Green Hotels: Our Future Realized
Author: Jen Harpaz
November 2009
Green Scene
One “trend” that is here to stay
They are finding their way. Hotels and resorts of all sizes, in a varied array of geographical locations and markets are, indeed, finding their way to a more environmentally sustainable future. Many hospitality professionals have questioned whether or not the greening of hotels is a trend. The answer is a definite, “No.” (Because a trend would imply a passing fad, and this is one change in the industry that is here to stay.) Dedicated hospitality companies, owners and managers of properties across the country have continued to develop their environmental sustainability initiatives, encouraged and guided by both pressure from the marketplace and certification programs like the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification system.As meeting planners have become increasingly passionate, and savvy, about green meetings, they have placed the burden on hotels to respond appropriately. Hotels are doing just that by creating systems that help conserve resources in general operations, including conference management. If you are one of the many planners incorporating green efforts into your events, then you understand how much easier it is to plan a green meeting when the hotel is doing its part to be ecologically responsible. Without the hotel’s participation, planners face the challenge of coordinating each component individually and creating buy-in and follow-through from the hotel.
World-wide initiatives and organizations like the Green Meeting Industry Council are ensuring the continued education of both meeting planners and hoteliers in the realm of sustainability. Lindsay Smith, president of the recently formed Colorado chapter of the GMIC, says, “In the past few years, we have seen great leadership at many hotels with regards to sustainable practices. The impact of these efforts is significant not only in conservation of resources, but also the education of so many attendees and visitors. I only see these practices increasing with the development of the APEX Accommodations Green Standards and the increased expectations of clients and visitors.” APEX standards are being developed as an initiative spearheaded by the Convention Industry Council. These standards will serve as the industry-wide accepted baseline that hotels should adhere to if they choose to pursue a level of environmental sustainability. It is the goal of the establishment to compliment other forms of certification, such as LEED. (Next month’s green scene will explore the new APEX standards in more depth.)
As the USGBC web site explains, “LEED is an internationally recognized green building certification system, providing third-party verification that a building or community was designed and built using strategies aimed at improving performance across all the metrics that matter most: energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality, and stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impacts.” There are currently 31 hotels in the U.S. that have achieved a level of LEED certification, and another 869 hotels registered with USGBC, waiting to obtain certification. This demonstrates that green hotels are the future of our industry. In the western region, California stands with eight LEED certified hotels, the most of any state. Nevada and Oregon have three each, and Washington has two.
One of the properties to earn LEED certification most recently is The Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa in Avon, Colo. The first hotel in Colorado to earn LEED certification, the hotel was aggressive in its efforts from its conception, and was rewarded appropriately with the Silver status. “We've been dedicated since day one, but it’s obviously an ongoing commitment now that we're operating the resort day to day,” states Bob Trotter general manager. “One of our big goals is to divert as much solid waste as possible. Our goal is 75%, we are currently at more than 60%. When we first opened the resort last year, we were only at 44%, so we think we’re making great progress.”
The hotel has a very long list of environmentally sound attributes in both building structure, and operations. Some of the most unique characteristics of the property include construction of the Riverfront Express Gondola, which transports guests to Beaver Creek ski resort in less than three minutes, roof tiles made of recycled automobile tires and the donation of a five-acre piece of land to the Town of Avon. This land, located along the Eagle River, was converted into permanent public open space, which prevents it from ever being developed. The Westin Riverfront’s passion for the environment is apparent in the meeting space, where attendees will enjoy floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing its Rocky Mountain views.
LEED-certified Hotel Terra in Jackson Hole, Wyo., (illustrated above) is a shining example of high-level environmental commitment in a smaller company. “Rob DesLauriers began developing Hotel Terra back in 2005, along with a small group of partners,” says Samantha Denny, corporate director of marketing for Terra Resorts. “They looked at the plans and saw that they could create a luxury boutique style hotel and have it be a LEED-certified building, without compromising the vision or financial success. From there, they decided this would become a collection of green luxury hotels, all called Hotel Terra. Hotel Terra Jackson Hole is intended to be the first in a collection of 12–15 luxury green hotels.”
The creative use of recycled materials can be found throughout the hotel, including the use of 100% recycled Eco-shake roof shingles, made from reinforced vinyl and cellulose fiber. The Terra Café chairs are made from recycled seatbelts, the lobby pillars are made from reclaimed lumber, the tops of balconies are made from reused pickle barrel tops, and the guest room soap dishes are made from recycled skyscraper glass.
The Montage Beverly Hills was awarded LEED Gold certification for its ecologically sound building construction. There were significant achievements measured for the construction phase alone, including the successful recycling of 83% of the construction waste. In addition, the company purchased new technology that greatly aided with energy and water conservation. The building boasts state-of-the-art Otis Gen2 Elevators that reduce energy usage up to 50%, relative to conventional elevators.
