Sunday, June 13, 2010

“7 Hotels in Palm Springs Have Now Been Awarded the Prestigious Green Eco-Leaf Rating” plus 2 more

“7 Hotels in Palm Springs Have Now Been Awarded the Prestigious Green Eco-Leaf Rating” plus 2 more


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7 Hotels in Palm Springs Have Now Been Awarded the Prestigious Green Eco-Leaf Rating

Posted: 13 Jun 2010 01:15 AM PDT

7 Hotels in Palm Springs are listed as environmentally friendly and 7 have recently been awarded the Green Eco-Leaf Rating by completing a 70 point comprehensive eco-audit survey administered by iStayGreen.org - the online social network of environmentally friendly travel.

Palm Springs, California (Vocus/PRWEB ) June 13, 2010 -- Currently 7 hotels in Palm Springs, CA, are listed as environmentally friendly with iStayGreen.org. 7 of the 7 properties have completed the comprehensive environmental audit administered by iStayGreen.org. Ratings range from 1 Green Eco-Leaf to 5 Green Eco Leaf and are summarized as follows:

News Image

Properties that have completed the 70 point comprehensive eco-audit survey are Holiday Inn Palm Springs, Renaissance Palm Springs, Hyatt Regency Suites Palm Springs, 7 Springs Inn and Suites, Best Western Inn At Palm Springs, Travelodge Palm Springs E Palm, and Desert Vacation Villas. Other Palm Springs properties that are listed in the iStayGreen.org Directory of Environmentally Friendly Lodging as "Green" include 7 Springs Inn and Suites, Best Western Inn At Palm Springs, Holiday Inn Palm Springs, Hyatt Regency Suites Palm Springs, Travelodge Palm Springs E Palm, Renaissance Palm Springs, and Desert Vacation Villas .

All Green Eco-Leaf Rated properties are committed to environmentally friendly initiatives. Richard Varner, founder of iStayGreen.org states: "Simple changes helped these properties to earn their Green Eco-Leaf Rating and take the environmental lead among the 47 lodging properties in Palm Springs. It's great to see they're intent on insuring a more sustainable future in travel."

To insure a more sustainable future some of the eco-initiatives put in-place at the property include: an on-site Green Team has been created - guests are offered the ability to carbon offset their stay - low energy lighting initiatives are in-place - energy efficient lighting is installed when replacing old lighting - energy sensor initiatives are in-place - HVAC control system installed - off-grid alternative energy source utilized - sheets reuse option for multiple night stays - towels reuse option for multiple night stays - eco-initiatives are actively promoted to the public - eco-incentive programs have been created for staff - water conservation initiatives are in-place - water conserving devices are installed when replacing old fixtures - gray water is recycled - low water consumption landscaping has been installed - recycle containers are located inside guestrooms - recycle containers are located around the property common areas - reusable food & beverage service is used in lieu of disposable service items - compostable disposable service items are utilized - recycled paper products (bath tissue, facial tissue, paper towels, napkins, etc) are utilized - environmentally friendly chemicals are used in cleaning - environmentally friendly detergents are used for laundry - environmentally friendly chemicals are used for carpet cleaning - the entire property is non-smoking - cotton bedding and towels (non-synthetic) are utilized - low VOC materials (paint, adhesives, air freshener, carpet) are used at the property - bulk amenities and soaps are dispensed in guestrooms - plus much more. iStayGreen.org allows you to filter your search to show only the environmentally friendly hotels in Palm Springs.

The lodging industry recognizes the need to create a sustainable future for travel. While there are currently only 7 Palm Springs lodging properties that have achieved the Green Eco-Leaf Rating, it is anticipated that many other properties in the area that are promoting eco-friendly initiatives also will seek to be rated. This eco-rating allows the public to know the specific environmental initiatives in place at a property, which enables the environmentally conscious traveler to make informed lodging decisions.

To find out how a property can earn the Green Eco-Leaf Rating, contact Richard Varner at 602-864-5553 or visit iStayGreen.org.

