DALLAS—Motel 6, the largest corporately owned and operated hotel chain in North America, has completed the rollout of the first national fluorescent light bulb and battery recycling program within the hospitality industry. Motel 6, with more than 900 properties across the country, is the first U.S. hotel chain to implement this type of recycling program at its corporate properties nationwide without a federal mandate. The program, which launched in June 2007, is a continuation of Accor’s Earth Guest initiatives that demonstrate Accor North America’s dedication to preserving the environment. “We have already embraced the national phasing out of incandescent light...

KOHALA COAST, HAWAII—Mauna Lani Resort has been named one of the “World’s Top Earth-Friendly Getaways” by Conde Nast Traveler magazine in its January 2008 issue. The award winning Big Island green resort was recognized as one of the world’s top luxury, eco-friendly beach destinations, and is the only beach resort in the United States named in the collection. “Since opening 25 years ago, Mauna Lani Resort has been at the forefront of environmental stewardship in the resort industry,” said Mark Glickman, director of resort marketing. “As we continue to add new amenities and programs, we always do so with an...

ARCOLA, ILL.—Agri-Fab Holding Company (AFHC) and Bob McElwee announced that they are developing about 100 acres into a green village near Arcola, Ill. This resort, called Green Mill Village (GMV), is set to open in the fall of 2009 and will include a lodge/conference center, spa, restaurants, retail center and education center—all operated on wind power and solar power. “It will be an unprecedented midwestern sustainable project, from both an environmental and an economic standpoint,” McElwee says. The resort lodge, to be called the Green Mill Hotel, will have 200 rooms and guestrooms will feature furniture made locally. McElwee says there...

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...

NIANTIC, CONN.—HEI Hotels & Resorts, a rapidly growing hotel ownership and operating company, has invested more than $4 million in an aggressive energy conservation program designed to improve profitability across its 29 hotels. Of that investment, $1.2 million has been spent replacing existing HVAC control systems with the e4 Smart Digital Thermostat from INNCOM international Inc. Approximately 3,600 of HEI’s 7,900 guestrooms were equipped with INNCOM’s e4 energy-management system last year. As a result, the company expects to add $400,000 to the bottom line this year, with a return on the total INNCOM investment achieved in less than three years....

NATIONAL REPORT—Somewhere between 60 percent to 70 percent of U.S. hotels now use compact fluorescents (CFLs), one lodging industry expert estimates. There is no doubt that number is going to grow. On December 18, President Bush signed the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. Within that bill, there is a call for the phaseout, beginning in 2012, of the incandescent bulb. It is only a matter of time before CFLs totally replace the technology invented by Thomas Edison. Given the inevitability of CFLs, where do they stand today in regard to pricing? Quality? Technology? What can hoteliers expect in...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Green Lodging News has added its sixth case study to its new Vendor Case Studies section. The case study focuses on the Holiday Inn Hotel North Vancouver and how it has benefited from Energex Inc.’s sensor-based guestroom energy management system. The hotel installed Energex’s solution in 162 guestrooms. So far, it has saved the hotel approximately $16,000 a year in energy costs. The Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites North Vancouver joins nearly 100 other properties in 11 countries that have adopted Energex’s energy management technology. Energex has been providing property and hotel managers with energy saving solutions since 1992....

ROANOKE, VA.—Give Kids The World Village is a 70-acre, nonprofit resort in central Florida that provides accommodations at its whimsical Village. It donates attractions tickets, meals and more for a week-long, cost-free Wish vacation to children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. Give Kids The World has partnered with Lodging Technology on the installation of the GEM System Energy Management Sensors in each of the villas. The sensors will provide a significant reduction in energy use and cost to Give Kids The World. “We are excited to work with Lodging Technology,” says Michael Bausman, facilities director, Give Kids The World....

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...

MT. PLEASANT, MICH.—Enhancements to Delfield’s 6000XL reach-in refrigeration make it an even better value for the foodservice operator. Units are now standard with the new Energy Efficient/Performance Capable refrigeration systems that lower operating costs while delivering safe, fresh food even in the most demanding conditions. Doors have been beefed up with new, reliable edge mount hinges, a heavy-duty locking system and easy-to-use, quick-grip long-length vertical handles. These new features have been coupled with existing ones like the tough, seamless, one-piece ABS interiors that provide easy cleaning and easy shelf adjustment. All 6000XL units deliver low energy consumption with many meeting...