SAN FRANCISCO—Argonaut Hotel, an award-winning boutique hotel on San Francisco’s waterfront, announced it has been named an SF Green Business by the San Francisco Department of the Environment, as a result of its year-long efforts to implement comprehensive eco-friendly initiatives at the hotel and its popular Blue Mermaid Restaurant & Bar. Located in the historic Haslett Warehouse in the heart of the San Francisco Maritime National Park, the Argonaut is one of the most iconic San Francisco hotels leading the charge on sustainable hospitality, to preserve and protect the building and its environment.
Originally built as a 200,000 square foot warehouse for Del Monte foods, the building is owned by the National Park Service and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Its conversion to a hotel with a National Maritime Visitor Center at Ground Level in 2003 is at the core of its sustainable credentials, which has been expanded on by Noble House Hotels & Resorts, the hotel’s management company, with the implementation of extensive eco-friendly practices throughout the property.
Partnering with Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the San Francisco Department of the Environment, the Argonaut Hotel recently completed a 100 percent retrofit to LED lighting and installed a new Stem battery to analyze and predict energy usage, shifting to stored energy when demand is highest. Additionally, the hotel uses an innovative PathoSans system to electro-chemically activate water and produce a non-toxic, environmentally friendly solution to clean guestrooms, walls, carpets and back-of-house.
Small Amenity Bottles Eliminated
Committed to reducing waste, the hotel converted from single-use bathroom amenities in small plastic bottles to refillable shower pumps for body soap, shampoo and conditioner. It also employs a committed recycling champion dedicated to ensuring that all garbage is recycled properly, resulting in the hotel’s waste diversion rate of 74 percent. The hotel’s water-saving systems, low-flow water valves and toilets have reduced annual water use by 15 percent.
“As one of San Francisco’s historic hotels, we understand how essential sustainability is for our city and are thrilled to be recognized for our hotel and restaurant’s eco-friendly practices,” said Stefan Muhle, Area Managing Director of the Argonaut Hotel. “Sustainability is a priority for travelers today, and we plan to continue expanding our green efforts to preserve not only our iconic property but the environment around us.”
Known for its exceptional, sustainably farmed seafood and charming wharf-side ambiance, the Blue Mermaid Restaurant & Bar is also focused on reducing its impact on the environment. The restaurant’s signature dishes—including its award-winning chowder, steamed mussels and classic Cioppino—are all prepared in an Earth-friendly fashion according to the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s sustainable fisheries guidelines, and grease is recycled from the kitchen to create biofuel and compost.
Designed to benefit the community, the unique partnership with the National Park Visitor Centre has also created opportunities for guests and locals to learn more about the vibrant history of the waterfront area, with a Historic Waterfront Walking Tour offered on Saturday and Sunday mornings.
For more information and to book reservations at the Argonaut Hotel, guests can visit www.argonauthotel.com or call (800) 790 1415.
