CHICAGO—The InterContinental Chicago is offering eco-conscious travelers one of the greenest hotel stays in the city of Chicago. On October 16, the historic hotel, housed in a building built in 1929, received the Green Seal Silver certification for superior eco-friendly initiatives and highly efficient energy use. The InterContinental was one of only five hotels in Chicago to receive the certification, and the only “big 10” hotel—the 10 largest hotels in the city by capacity—to be honored. The InterContinental Chicago is also the first hotel in the city of Chicago to hold certifications from both Green Seal and Energy Star,...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Hotel owners now have more energy efficient choices when shopping for televisions. Since November 1, televisions meeting EPA’s new, more comprehensive energy efficiency specification have been available. Televisions that meet the new Energy Star specification will be up to 30 percent more energy efficient than conventional models. If all televisions sold in the United States met the new Energy Star requirements, the savings in energy costs would grow to be about $1 billion annually and greenhouse gas emissions would be reduced by the equivalent of about 1 million cars. “EPA encourages consumers to look for the Energy Star label...

RIVIERA MAYA, MEXICO—Emerging on the hotel scene with an environmental focus, Sandos Hotels & Resorts unveiled plans to convert Sandos Caracol Beach Resort & Spa and Sandos Select Club Beach Resort & Spa in the Riviera Maya, Mexico, into an Eco-Resort and Eco-Versity in which guests will view, learn and engage in ecological techniques and practices. The new Sandos Caracol Eco-Resort & Spa will debut in 2009. “In order to move towards a sustainable future, we decided to transform our Caracol complex into an Eco-Resort by implementing a variety of ‘green’ practices that are taken to the next...

SANTA MONICA, CALIF.—The Hotel Shangri-La in Santa Monica, which has recently undergone a $30 million refurbishment, will not only reopen in November 2008 with a sleek new look, but also with many new green amenities and practices. The Hotel Shangri-La, which overlooks the Pacific Ocean on Ocean Ave., is dedicating itself to being environmentally conscious. The newly redesigned hotel, which will display a mix of nostalgic Art Deco elements with a contemporary twist, will be adding a restaurant, an elevated pool with cabanas, and a rooftop bar named Suite 700. Other changes include many eco-friendly elements and amenities which...

PORTLAND, ORE.—The Green Meeting Industry Council (GMIC) announced the theme for its annual Greening the Hospitality Industry Conference scheduled for February 24 to 26, 2009 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh. The theme is “action=sustainability.” The 2009 GMIC programs committee identified global and tactical concerns facing the meetings industry based on the audience sectors of corporate and association meeting planners, industry suppliers, government and the global meetings industry. The 2009 conference will offer tiered educational tracks for meeting planners and industry suppliers. The participants’ learning experiences will range from “Future leaders” 101 tracks, to hands-on experiential learning,...

SINGAPORE—Alila Hotels and Resorts announced its commitment to go carbon neutral, first through its head office and then throughout all of its properties in Asia. Working with The GreenAsia Group, a specialist in carbon management in Asia, Alila will first achieve carbon neutrality for its head office in Singapore by this December. Further affirming its commitment, Alila intends to achieve carbon neutrality for all of its seven existing hotels and resorts in Asia and to create programs for its guests to enjoy carbon neutral holidays. “Alila’s decision to go carbon neutral is in line with its long-held vision and corporate...

ATLANTA—Spas intent on greening their operations have a new strategic tool to work with as the result of an intensive three-day meeting organized by Green Spa Network (GSN), a trade association devoted to greening the spa industry. The organization’s first Green Spa Congress, held in Atlanta on September 29 to October 1, has developed the GSN Sustainability Assessment Tool—GSN SAT—to assist GSN member spas in their migration to becoming greener businesses. This is the first tool of its kind developed specifically for the spa industry. During three days of intensive meetings, 24 members of Green Spa Network (GSN) from all...

LAGUNA BEACH, CALIF.—Seven4one in Laguna Beach, Calif., is setting a new green standard with its new hotel in Orange County. It features a list of more than 35 green infrastructural and operational elements that enhance virtually every aspect of its daily operations. With this green approach—from bamboo-blend bath towels and green-certified mattresses to card-less door locks, a largely organic kitchen, lighting sensors, and Energy Star appliances—Seven4one differentiates itself from other hotels in the region with a forward-thinking approach to traditional hotel operations. “It’s not that difficult to think green, plan green, and operate green,” says Seven4one general manager, Julia Cattaneo....

NATIONAL REPORT—At least four companies in the United States are making it easy for hotels to dramatically reduce food waste volume by up to 90 percent. The decomposition machines they make, which are available in different sizes, can significantly reduce waste hauling costs and the volume of waste typically sent to the landfill. For the environment, there are additional benefits because fewer trucks have to roll and less waste sits in the landfill producing methane—a greenhouse gas. Food waste decomposition machines can be pricey but when used regularly can pay for themselves in three to five years. Lease options...

CRYSTAL CITY, VA.—Congressman Jim Moran (D-VA-8) and Chris Zimmerman, Arlington County Board Member, joined The JBG Companies and Marriott International, Inc. this past week to officially break ground on two major hotels: the Renaissance Crystal City Potomac Yards and the Residence Inn Crystal City Potomac Yards. The hotels are owned by The JBG Companies and will be managed by Marriott. Both properties are anticipated to be LEED certified “green” buildings when complete—the first hotels of such distinction in Arlington County. Wells Fargo arranged $128.7 million in construction financing for the project. Three other financial institutions participated in...