EVANSTON, ILL.—Stone Terrace Bed & Breakfast, a luxury bed and breakfast located in Evanston, Ill., has joined Tesla Motors Destination Charging Program, making it the first in Evanston and first B&B in Illinois to deploy a vehicle charging station on its property. The installation includes two “pull up and plug in” wall connectors, which add up to 60 miles of range per hour. A universal adapter is available for non-Tesla electric cars. Electric vehicle (EV) owners can leave their vehicles at the charging station while at the beach, shopping or enjoying time as a guest at the property. The EV...

CHICAGO—The Kinzie Hotel has unveiled a unique new Chicago-centric art installation designed by a prominent local artist in conjunction with its support of the K9s for Cops Public Art Campaign. The high-profile initiative, which supports the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation, serves to memorialize Chicago’s heroic fallen officers by way of the 54-inch German Shepherd Statue that represents the canine partners who have assisted police officers for generations. From now through Labor Day, the weather-proof fiberglass statue is standing guard in the heart of Chicago’s Magnificent Mile. A portion of the proceeds from the sponsorship benefits PAWS Chicago’s work to provide residents...

CHICAGO—The Olympia Companies, and SMART Hotels are bringing a luxury boutique hotel to the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago. The 98-room SOPHY, to be managed by The Olympia Companies, will be located at the corner of 53rd Street and Dorchester Avenue in Chicago’s South Side and will feature a bar, restaurant with al fresco dining and fitness center. SOPHY is designed as a four-diamond luxury property and engineered to achieve LEED Silver certification and will be a preferred hotel of the University of Chicago. “Working closely with 5th Ward Alderman Leslie Hairston and the University of Chicago, we’re pleased to have the opportunity to...

WINDHAM, VERMONT—If a building becomes as one as possible with its surrounding environment, can it be energy self-sufficient? Yes, it certainly can. Just ask Bob Shannon, President of The Fourth Corner Foundation, Inc., the nonprofit that runs A Stone Wall Inn in Windham, Vermont. Shannon, an architect with two degrees from Yale University, first thought about the 10-room inn on 12 acres in 1969. The three-building inn with a post-modernist feel is heated entirely by solar energy and wood stoves. Every aspect and angle of the well-insulated inn was designed to maximize the power of the sun. “We are making...

CARBONDALE, COLO.—Marble Distilling Co. & The Distillery Inn was named as a 2017 Green Hotelier Award Winner and the only North American property to be recognized. A sustainable luxury inn, distillery & tasting room nestled at the base of the Elk Mountains of Colorado in the Carbondale Creative District, Marble Distilling Co. & The Distillery Inn was Highly Commended for 2017 in the Americas. “We really loved your ethos and commitment to sustainability and community and you were a very close second to our winner,” said Siobhan O’Neill, Editor of Green Hotelier. The Green Hotelier awards received a record number of applicants from around...

STEVENSON, WASH.—Skamania Lodge, the Columbia River Gorge’s awarding-winning destination, recently broke ground on two new tree houses, set to open in September of 2017. This is the second pair of tree houses, the first opened in the summer of 2016. “We’re thrilled at the way our first two tree houses turned out,” said Skamania Lodge General Manager Ken Daugherty. “They became so popular, we wanted to be able to provide our guests with additional options to truly have that quintessential Columbia River Gorge experience.” Like the first two tree houses, these are nestled in the tall Douglas Firs of the Columbia...

BRYCE CANYON CITY, UTAH—Over the past 13 years, Ruby’s Inn has raised $700,000 for the Bryce Canyon National History Association through its “Dollar Check-Off” program. The program allows guests to give back while visiting the famous Bryce Canyon National Park. “Ruby’s Inn, my family and I wouldn’t be where we are today without Bryce Canyon National Park,” Lance Syrett, General Manager of Ruby’s Inn said. “My ancestors didn’t plan to start a hotel, but they ended up opening Ruby’s Inn so everyone could experience Bryce Canyon’s beauty. This is the reason why we do the dollar program today, to help preserve...

MARCO ISLAND, FLA.—The award-winning Marco Beach Ocean Resort, located along the Gulf of Mexico’s famous white-sand beaches, has been recertified as an environmentally friendly destination, receiving a Two-Palm rating from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Green Lodging program. Known for its Gulf views, intimate environment and personalized service, the 93-suite Marco Beach Ocean Resort was originally certified as a Florida Green Lodge in 2010 and has received the triennial designation since. The certification recognizes the resort for voluntarily adopting initiatives to conserve and protect Florida’s natural resources. Properties Must Address Five Core Standards The Florida Green Lodging’s environmental guidelines are designed to...

MINNEAPOLIS—In an exclusive new partnership, the first of its kind in North America, Minneapolis’ premiere luxury hotel, Hotel Ivy, is partnering with TREVLS, a Tesla car rental company headquartered in downtown Minneapolis. Beginning this month, Hotel Ivy, 201 S. Eleventh Street in Minneapolis, will offer all guests the opportunity to reserve a Model S or X during their stay. TREVLS’ full-service experience will pick up and deliver the choice of Tesla vehicle directly to Hotel Ivy for the ultimate travel convenience. This partnership will also amplify the already popular “Dom Pérignon” experience that the hotel’s Penthouse Suite is known for. “Our...

KUALA LUMPUR—Marriott International, Inc. announces the debut of the Element Hotels brand to Southeast Asia, with the opening of Element Kuala Lumpur. The hotel was designed by globally-acclaimed architects Foster+Partners. In collaboration with owners IB Hotel Management Sdn Bhd, the hotel is housed within Ilham Tower, making it the tallest eco-conscious hotel, raising the city’s standards in sustainable hospitality. Element Kuala Lumpur is Green Building Index (GBI) certified with eco-friendly design and best practices including a rainwater harvesting system, indoor air quality CO2 monitor and energy-efficient LED lighting. Built green from the ground up, Element Hotels incorporates sustainable design and...