AMERICAN CANYON, CALIF.—The Gaia Napa Valley, a hotel incorporating environmentally friendly building design and technology, has opened here. The 133-room hotel, set on four acres, was designed to appeal to ecotourists. The hotel is pursuing gold LEED certification.
The hotel will use solar power, water-saving techniques and certified wood, harvested with the long-term health of forests in mind. A mural by world-renowned artist Yuan Lee reflects on the spirit, beauty and resources of nature in the Napa Valley and surrounding areas.
The hotel’s half-acre lagoon has its own ecosystem and is surrounded by a lush garden with perma culture landscaping in American Canyon, the gateway to the Napa Valley wine country, one of the most highly desirable destinations in California. Additional green initiatives include:
• Chemical-free landscaping;
• Energy-efficient heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system;
• Guest van that uses alternative fuel;
• Air quality maximized through low emission paints and adhesives; and many other features endorsed by the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED program.
Owner developer is Wen-I Chang of South San Francisco. Estimated value of the project is $20 million. Architects are Todd Jersey and Mickey Muenning. Covenant Construction in Clovis, Calif. was the builder. The name Gaia refers to Mother Earth in Greek mythology. The hotel is independently owned, not a franchise, and is managed by Sausalito, Calif.-based Marin Management Inc.
Go to Gaia Napa Valley.
