Living Roofs and More: Hotel Sustainability
The act of traveling is often very far from being sustainable. It tends to go hand in hand with overconsumption and with being careless about the environment. However, it does not necessarily have to be that way. You can find new sustainable ways to enjoy your destinations and also find sustainability in hotels.
For many, traveling is a way to feel good. That can come in many ways like shopping and eating at great restaurants. For others, going away is expanding their culture by visiting museums and getting to know local habits.
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And what does it mean to feel good? For some people, feeling good is about perceiving that you can make a difference in the world. With that knowledge, the hospitality industry has been acting to lower its impact on the environment. By doing that, they favor the environment and attract more eco-conscious customers.
Hotels can go green in many different ways. Their choice will depend on the impact that they are willing to make. Also, they will choose with their customers’ priorities in mind. Read on to learn more about current initiatives in hotel sustainability and what it looks like in Las Vegas.
Location & Building Features for Hotel Sustainability
There are building techniques that are focused on damage control. This means that while building, contractors can be extra careful so as to avoid unnecessary waste. The leftover materials and debris can also be repurposed and recycled.
When planning gardens and living roofs, there are also environmentally friendly choices to make. One of them is choosing plants that are native to that specific region. Native species will not only thrive faster and better but also be easier to take care of because they are adapted to the conditions.
For decades, people have been talking about saving water at home. Besides taking shorter showers and closing the faucet while scrubbing your hands, building features can help us save water. Dual flush toilets and low-flow faucets are equally effective and can save up to 20% on water consumption.
Apart from building materials, hotel owners can make further choices in order to improve hotel sustainability. For example, they can provide bicycles and bicycle parking for guests and staff. With this very simple and inexpensive initiative, they may even promote health among employees as they will exercise on the way to work.
Energy in Hotel Sustainability
Small actions, when added up, can make a huge difference in energy saving. It is not uncommon for us to forget our lights or air conditioning devices turned on after we leave a room. Nowadays, it is possible to get that mental load off our shoulders. Occupancy sensors for lights and air conditioning will turn them on and off as people move in and out of that space.
As far as thermal comfort is concerned, the more sustainable option is not to rely only on air conditioning. Dual panes in windows and shading devices can reduce heat gain inside the building. Consequently, there will be less need for cooling.
Solar energy can heat swimming pools and hot water in showers. The installation of solar panels on roofs is now the norm in hotel sustainability.
Eco-Friendly Hotels In Vegas
Historically, Vegas is known for placing little value on environmentally-related issues. Home to the world’s brightest light beam on top of the Luxor’s pyramid, the Strip is no less than the brightest place on Earth when viewed from space at night.
No one can argue that lighting up the Strip at night makes up for huge energy consumption. Not to mention all of the power needed to run Las Vegas casinos and other attractions. But some hotels in Sin City are already moving towards more environmentally conscious choices.
Two hotels on the Las Vegas Strip have been awarded environmental certifications for their sustainability initiatives. Those are ARIA and Vdara.
ARIA is the largest hotel in the world to earn Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certifications. These are awarded by the United States Green Building Council. In its turn, Vdara has received a “5 Green Keys” rating, which is the highest possible from the Green Key Eco-Rating program. Only one percent of all hotels rated achieve this certification.
Additionally, Vdara and ARIA have been awarded Platinum by TripAdvisor’s GreenLeaders program. The two are the only properties in Las Vegas to receive Platinum. MGM Resorts International operates the greenest properties in the city, ARIA and Vdara, along with several other resorts. From the nostalgic New York-New York to the magnificent MGM Grand, MGM’s prominence in the city is impressive.
But the company’s largest sustainability effort was released in June 2021. MGM International launched its 100-megawatt solar array, which now produces up to 90% of the MGM Resorts’ daytime power needs.
Planning Your Next Travel
When planning for a trip, there are many factors to consider. Depending on your profile, hotel sustainability will be on your list. It is interesting to remember that sustainability is not only about the great green initiatives in the hospitality industry. When you plan a trip carefully, for example, you will automatically save resources. But how so?
With adequate planning, it is likely that you will not waste time–your most valuable resource–during your trip. Vegas VIP Limousine can assist you in making transportation arrangements for your next getaway. Our professional team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and ready to take your call. The team is prepared to understand your needs and plan accordingly. From Luxury Sedans to Stretch Limousines, you will surely find a vehicle in our fleet that is perfect for your travel plans.