DULUTH, MINN.—As part of their ongoing commitment to sustainability, the environment and fostering a communal appreciation for the outdoors, Loll Designs planted 1,000 trees, half white and half red pine, near Lester Creek Golf Course in Duluth on May 22. This 40-acre area has a rocky soil which is better suited for native pine trees for strong long-term growth versus its current species makeup. Restoring these native trees will help prevent erosion along the creek while adding much-needed biodiversity to the area. The tree planting initiative was done in partnership with the City of Duluth and Rajala Woods, an...

In a recent Publisher’s Point of View column, I reported that Hawaii’s governor intended to sign SB1396, creating the climate impact fee, or “green fee,” that will help the islands to mitigate the impacts of climate change and the roughly 10 million annual visitors it welcomes to its shores. According to AP, that legislation was signed by Hawaii Governor Josh Green yesterday. The legislation boosts a tax imposed on hotel room and vacation rental stays in order to raise money to address eroding shorelines, wildfires and other consequences of climate change. The measure adds an additional 0.75 percent to the daily room rate...

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLA.—andCo Hospitality, the Certified B Corporation shaking up responsible travel, announces the official launch of The Fold, its newest and flagship brand. Crafted for travelers who crave style, comfort and a genuine sense of place without compromising on sustainability, The Fold delivers a fresh, locally infused hospitality experience at three vibrant destinations across the United States. Blending upcycled design, energy-efficient amenities and community-driven experiences, The Fold properties are less “cookie-cutter hotel” and more “your new favorite hangout.” This launch is a major milestone in andCo Hospitality’s evolution, following its April 1 reveal of a new multi-brand lineup...

CINCINNATI, OHIO—Standard Textile Co., Inc., a global leader in healthcare and hospitality textiles, announced the release of its 2024 Sustainability Impact Report and its commitment to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), a global organization enabling businesses to set ambitious emissions reductions targets grounded in the latest climate science. This dual milestone underscores Standard Textile’s commitment to sustainable innovation, operations and transparency in environmental impact reporting. In March 2025, Standard Textile took a significant step by officially registering its commitment with the SBTi. Over the next 24 months, the company will develop science-based emission reduction goals and submit them for validation, striving to...

SEATTLE—1 Hotels, the mission-driven luxury lifestyle brand founded by hospitality visionary Barry Sternlicht, announces the opening of 1 Hotel Seattle, a new sanctuary of sustainability and sophisticated design in the heart of the Pacific Northwest. Set in the South Lake Union neighborhood—home to some of Seattle’s most innovative tech companies—this nature-inspired retreat combines sustainable luxury, hyper-local culinary experiences, and the rugged elegance of the region’s landscapes. “Seattle is a city where nature and innovation coexist beautifully—and that’s exactly what we aimed to capture with this property,” says Barry Sternlicht, Founder of 1 Hotels and Chairman of Starwood Hotels. “This city...

Populus Hotels is distinguishing itself from other hotel groups in the U.S. with its collection of carbon positive hotels in Denver and Seattle. Carbon positive means the two hotels, through various efforts, are going beyond carbon neutrality by removing more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than is emitted. Kudos to Urban Villages, a leading developer and environmental steward, for creating the brand. It has done so in collaboration with Aparium Hotel Group, an operator of independent, luxury lifestyle hotels. Each property is a great story of green design, innovation and respect for the local and global environment. “Urban Villages’ mission is to...

PARIS—Ahead of World Ocean Day (June 8), Novotel marks the first anniversary of its transformative three-year partnership with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), reaffirming its commitment to protecting the wellbeing and longevity of the ocean with the launch of two new food policies: Novotel’s Sustainable Seafood Principles in partnership with WWF France and the launch of a pioneering global Plant-Forward food ambition across 600 hotels. “At Novotel, we are taking decisive action to protect our oceans, and the partnership with WWF is a driving force of this commitment,” said Jean-Yves Minet, Novotel Global Brand President. “Through their guidance and expertise, we can drive change at...

SEATTLE—Populus Hotels, a collection of carbon positive hotels that celebrate and protect the natural world, announced that Populus Seattle has secured two thousand tons of certified carbon credits as a part of its evolving, nature-based sustainability strategy. The certified carbon credits serve to offset the property’s embodied carbon footprint, equating to 1,630 mTCO2e*, making Populus Seattle the second carbon positive hotel in the country by its opening on May 22, 2025, in the city’s storied Pioneer Square. For this latest initiative, Populus Seattle worked with King County’s Forest Carbon Program to acquire high integrity, Verra certified forest carbon credits from King County-based projects whose core impacts include supporting land...

NATIONAL REPORT—As conversations around sustainability grow across industries, hoteliers have to ask: Is this something we should be focusing on? If you’re going for a higher star rating, sustainable operations initiatives may be a lot lower on your priority list than daily room cleanings, providing hair dryers and other star requirements. However, sustainability may be more valuable for your hotel than you realize. It can reduce water and energy consumption and staff workloads, potentially saving you money. Sustainable operations initiatives can also be marketing differentiators, helping you showcase the value of your hotel beyond good star ratings. Below, we look at why sustainable tourism...

SUNNYVALE, CALIF.—Treehouse Hotels has officially landed stateside with its first U.S. outpost: Treehouse Hotel Silicon Valley, a happiness-inducing hotel that’s part of the playful lifestyle brand created by hospitality innovator Barry Sternlicht, Founder and Chairman of Starwood Hotels. Treehouse Hotels first took root in 2019 with a celebrated location in London’s Marylebone neighborhood and is continuing to grow—with a much-anticipated second U.K. act that just opened in Manchester and even more global locations on the horizon. Now open in Sunnyvale, Calif., the new Treehouse Hotel Silicon Valley brings Treehouse Hotel’s trademark blend of whimsy and warmth to America’s innovation capital. A...