OQUNQUIT, MAINE—A year after installing one of Maine’s largest solar thermal projects, The Cliff House Resort & Spa reports saving 20,000 gallons of propane, 82 percent more than originally projected. Owner Kathryn Weare anticipated saving 11,000 gallons of propane based on equipment specifications and is pleased with the nearly double first-year results. Located on a cliff abutting the Atlantic Ocean, the resort’s solar panels productivity benefits from the reflective surface of the water.The installation comprising 2,100 tubes on 70 collectors was initially estimated to provide solar-heated water for the 32 guestrooms in Cliff Spa, the spa building along with...

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA—Ellerman House has launched an initiative to become Cape Town’s most eco-friendly boutique hotel. Through newly implemented green projects such as solar panels, LED light bulbs, heat pumps, earthworm farms and recycling systems, the property aims to be Cape Town’s leader in eco-friendly luxury hospitality by September 2013.In order to measure the carbon footprint for the entire property, including the main house, villas, spa, art gallery and all administrative housing and offices, Ellerman House hired an energy efficiency company, BrightBlack, as a consultant and to administer extensive energy testing. The staff at Ellerman House began taking...

ST. JOHN, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS—Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. and NRG Energy, Inc. announced a new global alliance to expand the use of renewable energy systems at Starwood properties. The alliance will begin with three properties, including the installation of a 1.3 megawatt (MW) solar array at the Westin St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands where NRG will build, own and operate the project. This array will provide clean, efficient power to the resort and help to reduce local air emissions and the impact of shipping on the fragile Caribbean ecosystem by directly reducing demand for diesel...

CONCORD, CALIF.—The newly renovated Hilton Concord has added an expansive electric vehicle charging station to serve hotel guests and the community as part of its ongoing sustainability initiatives. Hilton Concord, located in San Francisco’s East Bay, is owned and operated by Interstate Hotels & Resorts.Hilton Concord has embarked upon a long term and dedicated commitment to becoming an industry leader in sustainability. The addition of an electric vehicle charging station is a milestone along the hotel’s path toward the goal of becoming one of the top sustainable hotels in California.In response to anticipated guest and client demand for car...

TURTLE ISLAND, YASAWAS, FIJI—Turtle Island Resort in Fiji has recently completed a groundbreaking solar installation, making it one of the first ever clean energy resorts in the world. The installation renders the island resort nearly 100 percent self-sufficient using the sun’s clean energy. This project, which entailed a total of 968 solar panels being installed on the island, commenced in early 2012 and is now fully operational. Through its ecologically conscious operations, the resort runs on an average of 85 percent solar power, more than any other island resort in Fiji, and perhaps any luxury resort worldwide.“At Turtle Island...

HONOLULU, HAWAII—Aqua Kauai Beach Resort, an Aqua Hospitality property, has completed a series of enhancement projects that are equal parts innovation and renovation. Leading the list of projects is a large solar array built over the parking lot, providing cover and shade for vehicles while greatly reducing the popular beachfront hotel’s carbon footprint.“We are blessed with 25 beautiful acres along the coast, so we had plenty of land to erect our solar array,” said David Sosner, general manager of Aqua Kauai Beach Resort. “Our guests suggested covered parking would be a nice addition to the resort, so we’ve met...

MAUI, HAWAII—Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa, situated oceanfront on Kaanapali Beach, has become the first commercial business partner in the state of Hawaii to begin testing for Maui Electric’s (MECO) semi-automated Fast DR (Demand Response) Pilot Program. In partnership with Hawaiian Electric, MECO launched Fast DR last year to help business customers control the cost of their electric bills while helping the utility maintain reliability and add more renewable energy to the grid. Fast DR rewards commercial and industrial customers for designating parts of their electricity use that can be turned off during critical energy situations with...

MAUI, HAWAII—This summer will signify a new phase for Hyatt’s Andaz brand as it unveils Andaz Maui at Wailea, a resort reflective of and inspired by the destination of Maui, located on 15 pristine acres of southwestern coastline. The first resort for the Andaz brand, Andaz Maui at Wailea will remain true to the signature brand elements that define Andaz hotels around the globe, including offering inspiring experiences that celebrate Maui’s rich, local culture. From the design features and superior service, to the ocean views and relationships in the community, the Hawaiian spirit will be infused throughout the resort,...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Sage Hospitality and Optima Fund Management announced that The Westin Cleveland Downtown will open in Spring 2014 after the completion of a $64 million renovation. The contemporary 484-room hotel is located in Cleveland’s downtown financial district adjacent to the new Cleveland Convention Center and Medical Mart and just steps from Brown’s Stadium and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.Ohio-based Marous Brothers Construction, design/builder on the project, began remodeling the property in December; plans include the renovation of all public areas, event space and guestrooms. The new exterior façade will feature metal panels and LED lighting that rotates...

SEQUIM, WASH.—Taking the concept of existing-structure “recycling” to heart, Olaf and Charlotte Protze have built a thriving bed and breakfast business out of retired cabooses. The Red Caboose Getaway B&B, located in Sequim, Wash., offers accommodations in six luxuriously renovated train cars that the owners have had transported from various U.S. locations. The couple have three additional cabooses on their three acre property that are currently undergoing renovation.Olaf and Charlotte had long enjoyed visiting B&Bs and eventually fell in love with the idea of staying in renovated railcars. “Most are very rustic,” Olaf says. “I thought we could do...