BOSTON—The Saunders Hotel Group (SHG) and its Four Diamond Lenox Hotel in Boston have received two of travel’s most prestigious awards. The Lenox Hotel was selected as the top urban hotel in the world on Conde Nast Traveler’s Annual Green List. The Saunders Hotel Group received a second prestigious award at the Skal International Ecotourism Awards Ceremony held in Thailand.
Conde Nast Traveler’s exclusive list identifies the world’s top 12 crème de la crème hotels, destinations, and tour operators. Chosen by a panel of experts, the winners are judged for their commitment to environmental initiatives, their local communities and the quality of their guest experience. The Lenox is the only hotel in the United States, as well as the only urban hotel in the world, selected for this honor. Other global winners included South Africa’s Grootbos Nature Reserve, the Philippine’s El Nido Resorts, Aspen Ski Co. and North Island in the Seychelles.
Among the many initiatives noted by the judges in their decision to honor The Lenox was its bold move to offset 100 percent of the carbon emissions resulting from all of its electricity usage. The Lenox was also the first U.S. hotel to offer guests the now ubiquitous towel and linen reuse option, and the company has donated more than $180,000 to environmental groups around the globe.
The Lenox uses healthy cleaners, air fresheners and paints which improve the hotel’s indoor air quality and its energy efficient windows keep rooms quiet and comfortable. These initiatives along with numerous other efforts demonstrate the care and dedication SHG has for its guests and the environment we depend upon.
Saunders’ S.H.I.N.E. Program Recognized
Skal, the largest organization of travel and tourism professionals in the world, recognized SHG’s S.H.I.N.E. Program (Saunders Hotels Initiatives to Nurture the Environment) for its comprehensiveness, innovation and excellence. Tedd Saunders, SHG Executive Vice President & Director of Ecological Affairs, was at the ceremony to receive the award amidst representatives from 90 countries.
“We are so proud of this recognition for our hard fought accomplishments which began with a simple recycling initiative over 17 years ago,” Saunders says. “From that modest beginning, this effort has evolved into an unprecedented campaign that is creating ripple effects across the entire lodging industry and helping ecotourism go mainstream.”
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