Repeatedly throughout my time as editor of Green Lodging News I have come across entrepreneurs—hotel owners—who spend more than is typical, even without government or utility help, to build highly efficient hotels. Yes, they recognize the business upside to going green—the lower energy, water, and waste costs—but there is usually something else driving that investment. I always try to ask what that is.
When I spoke with Sunny Dronawat this past week about his recently opened solar and soon to be wind powered La Quinta Inn and Suites by Wyndham Louisville East (Kentucky), I asked him why he decided to build such a green hotel. He told me, “If you get a chance to do something like this, you do it. We would do it again, no question.” Certainly not a profound statement but I could sense he, a Managing Partner of the hotel, just genuinely cared about doing the right thing for the planet.
The La Quinta Inn and Suites by Wyndham Louisville East is quite unique and an excellent example of “Wyndham Green” on display for all travelers to see. Wyndham Green is Wyndham Worldwide Corporation’s corporate social responsibility program. The LaQuinta property has 60 solar panels on its roof that generate 1.8 kilowatts of power. Soon to come are 10 1-kilowatt wind turbines that will also sit on the roof of the hotel. Together, the solar and wind systems will provide about 25 percent of the electricity the hotel needs.
Systems Will Complement One Another
Sunny told me the solar and wind systems will complement one another. On windy days it is typically cloudy which reduces the amount of power generated by the solar panels. Also, the wind is available all day and night. The electricity generated by the solar panels will directly power the hotel. Kentucky does not allow you to sell power back into the grid. Electricity generated by the wind turbines will be stored in a battery pack and then be used by the hotel.
In my article this coming week you will learn more about the green initiatives in place at the La Quinta Inn and Suites by Wyndham Louisville East—everything from 100 percent LED lighting to motion sensors to dispensers for shampoo, soap, and conditioner.
A hotel property with both solar and wind is rare. There may be just a few hotels in the entire country with both—if that. A big tip of the hat to Sunny and his other investment partners for investing in clean energy. May they set an example for many others to follow.
Who is Your Sustainability Champion?
Green Lodging News is always looking to profile sustainability champions in our Personnel Profile section. If you would like to nominate someone for this section of Green Lodging News, contact me at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.
Looking for Guest Columnists
Every two weeks Green Lodging News posts a new guest column on its website. (Click here for examples.) The guest column also appears in the weekly e-newsletter. Green Lodging News is currently in need of industry experts to contribute occasional guest columns. Experts may include consultants, architects, designers, suppliers and those who own or operate green lodging establishments. Columns may be articles that take a stance on a particular subject or be strictly educational in nature. Columnists benefit by having their photo included along with a one paragraph description of their company. Interested in writing a column? Contact Glenn Hasek, publisher and editor, at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.
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Green Lodging News, lodging’s leading environmental news source, publishes Green Suppliers Spotlight, an e-blast to 24,611 subscribers that features the lodging industry’s leading green products and services. The e-blast features multiple vendors—unlike the current Green Supplier Spotlight that allows one supplier to “own” the Green Lodging News subscriber list for one e-blast. (Click here for a Green Suppliers Spotlight sample.)
Green Suppliers Spotlight is published weekly on Thursdays to general managers, owners, management companies, directors of sustainability, directors of engineering, facilities managers and many others who are either in purchasing positions or who influence purchasing decisions. Suppliers of green products and services throughout North America and beyond are invited to participate in the e-blast. (Minimum two suppliers per e-blast.) Green Suppliers Spotlight was created to give vendors an opportunity to reach a high number of industry purchasers at a very low cost—as low as $200 per e-mail. (Click here for rate sheet.)
Those advertising in Green Suppliers Spotlight can include up to 100 words, one image, contact information and multiple links to their website in their ad. At the end of each month, a report will be sent to each supplier with information on delivered e-mails, opens and click-throughs.
Planning Advertising for 2021?
Green Lodging News is accepting reservations for advertising spots for 2021. Many excellent spots are available on our website and in the weekly e-mail newsletter. Many Green Supplier Spotlight dates are also available. Interested in receiving a 2021 media kit? Be sure to contact me as soon as possible at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at greenlodgingnews@gmail.com. Media kits can also be accessed by clicking here. Thank you to all those companies that consistently support Green Lodging News.
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