CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – Millennial travelers have spoken: they want more plants, please. In a recent survey by Orbitz, 63 percent of millennial vacationers said the hotel amenity they’d most like to see is more plants in their hotel rooms and the same amount said they are seeking out plant-filled spaces and activities such as botanical gardens and parks on vacation. That’s why Orbitz, in collaboration with Garfield Park Conservatory (GPC) and The Kimpton Gray in Chicago’s Loop neighborhood, are teaming up to create the first plant pop-up hotel, bookable exclusively on Orbitz.com during National Indoor Plant Week September 16 to...

ATLANTA—ASHRAE, a nonprofit technical society headquartered in Atlanta, has developed resources to help reduce the risk of Legionella, including Standard 188, which provides a comprehensive approach to help prevent the growth and spread of Legionella within building water systems. “With the recent outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in Atlanta, we would like to increase awareness of the resources available to help minimize health risks associated with building water systems,” said Darryl K. Boyce, P. Eng, 2019-20 ASHRAE President. The CDC estimates approximately 6,100 cases of Legionnaires’ disease in the United States each year. Most of those cases result from exposure to Legionella...

The next time you think about using scented cleaning products, personal care products or adding scents to areas of your hotel, think about your guests and your associates. According to a June 2019 study by Anne Steinemann entitled, “International Prevalence of fragrance sensitivity,” 32 percent of adults reported fragrance sensitivity. To get to the 32 percent, surveys were conducted in four countries—United States, Australia, United Kingdom, and Sweden. Commonly reported health problems include respiratory difficulties (16.7 percent), mucosal symptoms (13.2 percent), migraine headaches (12.6 percent), skin rashes (9.1 percent), and asthma attacks (7.0 percent). For 9.5 percent of the...

NATIONAL REPORT—Legionella can make people ill and has been linked to dozens of deaths. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Legionella bacteria, normally found in fresh water such as lakes and streams, can infiltrate water systems and colonize in showerheads, sinks, water heaters, cooling towers and even fountains if they are not treated properly. Twelve guests recently contracted Legionnaires’ disease, a form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, at a Sheraton hotel in Atlanta. One of the guests subsequently died, and another 61 “probable cases” were identified by the Georgia Department of Health. After three days...

ATLANTA—Pure Wellness, a pioneer and leader in hotel guestroom wellness solutions, announces the expansion of their portfolio with the installation of 15 Pure Rooms at three properties in Atlanta, one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation. Now, wellness-minded travelers visiting the Fairfield Inn and Suites Atlanta Kennesaw, or Marriott International’s Springhill Suites Atlanta Kennesaw and Springhill Suites Atlanta Buford/Mall of Georgia can experience Pure Rooms. “Both the Fairfield and Marriott International brands are known and designed to deliver an inviting and effortless experience for guests,” said Haley Payne, Chief Wellness Experience Officer for Pure Wellness. “The wellness trend is...

ENCINITAS, CALIF.—The Inn at Moonlight Beach announced that it has been awarded WELL Certification at the Platinum level by the International WELL Building Institute’s (IWBI) collaboration with Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI). Going a step further than LEED certification, the prestigious distinction was awarded through IWBI’s WELL Building Standard (WELL), which is the premier building standard to focus on enhancing people’s health and wellness through the buildings where we live, work and play. The Inn, an intimate 4,000 square foot boutique hotel on a third of an acre lot, is nestled in a residential neighborhood in historical downtown Encinitas, a short...

SEATTLE—Hyatt Regency Seattle, a 45-story premier meeting and event hotel located in the heart of downtown Seattle, has officially received a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold rating from the U.S. Green Building Council, becoming the first and only LEED Gold–certified hotel in the Seattle area. It earned LEED as part of the New Construction rating system. “Hyatt Regency Seattle is thrilled to receive this well-deserved recognition, as we are committed to enriching the communities we call home and protecting the planet for future generations,” said General Manager Tom Wolf. “As the largest meeting and event hotel in...

Did you know that you breathe over 11,000 liters of air a day? If you’re reading this, you will probably spend around 2,000 hours per year breathing the air in the office for which you are about to sign that lease.  This year alone, you will bring into your lungs over 900,000 liters of whatever is in the air of that cool new office space. Would you drink 900,000 liters of water if I said, “I actually have no idea what’s in it or how long it has been sitting in this room…but it’s fairly clear and doesn’t really...

LOS ANGELES, CA.—The Élan Hotel—a recently renovated boutique property located in the heart of West Hollywood—has partnered with AllerWell Travel—a division of the Wellness Hospitality Association International—to implement eight allergy-friendly guestrooms within the hotel. The only AllerWell Certified hotel, the Élan is the first property in the nation to offer AllerWell accommodations. AllerWell rooms eliminate more than 95 percent of the room allergens that trigger most allergy symptoms, and as more travelers look toward allergy-friendly accommodations, AllerWell and the Élan Hotel aim to make allergy-friendly rooms as common as smoke-free rooms. The three central components installed in all AllerWell rooms include: Hypoallergenic Bedding—Hypoallergenic...

ATLANTA—Full-service digital public relations and marketing firm, Trevelino/Keller, has been engaged by Pure Wellness to help secure the company’s position as a leader in hotel guestroom wellness solutions. Trevelino/Keller is spearheading digital marketing, creative, and public relations that align with Pure Wellness’ focus of enabling hotel partners to better serve the growing wellness-minded business and lifestyle traveler market. The stress and wear of frequent travel are tied to detrimental health outcomes—from long-term conditions such as obesity and cardiovascular disease to more immediate physical, behavioral and mental health issues. Pure Wellness, via its Pure Room service offering, offers a guestroom experience that promotes...