PRACTICAL STRATEGIES

in Green Building

HOTELS
What is LEED?
LEED is a voluntary, third-party green building certification program that awards points to buildings for satisfying specified
green building criteria. LEED-certified buildings have implemented strategies intended to reduce building operating costs,
environmental footprint, and resource consumption such as water and energy use. LEED projects are designed, built and
operated to cut CO2 emissions while encouraging strategies to help create healthier indoor environmental quality. As new
technologies emerge, policies change, and the built environment evolves, LEED will respond through an ongoing, consensus-
based refinement process. Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), a non-profit organization of leaders and
experts from across the building continuum, LEED provides building owners and operators a concise framework for identifying
and implementing practical and measurable design, construction, and operations solutions.

LEED and Hotels

In the United States alone, hotels represent more than 5 billion square feet of space, nearly 5 million guest
rooms, and close to $4 billion in annual energy use. Hotels and other hospitality venues have a significant
opportunity to reduce negative environmental impacts associated with guest rooms, event space, and general
facility use through measures such as energy and water efficiency, waste reduction and management, sustainable
and local purchasing, and use of alternative transportation. Hotels can also contribute to human health by
providing healthy, comfortable, and productive indoor environments with improved indoor air quality, access
to daylight and views, and occupant control of the lighting and thermal environment. The suite of LEED rating
systems includes a range of environmental and performance measures that can be implemented in hotels and
other types of lodging facilities. LEED for New Construction and Major Renovations and LEED for Existing
Buildings: Operations & Maintenance are the most appropriate rating systems for lodging projects to use. The
LEED for New Construction rating system provides a framework for green design and construction of new
development or major renovations. The LEED for Existing Buildings rating system provides a framework for
hotel owners and operators to implement sustainable operations and maintenance practices in new and old
buildings and measure operational improvements on a consistent scale with the goal of maximizing operational
efficiency and minimizing environmental impacts from existing hotel operations. Hotels certified under LEED
for New Construction can use LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance to maximize their
investment by efficiently maintaining and operating their assets and thereby continuing their commitment to
sustainability. Specifically, the LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance rating system addresses
site maintenance programs, water and energy use, environmentally preferred products and practices for
cleaning, sustainable purchasing policies, waste management and ongoing indoor environmental quality.

How to Use This Tool

Practical Strategies in Green Building - Hotel edition provides hotel developers, owners, and managers with
examples of green strategies that have been used by LEED-certified projects. The information contained within
should help project teams and hotel executives better understand the types of strategies, investments and
benefits associated with LEED projects. The strategies in this guide are only a sample of possible approaches to
LEED projects. This resource should be considered a showcase piece that highlights smart and sensible choices
from a sampling of LEED-certified hotels.
Organization
This resource is organized the same way that the LEED rating systems are structured. Each of the six credit
categories within LEED has a separate section that includes four different examples of LEED strategies
utilized and the associated credits or prerequisites. Some strategies highlighted may be enough to meet pre-
scriptive LEED requirements, while others will simply be part of the overall approach to integrated credits such
as water or energy reduction.

Sustainable Sites
Water Efficiency
Energy and Atmosphere
Materials and Resources
Indoor Environmental Quality
Innovation in Operations

Credit checklists for the balloted versions of both the LEED for New Construction and Major Renovations
and LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance rating systems can be found at the back of
this booklet. These can help you get a better understanding of the overall structure of the LEED for New
Construction and LEED for Existing Buildings rating systems, including the prerequisites and optional credits
that lead a project to certification.

Certification Awards
The LEED certification system is a flexible framework that allows project teams to decide which sustainable
strategies to pursue based on the specifics of a particular project. LEED requires all projects to meet certain pre-
requisites, and project teams choose which optional credits to pursue for additional points toward certification.
Of the 100 points available in the LEED rating systems, at least 40 must be earned for base-level certification.
Certification levels start at Certified and increase to Silver, Gold and Platinum.

 Prerequisites are technical requirements within LEED that must be completed in order to be considered
for certification. All prerequisites must be met in order for a project to become
LEED certified.
 Credits are optional sets of requirements tied to a point value. To achieve certification a project needs to
achieve at least 40% of the available points in LEED.

