ROANOKE, VA.—The Rodeway Inn located in Castaic, Calif., just five minutes from Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, Calif., has installed GEM System guestroom energy management in all 120 guestrooms, utilizing their existing Amana, Friedrich and GE PTAC units. GEM System is an innovative, infrared sensor-based guestroom energy management system that reduces guestroom energy costs by 35 percent to 45 percent. GEM System resets the room temperature to an energy conserving level, pre-selected by the hotel, only while the guest is out of the room. GEM System can connect to any brand and model of PTAC and will increase its...

NAPLES, FLA.—In order to further its green lodging endeavors, the Hilton Naples has begun the implementation of a Confederate Jasmine vine garden on the section of the hotel’s roof over the ballroom area. Confederate Jasmine is indigenous to the Naples area and is generally described as a perennial vine with dark green foliage and orange flowers. The hotel has covered the roof of the hotel’s ballroom area in order to eliminate direct exposure to the sun, thereby decreasing the amount of energy necessary to cool the ballroom area. The vine garden will also present an enhanced view from...

GARDEN CITY, N.Y.—To reflect the firm’s extensive efforts to support green energy saving strategies, social progress and community involvement, WAC Lighting has changed its logo and tagline to “Responsible Lighting.” WAC Lighting is a leading manufacturer of track, recessed, under cabinet, decorative and monorail lighting. “We are working hard to make a difference in the world by contributing to social progress with responsible manufacturing practices and energy saving technology,” says Shelley Wang, vice president and general manager. “Our responsibility extends beyond protecting the planet for future generations. We need to help fulfill the needs of society today by providing greater...

MADRID, SPAIN—A new United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) project is leading to at least 20 percent overall energy savings and increasing renewable energy use by 10 percent in hotels. It targets particularly small and medium enterprises, which represent the vast majority of hotel rooms in the accommodation sector and which can benefit from best practice trends and technology advances. The project brings together partners from the hotel, environment and renewable energy communities and is supported by the European Union. More than half of the world’s 5.9 million hotel rooms are located in Europe. Ninety percent of those are...

DAVIE, FLA.—With both the environment and the economy weighing heavily on most hotel owner/operators today, the timing is ideal for the introduction of a new air-conditioning process that not only eliminates wasted energy usage but also results in better indoor air quality. This treatment process is being introduced by ChemTron, an industry leader in providing energy efficiency. One of the best ideas for quick cost savings is cleaning and maintaining air conditioners. Air-conditioning represents 50 to 70 percent of a hotel’s total utility bill. ChemTron has been working for 20 years to perfect a cleaning process that makes money for...

LUDLOW, VERMONT— Okemo Mountain Resort’s Jackson Gore Inn was recently designated as a Green Hotel in the Green Mountain State by the environmental business partnership between the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation and the Vermont Small Business Development Center. This designation is based on the Inn’s voluntary commitment to sound environmental excellence through the placement and achievement of high environmental standards. The Jackson Gore Inn is one of 64 Green Hotels in Vermont to earn the distinguished designation. “This is an evolving commitment and we believe that eco-friendly operation can be accomplished with no negative impacts on the quality of...

SHEFFIELD, MASS.—Cypress Hotel & Spa, a leading designer and manufacturer of luxury bathrobes, towels, slippers, and sheets for the hospitality and spa industry for more than 25 years, introduced its exclusive new MicroCotton Green EarthTM towels to the spa market during the 2008 ISPA Conference & Expo. The conference was held earlier this month in Las Vegas. The MicroCotton Green Earth towel is engineered to maximize absorbency, durability and eco-conservation. They are made from super-fine, Extra-Long Staple (ELS) cotton; a variety of cotton known for its sustainable consumption and also recognized worldwide for its superior softness. Green Earth towels are...

ASHLAND CITY, TENN.—In its October issue, Consulting-Specifying Engineer (CSE)—a monthly publication with a circulation of more than 46,000 mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineers—named A. O. Smith’s Cyclone Xi commercial water heater as a gold winner in its 2008 Product of the Year competition. “Competition was fierce this year; the judges had a hard time narrowing the finalists down to three for each category,” said Jim Langhenry, CSE publisher. “We take this as a sign that manufacturers are investing more in new-product R&D, which is a huge win for the building industry and the environment.” The innovative design of the Cyclone Xi...

NEW YORK—Business Technology Partners (BTP), a premiere New York City-based IT consulting and managed services firm, announced a strategic relationship with Control4, a leader in IP-based, ZigBee wireless control, automation, and entertainment systems. The relationship enables the companies to provide a complete end-to-end solution, including technology design and integration of entertainment and control systems for hotels and mixed-use commercial developments. The implementation of Control4 technology enhances the hotel guest experience by providing luxury, convenience, and enhanced services options. Through the use of a single remote, hotel guests will be able to operate the television and entertainment options, call room...

NIANTIC, CONN.—INNCOM International Inc., a leading developer, manufacturer and marketer of guestroom automation systems for the international lodging industry, has enhanced the functionality of its newest solution—a design-centric energy management solution made of recyclable glass that controls room temperature, lighting and more. The complete Glass Series Smart Digital Thermostat, Switch and Tabletop Controller set are on display in booth 3232 at the International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show in New York. “Since the initial launch of the INNCOM Glass Series in June, we have enhanced this ‘green’ solution to be even more interactive for guests and energy-efficient for hotels,” said INNCOM...