
Saunders Hotel Group & The Lenox Hotel
Our Environmental Commitment:
"You might think that a stay in a luxury hotel suite doesn't jive with
doing your part for the environment - think again." CBS THIS MORNING
Saunders Hotel Group has often been credited with pioneering urban ecotourism in 1989. What began as a single initiative at one SHG property, 18 years ago, has evolved into an unprecedented environmental campaign that has created positive ripples throughout the entire lodging industry. Saunders Hotel Group has received international recognition for the most comprehensive environmental management models in travel and tourism - the world's largest industry.
As the flagship of Saunders Hotel Group's industry-leading effort The Lenox conserves significant precious natural resources, minimizes chemicals and waste, and improves air and water quality in its properties and communities. It also helps raise awareness for millions of guests, employees, community members, students and businesspeople - including many competitors.
Encompassing 95+ corporate-wide innovative initiatives that dramatically lessen SHG's environmental footprint, this model program has helped bring ecotourism out of the jungle and into the urban mainstream where it can have maximum impact.
A History of Environmental Firsts
- First hotels in the world to endorse The Ceres Principles of Sustainability.
- Certified by The Climate Neutral Network as the first hotels in the world to offer Climate Neutral Rooms.
- First hotel company to offset the air pollution and carbon emissions of 100% of its electricity.
- SHG spearheaded CERES' Green Hotel Initiative's (GHI) Best Practice survey.
- First hotels in the United States to offer guests a towel and reuse program.
Prestigious Awards Saunders Hotel Group Has Won Include:
- 2006 Condé Nast Traveler Magazine's Green List
(The Lenox is the only urban hotel in the world to be honored)
- Energy Star Partner of The Year 2005
- British Airways' "Tourism for Tomorrow" Winner 2003
- National Wildlife Federation (NWF) Corporate Leadership Award 2004
- The American Hotel & Lodging Association's Only 3 Time Environmental
Hotel of The Year '92, '97, '02
- Presidential Gold Medal for Environmental Excellence 1992
- Skål International's Global Ecotourism Award 2006
A few of the environmental initiatives currently in place at The Lenox:
- Environmentally friendly, healthy cleaning products
- Driving tip cards for vehicles parking at hotel
- Over 4,800 super efficient lights installed
- Vendor misers on all beverage machines
- Eco brochures in every guest rooms
- ENERGY STAR office equipment
- Natural, essential oil air freshener
- No-VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) paints
- Locally produced products reduce transportation air impacts
- 610 Double paned low E windows reduce energy, drafts and noise
- State of the art insulation installed for the 100th anniversary renovation
- Dedicated Eco Channel shows environmental movies in all guestrooms
- Ecoplaques in every guest room share eco facts on electricity efficiency,
water conservation and recycling
- Union of Concerned Scientists' The Consumers Guide to Effective Environmental Choices in every guest room
- Waterless urinals annually save 180,000 gallons of water
- Eco Chic weekend packages for luxurious, low impact adventures
- Eco bookmark with environmental websites for further information
- Purchase of renewable, wind energy to offset 100% of the Global Warming impact of the hotel's electricity use
Our Environmental Mission
- Proactively conserve energy and water, reduce waste, eliminate toxins, and educate our guests, vendors, and team members about environmental concerns.
- Introduce quality products and services that are safer for visitors, neighbors, fellow workers, and the environment.
- Maintain the high standards of Four Diamond quality and warm service for which The Lenox is known
Preserving the Past. Protecting the Future. ™