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News & Features

Whether an industry announcement, or a hotel accomplishment, Green Lodging News reports on the most up-to-date news and offers a unique perspective on trends—all with the purpose of making your company more profitable. Got news or a story idea to share? We frequently post contributed articles here. Contact Glenn Hasek, editor, at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at: greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.

News & Features

Home News & Features
Whether an industry announcement, or a hotel accomplishment, Green Lodging News reports on the most up-to-date news and offers a unique perspective on trends—all with the purpose of making your company more profitable. Got news or a story idea to share? We frequently post contributed articles here. Contact Glenn Hasek, editor, at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at: greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.

NRA Joins ‘Share the Gulf’ Sustainability Initiative

WASHINGTON, D.C.—As part of its efforts to support sustainability practices in the foodservice industry, the National Restaurant Association announced it has joined Share the Gulf, a coalition of chefs, restaurateurs, restaurant associations, seafood suppliers, fishermen, consumers and environmentalists working to protect their access to fish in the Gulf States.“The fresh, local seafood of the Gulf States is essential to the growth of the region’s economy and its varied foodservice businesses,” said Scott DeFife, Executive Vice President of Policy and Government Affairs for the National Restaurant Assn. “We are committed to helping ensure this seafood is not only fished sustainably...

Yosemite Lodge at the Falls Completes Renovation

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, CALIF.—Yosemite Lodge at the Falls, operated by Delaware North Companies (DNC) Parks & Resorts at Yosemite, Inc., announces the completion of a $10 million dollar multi-phased refurbishment of the hotel’s guestrooms and lobby in addition to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) updates to accessible paths of travel. Reflective of DNC’s award-winning environmental stewardship platform GreenPath, the hotel’s guestrooms were remodeled using eco-friendly materials. Yosemite Lodge at the Falls guestrooms were designed with a soothing, neutral palette featuring Yosemite-themed artwork by local photographers.Highlighting eco-friendly upgrades, all rooms were freshly painted using California-based Kelly Moore paints with low...

CityFlatsHotel Brand to Expand into Third Michigan Location

PORT HURON, MICH.—Port Huron, Michigan will become home to a new eco-friendly boutique hotel; CityFlatsHotel brand will open its third Michigan location in this historic downtown setting. Located at 301 Huron Avenue, CityFlatsHotel—Port Huron will revive one of the most well-known landmarks in the area. The building which once housed Sperry’s Department Store will be converted into a truly unique hotel property, a project CityFlatsHotel is familiar with from the construction of its Grand Rapids, Mich. location.“There is nothing more exciting than to see your baby take their first steps,” said Chuck Reid, owner of CityFlatsHotel. “We are honored...

TripAdvisor Announces Highest-Rated Green Hotels in U.S.

NEWTON, MASS.—TripAdvisor announced the 10 highest-rated TripAdvisor GreenLeaders hotels in the United States and the results of its eco-travel survey of more than 2,100 U.S. respondents. According to the survey, 23 percent of respondents have consciously made an eco-friendly travel choice in the past year, and 85 percent said doing so made them feel more positive about their trip.The top five most common ways U.S. respondents travel green: 1. Ensured the lights were turned off when not in hotel room—96 percent; 2. Participated in hotel’s linen/towel reuse program—90 percent; 3. Used recycling in the hotel—81 percent; 4. Ensured the...

broughtonHOTELS Donates 10,000 PB&J Sandwiches

CHICAGO—In celebration of National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day on Wednesday, April 2, broughtonHOTELS prepared 10,000 sandwiches that were donated to St. Jerome’s Ministry, Chicago Lights, Pacific Gardens, and several additional charitable organizations in Chicago to aid in the fight against hunger. The event took place on April 2 at the Majestic Hotel, 528 W. Brompton Ave. in Chicago. Volunteers from broughtonHotels, the Lakeview Chamber of Commerce and neighboring businesses assisted in preparing the sandwiches. The event was the largest sandwich donation ever attempted by broughtonHOTELS employees, who make sandwiches for St. Jerome’s Ministry three times a month, in...

White, Green or Black Roofs? Report Compares Payoffs

BERKELEY, CALIF.—Looking strictly at the economic costs and benefits of three different roof types—black, white and “green” (or vegetated)—Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) researchers have found in a new study that white roofs are the most cost-effective over a 50-year time span. While the high installation cost of green roofs sets them back in economic terms, their environmental and amenity benefits may at least partially mitigate their financial burden.A new report titled “Economic Comparison of White, Green, and Black Flat Roofs in the United States” by Julian Sproul, Benjamin Mandel, and Arthur Rosenfeld of Berkeley Lab, and Man...

B Resort Partners with Wildlife Foundation of Florida

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLA.—B Resort, located in the Walt Disney World Resort, announced a philanthropic partnership with the Wildlife Foundation of Florida as part of the B Hotels & Resorts B Humane program. The resort is scheduled to open in the summer of 2014.The B Humane program, one of the Signature Elements available at B Hotels, is designed to increase awareness of endangered species native to the destination. The hotels spotlight a plush stuffed animal that is also available for “adoption” (i.e. purchase), with a portion of the proceeds going towards promoting wildlife protection efforts. As its signature cause...

Honeybees Check Into Three Portland Hotels

PORTLAND, ORE.—Provenance Hotels announced a partnership with Bee Local that will bring local artisan honey, a uniquely Portland culinary experience, to guests of the company’s three properties in the city—Hotel Lucia, Hotel deluxe and Sentinel—and help ensure its sustainability for years to come. This month, the hyper-local Portland honey producer will install beehives on the roofs of Hotel Lucia, Hotel deLuxe and Sentinel and make its honey available in honor bars at all three downtown hotels. When the hotel hives are harvested, the honey they produce will be featured on the menus at Imperial at Hotel Lucia and the...

Best Western International Partners with Earth Day Network

PHOENIX—Best Western International announced it has partnered with Earth Day Network for the third consecutive year to raise awareness on environmental issues in celebration of Earth Day on April 22. To help spur the conversation, Best Western has launched an “Acts of Green” photo sharing contest on Instagram designed to inspire fans of the brand to showcase their eco-friendly habits. Daily prizes will be awarded to participants following @bestwestern and @earthdaynetwork using #actsofgreen in their posts. One lucky fan has the chance to win a vacation at an eco-friendly Best Western hotel in one of 10 North American destinations. “As a...

Bogota, Colombia’s Biohotel Organic Suites Prepares for May 15 Opening

BOGOTA, COLOMBIA—Five years in the planning, the Biohotel Organic Suites is just one month from opening in Bogota, Colombia in the district of Usaquen, known as the culinary and cultural hub of the city. The seven-story, 72-room property is “my retirement plan,” says Samuel Huertas, majority owner. Huertas is aiming for LEED Gold certification for the hotel that includes the Green Piece restaurant and meeting space to accommodate up to 150 people.True to its name, the Biohotel Organic Suites is green throughout. The exterior of the building features windows made from recycled glass and vertical “gardens” that help to...