LEARN MORE
www.usgbc.org/LEED2009 to view the LEED-NC and LEED-EB: O&M rating systems.
www.usgbc.org/EBOM to learn about the LEED EB: O&M rating system.
www.usgbc.org/store to purchase a LEED Reference Guide.
www.usgbc.org/hospitality to learn about USGBC’s work with the hotel & lodging industry.
www.usgbc.org/resources to download hotel project profiles.
 “With fuel prices skyrocketing and concerns about traffic congestion and
global climate change, the demand from our guests and staff for greener
SUSTAINABLE SITES alternatives has been very strong. The new fleet of Barona buses are good for the
environment, save wear on roads, and reduce traffic congestion.”
Jay Bart, Barona Resort & Casino

Reflective and Open Grid Paving

Pave Non-Roof Surfaces with Highly Reflective Materials
or Open Grid Pavement
Heat Island Reduction – Non-roof: SSc7.1

U sing highly reflective concrete and open grid pavers on 100% of

Hotel Indigo Athens’ paved surfaces has reduced the building’s
heat island effect, minimizing the disturbance of local microclimates and
wildlife habitats. At a cost of $45,000 for grid pavers vs. $26,000 for
asphalt, this strategy has also reduced the summer cooling loads for the
building. Lighter cooling loads have in turn reduced energy use, pollution
generation, and infrastructure requirements. Hotel staff see the reflective
and open grid paving as tangible and visible LEED strategies that contribute
to the hotel’s green image. Staff report that guests easily understand the
LEED for NEW CONSTRUCTION unique paving systems, which makes it an accessible sustainability strategy
HOTEL INDIGO ATHENS | ATHENS, GEORGIA
OWNER: RIALTO PROPERTY PARTNERS, LLC that quickly enhances a hotel’s green credentials.
LEED GOLD

Green Roof
Install Green Roof for Improved Stormwater Management and
Reduced Energy Use
Heat Island Reduction – Roof: SSc7.2

P opulated with over 24,000 native sedum plants, the Hyatt at Olive 8’s
green roof reduces stormwater runoff by up to 75%, an extremely
important environmental priority in the Puget Sound region. The green
roof also mitigates the heat island effect that would otherwise be present,
reduces the amount of energy required to heat and cool the main ballroom
directly underneath, and provides a downtown habitat for birds and bees.
In addition to these environmental benefits, the hotel’s green roof serves
as a symbol of the Hyatt at Olive 8’s general commitment to sustainability
and provides guests with a tangible connection to nature. It has turned
LEED for NEW CONSTRUCTION usually unpopular rooms into hot commodities with a surprising number
HYATT AT OLIVE 8 | SEATTLE, WASHINGTON
OWNER: R.C. HEDEREEN COMPANY AND HYATT HOTELS CORPORATION of guests requesting rooms with views of the roof.
LEED SILVER

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Site selection, management during construction, and ongoing maintenance are important components of a building’s sustainability.
The Sustainable Sites credit category encourages development on previously developed land, minimizing a building’s impact on
ecosystems and waterways, regionally appropriate landscaping, smart transportation choices, stormwater runoff management, and
reduction of erosion, light pollution, heat island effect, and pollution related to construction and site maintenance.

Alternative Transportation
Provide Environmentally Friendly Transportation for Guests and
Staff with Shuttle Program
Alternative Commuting Transportation: SSc4

A line of biodiesel-fueled luxury motorcoaches offer guests and

staff free shuttle service to Barona. They provide a fuel-efficient
and environmentally friendly way to travel to the gaming, golf and
entertainment destination just outside San Diego. The shuttles provide
206.6 passenger miles per gallon of fuel - on average seven times more
energy efficient than single occupancy automobiles. They run throughout
San Diego and Orange County, making it possible for guests and staff
to reach Barona without having to use their own vehicles. This greatly
reduces the number of vehicles driving to the property. The low-emission,
LEED for EXISTING BUILDINGS eco-friendly buses bring lighter traffic, reduced vehicle emissions, and a
BARONA HOTEL | LAKESIDE, CALIFORNIA
OWNER: BARONA BAND OF MISSION INDIANS convenient, reduced stress mode of transportation for guests and staff.
LEED GOLD

