Top Green and Eco Hotels - 2

Eastern U.S. Green Properties and Beyond

Greensboro: Proximity Hotel

The Proximity Hotel in Greensboro, N.C., is the first hotel in the United States to acquire Platinum LEED certification—the highest rating available by LEED. Going Platinum, by U.S. Green Building standards, means achieving at least 52 sustainable design credits in a variety of green building categories; the Proximity got 55.

More than 70 sustainable features are incorporated into the 157-room Proximity, including energy-efficient materials that use 41 percent less energy and 4,000 square feet of solar panels on the building’s rooftop—which produces 60 percent of the building’s heat. Regional vendors and artists were used to cut down on carbon outputs associated with transportation. The Proximity was built with materials including salvaged wood, 90 percent post-consumer reinforced steel, and recycled asphalt and concrete.

Each guestroom features extra-large windows to utilize natural light, efficient air quality circulation and simple, elegant charcoal-sketch artwork by local artist-in-residence, Chip Holton. Hungry for more? Visit the hotel’s adjacent Print Works Bistro, the first U.S. restaurant to achieve Platinum LEED certification, featuring fresh, local produce, sensor-controlled ventilation in the kitchen and geothermal energy refrigeration. See the extended green list at Proximity’s Web site. Rates start at $249 per night. 704 Green Valley Road. Tel. 800-379-8200. www.proximityhotel.com

 

• The Proximity Hotel was contructed with salvaged wood and post-consumer steel.

Courtesy of the Proximity Hotel

New York: New York Westin

The Green Seal-certified Westin New York at Times Square is the first New York City hotel—and the first Westin hotel—to achieve the recognition. Eco-features include paperless guest registration, 100 percent recycled and biodegradable room keys, and recycled kitchen grease that’s used by a local company to produce biofuels.

The Westin’s “environmental initiatives” include green construction designs like low-flow faucets and 1.6-gallon flush toilets to conserve water. But Westin also values simple green efforts: turning off air conditioning when not in use, recycling ink and printer cartridges, reusing pieces of scrap paper and giving uneaten banquet food to staff or to local charities. These subtle efforts imply a group ethos for sustainability: everyone—hotel staff and guests—working together to promote a healthier, greener earth. Rates start at $275. 270 W. 43rd St. at 8th Ave. Tel. 866-837-4183. www.westinny.com

 

• A full kitchen in your guest room, healthy food choices and a gym are just a few of the features at an Element Hotel.

Courtesy of Element Lexington

Starwood Hotels: element Hotels

Starwood Hotels is rolling out the green carpet with a new extended-stay property brand, element, a chain of eco-hotels inspired by Westin Hotels and Resorts. The element hotels will feature healthier dining options, spacious lobbies with floor-to-ceiling windows and relaxing, energy-efficient guestrooms. Most importantly, all element hotels are pursuing LEED certification.

Eco-conscious travelers can find such room amenities as recycling bins (for paper, glass and plastic) magnetic Do Not Disturb signs, filtered water and soap dispensers to eliminate plastic bottle waste. Rooms also feature full kitchens, healthy food pantries and ergonomic desk chairs. Hybrid drivers get priority parking.

The first element hotel to open was the element Lexington in the summer of 2008; other open locations include element Arundel Mills, element Las Vegas Summerlin and element Houston Vintage Park, with 21 more properties slated to open through 2011—including one in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates. Rates vary depending on location; element Lexington rates start at $179 per night. www.starwoodhotels.com