Jun 16th, 2010 at 4:30PM: There's a human element to hotels that often goes unnoticed by its guests. Beyond the check-in desk and past the steel "Staff Only" doors are employees with real feelings and concerns about the communities in which they live, and those emotions are apparent in the social efforts made both inside and outside the hotel. From clean-up programs to rescue efforts, hotels have consistently offered ways ...Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.
ecofriendly posts
Ritz-Carlton to put environmentally-friendly water bottles in hotel rooms
Jun 16th, 2010 at 4:30PM: There's a human element to hotels that often goes unnoticed by its guests. Beyond the check-in desk and past the steel "Staff Only" doors are employees with real feelings and concerns about the communities in which they live, and those emotions are apparent in the social efforts made both inside and outside the hotel. From clean-up programs to rescue efforts, hotels have consistently offered ways ...Hotel Review: The Verdanza Hotel in Puerto Rico
Jan 31st, 2010 at 4:00PM:
Formerly a Holiday Inn (and long before that, a 60's era tennis club and hotel), the Verdanza Hotel in Puerto Rico underwent major renovations as it transitioned from chain to independent hotel. The local ownership remained the same, but the decor, attitude, and commitment to the environment is all new.
The vibe here is young - both the GM and the chef are the youngest to hold those ...Big Island Hawaii: Four Seasons Hualalai hotel review
Jan 12th, 2010 at 11:00AM:
As a budget traveler, I've always been averse to spending much more than $150 per night on a hotel room. I've always figured, "it's just a room" and that aside from a comfortable bed in a quiet, clean building, I didn't really need more much. I never thought I would consider spending $500 for a single night in a hotel. But all that changed when I stayed at the Four Seasons Hualalai on ...Big Island Hawaii: The Resorts of the Kohala Coast
Jan 8th, 2010 at 11:00AM:
The Kohala Coast of Hawaii's Big Island might not look like what you imagine when you think of Hawaii. While the grounds of the many resorts that line the coastline are lush and green, once you leave the confines of the property, you'll see a land that's almost barren, dotted with tiny shrubs and long expanses of hardened black lava from the last eruptions of the now dormant Hualālai volcano. ...10 travel resolutions for 2010
Dec 30th, 2009 at 9:30AM:
As 2009 draws to a close and we look back on the last 365 days of travel, it's time to make some resolutions for the coming year. Here are ten travel resolutions that will help you be a happier, more fulfilled traveler in 2010.
Pack lighter
digg_url = 'http://digg.com/travel_places/10_Travel_Resolutions_for_2010'; Nearly every domestic carrier now charges for the first checked bag. The ...Ship graveyards from around the world
Oct 28th, 2009 at 1:00PM: Eco-friendly website Environmental Graffiti has an interesting story on their site today that details some of the top cargo ship graveyards from around the world. The article also includes some amazing photos of the rusted out shells of former cargo and cruise ships that have been left to rot in a variety of sun baked locations. All told, there are five graveyards on the list, including the ...How Virgin America does "green" - in a big way
Oct 15th, 2009 at 12:30PM: It isn't easy being eco friendly as an airline. The basic principle of what you do involves something that is relatively unfriendly to the planet. That said, when you start an airline from the ground up (like Virgin America had to do), there are steps you can take to become environmentally friendly. Here are some of the measures Virgin America put in place to become one of the most environmentally ...Where to research and book eco-friendly travel
Oct 15th, 2009 at 11:30AM: There is no denying that eco friendly travel is "in". As more and more travelers become aware of their own carbon footprint, many of us are also becoming more active in reducing our impact. This could be as simple as paying a little extra for a green certified hotel, or paying to offset the emissions from a flight. The Internet is full of fantastic resources for anyone looking to research and/or ...Win a 5-night package at Chaa Creek luxury eco-resort in Belize
Aug 30th, 2009 at 2:00PM: Chaa Creek, an eco-resort in the jungle of Belize, is giving away a 5-night stay for two to the winner of their Nature Quest Sweepstakes. To enter, you'll need to write a 300-word essay on why you want to visit the lodge, and answer a series of questions about the property (the answers to which can all be found on the website). If you score 85% or above, you'll be eligible to win the 5-night ...Chicago City Provisions organic farm dinners
Aug 25th, 2009 at 11:00AM:
