TOBERMORY, ONTARIO—With its six suites, the E’Terra Inn here serves as one of the best examples of sustainable building in Canada and the United States. Ninety-five percent of products and materials used throughout the inn were made in North America, and the property is one of the first in the world to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold status. It was awarded that designation in 2005 by the Canada Green Building Council. E’Terra sits within the Niagara Escarpment World Biosphere Reserve, at the tip of the Bruce Peninsula separating Georgian Bay and Lake Huron. The luxury property...

AUSTIN, TEXAS—Vamoose, which has been independently tested and verified as the only commercially available odor eliminator with long-term odor removal for cigarettes, pipes and cigars by organically converting the sources of the odors, is now available in service kits for commercial service companies. Service companies, franchise service groups, hotels, motels and restaurants can now easily purchase complete treatment kits and add additional service offerings for room treatment of tobacco odors. Vamoose, when used properly, completely eliminates all second-hand tobacco odors with the patented Novexium technology which molecularly combines with the tar and nicotine molecules deposited by smoking. It converts...

LAGRANGE, GA.—Milliken Hospitality’s latest carpet introduction, Orsay, takes its design cues from the work of the great impressionist masters—Renoir, Monet and Cassatt. With original interpretation from decorative artist Tracy Lee Stum, Orsay draws from an encyclopedia of decorative painting techniques and calligraphy. Using Milliken’s étage technology, the collection allows designers to define their own style and create a fully custom look quickly and easily. By simply selecting and combing pattern layers, the designer has complete control to create their own masterpiece. Orsay is available in both broadloom and 36-inch tile formats. The collection includes small, medium and large scale...

NEW YORK CITY—The importance of HVAC&R as it applies to a range of building types is highlighted in the winning entries for the ASHRAE Technology Awards. Designers of systems for a hospital, a poultry slaughter house, a community center, a school and a hotel were recognized for incorporating elements of innovative building design in the areas of occupant comfort, indoor air quality (IAQ) and energy conservation. Winners have applied ASHRAE standards for effective energy management and IAQ. The awards were presented at ASHRAE’s 2008 Winter Meeting held earlier this month in New York City. “While each project was unique in...

SINGAPORE—Royal Plaza (RP) on Scotts, Singapore’s first completely smoke-free business hotel, continues to get positive results from its move to promote the health of its employees through its nonsmoking program first implemented in early 2007. When the hotel decided to go nonsmoking, 96 percent of its employees had successfully quit smoking or had cut down significantly. Employees were continuously encouraged to make a conscientious effort to either reduce the number of cigarettes smoked or kick the habit completely. To further promote the health of the hotel’s staff, RP on Scotts has implemented initiatives with Singapore Wellness Medical Clinic and Changi...

PLANO, TEXAS—At the close of 2007, the 176-room NYLO Plano at Legacy became the first loft lifestyle hotel to open in the United States, according to executives at NYLO Hotels. The pioneering hotel, NYLO’s inaugural property, is in North Dallas. As a brand, NYLO features unique gathering spots, whimsical décor and myriad amenities for tech-savvy travelers. Stepping into the NYLO Plano lobby, for instance, guests see pod chairs hanging from high ceilings and signs for free WiFi. Chandeliers are made of glass shaped like antlers. With singular style and amenities, Atlanta-based NYLO is giving the mid-priced hotel category a...

SAINT CHARLES, MO.—One hotel is located in the heart of Manhattan. Another caters to steel workers in northwest Indiana. One in Toronto gets guests from all over the world. Despite the different cultures and geography, all three hotels have one big thing in common: They are all completely smoke free. As members of FreshStay, the online hotel directory with integrated booking, all three hotels have pledged a 100 percent smokeless experience to their guests. Guestrooms, hotel lobbies, and meeting rooms are clean and free of the lingering odor and health risks of smoke, making it easier for guests to...

PALO ALTO, CALIF.—Energy recovery ventilation (ERV) systems are becoming increasingly important in North America in light of the current drive to conserve energy, make buildings “green,” and enhance indoor air quality (IAQ). New analysis from Frost & Sullivan, “North American Energy Recovery Ventilation Market,” found that this market earned revenues of $324.6 million in 2006 and it is expected to reach $778.7 million in 2012. “ERV is a growing segment within the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) market, particularly in northern tier winter heating zones and areas with warmer and high humidity climatic conditions,” says Frost & Sullivan research...

DALTON, GA.—The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) recently announced the first commercial vacuums to earn certification under its new Seal of Approval/Green Label testing program. An independent testing laboratory certified that the vacuums meet high industry standards for soil removal, indoor air quality and carpet fiber protection. This announcement coincided with the 2007 ISSA/Interclean trade show in Orlando, Fla., where CRI showcased the newest addition to its Seal of Approval program for carpet cleaning solutions and equipment. Nearly 300 products carry the CRI Seal of Approval. The Proteam Sierra CM and the TTI Rubbermaid prototype earned the highest gold...

MINNEAPOLIS—Tennant Co. recently introduced ech2o (pronounced “echo”), a new cleaning technology that electrically activates plain tap water, making it behave like a powerful detergent without any added chemicals. The new ech2o offers significant customer advantages including lower costs, ease of use, improved operator safety, plus an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional cleaning methods. Its cleaning effectiveness is proven to be the same or better than general purpose cleaners, without the negative environmental impact and health issues associated with producing, packaging, transporting, using and disposing of traditional cleaning chemicals. The new ech2o begins as water and ends as water. “Our new...