Green Lodging News has posted many articles detailing instances of food grown on-site at a hotel. It is becoming more common all the time. Growing food using a traditional garden-like method is most common, but our industry is starting to see more and more instances of food grown using other methods—hydroponics, for example. I wrote about the The Grow House (a.k.a. CropBox) at the Ritz-Carlton, Naples a couple of years ago. One company trying to make headway in the United States currently with its unique system is Eco Convergence Group Inc. The company, with offices in Orlando, Fla., says it...

I have posted about Virgin Hotels before—the Virgin Hotels Chicago earning LEED Gold, for example. The group of hotels has a sustainability policy which can be seen on its website. The company recently announced plans to open and operate a new hotel in Washington, D.C. Expected to open in fall 2019, the brand’s first Washington D.C. property will reside in the city’s emerging Union Market area. It will be managed by Virgin Hotels and developed by D.B. Lee Development & Construction and Brook Rose Development. Unique to the hotel is its accommodation of artists. The hotel will have its own artists-in-residence...

The Global Destination Sustainability Index has released its second city ranking. The GDS-Index is a collaborative business initiative created to help destinations, convention bureaus, event planners and MICE suppliers drive the adoption, promotion and recognition of responsible practices in the business tourism and events industry. The GDS-Index does this by measuring and comparing the social and environmental sustainability strategies, policies and performance of participating destinations and by sharing best practices from around the world. A key element of the GDS-Index is to determine a destination's environmental performance. They do this by examining aspects like a destination’s air quality, their...

In August I posted a blog item about my first visit to a LEED Platinum certified home. While not a lodging establishment, I thought I might pick up some valuable tips about green building. The name of the development is Mirabella and is in Bradenton, Fla. At the time of my visit there were 70 completed homes that had earned LEED Platinum, with 37 additional homes under construction and 53 lots remaining. I just read about Mirabella again this past week because of its Tree Planting Day. As it turns out, in late April and early May, vandals cut down...

Tomorrow I will be chatting with Kurt Bjorkman, General Manager of The Ranch at Laguna Beach (Laguna Beach, Calif.) about his property’s many sustainability initiatives. In case you are not familiar with the property, it is a member of National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World, a prestigious collection of lodges spanning 30 countries and six continents. According to National Geographic, “Each lodge is deeply rooted in its community and dedicated to protecting the surrounding habitats and cultures.” What caught my eye in the public relations person’s pitch about the property is its use of a GLSand glass bottle crusher....

Two recent publications on the topic of biophilic design are must-reads for architects, designers and others interested in sustainable design. Biophilic design is the practice of creating spaces that benefit both nature and humans. The first report, Human Spaces 2.0: Biophilic Design in Hospitality, was released recently by Interface in conjunction with Terrapin Bright Green. This new paper explores the biophilic design strategies used by hotels around the world to enhance guest experiences. It includes an investigation of pricing differentials for rooms with a view to nature and a discussion of the biophilic qualities of different properties and different...

What do you do when a known hate group wants to hold a meeting at your hotel? I recently received a press release from Muslim Advocates. The group describes itself on its website as a “national legal advocacy and educational organization that works on the frontlines of civil rights to guarantee freedom and justice for Americans of all faiths.” One of its goals is to “counter anti-Muslim hate by challenging bigotry and hate crimes.” There is certainly nothing wrong with that. What Muslim Advocates was concerned about was a meeting at a Marriott hotel in Crystal City, Va. earlier this month....

Asking guests to swear an oath before visiting a city seems like something from a medieval film, but it’s actually part of a new campaign launched this week by Visit Bend. The Bend Pledge is aimed at establishing a code of conduct for all people who spend time in Central Oregon. It’s a web-based initiative that asks potential visitors to abide by a code of conduct that includes items like, “I will make my own memories, but not my own trails,” and, “I will be a respectful guest in Bend’s indoor and outdoor spaces.” Visit Bend CEO Kevney Dugan explained the...

There’s a lot of good and bad advice out there, but the need to diversify your portfolio is non-negotiable. However, it’s not as simple these days to simply look at major markets and dip into them; the advent of technology and rising focus on environmentalism offers a challenge to those looking to make a wise investment. Scepticism remains, however, with personal and political doubts over climate change and faith in “classic” industries. This article will help you to get a handle on green financing. The Context The Paris agreement of 2016 has been the turning point for the world’s market. The demands of the...

The Biophilia hypothesis, according to Encyclopedia Brittanica, is the “idea that humans possess an innate tendency to seek connections with nature and other forms of life.” Biophilia has influenced architecture and design significantly in recent years and is highlighted in a new book by Amanda Sturgeon entitled, “Creating Biophilic Buildings.” Be sure to check it out. Amanda is CEO of the International Living Future Institute (ILFI), a leading organization that focuses on the transformation to a world that is socially just, culturally rich and ecologically restorative. She is the founder and driving force behind the organization’s Biophilic Design Initiative...