DALTON, GA.—Zeftron Nylon, a premium nylon 6 solution-dyed yarn system for commercial carpets, is introducing an educational eBook, “4 Reasons Carpet Matters Now.” The free resource provides insights on how designers and facility managers can utilize carpet to improve the health and safety of commercial environments. The easy-to-read document consists of articles, research, and practical tips. It shows how carpet can be designed to create socially distanced and wellness-focused spaces. Research contained in the eBook shows how carpet contributes to improved indoor air quality, and how carpet can best be properly maintained to achieve maximum performance and aesthetics. “With the onset...

MIAMI—The Copper Door B&B is an intimate 22-room bed and breakfast located in the historic Black community of Overtown in Miami. The charming bed and breakfast is the passion project of hospitality industry veterans Jamila Ross and Akino West who aim to resurrect southern hospitality while honoring the neighborhood’s powerful cultural past. The culinary-trained couple transformed the boarded up Demetree Hotel, operated by Jimmy Demetree, a controversial Robin Hood figure in Miami during the 1940s, into a unique, immersive and inclusive lodging experience for modern travelers featuring chef-driven amenities and local goods. By ushering in a new generation of civic-minded entrepreneurs,...

DUBAI, U.A.E.—Element Hotels, part of Marriott International, announced the opening of Element Al Jaddaf in one of Dubai’s emerging districts. Element Al Jaddaf presents an eco-friendly concept for guests seeking to maintain a balanced lifestyle while travelling. Inspired by nature and with a bright aesthetic, Element Al Jaddaf features streamlined furnishings in light natural tones with touches of greenery. The hotel’s relaxed and enriching atmosphere together with its ergonomic design, quiet nooks, sun filled spaces, and pet-friendly amenities evoke a feeling of comfort and home. “Element is a recognized industry leader in the longer-stay eco space and is designed to empower guests...

BOULDER, COLO.—KAN Tulum, a vacation development, and SkyRun Vacation Rentals Riviera Maya, a premium full-service property management company, have come together to provide a sustainable luxury vacation experience in Tulum, Mexico. KAN Tulum, composed of 42 treehouse-style units based on an organic design, utilizes renewable energy sources to create a luxury experience while living at one with nature in the Mayan jungle. KAN Tulum’s sustainable design includes: The latest generation of solar to power air conditioning. A water-processing system that cleans wastewater onsite. Outer walls encased in bamboo that host climbing plants to keep internal temperatures low, and mosquitos at...

In the early days of Green Lodging News there was quite a bit of discussion about the need for just one nationwide green lodging certification/rating program—perhaps even one that could be run by the American Hotel & Lodging Assn. Some of the thought was that there were just too many programs to choose from—confusing for the industry and confusing for travelers. Well, here we are many years later and quite a bit of shuffling has taken place among the various programs. There are still quite a few to choose from but one that has truly blossomed and grown is the...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—According to the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the most widely used green building rating system in the world. Available for virtually all building types, including hotels, LEED provides a framework for healthy, highly efficient, and cost-saving green buildings. LEED certification is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement and leadership. LEED is for all building types and all building phases including new construction, interior fit outs, operations and maintenance and core and shell. LEED Zero is for projects with net zero goals in carbon and/or resources. Projects pursuing LEED certification...

KALAMAZOO, MICH.—Landscape Forms announced the acquisition of Duluth, Minn.-based Loll Designs. “We’ve been working together for several years co-developing new solutions to enhance the enjoyment of outdoor spaces. Coming together in a more formal way feels like a natural evolution in an already very successful relationship,” says Landscape Forms CEO Marjorie Simmons. “Our tenets as a company are design, culture and craft, and in Loll Designs we’ve discovered a like-minded organization. We’re  aligned with each other, and share a mission. It’s very exciting to consider what this combined team can accomplish.” Loll Designs is an award-winning designer and manufacturer of spirited,...

Read our tips for eco-friendly decorating, from engineered wood flooring to getting creative with some old or tired furnishings. What Are Some Eco-Friendly Ways to Improve Your Hotel? Hotel expenses can be large and any penny that can be saved is something that can go a long way. Customers to hotels are also becoming more and more interested in what their environmental footprint is and are looking more to hotels that are committed in making a difference. What more can hotels do in this front? Here are some suggestions. Natural Products Firstly, we recommend investing in products which are natural as opposed to...

In this, my last column of 2020, I would like to thank Green Lodging News readers, advertisers, guest columnists, public relations representatives, and others for their support during this unprecedented year. This year, to be able to say your business survived, is an accomplishment. My heart goes out to all of you who lost your business or jobs in 2020. My wish for everyone in our industry is for a much healthier and safer 2021. No matter what my website article tracking data says, COVID-19 was of course the story of the year in 2020—how our industry was hurt by...

SAN DIEGO—CALI, the omni-channel sustainable building products company, is launching a new collection of cork flooring—CALI cork. The fresh, four-sku line-up ushers in an improved generation of cork while remaining true to the material’s renewable and planet-safe roots. A high resistance finish and water-resistant construction make CALI cork a more durable upgrade from the cork planks of yesteryear. Plus, a 15-year residential and five-year commercial warranty make this collection an attractive option for storefronts and fitness studios. VIDEO: See and learn more about CALI cork. Cork is naturally renewable; the material is trimmed from the bark of the cork oak tree and regenerates without harming the plant or surrounding environment. The cork in this flooring is also recycled, demonstrating cork’s ability to be reprocessed over and over for different uses. Customers looking to purchase responsibly and opt...