NEW HAVEN, CONN.—Just a few weeks ago, it was announced that the anticipated net-zero energy Hotel Marcel New Haven, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, has achieved Passive House certification from Passive House Institute (PHI). The accomplishment is one in a long series of accomplishments for Bruce Redman Becker, architect and developer of the 165-room hotel that once was the Armstrong Rubber Company Building, aka Pirelli Building. Green Lodging News spoke with Becker to learn about the Passive House certification and to get caught up on how his LEED Platinum building has performed since it opened in May 2022. According to the Passive House Institute,...

SCHENECTADY, N.Y.—DSD Renewables has completed a four canopy, 6.5 MW solar portfolio for Caesars Entertainment at the gaming company’s Atlantic City destinations. The installations are across two different Caesars Atlantic City properties and will produce approximately 8.29 MWh of clean energy each year. A fifth canopy is currently under development and is slated to be complete in 2024 bringing the solar portfolio to 7.4 MW. The portfolio supports Caesars’ environmental commitment to promote initiatives and activities that reduce the carbon footprint of Caesars properties. Caesars is one of the largest customers of Atlantic City Electric in Atlantic City—the local utility—and...

BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND—Real estate investor and developer Lamington Group is adding to its pioneering eco hometel brand with the opening of room2 Belfast, the fourth outpost, and first property outside England, set to open October 16. The new property will consist of 175 rooms across nine floors as well as a vibrant café, tearoom, meeting and event spaces, a gym, bar, restaurant and a spacious lounge available for both guests and locals alike looking for a vibrant eco-friendly space to work, relax or simply catch up with friends. Keeping in line with Lamington Group’s commitment to sustainability, the fully electric room2...

BANGKOK—Six Senses Porto Heli will bring the brand’s trademark wellness and sustainability ethos to the elegant Ermioni in the Greek Peloponnese, with the famous islands of Spetses and Hydra within view. The spot is surrounded by protected coves and bays enjoying the clear waters of the Aegean and is known for its yacht-filled marinas, palatial summer villas, sun-kissed Mediterranean landscape, fine dining, and boutique stores. Historically, the Peloponnese has been the main field of action for Greece since prehistoric times, hosting important archaeological sites, including Olympia, Epidaurus, and Mycenae. Located 124 miles from Athens, Porto Heli has evolved from a...

CAGLIARI, SARDINIA—Forte Village in Sardinia, Italy announced they have recently been awarded the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) certification. The honor certifies that the resort complies with the highest social and environmental standards available, including the areas of restaurant, management of wellness, pool, and tennis areas. The notable achievement is a demonstration of the sustainability efforts and initiatives Forte Village has put in place over the last few years. Forte Village prioritizes environmental preservation and sustainable practices, focusing on a philosophy that revolves around living in harmony with nature, supporting the local economy and culture, and maximizing economic and social benefits. To ensure sustainable development, they...

MÉRIDA, MEXICO—WAYAM Mundo Imperial may only have 52 suites but its efforts to reduce its environmental footprint surpass green-focused properties much greater in size. The property in Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico just earned LEED Gold certification—the first one in Mérida with LEED certification and an ideal partner for Yucatan´s LEED Platinum International Congress Center. Fernando Zepeda, General Manager of the 72-employee WAYAM Mundo Imperial, says the hotel’s owners embarked on the path toward LEED certification about five years ago, though their commitment to sustainable development goes back decades. The property opened in the summer of 2020, right in the middle of the pandemic....

KAILUA-KONA, HAWAII—Officially open to guests last month, Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort is privileged to call the sacred land of Kaʻūpūlehu home. An inspired reimagination of the original Kona Village Resort, which first opened in the 1960s and subsequently shuttered in 2011, a familiar silhouette has returned to the island’s horizon. Real estate investment company Kennedy Wilson took a light-on-the-land approach to reconstructing the resort and has partnered with Rosewood Hotels & Resorts to build on that foundation, prioritizing environmental responsibility and care for local culture in the guest experience. Spanning 81 acres of stunning geologic landscape, Kona Village pulls inspiration from Kaʻūpūlehu’s...

MALE—Siyam World Maldives is committed to promoting sustainability and preserving the beauty of our oceans, protecting marine life, and reducing the environmental impact in line with Sun Siyam Resorts’ group-wide sustainability program Sun Siyam Cares. Siyam World continues to drive sustainability initiatives forward with the most significant project being a coral restoration effort in their house reef. The coral frames are carefully put in place by resort staff and guests, providing habitat for broken coral pieces and allowing them to grow into an artificial reef structure. The in-house local Marine Biologist Thuhu and her team take care of the coral, ensuring full...

STOCKHOLM—Scandic Go is the company’s new hotel brand in the fast-growing economy segment. The first Scandic Go hotel will open on Upplandsgatan in Stockholm in September, and Scandic has now signed a lease agreement for another Scandic Go, this time a centrally located hotel with 221 rooms at Fridhemsplan on the island of Kungsholmen in Stockholm. The plan is to open the hotel toward the end of the summer of 2024 following a renovation. Scandic signed the lease agreement with the company’s largest landlord, Pandox. Fridhemsplan is a major gateway to central Stockholm. The residential buildings, restaurants, bars, stores, and...

HOPE VALLEY, CALIF.—Following the successful 2022 opening of its first luxury micro-resort (located in South Lake Tahoe), Desolation Hotel announces its expansion to a second Sierra Nevada location: Desolation Hotel Hope Valley (located in Hope Valley, Calif.). The family-owned, eco-conscious hotel brand now offers two ways to explore this singular Northern California region—and will be running a shuttle between the properties, providing guests convenient access to both experiences. Guests staying at either location may freely access amenities at either property. Formerly known as Sorensen’s Resort, and now Desolation Hotel Hope Valley, this mountain retreat has been a beloved getaway for outdoor and adventure enthusiasts since...