BETHESDA, MD.—SpringHill Suites by Marriott announced a new marketing partnership with Society6 to bring custom curated Gallery Walls for guests to enjoy at over 450 hotels across North America. Merging the affinity for art and travel, The Gallery Wall in each hotel features artwork from one of ten geographic regions. Each Gallery Wall is an expression of that region’s distinct spirit and style. The announcement with SpringHill Suites marks the first large-scale marketing partnership between Society6 and a hotel brand to empower local, independent artists. The Gallery Wall will be on display in every SpringHill Suites lobby, with each art...

ST. JOHN, USVI—On Monday of this week, March 30, the U.S. Virgin Islands’ historic “Toxic 3 Os” Sunscreen Ban officially went into effect, making the territory the first in the United States to implement a ban of sunscreen chemicals that are known to destroy coral and cause health risks for people. Similar laws in Hawaii and Key West, Fla. are set to commence in January 2021. The USVI ban bars octinoxate in addition to the chemicals included in Hawaii and Key West legislation (oxybenzone and octocrylene), which ensures safer mineral sunscreens that contain zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are...

NATIONAL REPORT—Whether in fixed areas such as air handling systems or in portable devices such as air purifiers or germ-killing robots, ultraviolet (UV) radiation is being used to help combat the threat of coronavirus (COVID-19). UV radiation is present in sunlight and constitutes about 10 percent of the total electromagnetic radiation output from the sun. In manmade lamps, more highly concentrated UV rays can be highly effective at killing germs, bacteria and viruses. UltraViolet Device, Inc. (UVDI), in a press release issued this month, says coronavirus is highly susceptible to germicidal UV irradiation. The susceptibility of coronavirus to UV rays...

BHUTAN—Less than six months after the opening of the “Traditional Birdwatching Bridge” in Gangtey, Six Senses Bhutan has opened its fifth and final lodge, Six Senses Bumthang. This opening marks the completion of a circuit that will take guests on a journey across the western and central valleys of the Kingdom. As the gateway to the east and the site of some of the country’s earliest settlements, Bumthang is considered as Bhutan’s spiritual heartland and is home to some of its most ancient monasteries and sacred monuments. This region is known for its four valleys, covered in pristine forests and meandering rivers,...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—In an effort to support communities across the country during this unprecedented public health crisis, the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA) announced a new initiative—Hotels for Hope—to connect hotel properties with the health community, struggling to find housing and support as the COVID-19 public health crisis grows. The newly launched initiative, just announced in partnership with AHLA partner state associations across the country, has identified over 6,500 properties nationwide located in close proximity to established healthcare facilities that are at the ready to assist government efforts and work with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS),...

ENCINITAS, CALIF.—The Inn at Moonlight Beach announced that it has been awarded WELL Certification at the Platinum level by the International WELL Building Institute’s (IWBI) collaboration with Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI). Going a step further than LEED certification, the prestigious distinction was awarded through IWBI’s WELL Building Standard (WELL), which is the premier building standard to focus on enhancing people’s health and wellness through the buildings where we live, work and play. The Inn, an intimate 4,000 square foot boutique hotel on a third of an acre lot, is nestled in a residential neighborhood in historical downtown Encinitas, a short...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—A new report from the Urban Land Institute (ULI) suggests that sustainable building practices, including those involving energy and water conservation as well as waste reduction, are increasingly being incorporated throughout the hotel sector to add value and provide a competitive edge to properties. Sustainability in Hotels: Opportunities and Trends Shaping the Future of Hospitality assesses the state of sustainability in the hotel sector by identifying best practices, highlighting industry trends in sustainability, and offering solutions to sustainability-related obstacles. The report, published by ULI’s Greenprint Center for Building Performance, contains case studies and is informed by insights from 25...