Reduced Site Disturbance

Allow Majority of Site to Remain Undisturbed and In Its Natural Habitat
Site Development – Protect or Restore Open Habitat: SSc5

T he Avalon is located in a reclaimed industrial area of Portland. A

small landscaped area is available for guest relaxation and enjoyment
of the surrounding nature, but the hotel makes every effort to maintain
a wild and undisturbed riverfront location. The area has been carefully
designed to support the local butterfly population and provide a salmon
safe zone. This is a no-cost measure that leads to increased business from
guests and local businesses that share the hotel’s commitment to the
environment. Many repeat guests return to the Avalon because of its
serene and “rural” setting within the city limits, and the hotel experiences
increased occupancy from customers who seek out LEED-certified hotels.
LEED for EXISTING BUILDINGS The Avalon’s landscaping expenses are also dramatically reduced compared
AVALON HOTEL & SPA | PORTLAND, OREGON
OWNER: GRAND HERITAGE HOTEL GROUP with the cost of maintaining an altered landscape.
LEED SILVER

5
 “It’s really expected that a hotel with as many green credentials as ours make
a true effort to cut back on water usage without impeding upon a guest’s
experience. Our green building commitment and LEED certification has
WATER EFFICIENCY opened doors to new business, partnerships, and marketing opportunities and
resulted in lots of positive, ongoing media coverage without compromising
luxury and service.”
Stefan Mühle, Orchard Hotel

Efficient Plumbing Fixtures

Install High-Efficiency Plumbing Fixtures
Water Use Reduction: WEp1 and WEc3

T he Proximity Hotel was built with high-efficiency Kohler plumbing

fixtures, saving two million gallons of water, or 33%, in its first
year of operations. This strategy enabled the hotel to address a local
environmental issue: water conservation is very important in Greensboro
as the area has limited water resources. The hotel expects to continue
to see savings of around $14,000 in annual water bills. With a cost of
only $7,000, this investment had a quick payback of six months. Guest
comfort is of prime concern, and the hotel affirms that guests do not
notice they are using less water. They are often amazed to find out that
their rooms are equipped with efficient fixtures, including showerheads.
LEED for NEW CONSTRUCTION The hotel’s toilets use a third of a gallon less water for each flush but cost
PROXIMITY HOTEL | GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA
OWNER: QUAINTANCE-WEAVER RESTAURANTS & HOTELS the same amount as conventional toilets.
LEED PLATINUM

Native Landscaping
Landscape with Native Species that Require Little or No Irrigation
Water Efficient Landscaping: WEc1

T he Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa’s grounds were landscaped using

native plant species that can survive in a hostile, high-altitude
environment with little or no irrigation. A few exceptions were made
for some very limited areas of sod and annual flower beds at key entry
points. This strategy allowed the property to significantly reduce water
use, an important environmental priority in Colorado. In addition to
ongoing water cost savings, the native plant species save the hotel money
in other ways: they require no fertilizer and less maintenance, and are
more affordable to purchase than nonnative species. Guests appreciate
the use of native plant species, saying that they come to the mountains to
LEED for NEW CONSTRUCTION be surrounded by pine trees and aspen trees instead of plain lawns, which
THE WESTIN RIVERFRONT RESORT & SPA | AVON, COLORADO
OWNER: EAST WEST PARTNERS they can find anywhere.
LEED SILVER

6
Buildings are major users of our potable water supply. The goal of the Water Efficiency credit category is to encourage smarter use
of water, inside and out. Water reduction is typically achieved through more efficient appliances, fixtures and fittings inside and
water-wise landscaping outside.

