CELEBRATION, FLA.—The Mona Lisa Suite Hotel, the new 240-room all-suite luxury hotel scheduled to open next month in Celebration, Fla., revealed the steps it is taking to make the hotel a leading choice for guests who seek luxurious, high-touch accommodations while minimizing their impact on the environment. To validate its dedication to being environmentally friendly, the hotel will seek certification from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Green Lodging Program. According to hotel executives, the move is part of the hotel’s commitment to serving the best interests of hotel guests, the neighboring community and other stakeholders.
“Guests are consciously looking for hotels that support the same environmentally friendly decisions they are making in their own homes,” says Jetse Pottinga, regional vice president of operations for Graves World Hospitality, the property’s management company, and general manager of the hotel. “It is important that we add value to our local community as well as to guests who choose our suites as their home away from home. We are committed to doing our part to conserve and protect the area’s natural resources. In addition, our Green Team will continue to look for new ways to reduce waste, minimize pollution and maximize sustainability.”
According to a survey by the Travel Industry Association of America, 54 million adults said they were inclined to book with travel companies that strive to protect and preserve the local environment of the destination.
‘Cool’ Roof Reflects Heat
Energy-saving steps being taken to construct and operate the Mona Lisa Suite Hotel in an eco-friendly manner include a “cool roof” with heat-reflective properties that minimizes radiant heat from entering the building, and double-pane windows using low-E glass designed to maximize access to natural sunlight and reduce the need for artificial lighting.
In addition, energy-efficient lighting fixtures equipped with automatic photosensitive controls will be used throughout the property, and water consumption will be reduced through dual-flush toilets and low-flow showerheads designed to reduce overall water usage while ensuring adequate water pressure.
Guest suites will also be equipped with energy-saving kitchen appliances and in-suite recycling containers as part of a hotel-wide recycling program. Other environmentally friendly steps include recycling a significant portion of the construction debris, and reclaiming water so it can be re-used for irrigating the hotel’s 12 tropically landscaped acres.
Eco-Friendly Vehicles Favored
Perhaps more evident to guests will be the neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs) used on the property grounds, and preferred parking spaces available for those driving hybrid or electric vehicles. Guests and staff who prefer to bike to the hotel will have access to bike racks and courtesy showers.
Finally, L’OCCITANE en Provence personal care amenities will be offered in the guest suites. These products are made from plant-based ingredients derived, whenever possible, from organic agriculture. Designed to respect the environment, the products’ packaging materials are sourced from sustainably managed forests.
The Florida Green Lodging Program was established in 2004 by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection with the intent of recognizing and rewarding environmentally conscientious lodging facilities in the state. According to guidelines of the program, once green initiatives are in place, the hotel will undergo an on-site audit. Certified hotels must demonstrate ongoing progress from year to year to stay in the program.
Go to the Mona Lisa Suite Hotel.
