews to understand how systems were actually performing.

“We know the systems, but that’s only half the picture,” noted Ángel Pastor Fisac, Building Physics & Energy Consultant at Deerns Spain. “We needed to know how the staff operated them – for example, what temperatures they set, when they ran systems, and what anomalies they noticed. Then we cross checked everything against the BMS logs. It was detective work, but necessary.”

Developing calibrated simulation models to reflect the real-life inefficiencies was a particularly demanding task. These simulations helped forecast savings potential if systems were optimised.

While each hotel had unique characteristics – ranging in size from 110 to 540 rooms, and spanning building ages from the 1800s to the 2010s – Deerns used a consistent methodology. This was essential for Archer.

Solutions that Stuck

Deerns didn’t just produce reports – it produced action. Its work informed tangible changes in building strategy, including retrofits and equipment changes.

In one project in Amsterdam, for instance, Deerns’ analysis prompted a shift from a refrigerant-intensive design to a more sustainable water-based solution. This marked a significant environmental improvement.

In another project involving a prominent high-rise building in southern Europe, Deerns successfully advised a transition away from outdated heating technologies toward a more efficient and modern climate control system, resulting in better energy performance.

On the water side, the team identified inefficiencies such as single-pass cooling systems through detailed surveys. Their recommendations, including improvements like water recirculation, helped reduce both waste and operating costs.

Communication Cuts Through Complexity

A unique aspect of our approach is our investment in communication tools.

“Quality communication with the client really sets us apart,” remarked Gabriela. “The posters were technical but easy to digest. Clients displayed them in their facilities – they were proud of the work being done.”

Throughout the 18-month engagement, the collaboration was intensive. Regular progress meetings ensured that Archer stayed fully informed and could make decisions in real time. The client’s commitment to meaningful sustainability – not just checking regulatory boxes – was evident throughout. They were receptive to Deerns’ recommendations and open to evolving strategies based on new findings.

Ángel notes, “ Archer is the kind of client that want tangible actions and significant savings.”

Looking Ahead: EPCs, BREEAM & Beyond

With the audit phase now complete, Deerns is in ongoing discussions with Archer to support the next stages – Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs), BREEAM certifications and Measurement & Verification (M&V) of implemented upgrades. Several assets are already undergoing BREEAM In-Use assessments and local certifications are being pursued in markets like Sweden (Green Key) and Ireland (Green Hospitality).

This is more than just an energy audit project. It’s a blueprint for how technical consultancy, data driven modelling and stakeholder communication can unlock sustainability across a diverse real estate portfolio.

List of audited Hotels :

• Arts Hotel – Barcelona, Spain
• The Palace Luxury Collection – Madrid, Spain
• The Madrid Edition – Madrid, Spain
• Renaissance Amsterdam – Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• Hilton Amsterdam Airport Schiphol – Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• Sheraton Stockholm – Stockholm, Sweden
• The Conrad Dublin – Dublin, Ireland
• The Shelbourne Dublin – Dublin, Ireland
• Marriot Brussels Grand Place – Brussels, Belgium
• Renaissance Vendome – Paris, France
• Royal Saint Honore – Paris, France
• Renaissance La Defense – Paris, France
• The Hoxton Holborn – London, UK
• The Hoxton Shoreditch – London, UK