“Rapid single-particle chemical imaging of nanoplastics by SRS microscopy.” Sounds very complicated but that is the name of a new article published by the National Academy of Science. It details the results of a study of the amount of nanoplastics—particles of plastic—in bottled water. Yes, the bottled water you drink and make available to your guests. The study found that the concentration of nanoplastics in bottled water is “orders of magnitude more than the microplastic abundance reported previously in bottled water.” “We estimate that the exposure to the micro-nano plastics from regular bottled water was at the level of 105 particles...

NATIONAL REPORT—Cold and flu season is here, which means facility managers face the dual challenge of helping promote a healthy environment for facility occupants while maintaining sustainable efforts. Although flu season occurs in the fall and winter seasons, its peak activity is now until February. As a facility manager, you play an important role in helping ensure your facility stays clean and occupants stay healthy during this time. Here are several sustainable considerations you can incorporate in your facility’s cleaning routine to help your occupants stay healthy. Focus Your Cleaning Routine During this period, many facilities see an uptick in foot traffic...

CHIANG RAI, THAILAND—The community-focused Visama Mae Chan luxury tented camp in the hill country of Chiang Rai, northern Thailand, opened December 1. The new project, with 10 luxuriously appointed tents, aims to deliver a holistic and immersive holiday experience combining cultural and nature activities, high end northern Thai culinary fare, much of it organic and sourced on an adjacent farm, and fully appointed luxury tents in four categories. Each accommodation category has a hill tribe name such as “Akha”, “Yao”, “Lahu”, and “Lisu”. The sumptuous tents, on raised platforms in a peaceful hill country setting, range in size from 48 to...

FORT WORTH, TEXAS—Canyon Ranch, a pioneer and innovator in destination wellness, recently announced the appointment of Mark Rivers as its new CEO. Canyon Ranch is looking to Rivers’ leadership as they grow their emerging ecosystem of properties in Texas and beyond. In follow up from the July announcement with VICI Properties, Inc. to expand the Canyon Ranch brand, Rivers played a pivotal role in executing this partnership, which encompasses the debut of its first Canyon Ranch Wellness Club in Fort Worth later this year, a second Wellness Club to open in Houston in 2024, and a new resort and residential community under development in the Austin market, with a planned...

Many people look forward to dreamy hotel pools and spas to destress and relax while on vacation. In the winter, hot tubs and spas can be a great attractor for guests looking for a chilly weather escape; however, they can also be a risk to visitors and pool and spa managers if not properly handled. These much-beloved amenities can be breeding grounds for bacteria like E. coli, giardia, and algae, making using pool and spa chemicals, including salt, imperative. If these chemicals are mishandled, they can cause respiratory problems, chemical burns, and eye irritation. Managers of these amenities must be...

MILWAUKEE, WIS.—Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corp. announced the launch of its first combined lead-, PFOA- and PFOS-reducing filter integrated into Elkay bottle filling stations and faucets for schools, hospitals, airports and other commercial and residential applications. “As more is learned about the serious health effects of forever chemicals on people and as regulations evolve, we’re pleased to expand our certified filtration to PFOA and PFOS, two of the most prevalent per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS) chemicals,” said Todd A. Adams, Chairman and CEO of Zurn Elkay Water Solutions. “This filter offers a tremendous option for our customers looking to provide...

KANAI, MEXICO—The premiere of The Riviera Maya EDITION at Kanai introduces a completely new concept of laidback luxury to the Caribbean coastline, combining unparalleled dining and entertainment, services and amenities with the unique traditions and tastes of the famed locale. Created by Ian Schrager because of a partnership between Ian Schrager and Marriott International, the EDITION brand has become synonymous with individualized, customized, and one-of-a-kind hospitality experiences, and The Riviera Maya EDITION at Kanai is yet another example of Schrager’s visionary magic. Situated within a 620-acre nature reserve with two miles of pristine white-sand beachfront, the property rises from a...

Growing up, it was common for my father to have a couple of his buddies over for a card game. Sometimes I would join them. My father and his friends would all be smoking like chimneys. When my father joined the air force during World War II, the military gave enlisted men cigarettes for free. (Today I wonder, sarcastically of course, whose side the military was on.) Eventually, our ceiling turned quite dark from the toxins. Maybe you had a similar experience as a child. Today, when I travel, I am very sensitive to cigarette smoke in hotels. My wife...

NATIONAL REPORT—Even though guests may sign a waiver acknowledging that smoking is not permitted in the guestroom, that policy is increasingly being violated—by cigarette smokers, marijuana users, and by those who vape. In fact, currently 24 states and Washington, D.C. have legalized recreational marijuana use for adults 21 years and older, while 38 states have legal medical marijuana programs. Fortunately for hoteliers, there are now smoking detection systems that can send an alert immediately if smoking is taking place and that can provide time-stamped, scientific proof that a room has been smoked in—critical information when a guest or even...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Westin Hotels & Resorts, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of over 30 hotel brands, unveils its latest offering in Washington, DC—Westin Washington, DC Downtown. After a nearly $80 million investment by ownership group, Sunstone Hotel Investors, the 807-room hotel will offer a sophisticated and contemporary blend of well-being experiences, designed for guests to feel inspired, to rejuvenate, and to maintain their wellness routines while on the road. “From the moment they arrive at Westin Washington, DC Downtown, guests will have endless opportunities to recharge and recover,” said Jennifer Connell, Global Brand Leader, Westin Hotels & Resorts and Vice President, Distinctive...