PARSIPPANY, N.J.—Wyndham Worldwide, one of the world’s largest hospitality companies, announced that through its social good campaign, the company’s Wishes by Wyndham philanthropic program will donate $60,000 to be equally divided between its three signature charities: the Association of Hole in the Wall Camps, Christel House International and Starlight Children's Foundation. During the three-month Facebook campaign that began in August, Wyndham Worldwide pledged to donate $1 to its signature charities (up to $60,000) for every new person that “liked” the Wyndham Worldwide Facebook page. Through the campaign, Wyndham Worldwide gained almost 5,500 Facebook fans, who shared nearly 7,000 Facebook posts...

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.—Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. recently announced the opening of Element New York Times Square West. The first Element hotel to open in New York City, Element New York Times Square West is one of the city’s greenest properties and located in the center of fast-paced Times Square. Element, Starwood’s green trailblazer, continues to make history as the first major hotel brand to mandate that all its properties pursue Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). Element’s energizing, eco-chic environment offers bright public spaces, smart design, and modern...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Green Seal is proposing a criterion revision to its existing Standard for Hotels and Lodging Properties, GS-33. This revision proposes to extend the transition period between Bronze and Silver levels of certification from the currently mandatory one year, to three years. This amendment would make GS-33 more consistent with other Green Seal service standards, namely GS-46, Green Seal’s Standard for Restaurants and Food Service Operations. Green Seal also recognizes the challenges of the industry of capital expenses or additional training of staff and sees that by extending the Bronze-level timeline, it becomes a more effective entry level; while...

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J.—Distributed Sun LLC (D-SUN), a Washington, D.C.-based solar project developer, owner and operator, announced it has signed a 20-year, 1.1-megawatt power purchase agreement (PPA) to generate solar electricity for the Sheraton Meadowlands Hotel & Conference Center. In the first of several megawatt-scale, commercial solar projects to be commissioned in 2011, D-SUN will construct and operate a solar powered carport facility in partnership with The Buccini/Pollin Group (BPG), the owner of the property, and Pollin/Miller Hospitality Strategies, Inc. (PMHS), the property manager. The solar system will be owned by Distributed Sun’s Solar Energy Investment Company (SEIC), sunTWO, and...

SKOKIE, ILL.—Each year in the United States, more than $35 billion in direct property loss is caused by natural disasters. Yet, while states and municipalities are seeking to adopt ordinances that require “green” or “sustainable” construction, they are overlooking disaster-resistance construction. To allow local governments to adopt green building codes that address high performance as well as conventional sustainable features, the Portland Cement Association (PCA) and the Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) have developed High Performance Building Requirements for Sustainability 2.0. The criteria are written in mandatory language that amends and appends the International Code Council International Building...

BANGKOK—Dining at Soneva Kiri by Six Senses is anything but ordinary and has now been taken to new heights, with the recently launched Treepod Dining experience. The Treepod is situated at one of the best vantage points the resort offers, a few yards along the coastal path from the resort’s main facilities on the west facing side of the island. Guests board the rattan bird’s nest at ground level and fasten their leather seatbelts to be gently hoisted 16 feet into the tall, native massang trees. The Pod is outfitted with comfortable cushioned seating for up to four diners....

SANYA, CHINA—The Ritz-Carlton, Sanya has received two accolades for its commitment to running and operating an environmentally conscious hotel: The Gold Leaf Grade “China Green Hotel” and the “Top 10 Green Hotel Room.” These awards were given to the hotel by the National Green Hotel Committee and China Hotel Association. The awards are the highest certifications for recognizing a hotel’s contribution toward environmental conservation, greening programss, food safety and hygiene, and energy efficiency. Continuing The Ritz-Carlton brand’s longstanding Community Footprint and Give Back Getaway activity, The Ritz-Carlton, Sanya has established a long-term program based on environment protection. It embraces the...

GOLDEN, COLO.—Lewis Properties announced that it has installed solar panels on its award-winning Colorado-based hotels—the Golden Hotel in Golden and the Boulder Creek Quality Inn & Suites in Boulder—making them the first solar powered hotels in their respective cities. The installations, to be completed this month, will make a significant impact on decreasing the carbon footprint of the hotels. Owners Burt and Andria Lewis stated, “This was an easy decision for us; we are consistently trying to enhance our green practices and what better way to do so than by going solar.” The 62-room Golden Hotel features a 160-panel, 33.6-kilowatt...

ORLANDO, FLA.—The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, a luxurious property located on the shores of Lake Louise in Banff National Park, has partnered with Clean the World, an Orlando-based soap recycling organization, to collect discarded hotel amenities and distribute them to people in need. Collections for recycling begin September 16 and will help reinforce the eco-friendly profile of The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, which already enjoys a strong reputation for responsible tourism and sustainable hotel management. Since opening its doors in 1890, the Chateau has been a distinguished vacation destination in the heart of Banff National Park. With 554 guestrooms and suites,...

CHICAGO—The North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers’ (NAFEM) biennial event, The NAFEM Show, February 10 to 12, 2011, Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Fla., will provide a first look at the foodservice equipment and supplies industry’s products, solutions and innovations in 2011. Attracting approximately 20,000 foodservice professionals and featuring more than 500 exhibitors, the show once again includes a new product gallery, topical educational sessions and networking opportunities. Innovative thinking is celebrated in WHAT’S HOT! WHAT’S COOL!, a one-stop-shop spotlighting new products in the areas of labor savings, sanitation, energy efficiency, food safety, lifecycle costs and more. The 2011...