international women’s day 2024: an interview with our founder, sandra mclaren-stewart
Article last updated: March 2024
Photo: Nathan McLaren-Stewart
This International Women’s Day 2024, we speak to our founder, Sandra McLaren-Stewart, and discover the driving force behind creating a unique, female-founded space in the hospitality industry that’s paving the way for a greener future.
what inspired you to create a 100% plant-based hotel?
Saorsa was established as an extension of my lifestyle essentially. Having been plant-based for a long time and veggie before that it was a completely logical move to create a space that was safe and cruelty-free. Primarily, the idea was to create a beautiful, curated space that aligned with my design aesthetics. The plant-based aspect was a given from the very start of the project.
as a female founder, how do you see your role in promoting gender equality and empowering women within hospitality?
I think that there is a lot of space for women in the hospitality industry. There are a lot of challenges that the industry is facing right now. Since the pandemic hit the world people have changed, expectations are different and the hospitality industry has been left to sink or swim. We have had to think fast and think creatively and I think this is where women excel. I look for these qualities in anyone that we employ.
have you faced any unique challenges or opportunities as a female founder in hospitality?
I think that we are very fortunate in the space that we operate. Our guests are different - they think differently and we embrace this. Saorsa is a place where employees are empowered and encouraged to think creatively when attending to guests.
do you have any advice for women within the hospitality industry?
Be yourself, be confident, and be proactive. A good manager should never be intimidated by people who come to them with ideas and no one should be discouraged from thinking outside of set procedures.
how do you see the future of sustainable travel and plant-based hospitality evolving?
We all love a holiday and we all love the excitement of a new place, language, and culture. It will be a long time before people sacrifice their well-earned holiday so we in the hotel industry have to try to minimise our environmental impact. We call ourselves an ‘ethical luxury hotel’ but you won’t find bougie single-use toiletries or plastics, no throw-away slippers, or any other fripperies that 5* establishments seem to deem necessary. What you get are ethically sourced products that are minimising their impact. From the food you eat at Saorsa to the toilet paper you find in every bathroom, we have tried very hard to contain our impact on resources, and we know our guests appreciate it. This is the way forward - most guests don’t even use or want the so-called luxuries in their rooms. Why have a fridge in every room - we will pour your glass of wine, deliver it to you personally, and help save the planet in doing so!
how do you balance the principles of sustainability with the demands of running a successful hospitality business, particularly as a woman in a male-dominated industry?
See above - and we are a male-dominated industry because of employment practices, not because of any lack of talent.
who is your female role model and why?
In the industry, it would have to be someone like Alex Polizzi. Yes, she comes from hotel royalty but she knows her stuff inside out and she has managed to forge ahead in the industry. This is generally a very difficult question to answer as not all people are created equal and many women face real challenges and choices when making life/work decisions. In an ideal world, we would be fully supported to make these decisions without sacrifice.
can you share any personal anecdotes or experiences that have shaped your journey as a female founder in the vegan hospitality sector?
Every day I meet amazing vegan women in my role at the hotel. They come from all walks of life and are without exception strong advocates for their beliefs. They genuinely want to change things and their stories inspire me as much as I hope my story inspires them.
do you support any women-owned businesses in your hotel's supply chain? who and why?
We buy cheese from a female artisan cheese producer, and we buy chocolate from a female chocolatier in Brighton. We have several wines on our list that come from an all-female production team. All our micro herbs are sourced from a one-woman enterprise in Aberfeldy, and our coffee comes from a female who is one of the leading figures in the coffee roasting industry. Oh, and our management team at the hotel is all female - is there a theme here?!
how do you prioritise inclusivity and diversity within your hotel's culture and guest experience?
We do this by creating a relaxed, safe, and non-judgemental environment. Being a vegan and championing animal rights and environmental issues is challenging enough without coming to a place where you have to consistently fight your corner. We want people to be whoever they are when they visit us and we encourage individuality across all aspects of our business.