About iStayGreen.org:
With iStayGreen's rapidly growing searchable directory of 100,000 lodging properties and over 4,500 already Green Eco-Leaf Rated, it's easy for anyone to quickly locate and compare "Green" lodging worldwide. To earn a Green Eco-Leaf Rating, hotels must complete a thorough self-audit, and then are rated based on their eco-initiatives. The site also provides an effective way for hotel owners and operators to promote all of the good "Green" things they are doing. Visitors to the site can create their own profiles, add friends, recommend properties, upload photos, form groups, create and respond to forum threads, make reservations, and add comments and reviews to hotel profiles.

Contact:   
Richard Varner
602-864-5553
rvarner(at)istaygreen(dot)org

# # #

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7 Hotels in Palm Springs Have Now Been Awarded the Prestigious Green Eco-Leaf Rating

Posted: 13 Jun 2010 01:00 AM PDT

7 Hotels in Palm Springs are listed as environmentally friendly and 7 have recently been awarded the Green Eco-Leaf Rating by completing a 70 point comprehensive eco-audit survey administered by iStayGreen.org - the online social network of environmentally friendly travel.

Palm Springs, California (Vocus) June 13, 2010 -- Currently 7 hotels in Palm Springs, CA, are listed as environmentally friendly with iStayGreen.org. 7 of the 7 properties have completed the comprehensive environmental audit administered by iStayGreen.org. Ratings range from 1 Green Eco-Leaf to 5 Green Eco Leaf and are summarized as follows:


•    1 Green Eco-Leaf - Acceptable
•    2 Green Eco-Leaf - Good
•    3 Green Eco-Leaf - Very Good
•    4 Green Eco-Leaf - Excellent
•    5 Green Eco-Leaf - Exceptional
Properties that have completed the 70 point comprehensive eco-audit survey are Holiday Inn Palm Springs, Renaissance Palm Springs, Hyatt Regency Suites Palm Springs, 7 Springs Inn and Suites, Best Western Inn At Palm Springs, Travelodge Palm Springs E Palm, and Desert Vacation Villas. Other Palm Springs properties that are listed in the iStayGreen.org Directory of Environmentally Friendly Lodging as "Green" include 7 Springs Inn and Suites, Best Western Inn At Palm Springs, Holiday Inn Palm Springs, Hyatt Regency Suites Palm Springs, Travelodge Palm Springs E Palm, Renaissance Palm Springs, and Desert Vacation Villas .

All Green Eco-Leaf Rated properties are committed to environmentally friendly initiatives. Richard Varner, founder of iStayGreen.org states: "Simple changes helped these properties to earn their Green Eco-Leaf Rating and take the environmental lead among the 47 lodging properties in Palm Springs. It's great to see they're intent on insuring a more sustainable future in travel."

To insure a more sustainable future some of the eco-initiatives put in-place at the property include: an on-site Green Team has been created - guests are offered the ability to carbon offset their stay - low energy lighting initiatives are in-place - energy efficient lighting is installed when replacing old lighting - energy sensor initiatives are in-place - HVAC control system installed - off-grid alternative energy source utilized - sheets reuse option for multiple night stays - towels reuse option for multiple night stays - eco-initiatives are actively promoted to the public - eco-incentive programs have been created for staff - water conservation initiatives are in-place - water conserving devices are installed when replacing old fixtures - gray water is recycled - low water consumption landscaping has been installed - recycle containers are located inside guestrooms - recycle containers are located around the property common areas - reusable food & beverage service is used in lieu of disposable service items - compostable disposable service items are utilized - recycled paper products (bath tissue, facial tissue, paper towels, napkins, etc) are utilized - environmentally friendly chemicals are used in cleaning - environmentally friendly detergents are used for laundry - environmentally friendly chemicals are used for carpet cleaning - the entire property is non-smoking - cotton bedding and towels (non-synthetic) are utilized - low VOC materials (paint, adhesives, air freshener, carpet) are used at the property - bulk amenities and soaps are dispensed in guestrooms - plus much more. iStayGreen.org allows you to filter your search to show only the environmentally friendly hotels in Palm Springs.

The lodging industry recognizes the need to create a sustainable future for travel. While there are currently only 7 Palm Springs lodging properties that have achieved the Green Eco-Leaf Rating, it is anticipated that many other properties in the area that are promoting eco-friendly initiatives also will seek to be rated. This eco-rating allows the public to know the specific environmental initiatives in place at a property, which enables the environmentally conscious traveler to make informed lodging decisions.

