Now there is diva-class ecotourism: Forget the tents, the bug spray and the rain forest. For the traveler who prefers a flat-screen TV, a fitness center, and foodie-level dining – all in a silver-LEED, guilt-free Santa Monica seaside setting – the Shore Hotel may be the place for you. Even better, your lodgings will offer a Green Concierge to suggest nearby activities that will meet your environmental agenda.
At the Shore Hotel, Santa Monica’s newest and most sustainable resort, guests can call on a Green Concierge for local expertise on all things sustainable and eco-friendly. From activities to services, transportation to nightlife, the Green Concierge ensures that guests immerse themselves in the green life during their stay in southern California.
The Green Concierge service provides an opportunity for Santa Monica’s growing green community to gain awareness and outreach. Through constant research and relationship-building, the Green Concierge will recommend:
- The best farmer’s markets on any day of the week,
- Where to shop for eco-friendly clothes,
- Where to grab a shot of fair-trade espresso.
- How to reserve a hybrid taxi or bicycle,
- A list of walking tours,
- Surf lessons or yoga classes, or
- A holistic spa appointment.
Before starting construction on the hotel, the owners, the Ferbam family, envisioned an eco-friendly approach that included community input. “We all grew up in the community, we all live in the community, and now work here,” COO Steve Farzam said. “Moving forward, we’re reducing our carbon footprint and paving the way for adoption of sustainable, green building practices in Santa Monica and nationwide.”
A variety of energy conserving programs have been implemented, including Auto Demand Response, roof-mounted solar panels, an INNCOM occupancy sensor system, and high-efficiency boilers and burners. In addition, Farzam noted that Southern California Edison (News - Alert) played a key role in supporting the hotel’s sustainability mission and providing guidance on use of energy-saving technologies.
In addition, the hotel incorporates a wide array of water-saving features – including a storm-water management plan that captures and treats storm-water runoff, the use of native plants in landscaping, and installing high-efficiency toilets and low-flow showerheads.
Lobby chairs are upholstered with 100 percent pre-consumer recycled polyester. Guest room carpet is manufactured with Eco Solution Q Nylon, which contains a minimum of 25 percent recycled content. Project Stone’s ecoQuartz bath vanity and desktops for the guest rooms contain ecologically safe solvents and adhesives.
Shore Hotel also has initiated rigorous green housekeeping policies – reducing guest and staff exposure to potentially hazardous chemical contaminants that adversely impact air quality and occupant well-being. Besides improving the environment, the hotel plans to support the local community by creating 60 permanent jobs.
General Manager Darrell Jones said the hotel believes that what’s good for the environment will be good for business, by drawing guests supportive of environmental initiatives. “We are looking forward to providing travelers visiting Santa Monica a great experience at an affordable price, while still considering the environment,” he commented.
Cheryl Kaften is an accomplished communicator who has written for consumer and corporate audiences. She has worked extensively for MasterCard (News - Alert) Worldwide, Philip Morris USA (Altria), and KPMG, and has consulted for Estee Lauder and the Philadelphia Inquirer Newspapers. To read more of her articles, please visit her columnist page.Edited by
Jennifer Russell
