Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon Awarded Wolfgang Neumann Sustainability Leader of Tomorrow

Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon announces that its Sustainability Manager, Mariana Domingues, has been honoured with the prestigious Wolfgang Neumann Sustainability Leader of Tomorrow title at the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards. This international recognition celebrates the hotel’s unwavering commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship.

Since 2012, sustainability has been at the core of the hotel’s values. As the Sustainability Manager, Mariana has spearheaded numerous initiatives, including energy-efficient solutions, water conservation, waste reduction programs, and sourcing local and organic products. Through these efforts, the hotel has made significant strides in both environmental responsibility and community engagement—such as its ongoing food donation programs and environmental projects.

"I’m incredibly proud of this recognition, as it reflects our hotel’s ongoing commitment to sustainable practices with a broader vision. It’s an opportunity to contribute to a cause that extends far beyond just our guests, making a positive impact on the wider community and the environment," comments Mariana. 

Under Mariana's leadership, the hotel has achieved remarkable milestones, including becoming Portugal's first property to earn both Green Key (2024) and Forbes VERIFIED (2025) certifications. A key achievement includes the elimination of single-use plastics across the property, replaced with refillable and compostable alternatives. Mariana has also introduced comprehensive waste segregation and worked with Reciclar e Alimentar to compost Nespresso grounds, supporting food banks through rice cultivation.

In addition, the hotel has been actively involved in social responsibility initiatives, such as beach cleanups, sustainability talks, and participation in the HEART program of the Portuguese Hotels Association (AHP), a program that reinforces a circular economy model of goods to reduce waste and supports the community. 

From the hotel guests facing initiatives, at the Michelin-starred restaurant CURA, more than 60 percent of ingredients are locally and ethically sourced, while Chef Rodolfo Lavrador and Sous Chef Marina Garcia have a gastronomic approach that reinforces the philosophy of total product utilization, extending their expression beyond the dishes and underlining CURA’s commitment to conscious and sustainable gastronomy.

Guilherme Costa, the hotel's General Manager, shares, “At Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon, we believe that true luxury can only exist when it is sustainable and exemplary for future generations. Our commitment to responsible luxury extends far beyond guest experience—it's embedded in every choice we make, from sourcing to operations. This award reflects our ongoing journey to ensure that each decision we take mirrors our deep environmental and social responsibility.”

This prestigious distinction is a testament to the hotel’s long-standing dedication to sustainable hospitality. The hotel continues to work with organizations promoting inclusion and social responsibility, including DariAcordar, which redistributes surplus food, delivering a total of around 240,000 meals since 2012.

As part of the broader Four Seasons For Good program, these initiatives align with the hotel’s six key pillars: responsible consumption, energy efficiency, sustainable water management, waste reduction, social inclusion, and community engagement.

Guilherme Costa concludes, “This award is a tribute to the hard work and passion of our teams, who strive every day to redefine luxury hospitality through a sustainable and responsible model. Thanks to their creativity and dedication, we continue to demonstrate that exceptional hospitality and sustainability can go hand in hand.”

With this recognition, Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon solidifies its position as a leader, showing that luxury hospitality can be both a symbol of excellence and a catalyst for sustainable change.

Learn more about Four Seasons for Good and the sustainable initiatives at Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon here.