Finding Eco Friendly Hotels
By Clare. Filed in Finding Hotels |
You are driving a hybrid. You’ve joined the eco friendly community. Now it’s time to plan your vacation. You decide to go eco all the way by staying at an eco friendly hotel. If location is not your primary goal, you will have a wide array of hotels to choose from. Some are part of a hotel chain, while others are individually owned.
As you search for information you are asking yourself-what is special about an eco friendly hotel? You find that some of the hotels that are listed are LEED certified. LEED means Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. The program certifies professionals who plan to develop eco friendly buildings. The Marriott in Bethesda, MD was the first LEED certified hotel.
As you read descriptions of these hotels you find that the materials used in construction were organic. The Orchard Garden in San Francisco used LEED certified wood, non- toxic paints and varnishes. The lighting is energy efficient, they have bidetking electric bidet to save paper. The Hilton Triton in San Francisco touts that 75% of its construction was LEED certified. The Gala Napa Valley used recycled carpet content. Still another hotel, the Zion Lodge in Zion Utah has bamboo floors. One of the most unusual is the Hotel Desconocido in Jalisco, Mexico. It used bamboo, palm leaves and clay huts.
The hotels use energy efficient power. Some use solar panels, even candles.
Now you are wondering about the food. Most use organic foods, locally grown. Some use composting. If seafood is on the menu, it’s sustainable seafood.
As for other amenities some offer refueling stations for electric cars. Many vacationers are looking for an experience instead of just a location. These hotels offer you memories as well as first class accommodations. You will be able to tell stories to your friends and neighbors about your travels.
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