Element is the eco-chic boutique brand from Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. that made history by becoming the first major hotel brand to mandate that all its properties pursue the US Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for high-performance buildings. Designed to be “green from the ground up,” Element hotels blend nature-inspired smart design, inspiring public spaces, and comfortable modern touches.
Starwood itself recently revealed plans to significantly reduce energy and water consumption at every one of its 1,000 hotels within a decade. Starwood will aim for a 30 percent reduction in energy use per available room by 2020; the company will also work toward a 20 percent decrease in water consumption per available room by 2020. The initiative builds on a long-standing commitment to conservation and sustainable operations at Starwood. Element’s LEED initiatives helped lay the groundwork for Starwood’s own sustainability program.
Element: Green from the Ground Up From spacious guest rooms featuring fully equipped kitchens, spa-inspired bathrooms, and the Westin Heavenly Bed® to sustainable design and eco-friendly practices, Element Hotels is the smarter place to stay perfect for the traveler visiting for a few days or a few weeks.
Element hotels’ green features are cleverly designed to be as aesthetically appealing as they are eco-friendly, so guests never compromise on style and comfort. Eco-friendly materials are used whenever possible and natural light is maximized throughout the hotels. Element conserves water and energy with low-flow faucets and fixtures, compact florescent light bulbs and energy-efficient appliances. To further reduce waste, guest room bathrooms are equipped with amenity dispensers, kitchens are supplied with silverware and glassware instead of plastic utensils and paper cups, and filtered drinking water is available rather than plastic water bottles among other initiatives. Recycling bins are available in guest rooms and public areas. Even the ubiquitous “Do Not Disturb” sign has been replaced with an environmentally-friendly magnet.
Most recently, Element Hotels installed electric car charging stations at all its currently open properties to contribute to the development of the infrastructure needed in anticipation of the number of electric vehicles expected to be on the market over the next several years.
