As bedroom services, hotel properties first and foremost are in the trade of changing linens and doing laundry. While many properties outsource their linen supply and laundering, they command a significant enough supply to exert an influence on their laundry service. They can, in short, seek to ensure that their most plentiful commodity is cleaned in the most environmentally responsible way possible. This largely concerns the selection of laundry detergent, the subject of this article. Certainly, hotel policies regarding changing linens for multiple-night guests can significantly affect the environment by reducing the load and therefore the energy, water, and waste produced. READ MORE

What characterizes full-service properties from a sustainability perspective compared to more limited-service properties is that, essentially, they have just more of the same. Except for restaurants, the additional facilities and equipment are similar to what most properties, however small, have in their guest rooms, lobby, and front office. The expanded dimension of full-service properties means more need - and opportunity - to apply energy- and water-saving operations, to eliminate waste and toxins, and generally to provide a healthful and vibrant guest environment. READ MORE

Nowhere does the conventional clash between comfort and guest satisfaction, on the one hand, and the stereotypical austerity of sustainability, on the other, become as intense as at properties designed as playgrounds and pleasure places for guests - resorts foremost among them. Does a concern with fostering human health and environmental quality have a role here? Given the title of this article and its author, you could presume we think it does. As with spas (described in an earlier article in this series), the concept of promoting a more healthful place in which to play, eat, and sleep is fully compatible with the goals of resorts. With people spending most of their awake time at resorts, in contrast to many other kinds of properties, and wanting to derive maximum pleasure from their stay, all the benefits of a greener environment come into play. READ MORE

This article in our ongoing series addressing sustainability in different sectors of the lodging industry focuses on properties with conference centers. These are defined by the International Association of Conference Centers as properties where a minimum of 60% of total revenue from guest rooms, meeting space, food and beverage, conference technology (A/V), and conference services is conference-related. We will look at those aspects of conference centers that have special opportunities and needs from the perspective of improving environmental sustainability. First we will discuss the institutional framework, then some substantive issues of particular importance to conference centers. READ MORE

With this article, we begin a series of applications of sustainability to particular segments of the lodging industry: spas, conference centers, resorts, and full-service hotels. The intention is to focus on those aspects of the segment that have special opportunities and needs from the perspective of improving environmental sustainability. The need for and interest in health and sustainability could not be more intrinsic and central to the spa segment, which is dedicated to improving well-being and healthfulness. A recent survey of spa industry professionals completed by TREC International Inc. for the International Spa Association (ISPA) revealed that 46% of respondents indicated they want to reduce or eliminate the use of toxic products, while 52% reported they are currently selecting green products and services or are planning to go "green." In this article, we will look at issues related to spa facilities as well as the operations and internal environments therein. By addressing environmental sustainability, many spa operators are now finding that it is an integral foundation for their business as well as for society at large. READ MORE