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
Architects | Aug 10, 2023
Hoffmann Architects + Engineers awards first Diversity Advancement Scholarship to Reeja Shrestha of Howard University
Now in its inaugural year, the Hoffmann Scholarship was established in collaboration with the Connecticut Architecture Foundation (CAF) to support students from underrepresented racial or ethnic groups who are seeking degrees in architecture or engineering.
Senior Living Design | Aug 7, 2023
Putting 9 senior living market trends into perspective
Brad Perkins, FAIA, a veteran of more than four decades in the planning and design of senior living communities, looks at where the market is heading in the immediate future.
Higher Education | Aug 7, 2023
Building a better academic workplace
Gensler's David Craig and Melany Park show how agile, efficient workplaces bring university faculty and staff closer together while supporting individual needs.
University Buildings | Aug 7, 2023
Eight-story Vancouver Community College building dedicated to clean energy, electric vehicle education
The Centre for Clean Energy and Automotive Innovation, to be designed by Stantec, will house classrooms, labs, a library and learning center, an Indigenous gathering space, administrative offices, and multiple collaborative learning spaces.
Green | Aug 7, 2023
Rooftop photovoltaic panels credited with propelling solar energy output to record high
Solar provided a record-high 7.3% of U.S. electrical generation in May, “driven in large part by growth in ‘estimated’ small-scale (e.g., rooftop) solar PV whose output increased by 25.6% and accounted for nearly a third (31.9%) of total solar production,” according to a report by the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
Resiliency | Aug 7, 2023
Creative ways cities are seeking to beat urban heat gain
As temperatures in many areas hit record highs this summer, cities around the world are turning to creative solutions to cope with the heat. Here are several creative ways cities are seeking to beat urban heat gain.
Government Buildings | Aug 7, 2023
Nearly $1 billion earmarked for energy efficiency upgrades to federal buildings
The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) recently announced plans to use $975 million in Inflation Reduction Act funding for energy efficiency and clean energy upgrades to federal buildings across the country. The investment will impact about 40 million sf, or about 20% of GSA’s federal buildings portfolio.
MFPRO+ New Projects | Aug 4, 2023
Nashville gets 'first-of-its-kind' residential tower
Global architecture firm Goettsch Partners announces the completion of Alcove, a new 356-unit residential tower in Nashville, Tenn., developed by Giarratana LLC.
Industrial Facilities | Aug 3, 2023
The state of battery manufacturing in the era of EV
One of the most significant changes seen in today’s battery plant is the full manufacturing process—from raw materials to the fully operational battery.
Government Buildings | Aug 2, 2023
A historic courthouse in Charlotte is updated and expanded by Robert A.M. Stern Architects
Robert A.M. Stern Architects’ design retains the original building’s look and presence.
