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...

PHILIPPINES—Hotel of Asia, Inc., the hotel arm of DoubleDragon Properties Corp., has engaged Barone International as its sustainability consultant in its application for the LEED Gold certification of Hotel 101 Resort Boracay which is poised to become the largest green hotel to rise in the Philippines. “In this day and age when most modern buildings are built to have customary green features, DoubleDragon looks to go a step further in developing Hotel 101 Resort Boracay to become a true beacon of sustainability in the hospitality industry. With its 1,001 hotel rooms, it is poised to become the largest truly green...

DALLAS—Hyatt Regency Dallas has released more than 15 new vegan menu items at its marquee restaurant, Centennial, just in time for the holidays. Designed for Dallasites and travelers alike seeking healthy, innovative and exquisite bites, the new vegan items were created by Hyatt Regency Dallas’ standout Culinary Corporate Management Trainee, Tiffany Pineda. At 24 years old, she has worked in some of the most diverse kitchens around the country, including working for celebrity chef Rick Bayless. Pineda was tasked with introducing vegan options for the modern traveler. Pineda is a yoga instructor and was a vegetarian and vegan herself for...

SURFSIDE, FLA.—Visit Surfside announced that the Four Seasons Hotel at the Surf Club recently received the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) South Florida region’s GalaVerde LEEDership and Green award for “Project of Year.” The awards recognize excellence in high performance building design, environmental stewardship and community impact, as well as highlight South Florida’s green building initiatives and achievements. “We’re thrilled to have won the U.S. Green Building Council’s best Project of the Year Award. We strive to ensure we are constantly making meaningful and sustainable contributions,” said General Manager, Cornelia Samara. “Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club is one of...

AMSTERDAM—YOTEL has opened its doors in Amsterdam. Complete with an all-day dining concept, a stunning deck and a one of a kind outdoor cinema, the 202-cabin hotel offers a slick experience enhanced by clever use of technology and sustainable design at a surprisingly affordable price. The brand’s first hotel in mainland Europe, YOTEL Amsterdam is at the epicenter of the up-and-coming Buiksloterham neighborhood, built on the sunny bank of the Tolhuis Canal. Home to start-ups and creative businesses, the area is also brimming with hip bars, experimental festivals and modern architecture, making it an ideal base for modern travelers. Cabins—YOTEL speak...

SAUDI, ARABIA—Amaala, one of the largest ultra-luxury sustainable resort projects ever conceived—one that will create 22,400 jobs and attract 310,000 visitors annually—is in the design stages for Saudi Arabia’s northeastern coast along the Red Sea. (See video.) Amaala, which is derived from the Arabic word for “hope,” will be set in a pristine natural reserve and includes three sites: Triple Bay, The Island, and The Coastal Development. Unique to the project is its environmental story. It will be built to have a zero-carbon footprint. Reaching zero-carbon status will be a challenge, as the project will also include an airport, 200 retail...

GREENOUGH, MONT.—The highest level of Glamping 2.0 has arrived, as The Green O readies for its debut in the mountains in the Blackfoot River Valley of western Montana. Created by the founders of The Resort at Paws Up, The Green O is a new adults-only, year-round luxury contemporary retreat. It will offer exclusive experiences in 12 design-forward accommodations—from an elevated Tree Haus to a Green Haus with a living roof, all with floor-to-ceiling windows offering unobstructed views of the Montana wilderness. Opening in Summer 2020, this new forest hideaway will celebrate the heritage of Montana with architecture, cuisine and guest experiences...