Starwood launches eco-friendly hotels
12 Jan 2009
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, an Americal group, has launched a chain of eco-friendly hotels which it says will help make guests more environmentally responsible.
The first green hotel - called Element - will open in Lexington, Massachusetts followed by properties in Las Vegas, Houston and Baltimore.
Starwood conducted a survey, on the basis of the results, set out to build the new eco-hotel chain.
The findings were that nearly 60 per cent of frequent travellers dropped their green routine when away and only 18 per cent made efforts to conserve water in hotels compared to 70 per cent at home.
All hotels have been built to the US Green Building Council's standards and feature energy efficient appliances, lighting and water facilities and recycling bins in each room.
Low volatile organic compounds paint has been used to decorate rooms which have also been fitted with carpets made from recycled content.
Guests driving hybrid cars are given priority parking and complimentary bicycles are provided for guests and staff to use.