Overall Water Use Reduction

Install Waterless Urinals and Drought Tolerant Plants
Indoor Plumbing Fixture and Fitting Efficiency: WEp1 and WEc2
Water Efficient Landscaping: WEc3

T he W Hotel replaced all urinals in public restrooms with waterless

urinals. The hotel also replaced all exterior landscaping with drought-
tolerant plants that require little to no irrigation. These measures reduced
the hotel’s water use significantly and cost the hotel only $4,000. The
payback was less than one year. Implementation of this strategy, along
with the property’s general commitment to green building practices, has
opened doors to new opportunities for the hotel. The W’s sales team
has been able to penetrate new markets and target new clients for group
business. Additionally, the hotel has become a pilot hotel for green
LEED for EXISTING BUILDINGS initiatives for all W Hotels and its general manager sits on the Starwood
W HOTEL | SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
OWNER: KSSF INVESTMENTS Sustainability Committee.
LEED SILVER

Fixture and Fitting Upgrades

Reduce Water Use by Installing Low-Flow Fixtures and Flow Restrictors
Indoor Plumbing Fixture and Fitting Efficiency: WEp1 and WEc2

L ow-flow toilets, showerheads, and flow restrictors installed in the

Orchard Hotel have reduced water use by 20%. Showerheads that used
2.3 gallons of water per minute were replaced with showerheads that use
only 1.5 gallons per minute. Hotel staff believe that the new showerheads
actually perform better than the old showerheads and have heard very few
negative guest comments about them. Rebates from the California Public
Utilities Commission covered 75% of the showerheads’ purchase price and
5% of the flow restrictors’ purchase price, and there was no cost premium
on the low-flow toilets. The entire plumbing upgrade cost the hotel
around $3,500 with a payback of two to three years. Water cost savings
LEED for EXISTING BUILDINGS from these upgrades increase the hotel’s profits without harming guest
THE ORCHARD HOTEL | SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
OWNER: THE ORCHARD HOTEL experience.
LEED CERTIFIED

7
 “How can you tell if the hot water for your shower was heated by yesterday’s

ENERGY & ATMOSPHERE

sunlight or with natural gas? We made sure none of our sustainable practices
caused one iota of sacrifice in comfort for our guests.”
Dennis Quaintance, Quaintance-Weaver
Restaurants & Hotels

Solar-Heated Hot Water

Install Rooftop Solar Water Heating System
On-site Renewable Energy: EAc2

O ne hundred solar panels cover the Proximity’s 4,000-square-foot

rooftop, providing around 60% of the hot water used by both
the hotel and the restaurant inside it. By eliminating over half its water
heating energy use, the hotel avoids using other fuel sources and reduces
its emissions of greenhouse gases. The hotel saves $18,000 annually in
natural gas costs. It also sells renewable energy credits at $20,000/year.
At the time of installation, the Proximity received a 35% Federal Tax Credit
as well as a 30% North Carolina State Tax Credit for the solar hot water
system. With these incentives, the $450,000 investment has a payback of
4-5 years. The solar panels are the most visible of the hotel’s more than 70
LEED for NEW CONSTRUCTION sustainable practices as they can be seen easily on the roof of the hotel.
PROXIMITY HOTEL | GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA
OWNER: QUAINTANCE-WEAVER RESTAURANTS & HOTELS
LEED PLATINUM

Efficient HVAC System

Install HVAC System with Energy Recovery Units and Variable Refrigerant
Volume Heat Pumps
Optimize Energy Efficiency Performance: EAc1

H otel Indigo installed a Mitsubishi City Multi Variable Refrigerant

Volume (VRV) split HVAC system which utilizes energy recovery
units and VRV heat pumps to maximize the building’s energy performance.
These systems are nearly 30% more efficient than the PTAC (Packaged
Terminal Air Conditioner) units typically found in hotel guest rooms and
account for a 23% reduction in building energy use, translating to annual
savings of $34,462. The energy recovery units have a payback of just 3.5
years. The HVAC system also improves indoor air quality and contributes
to occupant comfort and well-being with its guest-friendly, individually
LEED for NEW CONSTRUCTION controlled digital thermostats. Software gives front desk staff ability to
HOTEL INDIGO ATHENS | ATHENS, GEORGIA
OWNER: RIALTO PROPERTY PARTNERS, LLC monitor guestroom occupancy and adjust temperature levels accordingly,
LEED GOLD
further conserving energy and reducing operating costs.

