Eco-Friendly B&Bs and Boutique Hotels in California
SACRAMENTO, CA [April 21, 2014]--Going beyond the choice for guests to reuse bath towels and bed linens, many California B&Bs and boutique hotels are making great strides to provide more sustainable lodging. From solar power and water-saving devices to organic gardens and in-house garbage sorting, the following California inns are committed to environmentally-friendly practices.
Nestled in the heart of the Russian River Valley, an hour north of the Golden Gate Bridge, the Applewood Inn is TripAdvisor-certified GreenLeader committed to sustainability. Solar panels produce all of the electricity for the inn and provide heating for the swimming pool. An aerated, composting system feeds the organic gardens surrounding the inn, which in turn, grow much of the fruits, herbs and vegetables for the inn’s Michelin-starred restaurant. The gardens are complemented by an on-site apiary and chicken coop. A guided tour of the gardens allows guests to meet the producers of the honey for their granola, the eggs for their breakfast, and get an up-close look at the composting system and the solar field.
In Lodi’s wine country, the Inn at Locke House offers a unique juxtaposition of history and environmental consciousness with solar panels mounted to the roof of its 1850s-era barn. The solar panels provide approximately two-thirds of the inn’s electricity. The inn’s gardens supply many of the fruits, herbs and vegetables for the Locke House kitchen; the harvest is supplemented with fresh local, organic produce and products. The inn composts food waste and is working toward creating more sustainable landscaping with water conscious, California native plants and trees. As a certified Green Hotel, the inn also uses Energy Star appliances, compact fluorescent lighting, natural, biodegradable bath amenities and cleaning products, and more.
With its hand-painted murals and reclaimed wood accents, the Redwood Fortuna Riverwalk Hotel creates a singular sense of place, introducing guests to Humboldt County’s natural environment. As a TripAdvisor certified GreenLeader Hotel, the hotel’s green practices include both in-room and hotel-wide recycling programs, use of post-consumer recycled paper products or bio-degradable corn products, and use of refillable shampoo and bath gel dispensers in the guest rooms. In March, the hotel added a Lotus cleaning system that is 100% non-toxic. The hotel has been replacing appliances with Energy Star-rated equipment. They’ve also begun transitioning to LED lighting in all public spaces and are adding sensors to exterior lighting to reduce electricity usage. In addition, the hotel is actively working toward LEED certification.
Mendocino’s finest Victorian landmark, the MacCallum House Inn and Restaurant, has long been recognized as a leader in environmental stewardship. The inn’s chef, Alan Kantor, pioneered the concept of creating seasonal menus with local organic grains, produce and dairy 20 years ago; he also created a food shed map of local food purveyors in Mendocino County. The inn composts 100% of its food waste, recycles all plastics and glass bottles and uses recycled paper products whenever possible. The inn supplies all in-room shampoo, conditioner, and lotion in reusable pump bottles made from recycled plastic. The laundry detergents and fabric softeners are biodegradable. All water served to guests is run through an in-house charcoal filter and served upon request only. In 2006, the inn began buying coffee from growers affiliated with the Rainforest Alliance, which works to safeguard the well-being of its workers and protect the environment.
Overlooking the rocky shoreline of Pacific Grove, the historic charm of the Martine Inn conceals many of the innovative green practices in place at the inn. The inn uses an efficient recirculating hot water heating system to heat the rooms. The inn has also installed a variety of energy-saving and water-saving devices such as low-flow showerheads, faucets and toilets and exterior LED lighting with timers and sensors. Even antique lamps have been rebuilt to accommodate electronic ballast fluorescent or compact fluorescent bulbs. The staff also separates all garbage for recycling and recycles as much as possible. Other eco-friendly practices include native plant and drought-tolerant landscaping, staff carpools, paper use reduction strategies, and more.
Like the Martine Inn, the eco-friendly practices at the Gingerbread Mansion Inn are largely hidden by its opulent Victorian style and storybook gardens, but the inn is a TripAdvisor certified GreenLeader. While in the process of restoring the Victorian mansion, the owners installed a variety of energy-saving and water-saving devices such as energy star appliances, a tankless water heater, plumbing upgrades and low-flow toilets. LED lighting is used throughout the mansion. The inn also has an extensive garbage separation program in which they recycle or compost nearly everything and track their waste.
The Inn on Randolph's complete remodel in 2012 allowed owners Karen and Dan Lynch the opportunity to make the historic 10-room property in downtown Napa as energy efficient as possible. They installed low-flow showerheads, faucets and toilets in all of the bathrooms, and high-efficiency heaters and air conditioning units in all of the guest rooms. The kitchen was designed with Energy Star appliances and a commercial dishwasher that uses less than three gallons of water per load. Every light fixture uses LEDs, including the garden lighting, which operates on sensors. Drought-resistant plants were added to the garden and a large organic vegetable garden was planted to provide fresh produce for guest meals. Most of the food waste is composted and an in-house program separates all guest garbage for recycling. Just two blocks from the inn, guests can also access a free electric charging station.
For more information about CABBI-member inns, visit www.cabbi.com.
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Media Contact: Ranee Ruble, ranee@papermooncreative.net or 503-788-3938
California Association of Boutique & Breakfast Inns414 Twenty-Ninth StreetSacramento, CA 95816-3211916-554-2673
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