Green Lodging - Environmentally Friendly Hotels
Green Logding Programs have become poular in several states in the US in the last few years. This site will spotlight the states with Green Lodging Programs and provide links for more information as well as links to the state certified hotels.
From corporate hotel chains to Inns and Bed and Breakfasts, you can find a great place to stay and be kind to the environment. There's even information here for lodging providers who want their business to be more "green".
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California Green Lodging Program
California Integrated Waste Management Board
The California Green Lodging Program brings together the lodging industry, business and pleasure travelers and the environment. They have nearly 100 Designated locations throughout the state. Including two corporate partners.They also have a California State Travel program to encourage state and local governments, universities and community colleges to use green hotels and other sustainable initiatives.
List of participating Hotels in California
Here's a couple California Green Hotels -
Argonaut Hotel
San Francisco, California
Kyoto Grand Hotel
Los Angeles, California
If you've stayed in a California Green Lodging Hotel, fill out the comment form. It will help the state and the facility better serve you and the Green Lodging Program.
Delaware Green Lodging
Green Lodging in the First State
Delaware's Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control and the Delaware Hotel & Lodging Association have launched a joint initiative to promote pollution prevention practices in the tourism and hospitality industry. A self-certifying program, facilities must verify that they are at least practicing the Green Lodging "Basic Practices" and hopefully are doing much more.
Their "Pollution Prevention Practices" checklist includes - Optional Linen Service to decrease usage of water, energy and harmful detergents; Recycling presenting guests with opportunities to recycle; Water Conservation; Energy Conservation; Green Events Packages of environmentally friendly services for conferences, meetings and other events. Plus many other simple operational changes that can benefit the environment and save the facilities money.
Delaware Green Lodging Industry Participants
Delaware's Green Lodging Program was just announced on June 9, 2008. They have just a few participating facilities but it is growing. If you travel in Delaware and use a "Green Lodging" facility, or just need more information please contact the DNREC and the DHLA. Let them know how much you appreciate it. I'm sure they appreciate helpful suggestions as well.
Florida's Green Lodging Program
Florida's Department Of Environmental Protection
Established in 2004 by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) with the intent of recognizing and rewarding environmentally conscientious lodging facilities in the state. The Florida Green Lodging Program has unique environmental initiatives that are specific to protecting and preserving Florida's environment.More about Florida Green Lodging Program
Designated Green Lodging Properties
Here's a couple green lodging locations in Florida.
Jenks House B&B
Jacksonville, Florida

Disney's All-Star Movie Resort
Orlando, Florida

Have you stayed in Florida Green Lodging Designated Property? Fill out this form and let them know how good of a job they did. Also be sure to let them know that you appreciate the Green Lodging Program and how it influences your travel decisions.
The Best Thing About Green Lodging Programs
Government, Business and Travelers Working Together
The movement in among hotels, motels and B&B's to go green is strong because it makes good business sense. It saves money, reduces utility costs, appeals to a wider range of potential customers and reduces their impact on the environment. Government provides some incentive by giving information and guidelines on implementation as well as free advertising.As another incentive, state and local governments are encouraging the use of green lodging facilities by their employees. In Florida, Gov. Charlie Crist signed an executive order requiring state agencies and departments to hold meetings and conferences at hotels participating in the state's Green Lodging Program whenever possible. California has a state-wide travel program offering special rates and discounts for travelers on official state business.
What a great way to encourage businesses to participate and become more environmentally friendly.
Maine Environmental Leader Program
Green Lodging Certification
The Maine Green Lodging Certification Program has many certified locations. Participating members receive many benefits from the program including flags, decal and logo to display and use in advertising, listings at relevant websites and in the brochures available at Maine Visitors Centers and free, on-going technical assistance from the Maine DEP.View the list of Maine Environmental Leader Program Members

Hampton Inn
South Portland, Maine
The Blue Hill Inn
Blue Hill, Maine
You can leave a comment about your stay at a Maine Green Lodging location at their "Share Your Maine Memories" section.
Green Lodging Alerts
From Google Alerts
Here's a daily updated feed containing Green Lodging news and blog posts from across the internet.
You can subscribe to this feed here.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byGreen Lodging Michigan
Recognizing Michigan's Hospitality Industry
Green Lodging MichiganMichigan's Energy Office and the Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) partnered to sponsor the Green Lodging Michigan Program to help hotels, bed & breakfasts, motels, resorts, and others, enjoy and protect the state's resources and environment.
Their website also includes tips for travelers, resources for lodges, application and checklist for the program, newsletters and more.
Green Lodging Michigan Certified Facilities
Here's a couple Michigan Green Facilities to look at -
Kettunen Center Conference Facility
Tustin, Michigan
Kellogg Hotel
East Lansing, Michigan
What Makes A Green Hotel
How To Know You Are Staying Green
I'll be bringing this info together soon to help you know if you're staying at a green hotel. But in the meantime you can visit any of the state program's websites and find out how they do it.
Environmentally Friendly Travel items
From Amazon.com
The Planet Bottle 24 oz Metal Water Bottle
The Planet Bottle 24 oz metal water bottle is like more...1 point
Seventh Generation Baby Wipes Travel Packs, Chlorine Free and Unscented, 40-Count Packages (Pack of 12)(480 Wipes)
Seventh Generation Chlorine Free Baby Wipes are ma more...1 point
Completely Natural Cleaning for Your BabyEvery caregiver wants what's best for their children and the world they will grow up in. Studies show that children are disproportionately affected by daily exp...1 point
Hiker's Environmentally Friendly Flashlight
Now you can light your way and protect the environ more...0 points
New Hampshire Sustainable Lodging
Pampering Their Guests And Protecting Their State
New Hampshire Sustainable Lodging Program
Tourism is New Hampshire's second largest industry. Their program continually evaluates how their operations affect the environment and looks for ways to minimize the impact on natural resources. Visit the web site to learn more about what green properties are doing to preserve and protect New Hampshire.
New Hampshire Green Lodging
Here's a couple of New Hampshire's "Environmental Champions"

