LEXINGTON, MASS.—Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. opened the eco-friendly doors of ELEMENT Lexington in Lexington, Mass. on July 1. ELEMENT is Starwood’s newest hotel concept and the first LEED-certified hotel chain in the country. ELEMENT Lexington is making its national debut, offering guests an entirely new extended stay experience that combines smart design, and nature-inspired and eco-friendly touches. Modern amenities range from complimentary WiFi to an international pantry stocked with everything from Korean kimchi soup to artisanal meats and cheeses. ELEMENT Lexington—the first ELEMENT hotel to open its doors to guests—will also serve as Starwood’s green trailblazer with...

WILLIAMSBURG, MICH.—The all new, 360,000-square-foot Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel near Traverse City, Mich., that opened June 17, 2008, is a modern architectural structure. It was designed to appeal to the senses as it evokes the natural environs with facilities and service that bring casino gaming in Northern Michigan to an entirely new level of convenience and comfort. The Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa & Chippewa Indians, who own and operate the new casino and hotel, financed $80 million to construct the unique facility. The tribe made a deliberate decision to create a striking modern design with many organic and...

GREENSBORO, N.C.—The Proximity Hotel will give a free presentation to share its journey of the design and building of the “greenest” hotel in the country. The Sustainable Practices Symposium will be held on Wednesday, July 9, from 2 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the hotel. Dennis Quaintance, president, developer and chief design officer, will lead the discussion that will include the step-by-step process of gaining LEED certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) from the U.S. Green Building Council. The symposium will end with a behind-the-scenes guided tour. There is no registration fee, but advance registration is required and space...

NATIONAL REPORT—The skyrocketing price of aviation fuel will have devastating implications far beyond new surcharges for checked bags and in-flight beverage services, according to a new study prepared by the Business Travel Coalition (BTC). Not only are U.S. airlines and their passengers facing their darkest future, but fast-approaching airline liquidations will cripple the U.S. economy that depends on affordable, frequent intercity air transportation. Massive job losses, supply chain disruption, declining business activity, shrinking tax revenues, weakened American competitiveness, devastated communities, and reduced tourism are just some of the predictable results from airline liquidations that could happen as early as...

DENVER—National park and resort concessioner Xanterra Parks & Resorts has just completed one of the largest solar photovoltaic (PV) energy systems in the United States. Covering five acres of Southern California’s Death Valley National Park—a 3.3 million-acre park that is the sunniest place in the country—the one megawatt (MW) system will generate more than one-third of the total annual electricity needs of Xanterra’s operations in Death Valley, including the historic Furnace Creek Inn, Furnace Creek Ranch, Furnace Creek Golf Course, employee offices and housing. Xanterra’s facility is one of the largest privately owned PV energy systems in the country...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Eco-savvy travelers can now enjoy luxury, style and a commitment to sustainability when they visit two premier hotels. Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and Lexus have partnered to unveil two “Lexus Hybrid Living Suites” geared for eco-conscious visitors, with the first launched at The Fairmont San Francisco in April 2008, and now in the nation’s capital at The Fairmont Washington, D.C. Guests can sleep, eat and drink sustainably in these unique suites, with every aspect of the room meticulously planned for the eco-minded traveler, incorporating ideas and products from Lexus Hybrid Living partners. Complimentary use of a Lexus LS...

MADISON, WIS.— The majority of measures associated with gaining LEED-Existing Building status include low or no costs, according to a survey of LEED-EB owners and managers. In “The Economics of LEED for Existing Buildings for Individual Buildings,” the nonprofit Leonardo Academy looks at the costs of implementing LEED-EB and how operating costs compare to other buildings. The Academy sent surveys to all LEED-EB buildings, 53 at the time of the survey, and received 23 responses. Building owners and operators were asked to identify which LEED-EB measures were low/no cost actions and which had significant costs. More than 70 percent of measures...

MAMMOTH LAKES, CALIF.—In celebration of continued commitment to the environment, Mammoth Mountain Ski Area (MMSA) has announced the completion of the first registered Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) building in the Town of Mammoth Lakes. The deluxe 1,336-square-foot, three-bedroom, two-bath cabin at Tamarack Lodge sets a precedent for environmentally friendly building practices in the area and will be available for vacation rentals beginning in July. “Constructing the Tamarack cabin to LEED standards is one of many important steps that Mammoth Mountain is taking to fulfill our commitment to the environment,” said Rusty Gregory, CEO, Mammoth Mountain. “The completion...

DENVER—At Xanterra Parks & Resorts, designing and remodeling buildings are opportunities to minimize environmental impact not only during the construction phase but for the life of those buildings as well. Over the past decade, Xanterra has increased its efforts to be a better steward of the environment, including the area of design and construction. Xanterra has developed “Guidelines for Environmentally Sustainable Design and Construction” which defines Xanterra’s expectations for all contractors, subcontractors, architects, engineers, consultants and vendors working with Xanterra on the design, construction or rehabilitation of buildings in national parks. Xanterra uses the guidelines to ensure that new construction...

NATIONAL REPORT—Hotels are emerging as leaders in the Green movement. Many are now building more environmentally responsible properties and are even seeking LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification. For instance, the soon-to-open Hilton Baltimore Convention Center Hotel will incorporate a number of energy- and water-conservation systems as well as several sustainable operating practices. And when construction is completed in August, the 750-room, $301 million hotel beside the Baltimore Convention Center will contain the area’s largest green roof—32,000 square feet, to be exact. So what does that mean? The Hilton Hotel’s gigantic roof is expected to reap big benefits for...