BOSTON—The Turkish Towel Co. has introduced a new line of certified organic towels to help American hotels, spas and consumers opt for a more Earth-friendly option. In fact, two luxury boutique hotels opening in the spring have already placed orders to ensure their guests have plush towels that do not have a negative impact on the environment. Cotton uses approximately 25 percent of the world’s insecticides and, according to a recent study, is responsible for approximately 16 percent of global pesticides—more than any other crop. As consumers look for greener products, the hotel and spa industry will have to change...

SAN DIEGO—Constellation Property Group is introducing domus STAY; a bold alternative to the traditional hotel and extended stay experience. The first property; domus@STELLA, will open in San Diego in early 2009. The Stella blueprint is stamped by Marchese + Partners International, a fresh class of designer born out of Australian lifestyle. Designed as a contemporary urban chic project, Stella consists of two low-rise linear buildings containing 84 modern and minimalistic one- and two-bedroom units. The building facades are framed in clean lines and are regularly broken with warm timber screens and large expanses of glazing, creating an appeal of functionality...

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...

SAN DIEGO—Koni Corp. and KOJO Worldwide, leading suppliers of soft goods to the hospitality industry, have established a partnership with Lenzing Fibers, Inc. to develop eco-friendly bedding, drapery, bath and spa products for hotel and resort properties. Koni Corp. and KOJO Worldwide have offered products made from organic cotton, bamboo, recycled and recyclable polyester for some time, but will now make available items made from Lenzing’s Modal and TENCEL fibers, which are 100 percent natural and biodegradable. Both TENCEL and Lenzing Modal are derived from wood pulp cellulose extracted from trees harvested from sustainable forests. The Lenzing partnership demonstrates Koni...

NEW YORK—Five exhibitors in five green categories were honored with Editors’ Choice Awards during the Opening Ceremonies of the 93rd annual International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show (IH/M&RS), Sunday, November 9, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. The awards program recognizes best new products within the categories of décor, essentials, luxury, restaurant and technology. The first day of the IH/M&RS was also highlighted by a keynote presentation on “Sustainability” by Christine Ervin, former president and CEO of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and president of Christine Ervin/Company. The 2008 IH/M&RS Editors’ Choice Award winners in the five...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Member balloting for LEED 2009 is underway, marking the U.S. Green Building Council’s final step in this latest evolution of the LEED green building certification system. Member approval is the final stage of the process used to develop, test, evaluate, revise and publish all LEED rating systems. Member ballotting opened on October 14 and will close November 14, 2008, at 5 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. LEED 2009 represents an important major evolution of the existing LEED rating systems for commercial buildings, and includes a series of major technical advancements focused on improving energy efficiency, reducing carbon emissions, and addressing...

ADELPHI, MD.—More than three years after earning Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification—it was the first hotel in the United States to do so—Marriott’s University of Maryland University College Inn and Conference Center (UMUC ICC) is continuing its efforts to reduce its impact on the environment. The property, which includes 237 guestrooms and 11 suites, has recently stepped up its recycling efforts and has pledged to pursue Green Seal certification to ensure its continuous commitment to operational improvements. According to the U.S. Green Building Council, which manages the LEED program, UMUC ICC earned LEED certification for its 127-guestroom,...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes ARTGANiKS.com as a Green Product & Service Directory Partner. The women-owned company is a provider of sustainable framed artwork and framed mirrors. The company strives to incorporate recycled components in its framed mirrors and artwork and offers a manufacturing lead time of just three weeks. Designers and architects can earn LEED points for their projects by specifying ARTGANiKS. The company is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council. For additional information, call (630) 305-8849, e-mail Dan Thomas at dthomas@witc.us, or go to www.ARTGANiKS.com.

DALLAS—Motel 6 is saying “goodbye” to carpet and “hello” to a clean, green, wood-effect laminate flooring in its new Phoenix Prototype and property renovations (retrofits). Motel 6’s new flooring is made of 80 percent pre-consumer recycled material, including an inner wood core comprised of oak and cherry wood chips that would otherwise be burned or thrown into a landfill. The new flooring is also a critical component of the updated Motel 6 design. As the literal foundation of the room, this flooring plays a major role in defining the feel of the space, giving it an updated, larger, and...

HASTINGS, MINN.—The Minnesota Bed & Breakfast Assn. (MBBA) is taking steps to add green criteria to its quality assurance inspection process. The program will be discussed at the association’s conference that will be held April 20 to 22 at the Greysolon Ballroom in Duluth, Minn. The conference will be followed by workshops that will be held throughout the state to help explain the new program. According to Pam Thorsen, MBBA has not yet decided whether or not to tie a tiered rating system to the QA process. The Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild, for example, awards one, two or...