Sheraton Harborside
Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Eastern Slope Inn Resort
North Conway, New Hampshire
The NHSLRP web site has a Guest Book for you to leave comments about your stay.
It's Easy Being Green
Things To Do
I travel a lot and even when I'm not in a "green hotel" there's a lot of things I do to try and conserve resources. They're easy and not intrusive or disruptive to your normal daily activities.
You probably have some great ideas too. Add your green travel tips to this list and share them with everyone.
Re-use bed linens
It's probably only a couple night, right? Sleep on more...2 points
Carry your own shampoos, conditioners, etc
Green Hotels are moving away from the small, indiv more...2 points
Re-use your towels
Even if the hotel doesn't have a linen re-use prog more...1 point
North Carolina Green Plan For Hotels
Pollution Prevention Pays
The information for this program is rather vague and spread out so I've included some relevant links to help you find information.
- The Green Plan for Hotels - P2Pays.com
- They don't have a list of "green hotels" in NC and the contact link doesn't even work on this page. Send your comments here.
- NC Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance Contact Information
If you live in or are traveling to North Carolina, please let them know you are interested in "Green Lodging" information.
Pennsylvania Green Hotels And Motels
Tourism And The Environment
Pennsylvania Green Hotels Program
Many hotels and motels in Pennsylavania have already implemented programs that are saving money and conserving natural resources. In conjunction with the Department of Environmental Protection, the Pennsylvania Green Hotels Program web site offers a framework for planning and implementing effective "greening" efforts at hotels and motels.
Green Lodging On YouTube.com
Green Travel Videos
Green Hotels in the UK
Check out some eco-friendly places to stay in the sunny UK...





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Rhode Island
Hospitality Green Certification
The Rhode Island Hospitality Green Certification Program is a voluntary self-certification program and their web site provides resources to assist in explaining and implementing the program. They don't seem to have a list of certified lodging facilities in the state. So I've include their web sites that will help you find what you need to stay green in Rhode Island. Use the contact links if you'd like to suggest that they compile a list of green lodging facilities.
Rhode Island Hospitality Green Certification
Contact
- ron.gagnon(at)dem.ri.gov
- thomas.armstrong(at)dem.ri.gov
RI Hospitality and Tourism Association
VisitRhodeIsland.com
Vermont Green Hotels
In The Green Mountain State
Green Hotels In The Green Mountain State program is providing assistance and encouragement to inkeepers to help reach the goals of this Vermont state program. This statewide, voluntary recognition program is part of the Vermont Business Environmental Partnership and is designed to promote and recognize the work of Vermont lodgers who demonstrate daily that environmental and economic goals can be achieved simultaneously. The lodging industry in Vermont, with nearly 20,000 guest rooms, is already one of the greenest in the nation.The Green Hotels In The Green Mountain State program is a partnership of the Vermont Small Business Development Center, Vermont Agency Of Natural Resources, Vermont Hospitality Council, and Vermont Department Of Tourism & Marketing.
Find a Green Hotel in Vermont
Here's a couple of their newest members.

Inn At Johnnycake Flats
Roxbury, Vermont

Best Western Windjammer Inn
South Burlington, Vermont
Green Travel Guides
From Amazon.com
Green Travel: The World's Best... by Fodor's
Green Travel is the must-have guide to eco-lodges more...0 points
Michelin the Green Guide Northern France and Paris Region (Michelin Green Guides)
This title in the acclaimed Michelin Green Guide s more...0 points
Special Places to Stay Green Places to Stay: From Beach Huts to Eco-Chic Hotels, All Over the World (Alastair Sawday's Special Places to Stay Green Places to Stay)
Numerous places call themselves "eco" or more...0 points
Michelin the Green Guide New York City (Michelin Green Guide: New York City English Edition)
This title of THE GREEN GUIDE to New York City, an more...0 points
Virginia Green Lodging
Environmentally Friendly Tourism
Virginia Green Lodging was the first of the Virginia Green programs announced in the Fall of 2006. It's an initiative to promote pollution prevention practices in the hospitality and lodging sector. The self-certifying program requires that participants are at least meeting the Virginia Green Lodging "core activities". Visitors are encouraged to provide feedback about their visit to Virginia's Green Lodging facilities. The program will expand to cover all tourism related facilities. They hope that visitors will be anxious to "Go Green" in Virginia.Virginia Green list of role models for green lodging.
Here's some of their newest certified facilities.
Island Manor House - Chincoteague Island, Virginia
The Jefferson Hotel - Richmond, Virginia
Massanetta Springs Camp and Conference Center - Harrisburg, Virginia
Travel Green Wisconsin
Leave A Light Footprint