8
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, buildings use 39% of the energy and 74% of the electricity produced each year in the
United States. The Energy and Atmosphere credit category encourages a wide variety of energy strategies: commissioning; energy
use monitoring; efficient design and construction; efficient appliances, systems and lighting; the use of renewable and clean sources
of energy, generated on-site or off-site; and other innovative practices.

Improve Equipment Efficiency

Install Exhaust Fans with Variable Frequency Drives and Carbon
Dioxide Sensors
Optimize Energy Performance: EAc1

T he underground parking garage that services Montage Beverly Hills

has been equipped with exhaust fans that are controlled by carbon
dioxide sensors and Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs), allowing fans to
operate only when needed. This reduces the electricity required to run the
garage ventilation system by over 85%. It also generates annual savings
of over 3.4 million kilowatt hours of energy, or roughly $420,000. At a
cost of around $750,000, this equipment investment carries a payback
of 1.8 years. This strategy also reduced the constant noise associated
with running fans 24 hours a day, providing a more pleasant garage
LEED for NEW CONSTRUCTION environment for guests and staff.
MONTAGE BEVERLY HILLS | BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA
OWNER: MONTAGE HOTELS & RESORTS
LEED GOLD

Renewable Heat and Energy

Install Geothermal Ground Loop System and Solar Photovoltaic
Roof Panels
Optimize Energy Performance: EAc1
On-site Renewable Energy: EAc2

A ground-coupled heat pump system provides most of the hotel’s space

heating and domestic water heating. The system also captures air
conditioning waste heat for domestic water heating during the summer.
Nearly 100 rooftop solar photovoltaic panels offset reliance on the local
electrical grid, taking advantage of the region’s many clear and sunny days.
These two systems account for energy savings of around 40%, reducing
Bardessono’s peak electricity consumption and overall annual energy use.
This equates to annual savings of roughly $90,000 and 500,000 pounds
of carbon dioxide emissions. The hotel estimates that the marketing value
LEED for NEW CONSTRUCTION created by these systems was equivalent to around $80,000 worth of
BARDESSONO | YOUNTVILLE, CALIFORNIA
OWNER: YOUNTVILLE INVESTORS LLC advertising in 2009. At a combined cost of around $700,000, the hotel
LEED PLATINUM
estimates a payback period of five years for these investments.

9
 “We’ve invited all of our team members who are involved in procurement for
the hotel to thoroughly research the products that they are in search of which
in turn continues to keep all of us up to date on the most current, sustainable
MATERIALS AND RESOURCES options and engaged in the process. The LEED for Existing Buildings process
has also allowed us to exceed our guests’ expectations of what it means to be a
green hotel.”
Deirdre Wallace, The Ambrose Collection

Construction Waste Diversion

Reuse and Recycle Resource and Material Waste from Construction Site
Construction Waste Management: MRc2

T he Element Lexington’s development team established a construction

waste management plan targeting the project’s primary waste
materials: wood, plastic, metal, gypsum, asphalt, brick, concrete, paper,
cardboard, carpet, and carpet padding. The team diverted 83% of
construction, demolition, and land-clearing debris from disposal in
landfills or incinerators. Reusable materials were sent to appropriate
sites for reuse and recyclable resources were redirected back into the
manufacturing process. Reduced tipping fees completely offset the
$10,000 cost of the tracking and monitoring activities performed by the
general contractor in order to coordinate this effort, making this a no-cost
LEED for NEW CONSTRUCTION environmental strategy. Efforts to reduce the total amount of resources
ELEMENT LEXINGTON | LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS
OWNER: STARWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS used and waste generated during construction also contributed to the
LEED GOLD
positive environmental impact of this strategy.

