Results from the American Hotel & Lodging Association’s 2010 Lodging Survey showed that luxury and upper-upscale hotels are most likely to feature green amenities and earn green certifications. The survey, which is conducted every two years, was funded by the American Hotel & Lodging Education Foundation and prepared by Smith Travel Research. Results were tallied from 8,800 respondents, for a very respectable 18% response rate. Questions focused on 14 green-related categories, including allergy-free rooms, water-saving programs, energy management systems, recycling programs, green certification, and green renovation.
The chief findings:
- 23% of respondents use energy management sensors in guestrooms, down slightly from 25% reported in 2008. Properties most likely to have sensors: luxury (43%) and upper-upscale (32%) hotels.
- 60% of respondents have recycling programs, up from 40% reported two years ago. Luxury (87%) and upper-upscale (85%) properties are most likely to have these programs, while economy hotels (36%) are least likely.
- 88% of respondents report use of energy-efficient lighting, versus 68% in 2008. Hotels across the board equally report using this type of lighting to a significant degree.
- 69% of respondents say they have a water-saving program in place, up from 46% in 2008. Once again, luxury (80%) and upper-upscale (85%) properties are most likely to have such a program. A significant number of upscale hotels (73%) also report having a water-saving program.
- 51% of respondents report having a digital energy management system in place; this is the first time the question appeared on the survey. Luxury (48%) and upper-upscale hotels (51%) again lead the industry, with only 7% of economy hotels reporting use of a digital energy management system.
- 56% of hotels offer 100% nonsmoking rooms, up from just 38% two years ago. Upscale (70%) and independent brands (66%) are most likely to offer such rooms.
- 71% of luxury hotels report that they are working toward a green certification program, with upper-upscale (64%), upscale (47%), mid-level (43%), and independent (40%) rounding out the category. Least likely to go for certification: interstate hotels (32%).
- 12% of hotels plan to incorporate LEED elements within the next years (if major structural renovations are planned). This is down markedly from the 21% reported in 2008. Luxury (28%) and upper-upscale (16%) are most likely to pursue LEED renovations.
- 10% of hotels reported having incorporated LEED renovations during the past 12 months, again down from 2008, when 20% of hotels reported LEED renovations. Luxury (25%) and independent brands (12%) were most likely to have incorporated LEED.
The 2010 Lodging Survey is available for purchase (free to AH&LA members) at: www.ahla.com.
Related Stories
| Apr 3, 2013
Construction spending up 20% since 2011, growth will continue, says Gilbane report
The monthly rate of construction spending is up 20% in 24 months and increased in 18 of the last 24 months, which is a good leading indicator for new construction work in Q3-Q4 2013, according to Gilbane's latest Market Conditions in Construction report.
| Apr 3, 2013
5 award-winning modular buildings
The Modular Building Institute recently revealed the winners of its annual Awards of Distinction contest. There were 42 winners in all across six categories. Here are five projects that caught our eye.
| Apr 2, 2013
6 lobby design tips
If you do hotels, schools, student unions, office buildings, performing arts centers, transportation facilities, or any structure with a lobby, here are six principles from healthcare lobby design that make for happier users—and more satisfied owners.
| Apr 2, 2013
4 hospital lobbies provide a healthy perspective
A carefully considered entry zone can put patients at ease while sending a powerful branding message for your healthcare client. Our experts show how to do it through four project case studies.
| Apr 2, 2013
Green building consultant explores the truth about green building performance in new book
A new book from leading sustainability, green building author and expert Jerry Yudelson challenges assumptions about the value of sustainable design and environmentally-friendly buildings.
| Mar 29, 2013
Stanford researchers develop nanophotonic panel that reflects sun's heat out of the atmosphere
Researchers at Stanford University have developed a nanophotonic material that not only reflects sunlight, but actually beams the thermal energy out of the earth's atmosphere.
| Mar 29, 2013
Detroit's historic Whitney Building to be renovated for hotel, apartments
Detroit's David Whitney Building, a 19-story landmark erected in 1915, will be renovated for an Aloft hotel and apartments.
| Mar 29, 2013
PBS broadcast to highlight '10 Buildings That Changed America'
WTTW Chicago, in partnership with the Society of Architectural Historians, has produced "10 Builidngs That Changed America," a TV show set to air May 12 on PBS.
| Mar 29, 2013
Shenzhen projects halted as Chinese officials find substandard concrete
Construction on multiple projects in Guangdong Province—including the 660-m Ping'an Finance Center—has been halted after inspectors in Shenzhen, China, have found at least 15 local plants producing concrete with unprocessed sea sand, which undermines building stabity.
| Mar 29, 2013
Pearce Brinkley Cease + Lee joins Clark Nexsen
Clark Nexsen, PC, headquartered in Norfolk, Va., has announced that the architecture firm Pearce Brinkley Cease + Lee (PBC+L) of Raleigh and Asheville, NC, has officially joined Clark Nexsen.