The Greenest Hotels in the U.S., from Manhattan to Waikiki

Most of us have learned by now that you can’t trust a company to be honest about whether they’re truly eco-friendly or not.  Greenwashing is rampant right now, and many consumers are noticing the terms ‘eco-friendly’, ‘green’, ‘earth-friendly’ and other claims on brochures and other marketing materials for all kinds of products and services.  Lately, more and more hotels have been trying to get in on the game, and as Forbes Traveler found, some claim to be green with nothing but an ‘optional recycling program’ to back it up.  That’s why Forbes Traveler set out to find the greenest hotels in America – the ones that have worked sustainability into the daily operations of their businesses.

Some of the hotels on the list, from Forbes Traveler:

• NYC, NY – New York Marriott Downtown: Company-wide policy to cut energy consumption by 25% by 2017; biodegradable cutlery; turned golf courses into Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuaries.
• Townsend, MT – Bison Quest Sanctuary and Spa: Founded by a wildlife biologist on a private bison reserve; completely wind and solar powered; composting for organic waste
• Key West, FL – Banyan Resort: Solar-powered swimming pools; biodegradable tiki bar; deck made of recycled lumber; grounds are xeriscaped with native flora; first ‘Green Lodging Facility’ in the Florida Keys.
• Boston, MA – Seaport Hotel: Chemical-free, electrolyzed water instead of bleach for cleaning; food waste is composted; purchases from eco-friendly suppliers; on-site vegetable and herb garden.

The list also includes hotels, resorts and bed & breakfasts in Honolulu, Hot Springs Arkansas, Los Angeles, Washington DC, Homer Alaska, San Francisco, Asheville North Carolina, Taos New Mexico, Buena Vista Colorado, Austin Texas and Maiden Rock, Wisconsin.

Check out the rest at ForbesTraveler.com.

Link [Forbes Traveler]

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