Eco Friendly hotels aren’t just available deep in the jungles in far-off destinations. They’re widely available in some unsuspecting places in the United States. If you want to leave less of a carbon foot-print and be more socially responsible try one of these six hotels on your next trip.
Eco Friendly Hotels In The United States
Sustainable travel is more than just a trend. People are becoming more aware of the impact they make on the environment around us. These six hotels in the United States are changing the way the industry does things, and leaving their mark in a different way.
My friends 2 Travel Dads will give you all the tips on low impact and sustainable travel, I am just sharing where to stay.
1. Hyatt Place Chicago- River North
This conveniently-located Hyatt hotel uses green housekeeping practices in the LEED silver-certified building. Overall, Hyatt has more than 30 hotels in the U.S. that are either LEED-certified or that have earned another type of environmentally-friendly recognition. Hyatt’s 2020 Vision focuses on reducing energy use, greenhouse gas emissions and water usage in their hotels worldwide. They regularly report the status on their goals, positioning the company as a leader in sustainability in the hospitality industry.
2. Fairmont Kea Lani- Maui
This beautiful Hawaiian resort created a Sustainability Team in 2001, dedicated to proactively “greening” operations and cultivating an enduring connection to the land and community. To date, the team has launched over 50 environmental initiatives at the resort, including the installation of 1,528 solar panels, reef and beach cleanups, the adoption and patrol of the endangered hawksbill sea turtle and a partnership with Clean the World foundation to convert 2,400 pounds of waste to create 4,200 bars of soap and 3,200 hygiene kits for third world countries.
3. Hotel Terra Jackson Hole
Luxury and environmental responsibility come together at Hotel Terra Jackson Hole. This LEED-Silver certified resort uses solar, wind and hydro power and heating and cooling systems are controlled by an advanced computer system. The resort’s structure is made of recycled material, all windows are Energy Star rated and the roof is made of 100% recycled Eco Shake shingles. The rooms have 100% natural and organic Terra Beds mattresses; organic towels, bath mats and bathrobes; recycled glass countertops and soap dishes; and low-flow bathroom fixtures. Their Chill Spa uses organic products, making this resort eco-friendly from head to toe.
4. Aria Resort and Casino, Las Vegas
The U.S. Green Building Council awarded ARIA Resort & Casino its LEED Gold certification, the highest LEED achievement of any hotel, retail district or residential development in Las Vegas. Part of the eco-friendly City Center complex, the property has high energy efficiency programs including low-flow fixtures and a fleet of 26 limousines that operates on clean-burning compressed natural gas. It’s one of MGM Resorts’ 15 properties that have been certified through Green Key Global’s Eco-Rating Program. ARIA has a 5 Keys rating, an elite certification granted to less than 2% of Green Key’s 2,500 participating properties. It’s also earned TripAdvisor’s GreenLeaders Platinum certification, denoting the highest level of environmental responsibility, an achievement earned by less than 7% of participants.
5. Palomar a Kimpton Hotel, Philadelphia
Palomar Philly is a LEED Gold-certified luxury hotel housed in a landmark building in the heart of Center City Philadelphia. It’s a testament to superior eco-friendly hotel design, personalized service and genuinely warm hospitality. All of Kimpton Hotels’ locations are part of the TripAdvisor GreenLeader program, making it the first major hotel brand to have 100 percent portfolio-wide participation in the program. Nontoxic cleaning supplies, extensive recycling, minimizing of water consumption and recycled glass tile in the bathrooms all contribute to this hotel’s eco-friendly vision.
6. Andaz Maui at Wailea
Andaz Mai at Wailea earned a LEED Silver certification when it opened in 2014, meaning the resort is enhanced with eco-friendly, green-minded amenities. It reused 93% of the existing hotel’s structural walls, floors and roof in its design as well as utilizing low-emitting materials and energy-cost saving systems. Other sustainable features include LED lighting, low-flow plumbing and glassware made from recycled wine bottles. No gas equipment is used for landscaping and green waste is recycled into mulch to help hold moisture for less irrigation. Even the spa is eco-friendly – the whole fruits used to infuse body oils are used in the bar to make fresh juice and handmade cocktails.
Are you ready to plan a low impact trip? It’s better to leave footprints in the sand, and not on our environment.
