With the current increase in pool use, proper maintenance and attention to safety are imperative to keep the pool clean and people safe from chemical misuse. Chemicals are important for maintenance but unfortunately can cause chemical burns, respiratory problems, and eye irritation, to name a few. I recently spoke with Theresa Bellish of NSF to learn more about pool safety. Bellish has over twenty years of experience in testing, auditing and certification services for drinking water treatment chemicals, distribution system components, recreational water products, onsite wastewater treatment systems and electrical safety services. Bellish shared a few simple steps hoteliers...

There are many upsides to adaptive reuse, of course. Converting an existing building into a hotel eliminates the huge environmental cost of materials—their manufacturing, their transportation to the site, and the resources involved in the assembling/construction of those materials. If the building has unique characteristics, the preservation of them creates a story that will live on in the “new” hotel. Historic Hotels of America, an official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, recently announced The 2024 Top 25 Historic Hotels of America Best of Adaptive Reuse list. The list spotlights 25 richly preserved historic buildings that were not originally...

The Turtle Conservancy is dedicated to protecting threatened turtles and tortoises and their habitats worldwide, and to promoting their appreciation by people everywhere. Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina in Fort Myers Beach, Fla. just announced its achievement of the Turtle Conservancy’s Turtle Safe Certification, highlighting its commitment to protecting local sea turtle populations. This prestigious certification recognizes the resort’s comprehensive efforts to implement turtle-friendly lighting throughout its property, ensuring a safe nesting environment for these endangered creatures. In collaboration with the Turtle Conservancy, Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina received a grant to assist in the transition to turtle-friendly lighting....

Hotels with wellness amenities experienced notable revenue growth in 2023, with upper-upscale properties emerging as top performers, according to the latest Wellness Real Estate Report by RLA Global, published in collaboration with P & L benchmarking firm HotStats. Among the key findings: Revenue Performance: Luxury hotels with comprehensive wellness offerings reported the highest Total Revenue Per Available Room (TRevPAR), achieving three times the TRevPAR of upper upscale hotels in 2023. However, upper upscale properties led in terms of both Average Daily Rate (ADR) and TRevPAR growth across all wellness categories. Operational Insights: Minor Wellness properties, those earning less than $1 million or...

Costa Rica’s Hotel Belmar has gotten quite a bit of “ink” on Green Lodging News and deservedly so. The latest press release posted on Green Lodging News highlights the hotel’s sustainable cuisine. The boutique property has won the Silver award at the Latin America Responsible Tourism Awards and last year launched a new carbon negative initiative that encourages guests to participate in the Offset Your Footprint program by matching all donations. The donations result in a carbon negative trip for hotel guests who choose to participate. In the hotel’s latest blog post, it details its partnership with ECOHEROES, a program aimed at eradicating...

As has been reported here on Green Lodging News, much of our industry's greatest work is done by its foundations. Sandals Resorts International (SRI) announced plans this week to commemorate the anniversary of its nonprofit arm, the Sandals Foundation, with a new, year-long campaign titled, Empower 15. As part of this initiative, The Power of 15 project will harness the strength of the Caribbean sun to bring sustainable solar energy to Caribbean schools, ensuring a much-needed power supply that allows for learning in the critical digital space to continue uninterrupted. “Providing access to a reliable and cost-efficient energy source puts Caribbean children at an advantage. Power is power in today’s world, where a digital...

NATIONAL REPORT—Green Lodging News recently interviewed Hans P. Vriens, Managing Director and President North America, ADA Cosmetics, to understand the pressures leading to the phasing out of single-use amenity bottles. I understand that California and New York are eliminating single-use mini toiletries from hotels. Help me understand the legislation in each state. Any new shampoo, conditioner, etc. purchased must now be offered as part of an on-the-wall dispenser system? Or can a hotel use large-format bottles not on the wall elsewhere in the bathroom? Does the legislation offer a time window to transition? Or, has that time window now passed?...

Our guest news blogger this week is Jon Strassner. He is the founder of Jon Strassner Consulting LLC. I recently had the good fortune to present at HD Expo in Las Vegas. Along with my good friend and podcast partner, Verda Alexander, we wanted to dive into the idea of reusing furniture in hospitality. Verda and I produce a podcast together called Break Some Dishes, just now embarking on its fifth season. We find people out there doing extraordinary work, quietly, to impact the effects of climate change. The hospitality design industry has notoriously dragged its collective feet when it...

Tesla made headlines again recently with its decision to dissolve its EV charging team. The move, announced by CEO Elon Musk, has sparked intense debate about the future of EV charging. Tesla's decision came as a shock to many, especially considering the pivotal role charging infrastructure plays in the widespread adoption of electric vehicles. The company has long been hailed for its holistic approach to the EV ecosystem, encompassing not only cutting-edge vehicle technology but also a network of charging stations across the globe. So why would Tesla choose to disband a team responsible for such a crucial aspect of its...

In 2008 I first wrote about energy surcharges at hotels. At that time, the Jamaica Hotel & Tourist Association (JHTA) announced that it would support energy surcharges of up to $10 per night at its member hotels. The idea did not go over well at that time and today the whole notion of additional “hidden” fees does not sit well with any traveler. That is why I was surprised to learn that the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Naples Downtown – 5th Ave (Fla.) is currently charging a 5 percent Green Hotel Initiatives Eco Fee. The Gate With Brian...