DENVER—The launch of the new Adoba Eco Hotel & Suites Brand on the anniversary of Earth Day 2010 underscores this new brand concept’s commitment to environmental awareness and social responsibility. The Adoba Eco Hotel & Suites Brand design has taken a proactive approach to environmentally responsible architecture and intends that each new build will achieve Gold or Platinum LEED certification. The development philosophy is based upon the conviction and reality that sustainable business practices are necessary and provide viable long-term profitability when blended with responsible operational systems, a modern day sales approach, superior guest service and a healthy and...

CHARLOTTE, N.C.—The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte was recently presented with LEED Gold Certification at a press event in Charlotte. The rare achievement, awarded in the New Construction category, was announced to hotel general manager David Rothwell by Rick Fedrizzi, CEO of the U.S. Green Building Council. It represents the first LEED designation attained by a Ritz-Carlton hotel or resort. The 146-room Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte opened in October 2009 with a roster of environmental services and features that have ultimately qualified it for LEED Gold certification. LEED, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a multi-category green building rating system developed...

SAN DIEGO—Barona Resort & Casino announced that it has achieved Gold certification as part of the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Existing Buildings (LEED-EB) rating system. Barona is the first tribal resort in the nation to earn the internationally recognized certification for the design and operation of high performance green buildings. “The Barona Resort & Casino”s LEED for Existing Buildings Gold certification demonstrates tremendous green building leadership,” said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO & founding chair, USGBC. “The most sustainable way to green the built environment is through retrofitting existing buildings. Barona can...

WESTMINSTER, COLO.—The Westin Westminster announced that it will capitalize on Colorado’s 300-plus days of annual sunshine with the installation of a state-of-the-art solar panel system to help provide power to the 369-room hotel. The solar panels, which are scheduled to be installed next month on the roof of the hotel, will produce 42,576 kilowatt-hours per year—the equivalent to planting more than 192 trees annually. The Westin Westminster has applied to receive a grant from the federal government and a solar rebate from Xcel Energy, making it the first hotel in Colorado to take advantage of these programs. The 32-kilowatt solar...

BOSTON—The Comfort Inn & Suites Logan International Airport, a Saunders Group Hotel, is nearing completion of a multi-million dollar eco-driven renovation. Today more than 90 green practices are in place including in-room recycling bins, a food waste composting program that engages guests, a laundry ozone system that eliminates most hot water usage, spa-quality shampoo and soap dispensing systems that eliminate 270 thousand small bottles from entering the waste stream, a pool ionizing system which makes the water sparkling clean without unhealthy chlorine, and a small fleet of CNG (compressed natural gas) shuttles. To promote excellent indoor air quality, the...

PITTSBURGH—Fairmont Hotels & Resorts announced the opening of the Fairmont Pittsburgh, the city’s first premier luxury hotel. Featuring 185 guestrooms, 12,000 square feet of event space and a 6,000 square-foot health club, Fairmont Pittsburgh has made its home at Three PNC Plaza, one of the largest mixed-use buildings to be certified by the United States Green Building Council in accordance with its LEED rating system. Later this year, Fairmont Pittsburgh expects to receive LEED certification at a Gold level, which complements the company’s industry leading Green Partnership, a program focused on operational sustainability and responsible tourism practices. Guestrooms...

LAS VEGAS—Las Vegas Sands Corp., a leading international developer of multi-use integrated resorts, has launched its Sands Eco 360° Global Sustainable Development program. The program’s launch was highlighted by an announcement that the company’s Venetian Resort and Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas have achieved LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) for Existing Buildings Gold as part of the U.S. Green Building Council’s building certification program. The combined Venetian, Sands Expo, and Palazzo Las Vegas, which in 2008 received LEED for New Construction Silver certification, now comprise the largest LEED building in the world. “The launch of...

ORLANDO, FLA.—The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) recently welcomed the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center into the Florida Green Lodging Program. The 1,406-room resort is one of the largest in the state to participate, and the first in Osceola County’s popular Kissimmee resort corridor. In addition, the resort announced the upcoming rollout of a new guest communications program, called “We’re Eco-Logical,” designed to share the spirit of the resort’s eco-friendly initiatives with guests and meeting planners, while encouraging them to take an active role in the programs. “Together with the citizens of Osceola County, we have created...

SANTA MONICA, CALIF.—Convention center hotels in Denver are set to gain new competition when a new 403-room Embassy Suites hotel opens directly across from the Denver Convention Center in December 2010. Windsor Management Services, the hotel management arm of Windsor Capital Group headquartered in Santa Monica, Calif., has reached an agreement with developer, White/Peterman Properties, Inc. in Merrillville, Ind., to manage the new Denver hotel. The new Embassy Suites hotel development, constructed by WPM Construction, boasts 403 rooms and 17 function rooms, totaling 21,000 square feet of meeting and banquet space, and features unique design elements such as a 13-story...

KAANAPALI NORTH BEACH, MAUI—The newest full service hotel development on Kaanapali Beach, the Honua Kai Resort & Spa, has unveiled details of its comprehensive sustainability program—in line with the traditional Hawaiian concept of “malama aina,” (caring for the land). Honua Kai’ practices begin with the ocean, protect the surrounding beach, and extend to every room at the property. Honua Kai, which opened in January 2009, has its own director of sustainability, Lance Gilliland. “We call it ‘Eco-nomics,’—practices that are ecologically sound and economically feasible,” Gilliland says. “It just makes sense to conserve energy, re-use, recycle and protect the beautiful natural...