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,...

HOUSTON—The Westin Houston Medical Center is the first and only hotel in the United States to utilize LightStrike Germ-Zapping Robots to sanitize and disinfect its guestrooms and common areas to help combat the threat of coronavirus. The room disinfection technology, provided by San Antonio-based Xenex Disinfection Services, was developed by two epidemiologists in Houston, with The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center as their first customer. The Westin Houston Medical Center purchased two of the decontaminating robots, which are already at work sanitizing rooms inside the building. LightStrike robots have been proven to quickly destroy viruses, bacteria, and fungi using...

SANTA ANA PUEBLO, N.M.—The Tamaya Horse Rehabilitation Program, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located at the Stables at Tamaya on the Santa Ana Pueblo in New Mexico, announces the third annual Tamaya Horse Rehabilitation Week fundraiser. Between April 1 and April 4, 2020, the program will host a series of activities to bring awareness to the plight of unwanted horses in New Mexico and raise funds for its ongoing efforts to rescue and rehabilitate animals in need. Each year, thousands of horses are abandoned throughout New Mexico. Several factors can lead to unwanted, abandoned, or surrendered horses including a horse’s decline...

NEW YORK—1 Hotels announced its newest property in California’s Bay Area, 1 Hotel San Francisco. Currently operating as Hotel Vitale, the property will undergo an extensive reinvention, inspired by the mission-driven, sustainable, luxury ethos 1 Hotels have cultivated, and embracing the beauty of the northern California landscape. The newest West Coast property will be operated by SH Hotels & Resorts, a subsidiary of Starwood Capital Group, a global private investment firm. “1 Hotel San Francisco will be an exciting addition to the city’s luxury hotel experience, as it is rooted in our mission of inspiring conscious consumption,” said 1 Hotels...

DEPOE BAY, ORE.—Soul Community Planet (SCP), a Holistic Hospitality company providing fair-priced lodging centered on the values of personal wellness, social good and the environment, announced the newly renovated SCP Depoe Bay has opened. Located near many of Oregon’s top surf breaks, most picturesque shorelines and best fishing, the new lodge features bohemian-style guestrooms, a communal coworking space, fitness and yoga studio, and Provisions market. “Each SCP venue uniquely embodies the values of Soul, Community and Planet,” said Soul Community Planet Co-Founder and CEO Ken Cruse. “SCP Depoe Bay has been renovated into an intimate surf lodge—ideal for coastal adventure-seekers...

PARSIPPANY, N.J.—Wyndham Garden, part of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, the world’s largest hotel franchising company with more than 9,200 hotels in over 80 countries, showcased Arbor: a cost-effective, new-construction prototype with a fresh perspective on guest experience and a smart layout designed to maximize efficiencies and challenge rising construction costs. As part of Wyndham’s efforts to maximize value for owners, Arbor aims to reduce construction costs while enriching the guest experience. The four-story, 110-room prototype is inspired by the harmony of nature, bringing the outside in with elements of dappled light, textured wood, natural fabrics and flexible outdoor space. The...

BEVERLY HILLS, CALIF.—The Beverly Hilton announced a top-to-bottom hotel renovation, to be completed in April 2020, which will reintroduce the Los Angeles landmark to a new generation of leisure travelers, corporate guests and entertainment industry events. The sweeping transformation will encompass all 566 guestrooms, including nine private luxury suites, indoor-outdoor event spaces and meeting rooms, and all public spaces including the lobby and signature restaurant, CIRCA 55. Supporting Hilton in redefining sustainable travel by cutting its environmental footprint in half and doubling investment in social impact projects by 2030, the hotel renovation will bring new environmentally-conscious innovations to The Beverly...

VIRGIN GORDA, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS—Following a four-year closure and comprehensive renovation, the 80-room Rosewood Little Dix Bay on Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands has opened. Originally founded by conservationist Laurance Rockefeller over half a century ago in 1964 and long regarded as one of the world’s greatest getaways, the iconic resort has been completely revived and redesigned while staying true to its identity as a leading example of ecotourism. Set across 500 acres of pristine private beachfront and breathtaking flora and fauna, the reimagined resort provides an unparalleled island escape with expertly appointed accommodations, inspired amenities, dynamic...

PLACENCIA, BELIZE—Ray Caye is a small (20-unit) island resort with a very large focus on sustainability. The property is 17 miles off the coast of Belize and a short flight from Belize City, then a boat ride. It has been open for eight years but is reopening in January as Ray Caye. This is a decidedly upscale resort but there has been as much investment in environmental elements as in accommodations, according to Dasha Shivers, the resort’s General Manager. Seriously Solar On the solar front, the resort has a solar array of 100 KW (total of all installed solar panels); a...

MIAMI BEACH, FLA.—Lucky Shepherd announces the launch of its Shepherd Eco sustainable hospitality brand with a flagship location in Wynwood, Miami. The project, developed by Shepherd Atma and Hoar Program Management (HPM), with Touzet Studio as architect and Gensler as interior design, is slated to open late 2022. The Shepherd Eco brand finds its roots in the deeply intertwined concepts of sustainability and humanity—the dual heartbeats that drive these Eco-systems—thriving, dynamic communities weaving residents, guests, locals, and nature into a rich, fulfilling experience. Eco’s sustainability ethos is honored through strategies for reducing plastic and water usage, and resiliency elements are located where they can be...