DALLAS—Lennox International, a global leader in the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration markets, is revolutionizing the commercial HVAC industry by introducing the rooftop unit Ultimate Indoor Air Quality system as part of its Building Better Air initiative. With the ability to remove 99 percent of the virus that causes COVID-19 from the air, Lennox has developed a rooftop unit that can help commercial businesses improve the health of their building. Using a factory-installed combination of MERV 16 filters and UVC Germicidal lamp, the Ultimate IAQ system has been third-party tested to show a 95 percent single pass efficiency rate with a 70 percent...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The following is a statement from Chip Rogers, President and CEO of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), on easing face covering and physical distancing requirements for hotel employees in response to updated Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidance. “In response to increasing vaccination rates across the country and of our workforce, and consistent with CDC and OSHA guidance, the hotel industry supports vaccinated employees being given the choice whether to continue wearing face coverings, in accordance with state and local laws. This change in policy for vaccinated employees is a result of our industry’s...

AUSTIN, TEXAS—Alen Air Purifiers, a leader in High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) solutions, announced that it is helping restaurants and bars around the country reopen safely due to its top-of-the-line air purification technology. These air purifying units are helping schools, government offices and specifically restaurants, which have been the hardest hit since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic over a year ago. Rosebud Steakhouse, a high-end, well-known steakhouse in downtown Chicago, equipped the restaurant with Alen’s air purifiers to further signal their priority of safety to customers and staff. “We researched for weeks to find the right partner and the Alen system...

ST. LOUIS, MO.—The U.S. Green Building Council launched its global economic recovery strategy last month, which outlines a path for how healthy places and LEED will support recovery efforts as businesses prepare for a post-pandemic world. The hospitality industry was one of the hardest hit by the pandemic, and as the world prepares to travel again, hotels and restaurants around the globe are looking for ways to evolve the health and wellness of their indoor environments. Hotels have been turning to green building to demonstrate their re-entry plans and safety measures to guests. Green strategies that consider air quality...

TAMPA, FLA.—In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, many hotels have enacted enhanced cleaning procedures and housekeeping standards, including the promise of cleaning high-touch surfaces. But are those hotels delivering on that promise? AAA—which conducts annual anonymous in-person inspections at more than 26,000 hotels across North America—will now test sanitation levels of high-touch surfaces, as part of its evaluation. “The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on travelers’ expectations for cleanliness,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Travelers trust AAA for recommendations that focus on their safety and security. The Inspected Clean enhancement to our Diamond Program...

BETHESDA, MD.—Westin Hotels & Resorts, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s 30 brands and a global hospitality leader in wellness for more than a decade, unveiled a new global study that shows the impact of running and recovery during the pandemic as a means for self-care, just in time for Global Running Day. With 45 percent of respondents saying that focusing on their well-being has given them a new lease on life, Westin is evolving its industry-leading well-being program to bring world-class recovery solutions to travelers’ fingertips as travel starts to resume. Westin has joined forces with Hyperice, the expert in recovery technology...

ADDISON, TEXAS—Industry innovator CASPR Group is literally raising the roof on air and surface disinfection with the introduction of CASPR Blu Tile. This innovative new product offers game-changing simplicity to building managers, owners, and HVAC engineers. CASPR means Continuous Air & Surface Pathogen Reduction, and the introduction of the Blu Tile is representative of the innovative solutions the company has always offered. CASPR’s patent-pending technology converts oxygen and moisture in the air into low but effective levels of hydrogen peroxide, which are dispersed continuously throughout a building, reducing pathogens in the air and on surfaces. This unique technology produces no...

LOS ANGELES—Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills, one of the world’s most iconic and recognizable hotels, announced it has earned the WELL Health-Safety Rating through the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI). The WELL Health-Safety Rating is an evidence-based, third-party verified rating for all new and existing building and space types focusing on operational policies, maintenance protocols, stakeholder engagement and emergency plans to address a post-COVID-19 environment now and into the future. “Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles Beverly Hills is proud to be a leader in health and wellness for the hospitality industry,” said Michael Newcombe, General Manager, “This...

AOMORI, JAPAN—Jikeikai Group announced Wellness Hotel Zen-Aomori, Japan’s first wellness hotel. The hotel features a full medical check-up upon arrival, followed by personalized wellness regimens, spa treatments, meditation guidance, nutritional and dietary treatments—and more. To be constructed in the upper levels of the JR Aomori Station Building in the city of Aomori, Wellness Hotel Zen-Aomori combines Jikeikai Group’s 60 years of expertise in hotels and medical facilities in a single purpose-built, world-class offering for those seeking to revitalize their physical and spiritual well-being. Guests begin their stay with a comprehensive health and wellness check. Wellness Hotel Zen-Aomori staff then create a custom wellness program...

PHILADELPHIA—Element Hotels—part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of 30 leading brands and designed for today’s healthy, active traveler—announced the opening of Element Philadelphia, marking the brand’s debut in the city. Developed by Conshohoken-based Chestlen Development, the hotel will be the newest addition to Philadelphia’s reemerging hospitality scene, with travelers planning an average of 2.7 trips this year, according to a recent Visit Philadelphia report. Designed with a focus on sustainability and well-being, Element is ideal for families, groups and business travelers who want to maintain a balanced lifestyle while on the road. “Bringing the Element brand to Philadelphia was a strategic decision to appeal...