It's Green Travel Month here at Gadling, so to get into the green spirit, I booked a special dinner with Chicago's City Provisions Catering and Events, an eco-friendly catering company. City Provisions works with local farmers and suppliers, sends its organic waste back to farmers for composting, and sources all of its ingredients from organic and sustainable providers. The company offers ...Nominees for Planeta.com's Ecotourism Spotlight Award announced
Aug 23rd, 2009 at 1:00PM:
Planeta.com, a website dedicated to ecotourism and encouraging environmental conservation through tourism, has announced the nominees for its Ecotourism Spotlight Award. The Award honors the tourism boards that promote ecotourism through their websites, both by highlighting their own efforts and by helping travelers connect to independent tour providers who operate using sustainable practices. ...Airports go green with new eco-friendly initiatives
Aug 20th, 2009 at 10:30AM:
tweetmeme_url = 'http://www.gadling.com/2009/08/20/airports-look-to-expand-green-practices/'; tweetmeme_source = 'Gadling';
Airports are little cities unto themselves. Many are even large enough to have their own zip codes. With so many people coming in and out, cars dropping off and picking up, and planes departing and landing, airports produce a whole lot of air pollution and physical ...Heathrow unveils driverless personal transport pods
Aug 19th, 2009 at 3:30PM:
Buses and shuttles make up a large portion of an airport's traffic. People need to be shuttled back and forth from parking lots, garages, terminals and rental car lots, and all those vehicles mean congestion and pollution. Heathrow Airport is working on a system that will address both of those issues. The new Personal Transport Pods, or PRTs will run on dedicated tracks and use 50% less energy ...Stay at The Blackstone and explore Chicago by bike
Aug 19th, 2009 at 2:30PM: We've been talking a lot about green travel this month. Well, here's one more way you can do your part to reduce the impact your travels have on the environment. Book a room at The Blackstone in Chicago through October 31, and you'll be given two Strida bikes to use for the duration of your stay.
"Bike Chicago" package prices range from $199 to $269 per night and include overnight accommodations ...Denver's Queen Anne Bed and Breakfast is eco-chic
Aug 15th, 2009 at 11:00AM:
At Denver's Queen Anne Bed and Breakfast, the mission statement is clear. Comfort, style and luxury can co-exist with sustainable, eco-friendly practices. And when it comes to green initiatives, Milan Doshi, the b&b's owner, seems to have thought of everything. The bedding, the paint, the food, the labor - every aspect of the b&b was specifically chosen to be as green as possible.
...How green is your hotel?
Aug 7th, 2009 at 8:00AM:
Not too long ago, any hotel that had one of those "please reuse your towels" signs in the bathroom was considered "green". But with new hotels upping the ante by adding more features that reduce waste and environmental impact, it takes a lot more than that to truly be green. Here are some of the greenest hotel features to look for in an eco-friendly hotel.
Sheet and Towel Reuse Programs ...Justin Timberlake opens eco-friendly golf course
Jul 26th, 2009 at 11:30AM: Justin Timberlake - singer, dancer, actor, restaurateur, golfer, and. . . eco-innovator? That's right, the guy who "brought sexy back" is also responsible for the first Platinum LEED certified golf course in the United States. The course also received the first Audubon International Classic Sanctuary certification in the U.S.
The Memphis, Tennessee golf course, originally called Woodstock Woods, ...The Brando eco-friendly beach resort to open in 2011
Jul 25th, 2009 at 10:00AM: Did you know that Marlon Brando owned (and now his estate owns) an entire French Polynesian atoll 35 miles from Tahiti? Did you also know that Brando dreamed of creating an eco-friendly resort on the atoll? Well both are true, and by 2011 Brando's dream will be a reality, thanks to Richard Bailey, CEO of Tahiti Beachcomber.
Bailey was a longtime friend of Brando's and had been working with him on ...The hard truth of green luxury travel
Jun 3rd, 2009 at 3:00PM: "Green" has become yet another upscale offer for hotels and resorts around the world. The concept allows a premium to be charged – and justifiably so, given the increased expenses that come with minimizing environmental impact. Guests get to feel good when they indulge, and the hotel makes a few extra bucks. Everyone wins, right?
Well, it isn't that simple. Any environmentally friendly ...Champagne and rub-down in Jackson Hole
May 19th, 2009 at 7:30AM: Before you skip this as "just another travel deal" – as I almost did – consider the combination of mountain air, spa treatments and the taste of champagne. The "Ultimate Chill" package from Hotel Terra Jackson Hole includes all this within a LEED-certified eco-boutique, so you don't need to feel guilty while enjoying this touch of pleasure.
Get your weary arms, legs and back rubbed ...
