Respiratory illness, allergies and asthma. Most hotel operators would consider these ailments to be unwanted guests. But hoteliers who do not pay close attention to their HVAC air filtration system may be placing these disorders on their room service menus. More than one-quarter of respiratory illnesses in the United States can be traced to poor indoor air quality (IAQ). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that indoor air is often two to five times more polluted than outdoor air—a statistic that becomes more shocking when you consider that Americans spend about 90 percent of their time indoors. Unfortunately, poor IAQ...

ST. PAUL, MINN.—Ecolab Inc. recently introduced Simply Fragrance, an air freshener that delivers a precise dose of pure designer fragrance and odor neutralizer via a unique hydrogen fuel cell device. Its advanced design provides a consistent level of scent for 60 days without the use of batteries. “The convenience and long lasting air freshening power offered by Simply Fragrance helps hotel operators improve their guest experience by creating a pleasant environment with scent,” says Michael Johannsen, vice president and general manager of hospitality, healthcare and commercial facilities at Ecolab. “Simply Fragrance lasts longer to keep rooms smelling as...

VANCOUVER, WASH.—The Hilton Vancouver Washington—one of the country’s first green, environmentally sustainable hotels—has been certified under the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED rating system, the nationally accepted benchmark for green buildings. This coveted certification recognizes buildings’ superior performance in areas such as water savings, low-impact landscaping, reduced energy use and indoor air quality. The Hilton Vancouver Washington is the first LEED-certified Hilton in the world and one of only a handful of LEED-certified hotels in the United States. “We are obviously very proud to have a hotel in America’s Vancouver receive this prestigious certification,” says Mayor Royce Pollard. “It is...

NASHVILLE—In an ongoing effort to respond directly to client feedback as well as provide healthy environments for their guests and STARS (employees), Gaylord Hotels will become completely smoke free as of February 12, 2007. This includes the brand’s existing properties—Gaylord Opryland in Nashville, Gaylord Palms in Kissimmee, Fla., and Gaylord Texan on Lake Grapevine near Dallas—as well as Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in Prince George’s County, Maryland, which is slated to open in 2008. The announcement was made by John Caparella, executive vice president and COO of Gaylord Hotels. “We pride ourselves on offering extraordinary environments...

CALIFORNIA—Guests of the Fairmont San Jose, Fairmont San Francisco, Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa, Fairmont Miramar Santa Monica and the Fairmont Newport Beach can breathe easier thanks to the region’s comprehensive “Clean Air” initiative. Hybrid-driving overnight hotel guests now get free parking at all California Fairmont properties. “As one of many green programs our brand has embraced, we are pleased to offer our like-minded ‘green guests’ complimentary hybrid vehicle parking at all the California Fairmont hotels and resorts,” says Francisco Gomez, regional vice president of operations and general manager of the Fairmont San Francisco. “As leading environmental...

SAINT CHARLES, MO.—With thousands of hotels trying to make the conversion to and maintain a completely smoke-free environment, Pineapple Hospitality’s Nature’s Mist Deodorization System is experiencing a record number of users in its 10th year serving hotels, resorts, bed-and-breakfasts and lodges worldwide. “We used to use an ozone machine, but it took too long and only masked room odors,” says Rande Repke, executive assistant for Sybaris Clubs International, which operates about 130 cottages across five locations in Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin. Within 30 minutes to two hours the smells would return.” “We need to turn around our...

SAN DIEGO—Earth Care Products of San Diego introduces its line of natural non-toxic odor removal products specially designed to tackle the most difficult pet smell challenges left by four-legged guests. Fourteen years ago, creator Bill Vaughn created a special formula of natural and non-toxic minerals that are environmentally friendly and safe to help eliminate pet odors and help with pet odor control. His products are now available in a variety of options based on different applications. Earth Care Products can be used to eliminate odors by simply placing a bag near the odor, or by sprinkling granules...

SAINT CHARLES, MO.—FreshStay, an online directory/network of hundreds of nonsmoking lodging properties, continues to attract an ever-growing base of owner/operators and loyal travelers from around the globe. “We were the first resort to go nonsmoking on the Cayman Islands,” says Tom McCallum, director of The Reef Resort, located on the eastern end of Grand Cayman Island, Cayman Islands. “Before we made the move on August 1, 2003, our 110 guestrooms were not designated as smoking or nonsmoking. While that kept our room inventory simple, it led to problems, particularly with our nonsmoking guests.” Nearly three and a...

RIVERWOODS, ILL.—Initial Tropical Plants, a leading provider of interior landscaping, design installation and maintenance services to businesses in North America, introduces Microfresh, a new ambient scent offering that provides odor remediation. “For many years, Initial Tropical Plants has been the leader in enhancing the workplace environment with lush and vibrant interior plants,” says Bob Thomas, president, Initial Tropical Plants, Riverwoods, Ill. “It makes sense that we would take the next step and offer Microfresh, a compact system that represents a major breakthrough in indoor air quality. Microfresh performs far better than conventional systems because its nano-particles float with...

Nothing keeps guests coming back like a fresh, clean, healthy indoor environment. The average hotelier most likely assumes that if the temperature is not too hot or too cold and if the humidity is not overly dry or clammy that they are supplying a sufficient indoor environment for their guests. That mistake could cost you repeat guests or find you on the receiving end of a subpoena. Microscopic bioaerosols such as fungals, bacteria, virals and even chemicals are present everywhere. Temperature, humidity and air movement are tactile. We feel them physically. Microscopic bioaerosols affect us in different ways. We cannot...