Home News & Features Saybrook Point Inn & Spa Launches Green Meetings Program

Saybrook Point Inn & Spa Launches Green Meetings Program

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OLD SAYBROOK, CONN.—Saybrook Point Inn & Spa, located in Old Saybrook, Conn., one of New England’s most widely recognized resorts for its environmental and sustainable practices, has launched a Green Meetings program to help meeting planners meet the growing demand for environmentally sound meetings and events.

Across its resort-wide operational and sustainable practices, including its 120-slip marina, Saybrook Point Inn & Spa is the first full-service hotel in Connecticut to receive the Energy Star rating awarded by the United States Environmental Protection Agency for superior energy performance and is also one of the first hotels in the state to be certified as part of the Connecticut Green Lodging Program, among other accolades.

Under the guidance of Saybrook’s owner Stephen Tagliatela, the Green Meetings program incorporates “Farm to Chef” menus sourced from local providers, recycling containers in the meeting space as well as a towel and linen reuse program and pouring water only upon request, among other green meetings practices. The property can also provide a back-of-the-house tour of the inn’s environmentally-sound operations, including the solar panel and chemical-free cooling tower, on-site waste water-disposal system, heat-recovery systems, organic lawn care practices including a lawn watering system with rain sensors, and tier two standby generators. Tagliatela, who spearheaded many of the resort’s environmental enhancements during its recent renovation, can also present Saybrook’s conservation practices to meeting attendees.

Lots of Nature-Oriented Activities

Located at the mouth of the Connecticut River, Saybrook is steeped in oceanic, wildlife and wetlands conservation. Saybrook can arrange for earth-friendly guest activities including Connecticut Audubon Society Tours, eagle watching tours, swallow boats and inland birding trips. Other activities include bicycle and moped sightseeing tours, kayaking and canoeing, walking/running on water front paths and historical walking tours of Old Saybrook and Essex.

One of the ways Saybrook has successfully focused its green efforts and have them embraced by the resort staff is through a “Green Team” led and managed by Marina manager Abbie Coderre. Comprised of volunteers from every department of the property, the Green Team works in concert to develop and implement energy saving green practices throughout the hotel. The focus is also to educate all staff members on how they can do their part to protect the environment both on an individual and department level.

“We felt it was essential to maintain a unified focus on environmental initiatives and to continually educate the staff to further foster a sense of community and responsibility,” said Tagliatela.

In 2009, Saybrook Point Inn & Spa was designated one of the first hotels in the state to be certified as part of the Connecticut Green Lodging Program. This designation recognizes properties that have executed various environmentally friendly practices. The hotel was also awarded by the Connecticut River Coastal Conservation District a Special Merit Award for its contributions to protecting and improving the health of the lower Connecticut River and Long Island Sound. Saybrook Point Marina is a four time recipient of the Clean Marina Award (the first Connecticut hotel to receive the award in 2003) and is also a member of the Green Spa Network.

Go to the Saybrook Point Inn & Spa.

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