With today’s guests focusing more than ever on the environment, hotel companies are going above and beyond with their green initiatives in order to not only attract eco-conscious consumers but also do their part in saving the planet.
Noble House Hotels & Resorts is one such firm. The Kirkland, WA-based developer/operator of 25 boutique hotels has partnered with Green Seal and applied for certification for 13 of its properties. Earning certification to Green Seal’s Standard for Hotel and Lodging Properties (GS-33) means that these hotels follow the environmental standard development and certification organization’s guidelines concerning eco-friendly practices.
“Noble House Hotels & Resorts believes that to achieve our goals, we must lead not only economically, but environmentally and socially as well,” said Stefan Mühle, VP, regional managing director, Noble House Hotels & Resorts. “As a leader in the hospitality industry, we are in a prominent position to affect the environment, thus making it our personal responsibility to create a green environment across our portfolio through daily actions.”
Mühle has seen an increased guest interest in the industry’s eco-friendly initiatives.
“Guests across our portfolio—and travelers in general—are increasingly aware and passionate about their environmental impact and how they can serve as stewards of our planet,” he said. “They want to know how we’re conserving energy and water, how we’re eliminating food waste and what cleaning products we’re using. We want to ensure that when guests check into a Noble House property, they feel confident that their choice is a sustainable one.”
The 13 properties going through the rigorous certification process are Noble House’s privately owned properties with no brand affiliation. They include Kona Kai Resort & Spa, The Portofino Hotel and Marina and River Terrace Inn in California; the Teton Mountain Lodge & Spa and Hotel Terra Jackson Hole in Wyoming; Gateway Canyons Resort & Spa in Colorado; and The Edgewater, Sole Miami, Pelican Grand Beach Resort, Little Palm Island Resort & Spa, Ocean Key Resort & Spa and Marquesa Hotel in Florida.
The company chose Green Seal because it “wanted a trusted third party to rigorously vet our properties’ operations and purchasing policies to underscore our commitment to protecting natural resources and human health,” said Mühle. “Green Seal represents the highest benchmark of health and environmental leadership. Additionally, Booking.com gives Green Seal-certified properties its highest level of sustainability recognition on its platform, and certified hotels are also highlighted on Google Travel.”
There are several requirements Noble House properties must meet to achieve Green Seal certification in areas like waste minimization and recycling; energy efficiency and conservation; management of freshwater resources; hazardous substances and purchasing.
“Every effort will be made to conserve resources throughout our operations,” said Mühle. “Noble House encourages each property to seek products and services of local origin and which are environmentally benign. Preference will be given to environmentally responsible service suppliers. Our success will be determined on a yearly basis with a commitment to improvement. Furthermore, Noble House-operated hotels and resorts will meet existing environmental laws and regulations and go beyond the status quo to seek techniques that position us ahead of their competition.”
Green Seal certification also focuses on health and indoor air quality.
During the certification process, which began in late January, each property works closely with Green Seal, noted Mühle, who added, “Through a web-based project portal, the property communicates with its assigned project manager, reviews necessary tasks and uploads supporting information and required documentation needed to complete a Green Seal project.”
The undertaking began with an application and the selection of a target rating level—Bronze, Silver and Gold— for each property, with each level including progressively more rigorous requirements. “We encouraged our properties to choose a level they felt they were equipped to both successfully attain and maintain,” noted Mühle.
The Green Seal hotel certification process historically takes up to three to five months. “The timing can vary greatly depending on a number of factors,” he said. “It is a rigorous process that culminates with an on-site audit at each hotel. Properties must maintain their certification status over time with ongoing monitoring from Green Seal’s certification staff.”
While there is no plan for any other properties in the existing portfolio to seek Green Seal certification, Mühle noted, “As our portfolio evolves, so will participation.”
