MIAMI—The Naples Hotel Group, a leading hotel development and management company, celebrates the TownePlace Suites by Marriott Miami Airport for achieving the LEED Silver certification by the U.S. Green Building Council under their rating system, which is the most widely used green building rating system. Naples Hotel Group was awarded the development and management contract for the Miami Airport hotel by owners, Hotelex Airport LLC. The LEED certification identifies the TownePlace Suites by Marriott Miami Airport as an example of sustainability and helping to transform the building industry. According to the U.S. Green Building Council’s website, LEED, or Leadership in...

MCLEAN, VA.—Home2 Suites by Hilton, part of Hilton’s All Suites portfolio, announced that the brand will open its first hotel using modular construction in early 2019. Developed by Southern Hospitality Services, LLC., and constructed by Akshar Development Inc., brand executives gathered last week at the future site of the Home2 Suites by Hilton San Francisco Airport North for a staging ceremony where pre-fabricated elements of the hotel were put into position. The hotel represents the Bay Area’s first modular build hotel, and the first Home2 Suites by Hilton modular build. Global Head of Home2 Suites by Hilton, Adrian Kurre, joined...

CHICAGO—Loews Chicago Hotel has joined Shedd Aquarium’s “Shedd The Straw” initiative to reduce the use of single-use plastic straws throughout the hotel. Loews Chicago Hotel is the first hotel to join the initiative aimed at reducing single-use plastic straws to reduce waste and improve marine and freshwater ecosystems. Beginning August 1, beverages served throughout the hotel, including Streeterville Social, ETA Restaurant + Bar, The Lobby Bar, banquets, and in-room dining will not automatically be served with plastic straws. Guests will be provided with biodegradable straws upon request. The initiative is designed to help protect water systems and the animals that live...

SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA—Early last year, Christian de Boer, Managing Director of Jaya House River Park, a 36-room hotel in Siem Reap, Cambodia, launched a campaign to get businesses throughout the region to offer refillable aluminum water bottles instead of disposable plastic ones. The campaign, called Refill Not Landfill, has already avoided the placement of 1.2 million plastic bottles into Cambodia’s waste stream. More than 40 members of Siem Reap’s hospitality and tourism industries and development sector have joined ReFill Not Landfill. Key to the success of the campaign is a sophisticated way to show bottle users where they can fill...

LANCASTER, PA.—High Hotels Ltd. announced it is installing a $1.5 million solar array that will generate 100 percent of the electrical power required to operate one of its existing hotels in Greenfield Corporate Center. The completed installation will make the 133-room Courtyard by Marriott-Lancaster at 1931 Hospitality Drive the first Marriott-branded hotel in the United States with 100 percent of its electricity needs generated from solar power. It is also believed to be the first solar array in the country installed for the sole purpose of generating 100 percent of the electricity needs of a hotel. “This is an exciting...

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO.—Soul Community Planet (SCP) announced the opening of its first SCP Hotel in Colorado Springs after a nine-month, $6 million renovation. The 98,000 square-foot, 176-room property, located at the base of the majestic Pikes Peak, is in its final stages of renovation. SCP Hotels represents a fresh holistic hospitality concept for both travelers and the surrounding community. Inside each SCP Hotel, guests will find opportunities to recharge their minds, refresh their bodies and re-center their souls, while connecting with fellow travelers and the community. SCP Hotels aims to help make the planet a better place through the extensive...

DOVER, DEL.—Dover Downs Hotel & Casino recently celebrated two significant milestones in a campaign to increase its recycling efforts. First, Dover Downs Hotel & Casino is now recycling 66 percent of its total waste, according to a recent analysis report. That represents an increase of 440 percent compared to recycling levels from 2011. Also, Dover Downs Hotel & Casino is partnering with Planet Aid to help expand its community recycling program. Planet Aid is a nonprofit organization that collects and recycles used textiles to protect the environment and support sustainable development in impoverished communities around the world. Bins will...

ANAHEIM, CALIF.—The Disneyland Resort announced that it has proposed a wage offer that includes an increase to minimum rates of 36 percent over the three-year span of the contract. This would put its Master Services cast members at $15 per hour by 2020, two years ahead of California’s minimum wage. The offer was made in April as part of the resort’s ongoing contract negotiations with the Master Services Council, which represents the company’s two largest labor contracts, and includes approximately 9,500 hourly cast members. “Disneyland Resort has created 10,000 new jobs in the last decade—and that’s just the beginning,” said...

BOSTON—Executives from Omni Hotels & Resorts along with Governor Charlie Baker, Mayor Martin J. Walsh, the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) and New Boston Hospitality, broke ground on the highly anticipated Omni Boston Seaport Hotel. The city’s fourth largest hotel will reflect the rich history of the city of Boston. “This project’s hotel, retail, restaurant and outdoor space is a welcome addition to Boston’s Seaport District and will lead to expanded economic opportunities for many businesses within the Commonwealth,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Our administration looks forward to continuing to work together with partners at the local level and in the...

LAHAINA, HAWAII—Following on the heels of Earth Day, The Westin Maui Resort & Spa announced a new program, allowing guests to participate in thoughtfully-designed ocean adventures with paddle boarders, boat captains, canoe racers, and others who want to share their respect for the water and passion for the environment with travelers, while giving back to the local community. These watermen and women will also lead guests to learn about the national marine sanctuary fronting Ka’anapali Beach and the importance of “malama aina” (“protecting the land”) through the beach clean-up activity as the sun rises above the majestic Mauna Kahalawai...