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LEEDing the Way: Hotels that are Going Green

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The most widely recognized standard for green building in the country (and perhaps the world), the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED certification accredits projects that embrace energy efficiency and conservation in everything from construction materials to layout and design. Certified projects can achieve an even higher rating of Silver, Gold, or Platinum if they receive enough additional credits. The rating system, which launched in 2000, had a slow start. But today, buildings across the country, from office high-rises to schools, are breaking ground and aiming for LEED. Here, a look at some hotels that are making the environment a priority.

March 2007

Gaia Napa Valley Hotel & Spa • American Canyon, Calif.
A 132-room hotel seeking Gold certification, the property has a solar-paneled roof, skylights to bring in natural light, and carpeting throughout that is made of recycled materials. The hotel also has on-site kiosks to provide guests with information about Gaia’s green efforts.

July 2007

Solage Calistoga • Calistoga, Calif.
The first hotel in Auberge Resorts’ new Solage brand will tap the hot springs beneath the property to heat the spa building and soaking pools at the 14,000-square-foot Spa Solage. Room service will be delivered by bicycle, and bathrooms will feature bulk toiletries.

December 2007

Hope Lake Lodge • Cortland, N.Y.
A geothermal system to heat and cool the entire property is among the planned features for this family resort in upstate New York, which is anticipating a Silver rating.

Winter 2008-2009

1 Hotel & Residences • Seattle
Starwood Capital Group will launch its new line of LEED-certified hotels with the opening of 1 Hotel & Residences in Seattle. The hotel’s interiors will be made from natural materials, including recycled wood.

Winter 2008-2009

Crosby Street Hotel • New York City
London’s haute hotelier, Firmdale, is striving for Silver with this property in SoHo. The hotel will have a vegetated roof and will be built with locally sourced materials.

Summer 2009

Fairmont Hotel • Pittsburgh
A collaboration between the Toronto-based Fairmont and the PNC Financial Services Group in Pittsburgh, the entire hotel will be built using recycled and recyclable materials, from the carpeting to the fabric on the couches.

2010

Waldorf-Astoria • Beverly Hills
Hilton expects to begin construction on this anticipated LEED-certified property later this year. The centerpiece of the hotel’s environmental plan is the creation of a 41/2-acre green oasis (gardens and rainwater catchment sites) in the center of the city.

—Jennifer Welbel

Copyright © 2008, American Express Publishing. All rights reserved.