Okay, so maybe being green isn’t that difficult (except if you’re Kermit the Frog), but these eco-friendly hotels sure have put in a lot of hard work to reduce their carbon footprints. So, in honor of Earth Day, we thought it’d be nice to give a green thumbs-up to a few hotels that have made impressive efforts to minimize their impact on Mother Nature.
Sheraton Fisherman’s Wharf Hotel, San Francisco
With a location just blocks away from the sparkling San Francisco Bay, it’s easy to understand why the Sheraton Fisherman’s Wharf Hotel has made such a strong commitment to the Earth. This 531-room hotel has employed a number of environmentally friendly practices, which is why it’s no surprise that it was awarded the Leadership Level in the California Green Lodging Program for 2010, the highest level attainable in this program. From its environmentally sensitive Ecolab laundry products and separate waste and recyclables streams to sensor-regulated thermostats and the option for guests to reuse linens, Sheraton Fisherman’s Wharf strives to make an effort, no matter how big or small. The hotel also uses compact florescent lighting, which utilizes 75 percent less energy than regular bulbs, and sends its leftover organic materials to be composted at a nearby facility. Green indeed!
Photo Courtesy of Sheraton Fisherman’s Wharf Hotel
Check out the views from the Sheraton Fisherman’s Wharf Hotel.
70 park avenue hotel, New York City
Want proof that you can be Park Avenue posh and eco-conscious at the same time? 70 park avenue hotel proves that it’s not only possible, but it’s a piece of cake. Just a few steps from Grand Central Station, this midtown Manhattan hotel has adopted numerous sustainable practices in order to reduce its environmental impact, including its extensive recycling program, use of energy efficient light bulbs and air conditioning, and the linen and towel reuse program. In addition, 70 park only uses non-toxic, environmentally safe cleaning agents, and all printed hotel materials use 100-percent recycled paper and soy-based inks. Throw in luxurious touches like evening wine hour, organic minibar treats and spa-inspired bath amenities, and you’ll see that eco-chic is is right on trend.
Photo Courtesy of 70 park hotel
70 park avenue will be featured on Room 77 soon. Stay tuned.
Hotel Monaco, Washington D.C.
Just because a hotel has received a AAA Four Diamond rating, doesn’t mean it’s above going green – just ask Hotel Monaco in Washington D.C. This luxe Kimpton property goes above and beyond to ensure that it uses eco-friendly practices, so guests can enjoy their stays without worrying about negatively impacting the Earth. Hotel Monaco donates unused amenity bottles to local charities, and in-room designer recycling bins are in each of its 183 guest rooms in case you do use the provided toiletries. The hotel has implemented low-flow systems for faucets, toilets and showers in an effort to conserve water. Also, all printing documents are done on recycled paper and use soy-based ink. Top off your green hotel stay with a cup of complimentary fair-trade coffee in the lobby.
Hotel Monaco will be featured on Room 77 soon. Stay tuned.
The Lenox Hotel, Boston
Dubbed as on of the five greenest luxury hotels in America by U.S. News & World Report, this 214-room boutique hotel will make all other Boston hotels green with envy – and in this case, that may be a good thing. The Saunders Hotel Group, which is often credited for spearheading the ecotourism movement, has made leaps and bounds to ensure The Lenox is a trailblazer in its environmentally conscious practices: it was one of the first hotels in the world to uphold The Ceres Principles of Sustainability and offer climate-neutral rooms, as well as one of the first hotels in the United States to offer a linen reuse program. It’s no wonder The Lenox was the first urban hotel to make the Condé Nast Traveler Green List.
Photo Courtesy of The Lenox Hotel
Take a look at the views from The Lenox Hotel.
ARIA Resort & Casino, Las Vegas
In Sin City, excess is the name of the game, so it may be surprising to discover that there actually are hotels making concerned efforts to join the green revolution. ARIA is one of the first Las Vegas hotels to attain LEED Gold certification, which makes it the largest building in the world with LEED Gold status. In 2010, it also became one of the first Las Vegas hotels to receive the 5 Keys designation by the Green Key Eco-Rating Program. A few of ARIA’s noteworthy sustainable efforts include its fleet of stretch limos fueled by compressed natural gas, extensive use of natural light and water-saving fixtures. The property will save approximately 31 million gallons of water each year – that’s almost enough to wash all the sin right off the Strip.
Photo Courtesy of CityCenter
Take a gander at some of the stellar views offered from the ARIA Resort & Casino.
If you can’t get enough green, be sure to check out our previous post on the Grand Hyatt Seattle and the Hyatt at Olive 8. These two hotels offer some of the most innovative green efforts in the hospitality industry.
