Mona Lisa Suite Hotel aims for Green

The Mona Lisa Suite Hotel has uncovered the steps it took to make the hotel a luxurious, high-class accommodation while minimizing their impact on the environment. The brand new 240-suite luxury hotel, which is scheduled to open next month in Celebration, Florida, is seeking certification from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Green Lodging [...]

The Mona Lisa Suite Hotel has uncovered the steps it took to make the hotel a luxurious, high-class accommodation while minimizing their impact on the environment. The brand new 240-suite luxury hotel, which is scheduled to open next month in Celebration, Florida, is seeking certification from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Green Lodging Program.

Recent surveys suggest that over 50 million American adults are interested in purchasing travel accommodations with travel companies and suppliers that pursue eco-friendly intitatives. “Guests are consciously looking for hotels that support the same environmentally friendly decisions they are making in their own homes,” says Jetse Pottinga, regional vice president of operations for Graves World Hospitality, the property’s management company, and general manager of the hotel. “It is important that we add value to our local community as well as to guests who choose our suites as their home away from home. We are committed to doing our part to conserve and protect the area’s natural resources. In addition, our Green Team will continue to look for new ways to reduce waste, minimize pollution and maximize sustainability.”

The luxury property is designed with a “cool roof”; equipped with heat-reflective elements that minimize heat from entering the building, and double-pane windows using low-E glass designed to maximize access to natural sunlight and reduce the need for artificial lighting. Energy-efficient lighting fixtures with automatic photosensitive controls are installed throughout the property, and water consumption will be reduced through dual-flush toilets and low-flow showerheads designed to reduce overall water usage.

All 240 suites throughout the property are equipped with energy-saving kitchen appliances and recycling containers, while all personal care products in the suites are to be provided by L’OCCITANE en Provence and made from plant-based ingredients derived, whenever possible, from organic agriculture.

Guests of the hotel will have access to outdoor bike racks and courtesy showers, as well as preferred parking for hybrid and electric vehicles.

The Florida Green Lodging Program was established in 2004 by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to recognize environmentally conscientious lodging facilities in the state. The program encourages the lodging industry to conserve and protect the state’s natural resources through education and certification programs.

Designated hotels must have complete a minimum set of best management practices in the areas of communication, water conservation, energy efficiency, waste reduction and clean air to receive a “One Palm” designation. Hotels must progress to “Two Palm” and “Three Palm” designations through continued improvement to retain the right to use the Florida Green Lodging Program designation in their promotion.

For more information, go to the Mona Lisa Suite Hotel.