My family and I traveled to the Miami area this past weekend. We were there for the fan fest to watch Argentina’s World Cup match against Cabo Verde. It was great fun, of course; I am biased toward Argentina given my wife was born there. We stayed at a dual-branded Tru by Hilton/Home2 Suites by Hilton in Fort Lauderdale. I really like the designs of both brands. While I have stayed at other Tru by Hiltons in the last couple of years, I had not stayed at a Home2 Suites since 2013 when I was on a press trip to...

I have reported on quite a few “Trash to Treasure” stories over the years—the most recent being Poly-Wood, LLC because of its use of high-density polyethylene in its furniture. High-density polyethylene is an extremely durable type of plastic you’ll find all around your home: milk jugs, detergent containers, shampoo bottles, lotion bottles, cleaner spray bottles, etc. The most recent trash to treasure example that caught my eye is South Africa’s Stephen Pikus Design. Stephen is the founder, owner and creative director of his company that transforms truck and auto industry-related products such as truck waste oil filters and truck cooling...

Scandic Hotels, with above ground locations in cities including Berlin, Helsinke and Copenhagen, are partnering with Axfast to build an underground 135-room Scandic Go hotel beneath Stockholm’s Drottninggatan that will open in 2027, converting retail and warehouse space into a mixed-use property with offices and shops. Work on the project will commence this year. Guests will not stay for the view, but they can expect a good sleep. The four-floor hotel is windowless and emphasizes quiet, cost-conscious accommodation with digital or below-ground check-in and targets BREEAM In-Use Excellent and Nordic Swan Ecolabel certification. Shared spaces and staff rooms will have access...

Siyam World Maldives has unveiled one of the newest and most exciting wreck dives in the Maldives. Created from a former Maldivian tuna freighter, the 66.36-metre vessel now rests beneath the waters of Noonu Atoll, offering divers the opportunity to explore a remarkable new underwater attraction while laying the foundations for something even bigger. Over time, through natural coral growth and dedicated restoration efforts, the wreck will gradually transform into a thriving living reef, creating new habitat for marine life and supporting the long-term health of the surrounding ecosystem. This journey from shipwreck to living reef forms the foundation of Wreck to...

Bob W, Europe’s fastest-growing tech-powered hospitality operator, has reported that a typical guest night across its aparthotel portfolio generates 69 percent lower carbon emissions than the average European hotel stay, according to the company’s latest impact results. During the 2025 measurement year, Bob W expanded its footprint by opening ten new locations across Europe. Despite this growth, the company reduced the environmental impact of each stay through smarter operations, circular design principles, adaptive reuse of existing buildings, and clean energy initiatives. Compared with the previous year, total emissions decreased by more than 9 percent, supported by improved accuracy in data collection and...

Green Lodging News just added Necker Island to its Renewable Energy All Stars list in the Wind Powered and Solar Powered categories. Necker Island is part of the Virgin Limited Edition collection. Sir Richard Branson’s private island paradise, at 74 acres, is situated in the North Sound of the British Virgin Islands (BVI), in the eastern Caribbean Sea, to the east of Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. Whether conserving some of the world’s endangered species, running the island on renewable energy, or making the most of the natural resources found in the British Virgin Islands, there are countless initiatives...

Back in 1980, when Jimmy Carter was president and when I graduated from high school, the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) in our outdoor air was about 340 parts per million (ppm). According to the NOAA Global Monitoring Laboratory in Mauna Loa, Hawaii, in February the reading was 428 ppm. For breathing, 428 falls within the normal range—from 400 ppm to 1,000 ppm for typical outdoor air and well-ventilated indoor spaces. From 1,000 to 1,500 ppm, the air is considered stale and can cause sluggishness, drowsiness and reduced decision making. When reaching 5,000 ppm, the air is unsafe to...

Essendi recently published its 2025 Sustainability Report, marking the completion of its first five-year sustainability roadmap and highlighting measurable progress delivered through hotel-level execution, operational discipline and team engagement. Last year also marked a defining year for the Group, with the adoption of its new identity and the positioning of Positive Hospitality at the heart of the way Essendi creates long-term value for its business, assets, teams and the communities around them. A Five-Year Roadmap Translated into Measurable Progress Between 2021 and 2025, Essendi embedded sustainability more deeply into the way it operates, invests and manages its portfolio. The Group completed...

Search “Kimpton” on Green Lodging News—for Kimpton Hotels—and you will find a long list of articles highlighting the brand’s environmental efforts going all the way back to July 2006 when Green Lodging News was launched. I recently heard from Kimpton Hotel Palomar Philadelphia and would like to share a bit about their unique efforts. The property, housed in the historic Art Deco Architects Building, is LEED Gold certified, reflecting a globally recognized standard for sustainability achievement. The hotel integrates eco-conscious practices across its 230 guestrooms, public spaces, and event facilities, including: Energy efficiency: All guestroom, corridor, and public space lighting uses LED bulbs....

We are a little more than halfway through National Travel and Tourism Week (May 3 to 9). According to the U.S. Travel Association, National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW) is the U.S. travel industry’s annual tradition of recognizing the essential role travel plays in powering our economy, strengthening communities and connecting America. Established by U.S. Travel Association, NTTW brings the industry together each year to spotlight travel’s impact—from supporting 15 million jobs to generating critical tax revenue that funds public services and infrastructure in communities nationwide. In 2026, the theme “Postmarked: Essential” highlights a simple truth: travel is not optional—it is fundamental...