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...

As posted on Green Lodging News, more than 10,000 hospitality design professionals are expected to convene at HD Expo at Mandalay Bay Convention Center on May 5 to 7. I have attended HD Expo many times and one of the highlights is always the impressive lineup of speakers focused on wellness and sustainability. This year the lineup is just as impressive: Tuesday, May 5 Wellness by Design: Seamless Technology Experiences from Hotel to Home Speakers: Kaylee Barnett, RH Glenn Nowak, UNLV - University of Nevada, Las Vegas Sherrie Tennessee, Virginia State University/SpaSOS Alissa Ponchione, Hospitality Design Micro-Gathering: Driving Purpose-Driven Transparency & Empathy in Design Culture Speaker: David Shove-Brown, AIA, NCARB is Partner at...

Yesterday, Disney Vacation Club shared more details about the proposed Disney Lakeshore Lodge, a new resort projected to open at Walt Disney World Resort in summer 2027. Nestled along the shores of Bay Lake, this tranquil waterfront retreat will invite members and guests to celebrate the beauty and magic of nature, as seen through the eyes of Disney artists and storytellers. Previously announced in November 2024, Disney Lakeshore Lodge will celebrate the profound connection between nature and imagination—a bond at the heart of Walt Disney’s artistic vision. From the lush forests of “Bambi” to the colorful winds of “Pocahontas” and...

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) recently released its 2026 Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce, finding ongoing widespread pesticide residue on popular non-organic fruits and vegetables—including pesticides that are the “forever chemicals” known as PFAS. EWG has published the Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce nearly every year since 2004. The 2026 edition analyzed USDA residue data from 54,344 samples of 47 fruits and vegetables, detecting 264 pesticides and breakdown products. In 2025, EWG strengthened its methodology to incorporate pesticide toxicity, alongside the number and levels of residues. Details were published in the peer-reviewed International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health. The guide...

I have mentioned Give Kids The World Village several times before on Green Lodging News. For those of you not familiar with the organization, it is a Central Florida nonprofit that provides week-long, cost-free vacations to critically ill children and their families. I just learned that Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach (Fla.) and Davidson Hospitality Group have debuted guestrooms designed to benefit Give Kids The World Village, Guests booking these rooms will have a portion of the proceeds donated to the nonprofit. The Give Kids The World rooms feature partial views of the Gulf and Intracoastal waterways, specialty artwork and decor inspired...

The WELL Building Standard (WELL) is a performance-based, evidence-based certification system designed by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) to measure, certify, and monitor features of the built environment—such as air, water, nourishment, light, movement, thermal comfort, sound, materials, mind, community and innovation—that impact human health and well-being. It focuses on enhancing employee productivity and occupant wellness. IWBI is currently accepting public comments on the next version of the Well Building Standard. Sign in to preview the standard here. The public comment period is open through May 1. Even if you are not currently pursuing Well certification, the proposed standard offers a lengthy list of steps...