Sustainable Building Materials

Use Building Materials Extracted and Manufactured Locally
Regional Materials: MR Credit 5

C ityFlats’ parent company, Charter House Innovations, designed

and manufactured all of the hotel’s interior seating and décor at
a production facility just a few blocks away from the hotel, acquiring
95% of all raw manufacturing materials for seating and décor from
local vendors. This reduced the fuel use, pollution and greenhouse gas
emissions associated with transporting these products. In addition to
the environmental benefits of avoiding long-distance transportation,
the company avoided both the costs and logistical challenges associated
with importing products. The hotel also partnered with a local mattress
manufacturer to create its signature CityDrem Mattress brand. It has since
LEED for NEW CONSTRUCTION become extremely popular with guests and has increased sales for both
CITYFLATS HOTEL | HOLLAND, MICHIGAN
OWNER: CHARTER HOUSE INNOVATIONS the hotel and the mattress manufacturer. In total, 38% of the building
LEED GOLD
materials used in the hotel were extracted and processed or manufactured

10
within the region.
During both construction and operations, buildings generate a lot of waste and use a lot of materials and resources. This credit
category encourages the selection of sustainable materials, including those that are harvested and manufactured locally, contain
high recycled content, and are rapidly renewable. It also promotes the reduction of waste through building and material reuse,
construction waste management, and ongoing recycling programs.

Sustainable Purchasing
Implement Sustainable Purchasing Program
Sustainable Purchasing Policy: MRp1
Sustainable Purchasing – Ongoing Consumables: MRc1
Sustainable Purchasing – Durable Goods: MRc2

T he Ambrose reduces its environmental footprint through its sustainable

purchasing policy, which covers everything from electric-powered
equipment to paper products. The policy encourages the purchase of
products that contain recycled content or are recyclable, as well as
locally produced products, reducing environmental impacts associated
with transportation, virgin material use, and pollution. Purchasing only
ENERGY STAR rated appliances for use throughout the hotel reduces energy
consumption by around 30%, saving an estimated $32,000 in operating
costs annually. Purchasing locally also provides an excellent opportunity
LEED for EXISTING BUILDINGS for the hotel to connect with and support the local economy. The hotel
THE AMBROSE | SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA
OWNER: DEIRDRE WALLACE ensures quality by requiring that sustainable products are purchased only if
LEED SILVER
performance will not be compromised.

Building Waste Management

Implement a Robust Recycling and Solid Waste Management Program
Solid Waste Management Policy: MRp2
Solid Waste Management – Ongoing Consumables: MRc7
Solid Waste Management – Facility Alterations and Additions: MRc9

T hrough extensive staff education, upstream separation of waste by

staff, an on-site recycling center, and a final step of off-site recycling,
The Venetian and Sands Expo & Convention Center divert more than 55%
of their total ongoing solid waste stream from landfill disposal. This
equates to over 25 tons of glass, plastics, metals, cardboard, and paper
daily. 100% of used batteries are recycled and over 75% of waste from
renovation projects is reused or recycled. Additionally, more than 75%
of the property’s food waste, an average of more than 10 tons daily, is
either composted or reused as animal feed at a local farm. Leftover food
LEED for EXISTING BUILDINGS packages and used electronics are donated to local charitable organizations.
THE VENETIAN RESORT HOTEL AND SANDS EXPO & CONVENTION CENTER
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA Impressively, the property has achieved these waste management goals
OWNER: LAS VEGAS SANDS CORP.
LEED GOLD
with little to no additional costs.

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INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL
“CityFlats Hotel’s recognition as the first hotel in the Midwest to achieve
LEED Gold Certification ensures that it is a healthy, environmentally-friendly

QUALITY
component of the community.”
Chuck Reid, President, CityFlats Hotel

Daylight and Views

Provide Access to Natural Light and Views of the Outdoors
in Regularly Occupied Spaces
Daylight and Views: EQc8

O ver 95% of all regularly occupied spaces in the Bardessono,

including offices and meeting and conference rooms, have access to
natural daylight and views of the outdoors. This provides both staff and
guests with the health benefits of natural light and a visual connection
with nature. Rooms brightened with sunlight reduce occupant eye strain
and contribute to the human body’s absorption of Vitamin D. Views of the
exterior grounds and surrounding landscape and gardens provide guests
with a sense of serenity, attracting guests to the property. Guests often give
positive feedback on the hotel’s daylight when booking or during their
LEED for NEW CONSTRUCTION stay. The natural daylight also has the effect of reducing energy use as
BARDESSONO | YOUNTVILLE, CALIFORNIA
OWNER: YOUNTVILLE INVESTORS LLC occupants can function normally without electrical lighting in most spaces
LEED PLATINUM
during the summer.

