The greenest hotel in the US: TripAdvisor
A luxury hotel made from salvaged trees and powered by the energy of the California sun has been named the top eco-hotel by TripAdvisor.
As the world is reminded to think of the planet on Earth Day, April 22, online booking site TripAdvisor has released the results of its Top 10 Highest-Rated Green Hotels in the US, giving top honors to the Bardessono hotel in Napa Valley, California.
As just one of three US LEED Platinum-certified hotels in the US -- the gold standard when it comes to eco-friendly design -- the Bardessono shows that luxury and sustainability are anything but mutually exclusive.
With 62 guest rooms, the property uses smart, efficient and innovative design principles that maximize its sun-soaked environment.
Solar panels harness the power of the California sun while large, smart windows provide a flood of natural lighting and low-e glass reduces temperature transfer into the room.
Energy-efficient smart sensors also lower or raise the room temperature when guests are absent.
Furnishings are made from rescued and salvaged trees, water fixtures are low-flow and all finishes, paints, carpeting and fabrics meet low volatile organic compound standards to improve indoor air quality.
Efforts to green the hotel, however, are unobtrusive for hotel guests accustomed to the luxury treatment and with spacious rooms decked out in full amenities like gas fireplaces and bathrooms designed to double as private spa, complete with massage table and soaker tub.
Foods served at Lucy’s Restaurant and Bar are made with garden-fresh ingredients harvested from the property.
TripAdvisor’s ranking is based on properties that have achieved Platinum status on the GreenLeaders program and have been weighed against their ratings on TripAdvisor’s Popularity Index.
“Not only is seeking out an eco-friendly accommodation good for the environment, but our survey also shows that most travelers find travel experiences more enjoyable when they make greener choices,” said Jenny Rushmore, director of responsible travel at TripAdvisor in a statement.
Here are the top 10 highest-rated green hotels in the US according to TripAdvisor:
Bardessono, Yountville, California
Allison Inn & Spa, Newberg, Oregon
Hilton Garden Inn Lafayetteville/Fort Bragg, Lafayetteville, North Carolina
Sleep Inn & Suites, Miles City, Montana
Montage Deer Valley, Park City, Utah
Cedar Glen Lodge, Lake Tahoe, California
ARIA Sky Suites, Las Vegas, Nevada
The Lenox Hotel, Boston, Massachusetts
Hampton Inn & Suites Miami/Bricknell-Downtown, Miami, Florida
Holiday Inn Express Inverness, Lecanto, Florida
