A lot of hotels and resorts like to brag about how green they are. Unfortunately, their passion for the environment usually stops at those “if you’re going to re-use the towel, hang it up” signs you find littered around the bathroom. We’re not saying that these aren’t steps in the right direction, but finding a hotel truly worthy of the phrase “going green” is not hard if you really look. Here’s a list of our favourite American hotels that go above and beyond to be environmentally conscious without skimping on luxury.
Voted as one of Travel and Leisure’s 2013 World’s Best City Hotels, Proximity is the first Platinum LEED–certified green lodging in the United States, a certification that is only given to those who have been nationally recognized for their design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings. Built to use 40% less energy and 30% less water than other hotels, Proximity touts over 70 sustainable practices, including one hundred solar panels that heat all of the hot water for patrons, the restoration of a nearby stream for guests to enjoy, and the use of geothermal energy for their restaurants’ refrigeration equipment. Following a collaboration with local artist, Chip Holton, to develop unique pieces for each loft-like room, guests enjoy a state of the art fitness studio, greenway, garden, and spa all on site. Each room includes originally designed bedding as well, which is something you don’t come across often. The best part about this hotel is not its rooms but its owner, Dennis Quaintance. He is a very active advocate for green initiatives in hospitality and takes pride in marrying luxury and consciousness of our earth, speaking everywhere from TEDx to Cornell University on the issue. If you ever find yourself in Greensboro, NC, Proximity is the place to be.
Not only is preserving original building structures in vogue, it’s also a very unique way to cut down on waste. Located in the heart of Chicago, Hotel Felix is taking a very conscious approach to their boutique hotel. Before you even set foot in the foyer, you’ll already get a sense of their “going green” attitude by means of their reclaimed material sculptures by local artists of House of Balls, which can be found at the entrance. Giving a modern makeover to the 1926 building, the hotel utilizes its southern exposure to the sun to heat the building in the winter months and to provide low-energy lighting throughout the building. Saving one million gallons of water annually and running its own on-site recycling room, Hotel Felix has been given a LEED Silver certification for its hard work to make its amenities as green as possible. All rooms are equipped with fair trade products, and all the carpets in the hotel have been made with recyclable materials. Instead of outsourcing to big brands, Hotel Felix has partnered with local businesses and organizations in the Chicago area for its food, spa, and rewards programs. Our favourite partnership is with Chicago’s bike share program Divvy, where they urge you to ditch your car with their valet and hop on a bike to explore the city.
If you’re looking for a one of a kind vacation, look no further than Treehouse Point. Located just outside of Seattle, this rustic eco-friendly hotel encourages guests to turn off cell phones, log off their computers, and “plug into the forest surroundings.” You can guess by the name of the place that you won’t be booking a loft or a room here, but one of six handbuilt treehouses (we suggest the two-story Trillium) located in the trees. This nature conservatory is centered around rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation through natural means. The owners Pete and Judy Nelson strive to “connect people through personal encounters with the trees and nature” and take pride in educating the community at through yoga classes, hikes, and various cultural events meant to inspire visitors to become more eco conscious. Each treehouse is equipped with handmade beds, original art, and beautiful vintage furnishings. The only downside is that you’ll have to climb down from your treehouse to the private bathrooms on the ground level but it’s a small price to pay for such a unique vacation spot.
As the fourth largest independent hospitality management company, Destination Hotels & Resorts is taking a step in the right direction by implementing its new program “Destination Earth” to all of its properties. Since 2008, the program has implemented over 100 green initiatives by partnering with Sustainability Consulting Firm GAIA Group. One place of note is their luxurious Californian resort L’auberge Del Mar. All products used at the on-site spa are all natural and organic. They have ditched the plastic sanitary sheets with silky wrap made with potato skins and have partnered with the Spa Ritual program to plant over 5,000 trees in India. On-site restaurants prepare only organic local produce, free range meats, and sustainable seafoods. Although they have a long way to go to catch up with our other noted green hotels, it’s good to see such a large resort beginning to implement simple steps to offset their carbon footprint.