Low-Emitting Paints
Use Low-Emitting, Human and Environmentally Friendly Paints
Low-Emitting Materials – Paints and Coatings: EQc4.2

W hen choosing paints for this new hotel, decision-makers took

into account statistics they had heard from the U.S. EPA: indoor
air is three times more polluted than outdoor air and is considered one
of the top five hazards to human health. They considered that paints and
finishes containing Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) emit toxins into
the air for years after application and are among the leading contributors
to poor indoor air quality. CityFlats used low-VOC paints and coatings that
are as efficacious as traditional paints but emit significantly fewer harmful
off-gases. In addition to the indoor air quality and human health benefits,
using environmentally friendly paints reduced the amount of contaminants
LEED for NEW CONSTRUCTION this project released into landfills, groundwater, and the atmosphere.
CITYFLATS HOTEL | HOLLAND, MICHIGAN
OWNER: CHARTER HOUSE INNOVATIONS
LEED GOLD

12
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that Americans spend about 90% of their day indoors, where the air quality
can be significantly worse than outside. The Indoor Environmental Quality credit category promotes strategies that can improve
indoor air through low emitting materials selection and increased ventilation. It also promotes access to natural daylight and
views.

Green Cleaning
Ensure your Green Cleaning Policy Works as Designed
Green Cleaning – Sustainable Cleaning Products, Materials and
Equipment: EQc3.3 and EQc3.4

B y implementing a high-performance green cleaning program, the

Avalon Hotel & Spa has been able to reduce costs and avoid toxic
fumes and skin irritants that could harm guests or employees. The hotel
reduced cleaning costs substantially by replacing three different cleaning
chemicals with a single Green Seal Certified household cleaner that is used
throughout the entire building. The hotel also uses Green Seal Certified
laundry products, micro-fiber cloths, and dual motor vacuum cleaners
with HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters that prevent particles
from becoming airborne. The hotel reports that these measures incur no
additional costs compared with using traditional cleaning products and
LEED for EXISTING BUILDINGS equipment.
AVALON HOTEL & SPA | PORTLAND, OREGON
OWNER: GRAND HERITAGE HOTEL GROUP
LEED SILVER

Healthy Indoor Environment

Improve Indoor Environment and Air Quality
Low-Emitting Materials: EQc4
Daylight and Views: EQc8
Innovation in Design: IDc1

I n a recent survey at Element Lexington, a guest with severe allergies

indicated that the hotel’s healthy indoor air made an enormous
improvement in her comfort, making it the only hotel in the Boston area
where she could comfortably stay. The hotel was built using low-emitting
paints, carpeting, and adhesives, minimizing harmful toxins in its indoor
air. Going beyond the requirements of LEED for New Construction,
Starwood carried its commitment to indoor air quality into hotel
operations and developed a green cleaning program, earning the hotel a
LEED innovation credit. Nearly all regularly occupied spaces have natural
LEED for EXISTING BUILDINGS daylight (98%) and views (88%), including offices, meeting rooms,
ELEMENT LEXINGTON | LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS
OWNER: STARWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS laundry areas, kitchen, and the hotel’s employee break room, giving staff
LEED GOLD
a healthier work environment. Guest satisfaction with these features is
evidenced by scores in the high 8s and 9s on Starwood’s 10-point index. 13
 “In the hospitality industry, while it is important to build sustainable hotel
buildings, operators are able to achieve greater sustainable success by focusing
on sustainable operating procedures in order to limit the impact we have on
INNOVATION IN OPERATIONS the environment. Montage Beverly Hills has chosen to open the property with
these policies in place and in turn proves to be a good steward for our guests, our
associates and surrounding community.”
Mark Slymen, Montage Hotels & Resorts

Public and Staff Education

Provide Comprehensive Staff Training and Guest
Education on Sustainable Practices
Innovation in Design: IDc1

