Celebrate Earth Day with “green” hotels

by Aimee Heckel · April 23, 2013

By Aimee Heckel

Between the cleaning product chemicals and air pollutants, staying in a hotel can have some unexpected health risks, according to a Huffington Post article. Not to mention the impact a massive building can have on the earth.

In honor of Earth Day, here are some of our favorite green hotels around the world.

Ramada Santa Barbara in Calif. We love seeing hotel chains taking steps like this. In addition to its award-winning koi ponds and gardens, this smoke-free facility offers a year-round solar-heated pool and whirlpool and three electric car charging stations.

Money-saving tips: Sign up for a wine tour package and get a free bottle of wine, valued at $30. And book your Ramada stay through ShopAtHome.com and get 1.5 percent cash back.

The Hyatt Regency Spa and Resort in Indian Wells is another hotel chain moving toward the greener side. This California resort is registered as a green hotel by the state’s Green Lodging Program. Its features include an electric car charging station and more efficient cooling towers, according to an article on Mydesert.com.

The Grand Hyatt in Denver is also considered a green hotel, with efficient lights, a recycling program, bed linen changes upon request to conserve water and energy, green catering menus and a special Green Team tasked to continue to find more ways to implement green practices.

Money-saving tip: Click here for info on the Hyatt’s senior discounts.

The Moss Grove Organic Hotel in the UK. In addition to beautiful architecture, this hotel aims to be as sustainable and environmentally friendly as possible. It uses organic materials, recycles and even sells organic chocolates and wines. Rooms are painted with organic, natural, clay paints. The building is insulated with sheep fleece. Window panes are handmade. Skylights are made out of reclaimed stained glass.

The Hoshinoya Karuizawa in Japan. This hotel is set in the valley below an active volcano and is nearly energy independent from utilizing geothermal heat and hydroelectricity from mountain streams. Trash is sorted into 33 different recyclable categories, with the aim toward zero waste. Stryofoam is banned here. Food waste is composted and traded for local veggies. This list of eco-friendly features here is extensive.

Want to learn more? Check out Ecoluxe.com the Green Hotels Association website.