DENVER—RockResorts, a luxury hotel company with a long-standing tradition of emphasizing the natural settings of its resort locations, is launching a brand-wide Green Weddings initiative beginning this summer. From the majestic mountains of Vail to the authentic adobes of Santa Fe, couples can now say “I Do” at a RockResort without saying “I Don’t” to Mother Nature. Those exchanging their vows at the nine unique RockResorts properties will do much more than just recycle the cans attached to their “Just Married” signs. Celebrating this special day at a RockResort offers shades of green sure to satisfy and make a difference...

SCHAUMBURG, ILL.—The Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel & Convention Center has announced the conversion of its chlorine recreation facility into an eco-friendly mineral pool. As the first hotel in Illinois to replace chlorine with a mineral-based formula, the hotel’s new pool will contain fewer waterborne irritants and no strong chlorine odor. “We are excited to be the first hotel in Illinois to offer guests a mineral-based pool experience that is gentler on the skin and eyes,” said Thomas Robertson, general manager. “These environmental benefits further our operational goal to implement conservation and environmental practices while delivering a superior guest experience.” The mineral pool...

LAS VEGAS—Participants in day two, the final day of the UNLV & JMBM Hotel Developers Conference here at the Green Valley Ranch Resort & Spa, heard from experts in finance, mixed-use developments, government programs and regulations, green hotel operations, and the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System. Kip Richardson, Director of Business Development for Ankrom Moisan Associated Architects, kicked off the day of educational sessions with a presentation entitled, “Beyond LEED: The Cutting Edge of Sustainable Design.” Richardson described some of the reasons why it is important to take a sustainable...

LAS VEGAS—About 400 people, including hotel developers, designers, architects and others were in attendance on the first day of the UNLV & JMBM Hotel Developers Conference here in Las Vegas. The event at the Green Valley Ranch Resort & Spa was packed full of educational sessions and networking opportunities—all geared toward helping attendees understand the true cost of green hotel development, as well as the ins and outs of the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System. The conference began with a keynote speech by Dan Esty, Director, Center for Environmental Law...

DENVER—The historic Zion Lodge in Zion National Park was named the Sustainable Hotel of the Year at the recent HotelWorld Global Hospitality and Design Award Ceremony and Expo in Las Vegas. The award was presented in recognition of the many environmental programs implemented by Denver-based operator Xanterra Parks & Resorts. “With its setting in one of the country’s most breathtaking national parks and because of its remarkable history, it is especially critical to do everything we can to minimize the environmental impact of Zion Lodge,” said Chris Lane, vice president of environmental affairs for Xanterra. “We have been successful...

TUCSON, ARIZ.—Local and state governments offer a slew of green building incentives for developers but the incentives are not always taken advantage of because of time constraints, according to a new study. “Green Building Incentives That Work: A Look at How Local Governments Are Incentivizing Green Development,” recommends that developers research existing incentives and also proactively lobby governments with preferred incentives. “We found that nearly a hundred local and state governments are offering green building incentives to private developers,” said Jerry Yudelson, a principal at Yudelson Associates, the firm hired to conduct the study by the National Association of...

RIVIERA MAYA, MEXICO—Nestled in the heart of the Riviera Maya, Tres Ríos, a 326-acre luxury eco-friendly resort, announced that Hacienda Tres Ríos will begin welcoming guests for the first time on July 2. Hacienda Tres Ríos has 273 suites ranging from 645 up to 2,063 square feet with views of the sea, fresh water canals, or lush tropical gardens. Each suite makes extensive use of local materials including furniture constructed from local cedar and Mexican marble floors. The suites feature 300-count Egyptian cotton linens, living areas with sofa beds, a pillow menu, terrace or private balcony, flat-screen satellite TVs, air-conditioning,...

BETHESDA, MD.—Marriott International, Inc. announced that it has been recognized for the fourth consecutive year as a recipient of the 2008 Energy Star “Partner of the Year” award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), earning Marriott the distinction of being named a partner of “Sustained Excellence” for the second consecutive year. Marriott will be recognized for its continued leadership in protecting the environment through energy efficiency in an awards ceremony April 1, 2008, in Washington, D.C. “We are proud to recognize Marriott’s continued efforts with the 2008 Energy Star Sustained Excellence award,” said Robert J. Meyers, principal deputy assistant...

NATIONAL REPORT—When the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced revisions to its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for Existing Buildings Rating System late last year, it was good news for hotel owners and operators. Now called LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance (O&M), the system is a better fit for hotels and is attracting the interest of many of the leading hotel companies. There are now approximately 200 hotel projects registered with USGBC. Most are seeking LEED for New Construction (LEED-NC) certification but the number of U.S. building owners pursuing LEED for Existing Buildings: O&M is...

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA.—We are used to the orange glow of sodium-based parking lights; you know the ones that take forever to illuminate after a power failure. This is the most common form of exterior lighting, although many areas of your facility will use different lighting depending on the situation. For large area illumination, High Pressure (HP) Sodium and Metal Halide are most commonly used because that has been the standard for many years. These technologies do have drawbacks: low quality of light spectrum, poor low temperature operation and a short life span of about 15,000 hours. Induction Lighting is the...