T raining for staff at the Fairfield Inn & Suites Baltimore Inner Harbor
ensures they are able to implement the hotel’s sustainable practices
effectively and understand them well enough to answer any guest
questions. A series of strategically designed displays as well as regular
building tours educate guests about the hotel’s environmental attributes.
These include a rainwater capture system, a green roof, efficient and user-
responsive lighting and conditioning systems, sustainable (renewable,
recycled, reclaimed, or regional) materials, recycling systems, and
alternative transportation options, including a smart car for guest use. The
educational aspects of the building have attracted local groups to host
LEED for NEW CONSTRUCTION events at the hotel, generating over $10,000 in additional revenue in the
FAIRFIELD INN AND SUITES, INNER HARBOR | BALTIMORE, MARYLAND
OWNER: SUMMIT ASSOCIATES first few months of opening.
LEED GOLD

Sustainable Operating Policies

Open a New Property with Sustainable Operating
Procedures in Place
Innovation in Design: IDc1

M ontage Hotels & Resorts saw the importance of going beyond

sustainable design and construction and adapted operating
strategies from LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance into
Innovation in Design credits for the hotel’s LEED for New Construction
certification. Sustainable operating practices include sustainable
purchasing, an integrated pest management and landscape management
program, and a green housekeeping program. These strategies limit the
ongoing impact the hotel has on the environment. Sourcing of green
cleaning products and reductions in the amount of fertilizers, fungicides,
LEED for NEW CONSTRUCTION and pesticides used on the property minimize the exposure of guests,
MONTAGE BEVERLY HILLS | BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA
OWNER: MONTAGE HOTELS & RESORTS staff, and the local habitat to harsh chemicals. Environmentally Preferable
LEED GOLD
Purchasing reduces environmental impact from the hotel’s vendors and

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suppliers.
The Innovation in Design and Inovation in Operations credit categories provide additional points for projects that use new and
innovative technologies, achieve performance well beyond what is required by LEED credits, or utilize green building strategies
that are not specifically addressed elsewhere in LEED. This credit category also rewards projects for including a LEED Accredited
Professional on the team to ensure a holistic, integrated approach to design, construction, operations and maintenance.

Eco Team
Create a Committee to Focus on Environmental Issues
Innovation in Operations: IOc1

I t is the job of the Ambrose Green Team to keep environmental issues at

the top of the office priority list and to provide hotel staff and guests
with accurate, meaningful, and up to date information on the company’s
sustainable practices and policies. Through dedicated teamwork, monthly
meetings, and communication, all Ambrose staff members are empowered
to reach and maintain the program’s environmental goals of pollution
control, effective waste management, energy use reduction, resource
conservation, and sustainable purchasing. The scheduled monthly
meetings serve as reminders for all staff of the importance of the hotel’s
environmental programs and have allowed the hotel to remain committed
LEED for EXISTING BUILDINGS to its environmental mission. Each Eco Team member monitors one
THE AMBROSE | SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA
OWNER: DEIRDRE WALLACE assigned LEED credit and ensures that staff stay engaged with it.
LEED SILVER

Innovative Cooling Tower Design

Implement a High Performance Cooling Tower Blowdown System
Innovation in Operations: IOc1
Cooling Tower Water Management: WEc4

I ncreasing the cycles of concentration for water circulated through

cooling tower units greatly reduces the amount of makeup water needed
to replace water lost through evaporation, drift, and blowdown. Cycles of
concentration were increased from 2.5 to a minimum of 5.0 by using acid
injection to control the water’s pH level occurring with additional cycles
of concentration. With an estimated annual cooling load of approximately
51,000,000 ton-hours attributable to the Venetian and Sands Expo
building, decreasing the system blowdown resulted in a direct reduction in
water usage of approximately 39,525,000 gallons per year (0.775 gallons
LEED for EXISTING BUILDINGS per ton-hour). The system had a payback period of less than one year.
THE VENETIAN RESORT HOTEL AND SANDS EXPO & CONVENTION CENTER
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA Additionally, less blowdown water is discharged to the Publicly Owned
OWNER: LAS VEGAS SANDS CORP.
LEED GOLD Treatment Works for treatment, an economic and environmental benefit.

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