NEW YORK—The common misconception that LEED is too hard and too expensive was dispelled a few weeks ago at the International Hotel, Motel + Restaurant Show in a panel entitled, “Gone Platinum! A First-Time Ever Gathering of Leaders of Three LEED Platinum Hotels.” The only three LEED Platinum certified hotels in the United States at this time (not including the one LEED Platinum hostel) were represented. The panel was truly the pinnacle of sustainably developed hotels in the United States, with Jim Treadway, G.M. at Bardessono (Yountville, Calif.), Lynee Sauer, Business Manager, Hotel Skyler (Syracuse, N.Y.) and Dennis W....

More than 34 million tons of food waste are sent to landfills annually and the hospitality industry is a significant contributor. The recent trend of jurisdictions implementing food waste restrictions and bans is making sustainable alternatives no longer just a social responsibility; but a mandatory requirement. The good news is some successful back-of-the-house programs can help increase profitability and subsidize the front-of-the-house improvements. The hospitality industry consumes a large volume of food and beverage through in-house restaurants, catering, buffets, and guestroom services. In some cases, hotel guests have been known to produce approximately two pounds of food waste per night...

In the last few years, we have seen a growing trend towards minimal decoration and a “less is more” focus, particularly during the recession. This was clearly based on a belief that money spent on office plants is wasted. The long standing lean philosophy, where it is argued that clean work surfaces create a better working environment, is dispelled unambiguously in a new paper published in the American Psychological Association’s Journal of Experimental Psychology: Applied, and authored by leading academics from the Universities of Exeter (U.K.), Cardiff (U.K.), Queensland (Australia) and Groningen (Netherlands). The study, which looks at both short...

When professional athletes find themselves in the “hot seat” due to some unfortunate incident, commentators never fail to mention that the situation is even more disturbing because it will have a negative impact on children and other sports fans. In fact, today more than ever, professional athletes are powerful celebrities, and what they say and do—good or bad—are widely reported. Of course, just as negative news about or by a professional sports leader can have widespread ramifications, so can positive actions. Consider, for instance, if American basketball star Kobe Bryant were to speak out about making a personal commitment to...

The evolution of LED lighting has been impressively swift. Just a few years ago, LEDs were being discounted in hotel guestrooms due to the harsh light and high price point. These small semiconductor chips that efficiently convert electricity into light were fine for always-on lobby lighting, but too expensive and unattractive for in-room placement. My, how times have changed. Prices are plummeting, education is rising and ambience is in the forefront of manufacturer’s minds. And while LEDs are still more expensive up front than the other options, the long term energy savings combined with long life and low maintenance make...

If you frequent Green Lodging News, you are likely someone who appreciates innovative best practices that not only have curb appeal, but also have a real opportunity to occur. The trend in urban beekeeping within the hotel industry might just be slated for that kind of trajectory. Over the past two to three years, we have seen an increase in articles highlighting hotel beekeeping as a growing trend among popular brands, such as Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, Mandarin Oriental and InterContinental to name a few. This trend continues to gain popularity among hoteliers as I have seen myself in...

With plug-in hybrid and fully electric vehicle sales on the rise, the mantra “if you build it, they will come” is quickly becoming a reality for hospitality managers as guests search for overnight EV charging as an amenity option. A TripAdvisor review headline tells the story: “The Electric Vehicle Charger is Why We Chose This Hotel”—December 2013. This is supported by a recent survey conducted by Morpace, which found that plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) drivers actively seek out and frequent establishments that offer charging using mobile apps to locate charging stations. In fact, 94 percent of survey respondents have chosen...

Considered the largest sector of the travel and tourism industry, the hotel business will be increasingly challenged in its effort to keep up with demand without causing damage to the environment. There are various challenges that the hospitality sector faces with regards to green initiatives, including rapid growth in the travel industry, transient occupants, and long hours of operation. Nevertheless, strong efforts have been made throughout the industry to realize the environmental and financial benefits of upgrading existing buildings to improve energy efficiency, reduce water consumption, and improve the quality of the space in terms of air, noise and...

Operating around the clock, whether there are only two guests or 200, hotels consume tremendous amounts of energy. For a full service hotel in the United States energy costs are usually between 4 and 6 percent of revenue. International properties, historic hotels and luxury resorts can see energy costs hit 10 percent or more—so it’s not surprising that sustainability efforts in the hospitality industry are usually focused on energy efficiency measures first. Leading hospitality brands and smaller boutique hotels are both pioneering the charge to go green, incorporating conservation and efficiency measures into all operations. Nearly all hotel brands, from...

Advanced controls. Remote monitoring. Automatic warning e-mails and maintenance reminders. Innovations including spray rinse and over-dry prevention. Welcome to the future of on-premises laundries (OPLs) in the digital age. The advancements in technology, and the way in which on-premises laundry facilities operate, have changed significantly during the last 20 years, even the past year. With these technology innovations and advancements, the laundry industry has responded to a more sophisticated OPL and tech-savvy laundry manager. In return, managers are experiencing reduced costs, increased efficiencies and throughput and extended linen life. Advanced Controls Today’s OPL manager is looking for unprecedented control of his or...