Starwood Develops Brand of LEED-Certified Hotels

Starwood Develops Brand of LEED-Certified Hotels
April 24, 2008

White Plains, N.Y.-based Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. announced that its newest brand, ELEMENT hotels, will require all hotels brand-wide to pursue LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). With its first hotel debuting this summer and more than 20 hotels set to open by the end of 2009, ELEMENT will be the first major hotel brand to commit to LEED certification. Designed for longer stays, and consisting entirely of new-build hotels, ELEMENT designated its first hotel as a working laboratory to test the latest in green construction, products, design and operations. Using these learnings, the ELEMENT brand has created a road map for developers that streamlines certification pursuits and provides a pathway to cost-effective green building. Starwood's research indicates that LEED certification is achievable at a minimal cost premium. In addition, ELEMENT's research shows that the initial investment can be recouped within a few years, given associated operational savings. ELEMENT's key green features are designed to be as appealing aesthetically as they are eco-friendly, and include daylighting, energy-efficient stainless steel appliances and lighting, water-efficient faucets and fixtures, and recycling bins for paper, plastic and glass. Filtered water in guest rooms and amenity dispensers in the showers reduce plastic bottle waste. In addition, ELEMENT hotels use low-VOC (volatile organic compound) paints and carpets with up to 100 percent recycled content and anti-microbial carpet pads. Guests driving hybrid cars are rewarded with priority parking. ELEMENT hotels are slated to open in markets such as New York; Chicago; Orlando, Fla.; and Las Vegas. The first ELEMENT hotel opens in Lexington, Mass. (July 2008), followed by ELEMENT Summerlin in Las Vegas, ELEMENT Houston Vintage Park and ELEMENT Arundel Mills in Baltimore.