How appropriate that at the same time the Ford Motor Company is making headlines for producing green, energy efficient vehicles such as the Focus and Fiesta, a hotel named for company founder Henry Ford has earned a top rating from Green Lodging Michigan and the Michigan Dept. of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth. The hotel is The Henry, an Autograph Collection Hotel, in Dearborn, Michigan, in … [Read more...]
Best Green Hotels in USA: San Diego’s Hotel Solamar
San Diego's Hotel Solamar is the city's first downtown hotel to become Green Seal™ certified, and one of just 20 in all of California to earn this top rating for social and environmental responsibility. The Hotel Solamar is operated by Kimpton, which is one of the hotel industry's top green leaders. Kimpton operates 50 boutique hotels in the USA, and half of them have passed the tough test to … [Read more...]
Best Green Hotels in the Caribbean: Bucuti & Tara Beach Resorts, Aruba
Go green with one touch at Bucuti & Tara Beach Resorts, Aruba’s top resort for couples and one of the most eco-friendly in the Caribbean. The resort has added what it calls a Green Button by the bed that allows guests to opt-in to the resort's energy conservation program. The Green Button activates motion sensors that control the lights, thermostat and humidity of guestrooms. The sensors … [Read more...]
Allergy-Free Hotel Rooms
There are 50 million allergy sufferers in the United States who have problems going on vacation because of the allergy aggravators in hotels, from the cleaning supplies used to the feathers inside the bed pillows. Hotel chains have taken notice, and are offering allergy-free rooms for sensitive noses for whom there aren't enough antihistamines or nasal strips on the planet. Four Seasons Hotel … [Read more...]
Holiday Travel Adventures and Deals to Book Now
There's still time to book special eco-friendly getaways for the holidays. These travel adventures are great gifts to give yourself. Zion National Park is one of my favorite places in the world to hike and inhale the beauty of the rugged scenery and the clear air -- that photo of me is atop the Angels Landing trail in Zion. Winter is a great time to visit, especially with the "Zion in … [Read more...]
Quebec Winter Carnival 2011 is World’s Largest Snow Festival
The world's largest winter carnival is the annual Quebec Winter Carnival, in the heart of Old Quebec. It is 17 days of fun in the snow, from January 28 to February 13, 2011. The daily schedule of festivities includes parades, fireworks, slide runs, a giant foot ball game, concerts, snow sculptures, horse-drawn sleigh rides, dogsled rides, an Ice Tower, ice skating, ice fishing, and fun and … [Read more...]
Best Green Hotels in USA: Pittsburgh Fairmont
The only LEED certified green hotel in Pittsburgh is the new Pittsburgh Fairmont, and it proves that green can be beautiful. Here's some of what makes this luxury hotel so green that it has been awarded the Gold level of green: Lighting -- energy efficient LED and compact flourescent bulbs reduce energy use at the Pittsburgh Fairmont by enough to power about 50 households a year. Also, … [Read more...]
NYC Gets LEED Certified Green Hotel in Times Square
The brand new InterContinental New York Times Square Hotel is the largest hotel in New York City to achieve LEED certification, as well as the largest new hotel in The Big Apple to open since 2002. The 36-story, 607 room hotel is a shining example of eco-friendly green luxury. Floor-to-ceiling windows let in the view -- which includes Times Square, the Hudson River and Central Park -- and cuts … [Read more...]
Best Green Hotels in USA: W San Francisco
The W San Francisco makes history by earning the first LEED certification for an existing building belonging to a major hotel chain, and only the seventh hotel in the United States to earn the LEED Silver rating. The W San Francisco is also certified by the state of California as a green business. This is all good. I've stayed at the W San Francisco several times, and love it for its clean … [Read more...]
Baltimore Gets its First LEED Certified Green Hotel
Baltimore's first LEED certified green hotel is the moderately priced Fairfield Inn and Suites is in the heart of downtown Baltimore. It is close to the city's famous Inner Harbor and the Baltimore Heritage Walk, a three mile walking trail through four centuries of American history, making it an ideal choice for eco-travelers looking for a moderately priced hotel close to museums and other … [Read more...]