In late 2007, Dutch-culture rich Holland, Michigan opened its arms to the new eco-boutique style CityFlats Hotel; a sleek, modern, five-story, 56-room property, owned by Michigan-based Charter House Holdings. The property is expected to receive Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council within a month, becoming one [...]

In late 2007, Dutch-culture rich Holland, Michigan opened its arms to the new eco-boutique style CityFlats Hotel; a sleek, modern, five-story, 56-room property, owned by Michigan-based Charter House Holdings. The property is expected to receive Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council within a month, becoming one of the first hotels in the United States to earn the LEED rating.

According to Dave Wilsey, general manager of the hotel, 95 percent of the waste from the hotel’s construction was recycled. Materials for the building’s interior were selected in order to minimize impact on indoor air quality.

“We have laminated cork flooring in all guestrooms,” Wilsey says. “It is so much cleaner than carpet. It is a renewable resource and you just need to replace a tile when there is a problem. The bed bases are made from bamboo and so are the linens and towels. The bamboo linens are better than any cotton product because they ‘breathe’ and are hypoallergenic and anti-microbial. Our goal is to provide luxury accommodations and business travelers prefer premium bedding.”

Every guestroom is uniquely designed and decorated, giving each room its own flair and personlaity. Guest bathroom countertops are constructed from recycled glass and mixed with concrete, while all veneer used throughout the hotel is formaldehyde-free. In an effort to increase water efficiency, dual-flush toilets are included in each guestroom, as well as low-flow faucets and showerheads.

LED lighting is utilized in the building’s exterior, but also in the paneling that sits above each guestroom bed and along the bar in the hotel’s CitySen lounge. A master control switch for all guestroom lighting is located at the entrance/exit area of each guestroom to give each guest the ability to turn off all room lights at one time. Windows that stretch from floor to ceiling minimize the need for electrical lighting. Environment sensors in each guestroom monitor each room and power down heating and cooling system to a pre-set level when a guest is not present. To minimize waste, recyclables are sorted from the waste stream and the local waste contractor also sorts for recycling off-site.

To minimize the environmental impact of the hotel’s food and beverage operations, the property’s chef has partnered with area farmers to provide ingredients for dishes served at the CityVu Bistro. The fifth-floor restaurant’s menu is geared toward a healthier lifestyle, Wilsey says, adding that the kitchen does not even have a fryer.

For more information, visit the CityFlats Hotel online.