KO OLINA, OAHU, HAWAII—The JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa at Ko Olina is the first property in Hawaii and one of the first in the nation to adopt the PURE system which creates an allergy-friendly environment. All of the hotel’s 13 guestrooms and Presidential Suite on its 17th (top) floor have been converted to the system, and indoor meeting facilities and the Ihilani Spa will be converted by the end of the year. The allergy-friendly environment can help ease respiratory problems, asthma and allergies that affect more than 70 million Americans. “By providing PURE allergy-friendly hotel rooms and conference...

THAME, OXON, U.K.—The United Kingdom’s fastest growing budget hotel chain, Travelodge, became the first major hotel mover in the smoking ban debate by declaring that they will be completely smoke free by January 2008. The budget chain will make all public areas in their hotels smoke free by the beginning of July 2007 but go a step further by eradicating smoking from all rooms completely by the turn of the year. Travelodge, serving over 6.5 million each year and operating 318 U.K. hotels, made the move following overwhelming feedback on the subject from both customers and staff. Research by...

CLEARWATER BEACH, FLA.—The Sandpearl Resort, slated to open in August, has been designed to meet Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED) certification requirements. JMC Communities, the resort’s developer and owner, is resolute in following the specific LEED requirements, which include elements that preserve the beauty of Clearwater Beach so that it can be shared with generations to come. A prime example is the resort’s salt bromine pool filtration system, which, while costing twice as much as a standard system to install, was a required element of the owner. The Sandpearl resort is passionate about not putting chlorine waste into...

ANNAPOLIS, MD.—In an era of smoke-free spaces, green energy, eco-friendly products and environmental health, Thayer Lodging Group, a privately held real estate investment company with a portfolio of 14 hotels and over 2,800 guest rooms, recently announced it will offer allergy-friendly guest accommodations at 10 of its hotels and 99.9 percent allergenic-free meeting facilities at four of its Executive Meeting Centers (EMC) and Conference Centers. “Thayer Lodging Group has emerged as an industry leader in offering travelers healthy alternatives to meeting and sleeping accommodations,” says Haley Payne, director of wellness for Thayer Lodging. “By offering PURE allergy-friendly hotel...

Motel 6’s announcement last week that it will roll out a fluorescent light bulb and battery recycling program throughout its almost 900 properties was an important step that other companies should emulate. Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), which offer so many benefits, also include mercury, a hazardous substance. Not disposed of properly, liquid mercury quickly turns into a vapor that can be inhaled. Long-term exposure to it can damage the nervous system, the kidneys, lungs and other organs. Batteries are used throughout a hotel in items such as door locks, TV remotes and myriad other places. They consist of...

SAINT CHARLES, MO.—It’s now easier than ever for travelers to click and book smoke-free hotel reservations, simply by visiting the completely redesigned FreshStay online directory and integrated booking process for more than 3,500 nonsmoking lodging facilities. With an increasing number of hotels discovering the many benefits that come with fresher guestrooms and nonsmoking environments, the new FreshStay lists hundreds of additional smoke-free lodging facilities. The FreshStay site also has greatly improved search capabilities, making it simple for site surfers to find the rooms they want, where and when they want them. Even more valuable, FreshStay now features...

OAKVILLE, ONT.—Howard Johnson Canada announced that it will become the first mid-market hotel brand within Canada to provide a 100 percent smoke-free guest experience. Each of their 3,500 guestrooms across Canada will become 100 percent smoke free by September 1, 2007. This change comes with the support of Howard Johnson’s franchisees. “This move is in reaction to the input and opinions of our franchise family and hotel guests,” says Glen Blake, president of Howard Johnson Canada Franchise Systems Limited. “Based on our research, we know this move will result in a cleaner, healthier and more family friendly...

DALTON, GA.—Healthier Choice, a manufacturer of premium carpet cushion and acoustical underlayment, has introduced a new line of low-VOC commercial carpet cushions. The line, called Foundation Contract Carpet Cushion, has emissions nearly 50 times lower than the CRI Green Label limit. Specifiers may be able to use Foundation to obtain credit with several environmental rating systems or programs, including LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification, based on the outstanding IAQ characteristics of the cushion. The official product launch is slated for May 10-12 at HD Expo 2007 in Las Vegas. Foundation represents a new focus...

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLA.—Walt Disney World Resort senior vice president for operations Erin Wallace announced that all Disney owned and operated hotels at the Walt Disney World Resort will become smoke free by June 1, 2007. The policy also applies to all Disney Vacation Club Resorts. With more than 20 Disney owned and operated resorts, this represents the largest single site resort complex to institute this type of smoking policy change. “We make adjustments to our operations based on guest demand,” Wallace says. “This policy complements our efforts to provide our guests with the healthy living options they...

SILVER SPRING, MD.—Choice Hotels International announced that its first Cambria Suites hotel has opened in Boise, Idaho. Like all future Cambria Suites properties, it will be 100 percent nonsmoking. Cambria Suites hotels are designed for guests who want to take their lifestyle with them when traveling, and hotels feature a stylish design that is more intimate than traditional hotel décor, with guest suites that are 25 percent larger than standard hotel rooms. The 119-suite Cambria Suites Boise Airport hotel is owned and operated by The Summit Group Inc., a hotel developer focused on developing, managing, and owning mid-market...