With its apartment-style accommodations located in destinations such as New York, Dallas and Denver, Mint House, Inc. is proving its approach to hospitality can result in a much lighter environmental impact. According to Mint House, it produces, on average, 23 percent less CO2 emissions daily compared to a traditional mid-scale hotel and 56 percent less waste compared to an upscale hotel with food & beverage and conference space. Mint House, which recently added properties in Washington, D.C. and Madison, Wis., takes care of 10 percent to 100 percent of the apartments in the buildings it manages. For the 20 properties...

In a recent Publisher’s Point of View column, I reported that Hawaii’s governor intended to sign SB1396, creating the climate impact fee, or “green fee,” that will help the islands to mitigate the impacts of climate change and the roughly 10 million annual visitors it welcomes to its shores. According to AP, that legislation was signed by Hawaii Governor Josh Green yesterday. The legislation boosts a tax imposed on hotel room and vacation rental stays in order to raise money to address eroding shorelines, wildfires and other consequences of climate change. The measure adds an additional 0.75 percent to the daily room rate...

Back in February, Green Lodging News reported that Field & Stream Lodge Co.—a new hospitality brand rooted in the enduring legacy of Field & Stream, the iconic American outfitter established in 1871—had plans to open the doors to its flagship property: Field & Stream Bozeman, in May. That hotel is now open. Located one mile from downtown and immersed in Montana’s legendary landscape of rivers, mountains, and trails, the 179-room lodge is designed for outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds. “Field & Stream Bozeman is designed as a comfortable basecamp to hang gear, warm up, dry out, and recharge after a day...

Green Lodging News reported earlier this week that Choice Hotels International, Inc. had released its 2024 Sustainability Report. The report covers the fiscal year of January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024. Choice is one of the largest lodging franchisors in the world, with over 7,500 hotels representing more than 650,000 rooms in 46 countries and territories. Choice’s sustainability strategy and initiatives, many of which align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), demonstrate its commitment to being a responsible steward for people and the planet. “We are committed to propelling the success of others and building a...

The National Restaurant Association Show is just 10 days away. The annual event will be held from May 17 to 20 at the McCormick Place in Chicago. The Show will welcome almost 2,300 exhibitors this year, many of which will introduce products and services to help you save money, energy, water and reduce waste. Many exhibitors will also be presenting food items—including meat alternatives—that are healthier options for you and your guests. A few examples of companies that will be in attendance include Better Earth (compostable packaging), Foodservice Sustainability Solutions (food waste dehydrator), and Path Water Bottles. See the...

The annual HD Expo + Conference will be held this coming week from May 6 to 8 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. Hundreds of exhibitors will be on hand, 86 of which have indicated their products will have a sustainability focus (Air Purification Systems, Building Materials, Energy Efficiency, Green Products, Recycled Materials, Water Conservation). The educational sessions will include: Trends in Wellness: Where We Are Today, May 6, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. New Life: Case Studies in Renovation + Adaptive Reuse, May 6, 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Rethinking the Norm: Socially Sustainable Hotels, May 6, 4 p.m....

Last week I attended the AAHOA Convention & Trade Show in New Orleans. One of the most interesting companies I came across at the trade show was AdReach. The company makes it easy for upscale properties to supply affordable water to guests in Tetra Prisma Aseptic 330mL cartons made from 63.4 percent renewable plant-based materials. All paperboard used in the cartons comes from Forest Stewardship Council-certified forests and other controlled sources. The recyclable cartons include a plant-based cap that is also recyclable. A lodging establishment must commit to purchase at least 1 pallet (2,304 cartons) per month for 12 months....

With Earth Day just eight days away, I have been hearing from many PR agencies pitching locations/companies around the world for Green Lodging News stories. Here is a selection that were cited as having green initiatives worth writing about: Ananda in the Himalayas–Garhwal Uttarakhand, India Ananda in the Himalayas is celebrating its 25th anniversary by reinforcing its commitment to sustainable luxury through initiatives that support both local communities and the surrounding natural ecosystem. The retreat is deepening its focus on community-led sustainability in 2025 by relaunching the Ananda Institute in partnership with Ambuja Foundation. This partnership offers vocational training in hospitality and...

Hard Rock International casinos, hotels and cafes worldwide celebrated Earth Hour 2025 on Saturday, March 22. Earth Hour is a global movement created by World Wildlife Fund that encourages countries, businesses, individuals and iconic landmarks around the world to take action to protect nature. This year, 130+ Hard Rock properties filled the time with guest activities free of electricity, to reinforce the importance of prioritizing sustainability and reducing energy consumption, while connecting guests to mother nature through all five senses. Activities included 25+ nature-inspired dinners, 40+ live acoustic music performances, 25 community cleanups, 13+ tree planting events and more that dedicated 50,000+ total hours...

Travel industry leaders remain committed to action around sustainability but require more support, according to data from Travalyst, the not-for-profit organization founded by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex. Travalyst’s Five-Year Milestone Report includes survey data from travelers and industry leaders in the United States and the United Kingdom, as well as insights on the coalition’s efforts since its 2019 launch and moving forward. The survey of travel leaders revealed that the “industry is committed to action, despite a challenging context,” the report said. In fact, more than nine in 10 travel industry leaders said they agree that governments should ensure companies in the space report...