NAPLES, FLA.—In order to further its green lodging endeavors, the Hilton Naples has begun the implementation of a Confederate Jasmine vine garden on the section of the hotel’s roof over the ballroom area. Confederate Jasmine is indigenous to the Naples area and is generally described as a perennial vine with dark green foliage and orange flowers. The hotel has covered the roof of the hotel’s ballroom area in order to eliminate direct exposure to the sun, thereby decreasing the amount of energy necessary to cool the ballroom area. The vine garden will also present an enhanced view from the guestrooms that overlook that area. At maturity, the typical Confederate Jasmine will reach up to two feet high.
The garden will be watered with reclaimed condensation from the powerful chiller units that cool the property’s interior, and the vines will be coaxed to grow along a wire grid. Once there is adequate coverage on the roof, the vines will be extended to cover the chiller units, which will decrease the amount of energy the units use to run efficiently.
Hilton Hotels Corporation recently announced short and long term goals and objectives towards building sustainability into the core fabric of its businesses worldwide. Christopher J. Nassetta, president & CEO, outlined directional targets for improvement in the company’s sustainability performance throughout the next five years within system wide hotels globally. By 2014, goals for the Hilton Family of Hotels are to:
• Reduce energy consumption from direct operations by 20 percent;
• Reduce Co2 emissions by 20 percent;
• Reduce output of waste by 20 percent; and
• Reduce water consumption by 10 percent.
Last year the Hilton Naples received the State of Florida Green Lodging certification for its green initiatives. The hotel has implemented paper, cardboard; aluminum and steel can recycling programs to reduce waste. In addition, the property installed low flow toilets, faucets, and showerheads as well as fluorescent lamps. The hotel invites guests to participate and provides a notice in guestrooms to encourage participation.
Go to the Hilton Naples.