Other LEED-certified hotels in the Western region include Gaia Napa Valley, The Ambrose, Hotel Carlton, Orchard Garden Hotel, Orchard Hotel and Hotel Indigo. Nevada and Oregon both play host to three LEED-certified hotels each. In Las Vegas there is The Palazzo, Aria Resort & Casino and Vdara. Avalon Hotel and Spa, Courtyard by Marriott Portland City Center and The Nines call Portland home. In Washington, there is the Hilton Vancouver Conference Center & Hotel and Hyatt at Olive 8 in Seattle.
Hotels that were not, or may never be, LEED certified are still reaching significant environmental benchmarks and being recognized for their efforts. Even smaller and independently owned properties are making tremendous strides in adding and incorporating environmental-sustainable procedures and building facets.
Devils Thumb Ranch in Tabernash, Colo. won the EPA’s Award for Responsible Development & Historic Preservation. They have committed to only building on 80 acres of land out of the 5,000 acres of wilderness that they own. The owner made an incredible investment in an alternative heating source—geothermal heat from the earth is used to warm all of the buildings. Much of the wood flooring throughout the resort is sourced from reclaimed spruce wood, and their Broad Axe Barn meeting facility is made from reclaimed Civil-War era wood, adding a unique historic element to the space.
The Beaver Creek Lodge in Beaver Creek, Colo. has worked hard to create sustainability within the 72-room hotel. Along with the standard efforts aimed at energy-efficiency, water conservation, sustainable food and the three R’s, the resort staff transformed some operational procedures, and measured their level of success accordingly. One of its most impressive achievements occurred through the consolidation of regular deliveries from their primary food supplier. They cut the deliveries in half and estimated that this eliminates more than 150 two-way warehouse-to-resort trips. This is a very positive savings in greenhouse gas emissions, especially considering the resort’s location in the mountains. Beaver Creek Lodge has also committed to furthering the staff’s engagement in eco-responsibility via the development of “GET Green,” an internal program that provides ongoing employee training.
Sundance Resort in Sundance, Utah sets an example of how to be more self-sustainable. The resort has its own glass works kiln on site staffed with artists from Tlaquepaque, Mexico who turn glass bottles into housewares and art that is placed throughout the resort. Sundance also maintains a fleet of hybrid vehicles, promotes an incentive for ski guests to carpool and keeps a naturalist on staff who leads nature hikes for guests and creates educational programs for kids.
Silverado Resort in Napa, Calif., a condo-style resort and golf course on 1,200 acres in Wine Country has won many local awards for its environmental initiatives. The company places a great deal of focus on its food and beverage operations, and manages a custom-created food service Energy Awareness Program. The objective of the program is to educate and engage its employees in waste reduction, energy conservation and green procurement. The resort recycles food scraps, fryer oil into biodiesel and is committed to buying only sustainable seafood.
El Monte Sagrado, a resort in the heart of Taos, N.M. demonstrates that you don’t have to give up luxury to go green. El Monte Sagrado minimizes the use of chemical cleaners and other toxins in the maintenance of the facility. Their salt-water pool and hot tubs use EcoLab natural chemicals rather that chlorine, food is purchased locally whenever possible and recycling is integrated throughout the resort. “El Monte Sagrado Living Resort and Spa believes in corporate responsibility and creating an environment that inspires and enhances the mind, body and spirit of its guests,” explains Tom Cherniavsky, general manager of the property. “A respect for nature and a friendly co-existence with the environment is integral to providing this unique visitor experience. The participants of meetings and special events held here continually comment on the relaxing and beautiful atmosphere of the resort.”
Whether a new build or an existing property, hotels of all shapes, sizes and personalities in every nook and cranny of the country are realizing the importance of going green. As more and more meeting planners and guests ask hoteliers about green practices, hotels will continue to respond and the revolution will continue. These businesses will work to adhere to the accepted standards of ecologically sound practices, and beyond. Green hotels are vital to the efficiency, accuracy and follow-through of planning a successful, sustainable meeting. Ultimately, the availability of green hotels will allow meeting planners more time to focus on tracking their environmental performance, which is crucial not only for setting future environmental objectives, but for pleasing meeting stakeholders, and attracting and retaining attendees.
Jen Harpaz started her career in the meetings and event industry 15 years ago after graduating in Hotel & Restaurant Management from Auburn University. Over the years, she has worked in sales for hotels of various sizes and personalities. Most recently, she has served as an Environmental Sustainability Officer and 3rd party meeting planner for VenueQuest. Jen currently serves as Communications Director on the Colorado chapter of the Green Meeting Industry Council. You can contact her at harpazjen@yahoo.com
Stay tuned for more on green meetings as Smart Meetings partners with the Green Meetings Industry Council to bring you up-to-date information from the leaders in sustainability.
