MCLEAN, VA.—Hilton Worldwide announced a new mattress recycling program in coordination with the installation of new Serta mattresses and box springs. Available immediately across all brands in the United States, the program will recycle approximately 85 percent of Hilton hotel mattresses and box springs into various products rather than being diverted to a landfill. “Our hotels have purchased more than 50,000 mattresses in the past two years in the U.S. alone,” said Randy Gaines, vice president, engineering operations for the Americas at Hilton Worldwide. “This program presents a great opportunity for our hotels globally, offers a cost savings to...

CAMPECHE, MEXICO—Fourteen of Mexico’s major tourism companies and associations have signed commitments to the UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, joining the growing number of private sector players that have pledged to promote and implement the values of responsible and sustainable tourism as championed by the Code.The signing, held on the occasion of the 94th Session of the UNWTO Executive Council, was witnessed by UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, the Minister of Tourism of Mexico, Gloria Guevara, and the Members of UNWTO Executive Council.“Today you are committing your company to the integration of ethical norms and responsible practices in...

FREDERICK, MD.—The 120-suite TownePlace Suites by Marriott, Frederick, Md., has opened. The TownePlace Suites Frederick will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned by Westview Hospitality Associates, LLC and managed by Plamondon Hospitality Partners.The hotel is expected to achieve LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver certification for its contributions in making the environment a healthier place by reducing waste and conserving energy and water. It is the second TownePlace Suites to receive this level of certification and will be achieving LEED certification via Marriott’s LEED Volume program using the pre-certified prototype for the brand.Green features include: a fleet...

LONGBOAT KEY, FLA.—Longboat Key Club & Resort, a strong proponent of green hospitality, has taken its commitment one step farther with the implementation of green golf course technology as standard procedures for their golf course maintenance programs.Long before “green” became the industry buzzword it is today, Longboat Key Club & Resort was well on its way to identifying sustainable and energy saving initiatives that have been widely implemented throughout the resort. When the focus turned to refurbishing their golf courses, they relied on the expertise of John Reilly, director of agronomy, to find a system that would accomplish the...

DEARBORN, MICH.—The 773-room Hyatt Regency Dearborn will open its doors as the Adoba Hotel Dearborn/Detroit on November 1, 2012. The hotel, which overlooks Ford World Headquarters, the Henry Ford Museum and the Detroit suburb of Dearborn, will be managed by Atmosphere Hospitality Management. Atmosphere is the owner and operator of the Adoba brand.  “We are thrilled to be part of this community and excited to resume business as usual,” says Jim Henderson, CEO/president of Atmosphere. “Most importantly, we look forward to serving our guests and working with such a well-regarded team of employees, as the Adoba team begins a...

BROOKLYN, N.Y.—Guests planning a stay at Hotel BPM Brooklyn will see more “green” than the hotel’s lime green décor. Hotel BPM by DJ BIJAL, named for the music term referring to the pace count of a song, “beats per minute,” is helping the environment through various eco-friendly amenities and initiatives on property. From the air conditioner units and lighting to the in-room amenities, Hotel BPM continues to make great strides to go green. Upon stepping foot in one of the boutique property’s 76 rooms, guests can unwind with air conditioner units that keep the room at a guest’s desired temperature...

MIAMI—Downtown Miami’s hospitality market just got a whole lot greener with its first LEED certified hotel. Hospitality Operations, Inc.’s new 221-room Hampton Inn & Suites Miami Brickell-Downtown has been awarded LEED Silver certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The property becomes the first LEED certified hotel within City of Miami limits. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the nation’s preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings.The Hampton Inn & Suites Miami Brickell-Downtown is also outperforming the market when it comes to guest satisfaction, rising to become the top ranked...

VANCOUVER, B.C.—Vancouver’s newest lounge at Hyatt Regency Vancouver is a unique gastro bar and urban retreat for foodies and fun lovers. Grain Tasting Bar offers a warm, open atmosphere inspired by a window wall of glass panes that gives an all-season view of the downtown streetscape and can be removed so the inside and outside are a seamless experience.Specializing in artisan cocktails, regional wines, craft beer, and fresh, local cuisine, Grain Tasting Bar is a pure culinary experience that infuses the flavors of British Columbia. Sourcing produce, organic breads and cured meats from local and sustainable growers, bakers, and...

NATIONAL REPORT—Just as the lodging industry has made significant strides toward sustainability since 2008, so too have two promotional product companies, each launching in that year and since expanding their green product offerings to thousands of items. The two companies include Green Promotional Items, Danvers, Mass., and Eco Promotional Products, Inc., Vernon Hills, Ill. The two distributors carry pads of recycled paper, pens, USB flash drives, mugs, apparel, water bottles, solar powered calculators, awards/plaques, magnets, name badges and many other items. Each item makes its own unique green statement—whether in a guestroom, at the front desk, during a trade...

NEW YORK—The InterContinental New York Barclay debuts its 45-bottle strong 100 percent USDA approved organic wine and spirits menu. The menu and organic cocktail selection is available at The Barclay Bar, on hotel room service menus and for private banquet events.In partnering with the Green Bar Collective, the InterContinental New York Barclay and Barclay Bar aim to conserve the environment. Using certified organic ingredients, the spirits offered at the hotel help to maintain clean farmland and groundwater, and prevent adding artificial fertilizers, synthetic pesticides or genetically modified organisms to the world.The new menu includes nearly 50 selections of organic...