EL PASO, TEXAS—In El Paso, Texas, a historic hotel built in 1912, Hotel Paso del Norte (Marriott Autograph Collection), has been undergoing a multi-million-dollar, multi-year renovation to bring it to the grandeur of yesteryear with a wide array of modern amenities. As part of the final touches before re-opening later this year, the hotel will be among the world’s first Marriott Autograph Collection Hotels to install a state-of-the-art air filtration system throughout the hotel’s entire HVAC system. The Plasma Air system has been shown to remove 99 percent of bacteriophage in the air after 10 minutes of use. Common...

FRANKFURT AM MAIN, GERMANY—Deutsche Hospitality’s young Danish economy brand Zleep Hotels is to launch in Switzerland. Construction work on the new build Zleep Hotel Zurich Kloten is scheduled for completion in 2023. The hotel will be located in a new quarter near to Zurich Airport, which will also be home to a restaurant, retail outlets and privately owned apartments. There will be 90 rooms, a generously proportioned lobby complete with a breakfast area and a bar. The Zleep Hotel Zurich Kloten will also introduce the “Hygge Standard” to the Swiss hotel sector for the first time. Transport links will...

NEW YORK—One of Europe’s most anticipated launches of 2020, Villa Copenhagen, officially opened its doors in the heart of Denmark’s capital city on July 1. Housed in the century-old Danish Post and Telegraph office, adjacent to Tivoli Gardens, the 390-room Villa Copenhagen is a Grande Dame hotel for the 21st century, offering approachable, conscious luxury through a commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and meaningful experiences that connect guests to the landscape, culture, and energy of the city. “This project has proven to be a labor of love and, in many ways, is testament to Copenhagen’s resilient spirit. We...

LAAMU, MALDIVES—After 10 weeks of exploring the oceans around Six Senses Laamu, the first series of the online Junior Marine Biology program has made a satisfying splash. What’s more, it is not too late to dive in, as all classes were recorded, which means they can be taken any time, and in any order. The online Junior Marine Biology program is a series of free web-based classes, made up of short informative videos, activities to do at home and one-on-one feedback by the team of 10 marine biologists at the Maldives Underwater Initiative (MUI). Each class explored a different topic, from...

ORLANDO, FLA.—The Element Orlando Universal Blvd., part of the Marriott International brand of hotels, opened at ICON Park in Orlando, Fla. on June 29, 2020. The eight-story hotel features 165 guest suites with its focus on sustainability, wellness, and caters to today’s healthy and active traveler. The guestrooms of the new extended-stay hotel in Orlando are ideally suited for business and leisure travelers. The hotel features 165 studio and one-bedroom suites that offer fully equipped energy-efficient kitchens with full-sized Energy-Star rated appliances. Standard room kitchenettes feature microwaves, mini-fridges, and toaster ovens. All guestrooms and suites include 55” LCD TVs with...

TORONTO—The 144-room Element Toronto Airport will open tomorrow across the street from the Toronto Pearson International Airport’s Terminal 3. Located at 6257 Airport Road, this new all suite extended stay hotel is operated as a Marriott franchise and is owned and managed by Easton’s Group of Hotels. Guests of the modern eco-conscious Element Toronto Airport can expect to enjoy in-suite water filtration systems, bikes to borrow and electric-car charging stations. Each outdoor inspired guest suite is larger than a traditional hotel room and includes a fully equipped kitchen, separate living area and workspace, oversized closets, a spa-inspired bathroom, a signature...

RIVIERA BEACH, SINGER ISLAND, FLA.—Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort & Spa has earned Green Key Global’s ultimate honor: a 4 Green Keys rating. It is the first hotel in Palm Beach County to achieve the designation, which is reserved for hotels that show national industry leadership and commitment to protecting the environment through wide-ranging policies and practices. Coupled with Marriott’s Commitment to Clean, spearheaded by the Marriott Cleanliness Council, the resort is committed to providing guests with a safe environment that aligns with expert protocols for working to defeat COVID-19. Green Key Global is a leading international environmental...

ATLANTA—Throughout the current pandemic, Atlanta’s historic Stonehurst Place has continued to provide a safe place to stay for travelers in search of boutique luxury—all with a dose of eco-friendliness thrown in. The eight-suite property, owned by Barb Shadomy and first constructed in 1896, has features including a solar thermal system for water heating, a greywater recycling system, and rainwater purification system. “My partner and I purchased Stonehurst in 2007 and after 14 months of intense renovation, I returned the grand old lady back to her youthful self—with a few modern and green improvements,” Shadomy says. “We have not closed during the current...

LAAMU, MALDIVES—Starting early last month, budding conservationists began getting ready for a new type of home school program where turtles are teachers and reef fish can be made out of egg cartons and bottle tops. Sad to not be greeting their usual students on the beautiful shores of Six Senses Laamu, the resort’s team of marine biologists are hosting short videos and demonstrate activities that anyone can try at home. The course is open to everyone and there is content available and suitable for all ages. The team is expecting some very special events on the island, including turtle hatching this...

COLORADO SPRING, COLO.—The rise of conscious traveling and resorts and destinations protecting, sustaining, and improving our planet is not only growing in popularity, but becoming the new norm for the travel and hospitality industry—something to celebrate as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day (April 22). The good news is that one of America’s most historic hotels is already implementing eco-sustainable and responsible practices, the longest running, consecutive Forbes Five Star, AAA Five Diamond, The Broadmoor. Located in Colorado Springs, the 5,000 acre Broadmoor is one of the most unique resorts in the world offering luxury accommodations, award-winning dining, championship...