TripAdvisor Greenleader Silver Hotel - The Lodge on Lake Detroit

The Lodge Awarded TRIPADVISOR GREENLEADERS™ Status.

From: Tripadvisor.com

Detroit Lakes – 05/13/13 – Best Western Premier The Lodge on Lake Detroit today proudly announced it has been accepted as a Silver level GreenLeader into the new TripAdvisor® GreenLeaders™ program, which helps travelers plan greener trips by identifying environmentally-friendly accommodations across the U.S.

TripAdvisor GreenLeaders have met a set of environmental standards developed for TripAdvisor by a leading environmental consulting firm, with input from expert partners. The more green practices a hotel has in place, the higher its GreenLeader level, which is shown on the property’s listing on the TripAdvisor site.

Travelers can now search for accommodations that have a GreenLeaders status on the TripAdvisor site, and view a detailed list of environmentally-friendly practices that they can expect at each location.

“TripAdvisor GreenLeaders are leading the hospitality industry in making efforts to improve their environmental footprint,” said Jenny Rushmore, director of responsible travel at TripAdvisor. “We greatly applaud these accommodations and are pleased to share their eco-friendly practices with our online audience of more than 200 million travelers.”

The TripAdvisor GreenLeaders program was developed in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STARÂ® program, the U.S. Green Building Council, and the United Nations Environment Programme. For more information, please visit www.tripadvisor.com/GreenLeaders.

The Lodge on Lake Detroit GreenLeaders – Silver level

All green practices

General

Tracks energy use
Regularly measures and records energy use (at least 4 times a year)

Towel reuse program
Program includes housekeeper training and regular checks

Linen reuse program
Program includes housekeeper training and regular checks

Recycles waste
Recycles at least two types of waste, such as paper, glass, plastic and cardboard.

Recycling bins in guest rooms
Guests sort trash and recyclable waste into separate bins in their room

Recycling sorted offsite
Waste disposal company separates trash and recyclable waste

Staff training on green practices
Staff trained at least once a year on implementing the hotel’s green practices

Education for guests on green practices
Guests can learn about the property’s green practices before or during their stay

At least 75% of interior lightbulbs are energy-efficient
Energy efficient lightbulbs include compact fluorescent (CFL), LED, and T5/T8 fluorescent bulbs

Energy

ENERGY STAR guest room appliances
ENERGY STAR appliances are used in guest rooms

ENERGY STAR kitchen appliances
ENERGY STAR appliances are used in the kitchen

ENERGY STAR laundry machines
At least 75% of laundry machines are ENERGY STAR qualified

ENERGY STAR qualified windows
At least 50% of windows are ENERGY STAR qualified

ENERGY STAR pool heater
Pool heaters are ENERGY STAR qualified

Insulated pool covers
Covers are used on all pools and hot tubs to conserve energy

A/C temperature set to save energy
Indoor temperature set at a minimum of 72 F during the summer

Heating temperature set to save energy
Indoor temperature set at a maximum of 72 F during the winter

Efficient heating/air-conditioning system
Efficient boilers, chillers, furnaces and/or heat pumps

Preventative maintenance plan
Regular checks to ensure energy and water equipment is working efficiently

Energy-saving lighting controls in outdoor areas
Sensors automatically turn off lights when they’re not needed

Energy-saving lighting controls in public areas
Sensors automatically turn off lights when they’re not needed

Energy-saving lighting controls in staff areas
Sensors automatically turn off lights when they’re not needed

Window films help keep building cool
Reduces energy usually needed for air conditioning

Water

Tracks water use
Regularly measures and records water use (at least 4 times a year)

Water-efficient faucets in guest bathrooms
Over 90% of guest room faucets use 1.5 gallons per minute or less

Water-efficient showerheads in guest bathrooms
Over 90% of guest room showerheads use 2 gallons per minute or less

Water-efficient toilets in guest bathrooms
Over 90% of guest room toilets use 1.28 gallons per flush or less

