ASHEVILLE, N.C.—The Hilton Asheville, scheduled to open later this month, is one of the first major hotels in the United States to include a solar water heating system atop its roof. This system will be one of the largest installations in the Western North Carolina region. Water throughout the hotel, including the pool, will be solar heated, eliminating 25 tons of carbon dioxide per year, the equivalent of planting 7,377 trees. The solar water heating system is just one of the hotel’s many environmentally focused features. The 165-room hotel is set in the heart of Biltmore Park Town Square, the...

MEMPHIS, TENN.—Executives of Memphis-based Cooper Hotels, the largest multi-unit operator of Tennessee hotels, announced that two of the company’s hotels are the first Tennessee hotels to utilize solar power. Installation of state-of-the-art solar thermal systems that will provide hot water is now underway at the Hilton Knoxville Airport and the Doubletree Hotel Oak Ridge. “We are proud to be on the leading edge of sustainable tourism in Tennessee,” said Pace Cooper, Cooper Hotels president and CEO. “Our company has been committed to sustainability for years, with all five of our Florida hotels earning green designations by the Florida Department of...

PARADISE, TEXAS—Garrett Creek Ranch Conference Center in Paradise, Texas, has become the first property in Wise County to undertake native grass restoration. Through this effort, more than 100 acres have begun to return to the grasses, such as Big and Little Bluestem, Lometa Indiangrass, Blackwell Switchgrass, Sideoats Grama, Canadian Wildrye, Green Sprangletop and Eastern Gammagrass, which fed the region 100 years ago. The property’s remaining 300 acres will be added to the program over the next two years. Additionally, a complete inventory of plants and wildlife has begun through which more than 450 species of plants have been identified...

(This is the first article in a two-part series of articles on green cleaning.) Many hotels are turning to green cleaning products and practices to improve indoor air quality, reduce risk to building occupants, improve environmental performance and obtain a marketing advantage. This document is intended to help hoteliers determine whether to follow suit at their properties and how to do so. 1. What are the problems associated with traditional cleaning products and practices? The rise of the green cleaning movement stems from health and environmental concerns associated with the traditional cleaning industry and its practices. There is a growing recognition that...

(This is the second article in a two-part series of articles on green cleaning. To read the first article, click here.) 4. How well do green cleaning products work? How much do they cost? The cleaning capability of green products can best be measured by testing them in one’s facility. Still, there are reasons to believe that they hold up well when compared to traditional products. Certifying agencies, such as Green Seal, EcoLogo, or EPA’s Design for the Environment Program test products for effectiveness, besides health and environmental considerations, and only approve products with high marks. Also, the widespread adoption...

ORLANDO, FLA.—AAA has updated its Restaurant Approval Requirements & Diamond Rating Guidelines, the blueprint for evaluating and rating more than 27,000 restaurants throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. The guidelines are revised as needed to reflect changing industry trends and member expectations, with the last update occurring in 2003. As an example of change that impacts the guidelines, AAA’s director of tourism information development Michael Petrone cites increased consumer awareness of food content. “Many of today’s restaurant customers seek healthier options and are more knowledgeable than ever before about the food they eat,” Petrone said. “As a...

ORLANDO, FLA.—The second annual Green Lodging and Hospitality Conference will be held December 9 to 11 at Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando, Fla. The theme of the conference is “Greener Roads Ahead.” The theme acknowledges the continuing need for the lodging industry to increase profitability by both reducing costs and increasing property revenues—all while minimizing environmental impact. The conference will help hoteliers and others that accommodate guests take the mystery out of going green and promises to make the business case that helping the environment can also help boost the bottom line. The event is open to owners and...

NATIONAL REPORT—There are many variables that come into play when deciding the best water treatment solution for your pool—pool size, location (indoor or outdoor), and the average volume of guests that use the water on a daily basis. Chlorine, because of its low cost, is the most commonly used sanitizer. In order for it to be effective, however, the pH of the water has to be monitored closely. If not watched properly, chlorine can cause eye and skin irritation, damage hair, bleach swim suits, and aggravate and cause asthma and other health conditions. Chlorine reacts to bodily proteins to...

SEVIERVILLE, TENN.—It would make sense that a resort called Wilderness at the Smokies would do everything it can to preserve the environment and be an environmentally responsible business. Although thousands of visitors travel from all over to experience the resort’s indoor and outdoor water parks every day, many of them don’t realize all that Wilderness at the Smokies is doing to be an environmental leader. The first thing many families notice when entering the indoor water park at Wilderness at the Smokies is that it feels like one is outside on a summer day—even in the middle of winter when...

LAS VEGAS—Keeping with its commitment to sustainability, CityCenter has commissioned the first stretch-limo fleet powered by compressed natural gas (CNG). Developed by Krystal Enterprises, the world’s largest manufacturer of stretch limousines, in collaboration with Clean Energy Fuels, BAF Technologies and Ford engineers, the 26 silver, 72-inch Lincoln Town Cars are 100 percent dedicated to utilizing CNG and will service CityCenter’s ARIA Resort & Casino and Vdara Hotel. “Commissioning the first CNG stretch-limo fleet is a demonstration of CityCenter’s commitment to environmental responsibility, while never sacrificing guest experience,” said Bill McBeath, president and COO of ARIA Resort & Casino. “Just...