Trend: Green Lifestyle Hotels

A host of eco-friendly hotels are opening across the world.

Trend Description:
Since 2006 we have continually reported on the growing importance of eco-friendly travel (please read our blog entries Eco Luxury Resorts, Green Upgrades and Eco Tourism).

Understanding that customers are now seeking sustainability in all parts of their lives, a wave of new build eco-hotels are opening their doors. Hotels are extending their lifestyle and luxury appeal by incorporating a range of green features into the design of the building design, as well as the services on offer. As green innovation is still a relatively new area for the hospitality industry, it is easier to differentiate using this method than it is with more established techniques such as pricing, catering or design.

Cases

Cases

Greenhouse 26

Opening in Spring 2008, Greenhouse 26 is not only LEED Gold-standard certified, it is New York’s first hotel to incorporate geothermal heating and cooling. Robes, towels and mattresses are certified organic and the lift reclaims energy when braking. Occupancy sensors prevent energy being consumed when guests are away from their room, additionally informing staff when a room is available to be cleaned.

URBN Hotels

URBN, China’s first carbon-neutral hotel, has just opened in Shanghai, with 19 more to hit the country by 2011. The structure consists of reclaimed and local materials, was decorated with low-VOC paint and is cleaned with eco-friendly products. The hotel also sells international standard carbon credits to enable guests to offset their flights.

Hotel Palomar Los Angeles

LA’s first green hotel opened in May, incorporating over 40 eco-friendly practices, such as in-room recycling, organic food in the mini-bar, sustainable fish in the restaurant and an energy- and water-efficient structure.

Trend Impact
As green concerns grow amongst customers, hotels that are already open may need to retrofit energy-saving or innovative energy-generating devices. Business opportunities may lie in designing, installing and continually upgrading these systems. There may also be opportunities for travel agents to seek out the greenest accommodation, places to eat and means of transport, as well as arranging to offset unavoidable carbon emissions.

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