Water-efficient faucets in public restrooms
Over 90% of staff and public faucets use 1.5 gallons per minute or less

Water-efficient toilets in public restrooms
Over 90% of staff and public toilets use 1.28 gallons per flush or less

Water-efficient urinals in public restrooms
Over 90% of staff and public urinals use 0.5 gallons per flush or less

Smart irrigation for watering gardens
Sensors monitor soil conditions to minimize water use

Uses alternative water sources for watering gardens
Alternative sources include collected rainwater and condensation

Purchasing

Over 50% of beverages are certified (organic, fair trade etc.)
Including alcohol, coffee and tea

Recycled office paper
Over 50% recycled content

100% Biodegradable toiletries
At least 90% of toiletries are biodegradable

Organic toiletries
At least 90% of toiletries are organic

Toiletries with over 50% recycled packaging
At least 90% of toiletries have recycled packaging

Up to 25% of furniture has “green” characteristics
Such as recycled content, renewable or salvaged materials, or being locally sourced.

Waste

Over 25% of waste is recycled, reused or composted

Recycles furniture
At least 90% of furniture is recycled when replaced

Recycles mattresses
At least 90% of mattresses are recycled when replaced

Safe disposal of hazardous materials
Such as paint, printer cartridges, batteries and fluorescent lightbulbs

Reusable dinnerware and cutlery
At least 90% of crockery and cutlery is reusable

Recyclable disposable dinnerware & cutlery for take-out
At least 90% of disposable food service items (e.g. cups, napkins) are recyclable

Leftover materials donated or re-used
Such as toiletries, food, furniture and electronics

Site

Local plants in garden
At least 75% of landscaping has plants native to the region

Gardens and ponds designed to minimize flooding
Designed to collect rainwater and let it slowly be absorbed into the ground

Special paving designed to minimize flooding
Pervious paving systems allow rainwater to be absorbed into the ground rather than flooding

Education & Innovation

Asks guests for feedback on green practices
Guests are given the opportunity to comment on property’s green practices

Education for guests on local environment
Education about local environmental issues such as local habitats and conservation efforts

Low VOC paints
Low volatile organic compound (VOC) paints, primers, adhesives, and sealants are used

Lakeshore Restoration & Rain Garden Lodge Projects

Because of our proximity to Big Detroit Lake, we were concerned about protecting our lake from run off, chosing a “rain garden” to achieve this.

RAIN GARDEN DETAILS

Beekind Eco-Friendly
Bath Amenities

The Lodge on Lake Detroit is pleased to offer the new Beekind™ Collection of bath and body products from Gilchrist & Soames®. These unique products were chosen because they are the ideal combination of environmental responsibility and personal luxury.

LEARN MORE

Fine Eco-Friendly Wine
Cono Sur at The Lodge

All of our wines at The Lodge represent Organic or Sustainable growth and wine-making practices. We are proud to offer these leaders in the green movement within the wine industry.

LEARN MORE

“Wonderful hotel! Has a `lodge’ theme, and you can tell that a lot of thought, money, planning, and effort went into the building of this hotel. Lots of natural wood throughout the building. Hotel is right on a lake, has a dock, and strongly promotes its `green’ theme, which is nice. Rooms are quiet and were very clean. High-end toiletries. Hotel is within walking distance of a beautiful nature walk/bike trail and gas station/convenience store, with eateries/other stores within one to two miles.”

DEBORAH L. – TRIP ADVISOR GUEST

“Amazing hotel! They pride themselves on the eco-green atmosphere with biodegradable products and opportunities to re-use, re-new and refresh. The in-house spa features massages, facials, the whole pedi-mani routine. There is a perfect size pool and the rooms are fantastic. There is even a night light system in the bathrooms for any late night visits. Big oversize chairs to lounge in and comfy beds with beautiful linens. The staff is friendly and responsive. A great place to unwind and have an enjoyable glass of wine in the lobby while watching the sunset over the water.”

JANICE M – TRIP ADVISOR GUEST