SOUTH CASCO, MAINE—Migis Lodge opened in June in South Casco, Maine. The property is powered by solar energy. The century-old vacation destination—a lodge and 35 cottages on Sebago Lake—is offsetting 95 percent of its annual electrical power needs with a 912-paneled solar array. To conserve the pine forest on the 125-acre property, Revision Energy designed an off-site solution in a former gravel pit. “Migis Lodge is committed to the environment and sustainability,” said Jed Porta, General Manager for Migis Lodge and Managing Partner for Migis Hotel Group, a family-run, Maine-based hotel management company. “Our guests will have one more reason to enjoy...

LOS ANGELES, CA.—The Élan Hotel—a recently renovated boutique property located in the heart of West Hollywood—has partnered with AllerWell Travel—a division of the Wellness Hospitality Association International—to implement eight allergy-friendly guestrooms within the hotel. The only AllerWell Certified hotel, the Élan is the first property in the nation to offer AllerWell accommodations. AllerWell rooms eliminate more than 95 percent of the room allergens that trigger most allergy symptoms, and as more travelers look toward allergy-friendly accommodations, AllerWell and the Élan Hotel aim to make allergy-friendly rooms as common as smoke-free rooms. The three central components installed in all AllerWell rooms include: Hypoallergenic Bedding—Hypoallergenic...

RALEIGH, N.C.—Almost seven months since opening in Raleigh’s Glenwood South district, business at Revisn has been great and the aparthotel has been at full capacity, says Dicky Walia, CEO and Managing Director of Welcome Holdings which developed the “green” Revisn brand. Large corporations are renting the residences. According to Welcome Holdings, Revisn combines the “spacious comfort and relaxing convenience of a luxury executive apartment residence with the hospitality of a boutique hotel.” What Revisn also does is provide guests with a low-carbon experience thanks to its high-tech approach to power generation and heating and cooling. Atop the 48-unit building is...

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA—Last week, Element by Westin, part of Marriott International, announced the opening of Element Melbourne Richmond. Owned and developed by TRC (Aust), the hotel marks the debut of the Element brand in Australia and with it, the longer-stay brand’s signature eco-conscious ethos and commitment to helping healthy, active guests maintain a balanced lifestyle while traveling. “The launch of Element Melbourne Richmond marks a significant milestone for Marriott International, as the first of its kind in Australia,” said Mike Fulkerson, Vice President, Brand & Marketing, Asia-Pacific, Marriott International. “A recognized industry leader in the longer-stay eco space, Element Hotels promotes...

ATLANTA—Noble Investment Group announced they have broken ground on the Element by Westin Nashville. Located in the renowned West End neighborhood of Nashville, Tennessee, the hotel will be the brand’s debut in Nashville and will open in 2020. The upscale, lifestyle hotel will be a part of the vibrant 19-acre mixed-use development, oneC1TY. Anchored by Vanderbilt University, three major medical centers and foremost health care providers, significant corporate headquarters and Nashville’s famous Music Row, the hotel will be prominently located in one of the fastest growing markets in the United States. The Element by Westin Nashville will be LEED certified and...

SILVER SPRING, MD.—With 13 years of building to LEED standards under its belt, it is no surprise that The Duffie Companies’ first hotel project would be a LEED one. With the Home2 Suites by Hilton Silver Spring (Md.), however, The Duffie Companies has gone far beyond basic LEED certification; the hotel is on the way to becoming one of just seven LEED Platinum hotels or resorts in North America. Unique to the hotel is its location, says Shane Pollin, Director of Development for The Duffie Companies. “This community has no other hotels nearby,” he says. The property is located on...

SINGAPORE—Come 2023, a new resort experience will open to guests at Mandai, bringing them closer to nature through a biophilic design that integrates the buildings with their natural surroundings. The design of the new Mandai resort will be helmed by local architectural firm, WOW Architects. Speaking on the appointment of WOW Architects, Mike Barclay, Group CEO of Mandai Park Holdings (MPH) said, “WOW Architects’ concept demonstrated the best design response to our brief, one that will bring our guests closer to nature. We have brought together the strengths of two homegrown brands, WOW Architects and Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts....

LANGKAWI, MALAYSIA—Situated on the island of Langkawi in Malaysia, The Datai Langkawi is a luxurious ecotourism resort nestled in the heart of a 10 million-year-old rainforest. In an exciting milestone, The Datai Langkawi is the first in the world to join the EarthCheck ECO (Terrestrial) Certification Program. EarthCheck ECO is the culmination of a journey that began in 1987 and continues to this day. Using a science-based approach, the program helps travel and tourism organizations increase efficiencies, reduce their environmental footprint, support local communities and maximize guest experience. “Over 500 million years ago, Mother Earth created what is known as...

ARROYO GRANDE, CALIF.—Arroyo Grande’s newest destination, The Agrarian Hotel, is set to open its doors in June of 2019, offering well-appointed rooms, plush amenities, and inviting, sustainably-designed spaces that seek to redefine the boutique hotel experience. Located in the historic Village of Arroyo Grande, The Agrarian Hotel is an exquisite new boutique hotel at the gateway to wine country, where comfort and sustainability coincide to create a memorable, relaxing stay on the Central Coast. All 54 rooms and suites are spacious and tastefully-designed, offering Tempurpedic beds, high-end bedding, and plush amenities, such as private patios and Jacuzzi tubs in some...

Design and photo credit: Danny Forster & Architecture BETHESDA, MD.—The world’s tallest modular hotel—which will carry a brand of Marriott International—is on track to be stacked in late fall in New York City with prefabricated and pre-furnished guestrooms. Once erected over a 90-day period, the 360-foot-tall tower will represent a milestone for Marriott’s ongoing initiative to encourage hotel developers in North America to embrace modular for new construction projects. To be topped with a modular roof and modular rooftop bar, the world's tallest modular hotel is expected to open in late 2020 as...