LINTHICUM, M.D.—Baltimore’s TownePlace Suites by Marriott Hotel at BWI Airport is the first LEED for Existing Buildings Gold certified green hotel in the state of Maryland. Significantly, it is also the first existing hotel in Marriott’s 3,400-hotel portfolio worldwide to be so recognized. To celebrate this milestone, the BWI extended-stay hotel “put on the green” with a showcase designed to help the public understand how easy it is to be green in their own homes.
On September 30, the TownePlace Suites offered an exclusive preview of its innovative environmental practices. From green cleaning in guestrooms to composting all of its waste to low-flow plumbing devices to its use of low mercury and compact fluorescent lighting, the hotel’s comprehensive environmental and energy efficiency program was on display.
TownePlace Suites at BWI offers a free, waste-neutral breakfast that includes compostable serve-ware, bulk items and local, sustainable products whenever possible. A thorough and simple recycling program is carried throughout the entire property—from guestrooms to public spaces. The business hotel uses gauges to sense rainfall so landscaping is watered only when necessary. Front desk customer service agents wear uniforms made from recycled plastic, two-liter bottles. Throughout the green hotel, educational information and kiosks encourage guests to take part in the hotel’s efforts to protect and preserve natural resources.
Excited About Being First
“We’re thrilled to be named the first LEED Gold certified existing hotel in the state of Maryland,” said Michelle Emley, general manager of the BWI airport suite hotel. “The vast majority of our nation’s housing stock is older or historic. We know that most homeowners are not in the position to design and build a new green home, but they can incorporate simple, sustainable practices in their existing homes.”
“A central belief of green building is that our economic, environmental and personal health is dramatically impacted by the places where we live, work, learn, shop, eat and play,’ said Chris Smith, COO of the U.S. Green Building Council. “The owners of the TownePlace Suites by Marriott Hotel at BWI Airport recognized this early on, and their foresight has resulted in Maryland’s first existing hotel to be certified LEED Gold.”
Arne Sorenson, president and COO of Marriott International, noted that the building is not only the first LEED EB hotel in Maryland but the first LEED EB hotel in the Marriott portfolio of 3,400 hotels worldwide and the first LEED hotel at BWI Airport.
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is an internationally recognized green building certification system administered by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). LEED certification provides third-party verification that a building is designed and operated to provide enhanced energy savings, water efficiency, emissions reduction and overall environmental quality. Certification is available for both existing buildings that have been retrofitted to comply with USGBC standards and those newly constructed.
Go to the TownePlace Suites by Marriott at Baltimore BWI Airport.
