It was 11 years ago that Jack DeBoer, known in the industry as the founder of extended stay lodging, opened the first Value Place hotel in Wichita, Kan. Whenever I travel, it seems like I am always passing a Value Place. There is good reason as Kyle Rogg, President and COO of the brand, told me this past week that there are now 184 open in the United States. Seventy-eight of those properties are company owned and the remainder franchisee owned. “We have about five company owned and five franchisee owned in construction,” Rogg said.
Value Place’s mission is to provide an affordable, clean, safe and simple place to stay. Value Place even checks the names of guests against the Family Watchdog/Sex Offender database. “We don’t know of anyone else who takes such important precautionary steps to help ensure the safety of guests,” the company says on its website.
While not known as a green brand—LEED and other certifications don’t make a lot of sense for Value Place—the company is taking some major steps to weed out operational inefficiencies and reducing energy and water consumption along the way. “We don’t staff 24 hours a day,” Rogg said. “We don’t pay someone to sit and play solitaire at night. We don’t clean rooms daily. Every two weeks sheets and towels are washed. It saves a lot of water and energy. We have a smaller laundry footprint. We are continually trying to find ways to spend less without compromising the guest experience. From our perspective, a lot of the hotel business is top line focused and we try to be bottom line focused.”
Savings from Switch to LEDs
Almost all of the company’s properties have been converted to LED lighting. Rogg said his team went through a lot of bulbs and suppliers to find the bulbs they liked. “The numbers are very compelling,” Rogg said. “We are seeing a payback in the 2.5-year time frame. The guests report the quality of the light is better. We are improving lighting in exterior areas as well.” The LEDs that have been installed have a 50,000 hour life which, of course, has an impact on labor. There are 600 ceiling lights in the average Value Place property.
Having found from guest reviews and ratings that worn-out carpet dates a property more than just about anything else, Value Place is transitioning to wood-plank vinyl flooring because of its efficiency, durability and maintenance ease. Forty properties have made the switch and all new-builds are getting it. The flooring has an acoustical underlayment. Individual planks can be replaced. Vacuums and shampoo machines are no longer needed; you won’t find them at a Value Place with wood-plank vinyl flooring.
“You can only clean a carpet so much,” Rogg said. “I have operations folks who take black lights with them. With carpet you are more likely to have challenges or other unsavory situations. And, because we have kitchens, wood-plank vinyl flooring makes a lot of sense. It saves staff time. Guests say it feels cleaner. They like that feel of the room being cleaner.”
In my article on Value Place to be posted later this week I will detail some of the other steps the company is taking to make its properties more efficient.
Green Lodging News Adds Carnegie Fabrics as Directory Partner
Green Lodging News welcomes Carnegie Fabrics as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. Carnegie is a leading manufacturer and innovator of textiles in North America. Since 1950, the family-owned company has established a tradition of firsts, including the development of its own Xorel fabrics, which provide a durable alternative to PVC materials, and Biobased Xorel, the first plant based high performance textile in the world. In addition, Carnegie has built a reputation for its ongoing and comprehensive commitment to the environment through all parts of its business cycle. For more information, call (800) 727-6770, e-mail mail@carnegiefabrics.com, or go to www.carnegiefabrics.com for more information.
Mention Green Lodging News, Get Conference Discounts
If you have not yet registered for the Lodging Green & Sustainability Conference & Expo to be held October 28 to 30 at Aria Las Vegas, be sure to do so by contacting Bill Corsini, publisher, Lodging Media at (215) 321-9662, ext. 41, or by e-mail at bcorsini@lodgingmagazine.com. Mention Green Lodging News and receive $100 off of the $495 registration rate. Lodging Magazine is also offering a $195 student rate for their event.
If you have not yet registered for the International Hotel, Motel + Restaurant Show, click here and use promo code GLN2014 for complimentary admission.
Who is Your Sustainability Champion?
Green Lodging News is always looking to profile sustainability champions in our Personnel Profile section. If you would like to nominate someone for this section of Green Lodging News, contact me at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
Looking for Guest Columnists
Every two weeks Green Lodging News posts a new guest column on its website. (Click here for examples.) The guest column also appears in the weekly e-newsletter. Green Lodging News is currently in need of industry experts to contribute occasional guest columns. Experts may include consultants, architects, designers, suppliers and those who own or operate green lodging establishments. Columns may be articles that take a stance on a particular subject or be strictly educational in nature. Columnists benefit by having their photo included along with a one paragraph description of their company. Interested in writing a column? Contact Glenn Hasek, publisher and editor, at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
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