BEST WESTERN PLUS Boulder Inn Gets Solar Powered

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. March 15, 2012

March 14, 2012 - With a simple flip of a switch today, The BEST WESTERN PLUS Boulder Inn became the most solar powered hotel in Boulder County. The newly installed system will save 28,694 kWh of electricity production annually, and provide approximately 25% of the hotel's overall electrical needs. A digital reporting device located at the hotel's front desk provides real-time and cumulative information on CO2 savings and power production. This and other sustainability tracking initiatives applied throughout the hotel will provide a true look at the hotel's overall environmental impact.

“Our goal is to reduce our guests' carbon footprint during their stay and to become the most environmentally conscious hotel in the market,” said Steven Wallace, General Manager. “I want our actions to reflect our words, so we're investing tremendous time and resources in leading by example. I want the hotel to be a good steward of the asset that is Boulder.”

In addition to the new solar panels, Wallace has completed several other environmental initiatives over the past two years, striving to make The BEST WESTERN PLUS Boulder Inn the greenest hotel in the county. Those efforts have included:

 Being one of the first hotels in Boulder to install Caroma brand dual flush toilets — the next generation of low-flow toilets which offer an amazing 0.8/1.28 gallons per flush water use. This equates to 44% water savings compared to traditional 1.6 gallon toilets.
 New Designtex upholstered chairs throughout the hotel are made from 91% post industrial recycled material, and 9% post consumer recycled material.
 Bicycles are available to guests at no extra charge.
 Guest rooms utilize compact fluorescent lamps in place of traditional incandescent bulbs where ever possible to reduce electrical use.
 All guest rooms have 40 inch flat screen Energy-Star rated, LCD high definition units.
 All Boulder Inn employees are encouraged to use alternate methods of transportation, and receive a free RTD Eco Pass.
 Housekeeping uses environmentally friendly cleaning chemicals.
 Rather than disposable cups, guest rooms are outfitted with drinking glasses and coffee mugs.
 All disposable dishware for the breakfast service is made from recycled paper. No Styrofoam is used at the hotel.
 Hotel-wide single-stream recycling program, including guestroom trash. The goal of the hotel's recycling program is to divert 90% of waste from the landfill by December 2012.
 Reusable hand towels are offered in all public restrooms to reduce paper usage.
 Motion sensors control lighting in low-traffic areas.  All exterior lighting is controlled via photo sensors to avoid unnecessary daytime usage.  Linens that have been replaced and unused toiletries are donated to local shelters and charities.  Hotel guests are rewarded with additional Best Western Rewards points for choosing to diminish their energy usage.
 All guest room windows are double-paned to minimize energy loss.
 The hotel tracks and evaluates electricity, gas, and water usage to find additional savings.
 All employees are required to use their own refillable beverage containers.
 Bromine is used in the hotel pool and hot tub instead of chlorine.

Future green initiatives planned include an in-room energy management system, LED lighting throughout the hotel, installing an electric car charging station and offering carbon-offset rates for hotel guests who want to help further reduce their travel impact.

The BEST WESTERN PLUS Boulder Inn works with a professional consultant to help identify areas of improvement and growth for the environmental practices of the hotel. A Green Team, comprised of volunteer Boulder Inn associates, meets regularly to brainstorm, plan, manage, and implement environmentally based programs.

About The Hotel
The BEST WESTERN PLUS Boulder Inn is dedicated to the business traveler who wants a hotel with exemplary service at a competitive price. BEST WESTERN PLUS Boulder Inn provides guests with a deep level of personalized care, extraordinary in-room amenities, and an understanding that every guest is treated with the utmost importance. For reservations and more information please visit www.boulderinn.com or call (303) 449-3800.

About Best Western International, Inc.
Best Western International, Inc., headquartered in Phoenix, Ariz., is a privately held hotel brand made up of more than 4,100* BEST WESTERN®, BEST WESTERN PLUS® and BEST WESTERN PREMIER® hotels in more than 100* countries and territories worldwide. Now celebrating 66 years of hospitality, Best Western welcomes hundreds of thousands of guests nightly. Best Western provides its hoteliers with global operational, sales, marketing and promotional support, and online and mobile booking capabilities. More than 14 million travelers are members of the brand's award-winning loyalty program Best Western Rewards®, one of the few programs in which members earn points that never expire and can be redeemed at any Best Western hotel worldwide. The brand's partnerships with AAA/CAA, racecar driver Michael Waltrip, and Harley-Davidson® provide travelers with exciting ways to interact with the brand. Best Western in 2011 was named AAA's and CAA's Hotel Partner of the Year and bestwestern.com was named the 2011 Compuware Best of the Web Gold award winner. For more information or to make a reservation, please visit bestwestern.com. *Numbers are approximate and may fluctuate.