Did You Know We’re Growing a Forest (One Coffee and Rented Umbrella at a Time)?

We’re not big on buzzwords. We’re not here to preach. But we are into the little things — the behind-the-scenes choices that quietly shape a more thoughtful stay. So here are a few recent updates from The Gate that we think are too good not to share. No big announcements. Just small changes making a surprising impact.

Your caffeine habit just got a sustainability glow-up

We’re excited to introduce our new coffee partner: Slow Forest Coffee, a company rooted in environmental care and slow-living values. Their beans are not only ethically sourced but come with a commitment to reforestation and soil regeneration.

Every cup we serve now carries a little more meaning — and a little less environmental cost.

Umbrellas that plant trees? Yes, really.

It rains in London. A lot. That’s why we’ve got an umbrella stand stocked with DripDrop  umbrellas — and here’s the fun part: every time one is rented, a tree gets planted in Mozambique.

So far in 2024, our guests helped us plant 583 trees! Across all DripDrop partners? We’ve hit nearly 394,000 trees planted last year. That’s 71% of the way to our shared goal of 1 million trees — all thanks to people dodging the rain in style.

Lost and Found, but Make It Forest-Friendly

Did you know? When guests leave things behind (chargers, books, sunglasses — you name it), we use a lovely little service called Faundit to return them.

But here's the twist: they also plant trees on our behalf. In 2024, they planted 41 avocado trees in Tanzania for The Gate London City. That’s right — your forgotten phone cable might’ve just helped restore a forest.

‘Not Saving the Planet, Just Trying to Be Better’

We know there’s no quick fix for sustainability—but we also know that mindful choices matter. Whether it’s coffee with a conscience, umbrellas with purpose, or giving lost items a new life, we’re committed to making a difference, one small step at a time.

We’ll keep finding new ways to do better—and sharing the story as we go. Because in the end, it’s the little things that make a stay (and the planet) that bit brighter.