CHICAGO—The InterContinental Chicago, a 792-room hotel located on the Windy City’s Magnificent Mile, has just obtained its Energy Star rating from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy. The hotel, in a building constructed in 1929, is the first hotel in Chicago to earn the rating. The energy performance of commercial and industrial facilities is scored on a 1 to 100 scale and those facilities that achieve a score of 75 or higher are eligible for the Energy Star, indicating that they are among the top 25 percent of facilities in the country for energy performance. The...

TALLAHASSEE, FLA.—Florida Governor Charlie Crist last week applauded Walt Disney Parks & Resorts for its achievement of 100 percent of its lodging properties earning the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Green Lodging Program designation, covering all 24 of its resort hotels. “I applaud Disney’s compelling participation in the Florida Green Lodging Program,” said Governor Crist. “Through its commitment, Disney is demonstrating the importance of environmental stewardship to thousands of employees and millions of guests.” Launched in 2004 by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the Florida Green Lodging Program establishes environmental guidelines for hotels and motels to conserve natural...

SAN FRANCISCO—Joie de Vivre Hospitality has announced its latest innovation in the hotel world—Domain Hotel—located in Sunnyvale, Calif. After a complete renovation, the former Radisson was re-introduced last month with a new identity fitting with its Santa Clara-meets-Sunnyvale location. One of the few hotels going green in the south bay, the new Domain Hotel, offering 124 rooms and 12 suites on three levels, is decorated in two themes—Tranquility and Awakening—each of which are offered upon check-in, depending on the guest’s preference. If one is interested in Awakening, it’s possible to reserve one of the rooms where the outside is brought...

ANDERSON, CALIF.—Gaia at Anderson, a new 122-room green hotel, has opened here. It is the second Gaia hotel in California to be developed and opened by Wen-I Chang. The first was the Gaia Napa Valley Hotel and Spa in American Canyon. That 133-room property opened in October 2006. Chang is also developing a third hotel in Merced, Calif., a 141-room property. Chang expects the Gaia at Anderson hotel to achieve a LEED Silver or Gold rating from the U.S. Green Building Council. The Gaia Napa Valley Hotel and Spa was the first U.S. hotel to earn LEED Gold. In building...

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO.—With zero money out of pocket and utilizing existing systems and equipment, the nine-floor, 273-room Colorado Springs Marriott reduced its electricity consumption by 18 percent from April 1, 2007 to April 1, 2008. In kilowatt hours, the decline was 815,000; in dollars the savings was $57,000—the equivalent of more than two months in electricity bills. How did they do it? By doing simple things such as turning lights and air conditioners off when they are not being used, re-calibrating thermostats, and emphasizing staff training. When Brian Healy took over as director of engineering at the Colorado Springs Marriott...

SAN FRANCISCO—The Hotel Carlton in San Francisco, certified as an official Green Business due to several initiatives over the past year to implement sustainable business operations, is celebrating its newest green achievement—the adoption of solar power to offset the hotel’s energy use. Managed by Joie de Vivre Hospitality, Hotel Carlton is the first hotel in San Francisco to install solar panels and the first of the boutique hotel company’s properties to receive the City’s Green Business certification. In honor of Earth Day and a greener future, Hotel Carlton will host a reception event on April 21 that will feature...

STATE COLLEGE, PA.—When most hotel developers officially launch a project, they invite local dignitaries and have a groundbreaking ceremony—with at least several shovels. This month, Tricore Group, LLC did something just a little different. It had a demolition ceremony and used a gold sledgehammer. Why demolition and why gold? The demolition is significant because much of the masonry, concrete, steel and glass will be recycled per the requirements of the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification program. Gold is meaningful because Tricore will pursue LEED Gold for its “P” Hotel & Spa, a...

LOS ANGELES—This spring, Los Angeles will have an artful new sanctuary to showcase Southern California’s eclectic cultural landscape. Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, the leading boutique hotel company, is preparing for the debut of its latest project, Hotel Palomar Los Angeles. Located in Los Angeles’ upscale Westwood neighborhood, adjacent to Beverly Hills at 10740 Wilshire Blvd., the sophisticated boutique hotel will boast an art theme, environmentally-friendly focus, 268 guestrooms and sweeping city views. The Hotel Palomar brings Kimpton’s award-winning environmentally responsible practices to Los Angeles. Beyond paying lip-service to the green trend, Kimpton sees its eco-friendly efforts as integral to its...

ANDERSON, CALIF.—Just south of the town of Redding, Calif., a new 122-room green hotel is nearing completion in the town of Anderson. Gaia at Anderson, built for $14 million and scheduled to open in March, is the latest project from Wen-I Chang, creator of America’s first LEED Gold certified hotel—the Gaia Napa Valley Hotel and Spa in American Canyon, Calif. Maintaining his high standards for the ultimate in an eco-friendly hotel, Chang has directed the construction crew to use state-of-the-art green building practices. Scraps of wood, cardboard and metal left over from the nearly completed construction are recycled. The contractor...

STOCKBRIDGE, MASS.—The Massachusetts Lodging Assn. awarded The Red Lion Inn the Good Earthkeeping Award at the Stars of the Industry Awards ceremony in Boston on February 12. The award recognizes a property that is a leader in the industry for its good earth keeping efforts. The Red Lion Inn won the award for the Up to 150 Rooms category. Good earth keeping is a vital part of The Red Lion Inn’s company culture and the way it conducts business. The Red Lion has integrated effective environmental management practices into as many aspects of its operation as possible and staff...