To find out how a property can earn the Green Eco-Leaf Rating, contact Richard Varner at 602-864-5553 or visit iStayGreen.org.

About iStayGreen.org:
With iStayGreen's rapidly growing searchable directory of 100,000 lodging properties and over 4,500 already Green Eco-Leaf Rated, it's easy for anyone to quickly locate and compare "Green" lodging worldwide. To earn a Green Eco-Leaf Rating, hotels must complete a thorough self-audit, and then are rated based on their eco-initiatives. The site also provides an effective way for hotel owners and operators to promote all of the good "Green" things they are doing. Visitors to the site can create their own profiles, add friends, recommend properties, upload photos, form groups, create and respond to forum threads, make reservations, and add comments and reviews to hotel profiles.

Contact:   
Richard Varner
602-864-5553
rvarner(at)istaygreen(dot)org

# # #

iStayGreen.org
Richard Varner
602-864-5553
E-mail Information

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Think outside the box for inexpensive travel lodging

Posted: 13 Jun 2010 09:09 AM PDT

Housebound? Don't let the high cost of hotels force you to stay home this summer. Low cost — even free — accommodations are available, from dorm rooms to a friend's couch. To find alternative housing, you might have to spend time online or make a few phone calls, but your savings could be dramatic.

Here are few tips and websites to get you started:


RENT A COLLEGE DORM ROOM

Some colleges and universities, both here and abroad, rent empty dorm rooms to visitors when students are gone for the summer.

For instance, the University of Wisconsin-Superior rents rooms for as low as $20 per person. (For reservations, call (715) 394-8438.)

The University of Northern Colorado-Greeley has hotel-style lodging for $28 per person (room with twin beds) to $65 per person for a two-bedroom suite with living room and bathroom. (970) 351-4070.

You'll have to be a bit of an investigator to find American dorm rooms. The quickest method is to call the chamber of commerce in the city you plan to visit, ask what colleges are in the area, then call a school and ask if it rents dorm rooms to summer visitors. It's easier to find dorm rooms in England because a consortium of schools has a website (www.budgetstayuk.com) with photos, maps and links.


SWAP HOMES WITH ANOTHER FAMILY

Home exchanges (also called house swaps) have grown steadily in popularity since the early 1990s. Simply put, you stay in their house while they stay in yours. A variation is the host exchange, in which a family stays with you, then later you stay with them.

Myriad websites lists homes available for exchange, from a log house in the Idaho mountains to a villa in Dalyan, Turkey to a duplex in Brussels.

One of the oldest sites is www.homeexchange.com. Some sites charge members an annual fee. There are specialty sites such as Christian Home Swap and Teachers Travel Web.

A good place to start is www.knowyourtrade.com, a directory of home exchange sites with scads of helpful information.


GO ON RETREAT

Retreat centers run by churches, monasteries or non-profit organizations are scattered throughout the U.S.

Many guests sign up for a package deal of classes, meals and lodging, but some retreats offer rooms for those just passing through. Rooms are as low as $20 a night, including breakfast.

Retreat houses, meant to encourage reflection and renewal, often are nestled in pastoral sites, with gardens, walking paths, libraries and art studios.

For a directory of retreats, check out www.expandretreats.com and www.findthedivine.com.

TRY COUCH SURFING

The mission of the non-profit network, www.couchsurfing.org, is to promote cross-cultural encounters by connecting travelers with locals.

Hosts offer a couch or bed and get an opportunity to meet people from all over the world without ever leaving home. Travelers ("surfers") save money and get to know the local community.

HOSTELS — NOT JUST FOR YOUTHS ANYMORE

In the early days of hostels, there were age limits. No more. You're as likely to see a retiree as a backpacking 20-something.

Rooms are usually no-frills, and sometimes bathrooms are shared. Prices start as low as $10 a night.

For information, start with Hosteling International at www.hiusa.org or www.hostels.com, which also lists apartments and guesthouses.


ADDED BENEFIT

Perhaps you hope to connect with "the locals" while on vacation this summer. It's difficult to do that from the imposed isolation of a hotel room.

But alternative accommodations such as hostels and home exchanges can add an enriching social element to your travels.

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