From the Travel Green Wisconsin website:
"Travel Green Wisconsin... certifies and recognizes tourism businesses and organizations that have made a commitment to reducing their environmental impact. Specifically, the program encourages participants to evaluate their operations, set goals and take specific actions towards environmental, social, and economic sustainability."
The Wisconsin program includes other aspects of the tourism industry, besides just lodging, and provides incentives for businesses to "go green" too. Their goals include being entirely voluntary, making good business sense, marketing advantages for participants, increased awareness and measurable improvements.
The website includes a list of Accomodations, Resorts, Campgrounds and lots more. You can even view the results on a map.
Here's a couple Travel Green Wisconsin places to look at -![]()
Arbor House - An Environmental Inn
Madison, Wisconsin
Inn On Main Street
Steven's Point, Wisconsin
Green Lodging Everywhere
The states featured here are the only ones so far with official certification programs. But you can find green hotels, motels, lodges, inns and campgrounds in all states. Use the links below to find green hotels wherever you go.
Useful Green Lodging Links
Stay Green Wherever You Go
Here are some web sites that will help you find Green Lodging anywhere you travel. If you know of a good site that is not included here, click on the link below to "Add To This List".
Green Energy Guide
Renewable (also known as alternative or green) ene more...2 points
It's A Green Green World
It's a Green Green World is a portal for global su more...0 points
Green Vacation Hub
Green Travel Listings at Green Vacation Hub, inclu more...0 points
EcoSpeakers.com
Green Lodging Resources0 points
http://www.ecotrotters.com
EcoTrotters.com is a new ecotourism website and on more...0 points
An AllStays Guide
A guide to green and eco-friendly hotels & lod more...0 points
Environmentally Friendly Hotels
A database of environmentally friendly hotels all more...0 points
Green Hotels Asscociation
Member Hotels0 points
Go Green Stuff
On CafePress
Green Lodging Guestbook
It's Green - No Paper!
Let me know what you think about green lodging programs, environmentally friendly hotels or if you just have a comment on this lens. All feedback is welcome and appreciated.
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CleanerLife
Great subject to focus on! Thanks for a handy resource! Posted August 10, 2008 |
| enslavedbyfaeries
Congratulations! This lens was a winner on the Squid's Choice Awards lens. Posted August 07, 2008 |
| enslavedbyfaeries
Great lens! Someday I hope to be able to use these great tips and resources. Sadly, we're not big travelers especially with the gas prices. Very nicely done. 5*'s! Posted July 17, 2008 |
| ElizabethJeanAllen
Great idea for a lens. Posted June 15, 2008 |
| funwithtrains
Nice Lens! 5 stars and a favorite from me! Please visit my Marklin Trains lens. Posted May 06, 2008 |
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CherylK
This is a lens that everyone should read. We're travelers so it'll be a good resource. Thanks for putting it together. Am lensrolling you, too. And 5 stars, too. Posted April 30, 2008 |
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KimGiancaterino
Nice idea! Welcome to All Things Travel. You also score a Squid Angel Blessing for being green-minded! Posted April 25, 2008 |
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kiwisoutback
Great idea, we'll definitely be using this for our next trip...lensrolled it onto our US Roadtrip lens! Posted April 24, 2008 |
| poddys
Great idea for a lens. We should all think a little more green. 5***** from me. Posted April 10, 2008 |
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capybara
Lovely niche lens 5 stars and thanks for joining my group Travelmania! Posted April 10, 2008 |
Blog Posts from Google
- Melbourne: Green Hotels: Marriott Melbourne Works on Hand Towels
- Hot on the heels of biodegradable hotel key cards comes another innovation at the Marriott Melbourne where they're trialing an environmentally friendly version of the paper towel. You may well ask (as we did), why does the Marriott in ...
- The Compelling "Hard Case" for "Green" Hotel Development
- Hotel developers and managers may be wary of the current emphasis on "green" hotel development, because such trends have come and gone in the past. This time, however, consumers will almost certainly continue to demand that hotels join ...
- A Green Travel Plan for Everyone and Every Trip
- Look for hotels with a green certifications or a ?Green Score.? In the Green Score program, hotels can earn points and Green Branches for each environmental program they have in place. While some hotels may only have one leaf, ...
- Sponsorship Opportunities for Green Hotels & Restaurants Power ...
- Sponsorship Opportunities for Green Hotels & Restaurants Power Workshop (Myrtle Beach, SC), Oct. 2008.
Green Lodging News And Features
From GreenLodgingNews.com
Here's daily updated links to news and features from GreenLodgingNews.com.
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