A lot of hotels and resorts like to brag about how green they are. Unfortunately, their passion for the environment usually stops at those “if you’re going to re-use the towel, hang it up” signs you find littered around the bathroom. We’re not saying that these aren’t steps in the right direction, but finding a hotel truly worthy of the phrase “going green” is not hard if you really look. Here’s a list of our favourite American hotels that go above and beyond to be environmentally conscious without skimping on luxury.
Voted as one of Travel and Leisure’s 2013 World’s Best City Hotels, Proximity is the first Platinum LEED–certified green lodging in the United States, a certification that is only given to those who have been nationally recognized for their design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings. Built to use 40% less energy and 30% less water than other hotels, Proximity touts over 70 sustainable practices, including one hundred solar panels that heat all of the hot water for patrons, the restoration of a nearby stream for guests to enjoy, and the use of geothermal energy for their restaurants’ refrigeration equipment. Following a collaboration with local artist, Chip Holton, to develop unique pieces for each loft-like room, guests enjoy a state of the art fitness studio, greenway, garden, and spa all on site. Each room includes originally designed bedding as well, which is something you don’t come across often. The best part about this hotel is not its rooms but its owner, Dennis Quaintance. He is a very active advocate for green initiatives in hospitality and takes pride in marrying luxury and consciousness of our earth, speaking everywhere from TEDx to Cornell University on the issue. If you ever find yourself in Greensboro, NC, Proximity is the place to be.
Not only is preserving original building structures in vogue, it’s also a very unique way to cut down on waste. Located in the heart of Chicago, Hotel Felix is taking a very conscious approach to their boutique hotel. Before you even set foot in the foyer, you’ll already get a sense of their “going green” attitude by means of their reclaimed material sculptures by local artists of House of Balls, which can be found at the entrance. Giving a modern makeover to the 1926 building, the hotel utilizes its southern exposure to the sun to heat the building in the winter months and to provide low-energy lighting throughout the building. Saving one million gallons of water annually and running its own on-site recycling room, Hotel Felix has been given a LEED Silver certification for its hard work to make its amenities as green as possible. All rooms are equipped with fair trade products, and all the carpets in the hotel have been made with recyclable materials. Instead of outsourcing to big brands, Hotel Felix has partnered with local businesses and organizations in the Chicago area for its food, spa, and rewards programs. Our favourite partnership is with Chicago’s bike share program Divvy, where they urge you to ditch your car with their valet and hop on a bike to explore the city.
If you’re looking for a one of a kind vacation, look no further than Treehouse Point. Located just outside of Seattle, this rustic eco-friendly hotel encourages guests to turn off cell phones, log off their computers, and “plug into the forest surroundings.” You can guess by the name of the place that you won’t be booking a loft or a room here, but one of six handbuilt treehouses (we suggest the two-story Trillium) located in the trees. This nature conservatory is centered around rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation through natural means. The owners Pete and Judy Nelson strive to "connect people through personal encounters with the trees and nature" and take pride in educating the community at through yoga classes, hikes, and various cultural events meant to inspire visitors to become more eco conscious. Each treehouse is equipped with handmade beds, original art, and beautiful vintage furnishings. The only downside is that you’ll have to climb down from your treehouse to the private bathrooms on the ground level but it’s a small price to pay for such a unique vacation spot.
As the fourth largest independent hospitality management company, Destination Hotels & Resorts is taking a step in the right direction by implementing its new program “Destination Earth” to all of its properties. Since 2008, the program has implemented over 100 green initiatives by partnering with Sustainability Consulting Firm GAIA Group. One place of note is their luxurious Californian resort L’auberge Del Mar. All products used at the on-site spa are all natural and organic. They have ditched the plastic sanitary sheets with silky wrap made with potato skins and have partnered with the Spa Ritual program to plant over 5,000 trees in India. On-site restaurants prepare only organic local produce, free range meats, and sustainable seafoods. Although they have a long way to go to catch up with our other noted green hotels, it’s good to see such a large resort beginning to implement simple steps to offset their carbon footprint.