‘Green’ Hotels Helping Environment
Q: I’ve seen references to “Green” hotels. What does that mean?
- B.B., Coeur d’Alene.
A: “Green” lodging facilities are committed to making the most of the Reduce, Reuse and Recycle concept. The facilities not only conserve water and recycle trash, but also educate their guests.
At Canadian Pacific Hotels & Resorts, for example, guests are encouraged to turn off lights when they leave the room, to place their glass, can and paper refuse in separate receptacles, and to conserve on the amount of water needed to clean towels (If guests are comfortable using the same hand towel or bath towel more than once, they are asked to hang it on the towel rack so it won’t be automatically replaced.)
The basic premise is that one person can make a difference in conserving the earth’s natural resources of energy and water.
Initially, the lodging industry feared that suggesting any type of water conservation would result in negative customer reaction. However, survey results published in the April 1994 issue of Lodging Magazine showed that 87 percent of lodging guests appreciated the conservation option.
The “Green” movement is not just the large corporate hotel/motel chains. During a recent visit to Whitefish, Mont., I stayed at the nine-room Good Medicine Lodge B&B (406-862-5488), which had just received their certificate for meeting conservation standards of the Green Hotels Association (713-789-8889). The hotel association maintains a referral list for meeting planners and travelers looking for conservationminded facilities.
Q: We like to stay in bed and breakfasts, and we have heard there is such a thing as floating B&Bs on boats. Are there any on Washington’s coasts or lakes? - K.B., Deer Park.
A: It would be hard to find a B&B more unique than a floating one. Like their cousins on shore, the floating B&Bs reflect the personality of their owners, though you’ll be amazed at the gourmet meals that can be prepared in the tiny galleys.
I can recommend two locations for floating B&B lodging in the Puget Sound region.
The 96-foot M.V. Challenger (206-340-1201) is an authentic tugboat. Despite her outside appearance, the Challenger offers luxury and comfort inside. Polished mahogany and oak and brass furnishings sparkle inside the immaculate tug, which has a no-pet, no-smoking, and no-shoes policy. Amenities include a granite fireplace surrounded by plush couches in a sunken “conversation pit,” solarium, wet bar (BYOB), telephone, fax, VCR and large video library.
The Challenger’s owner has added two more vessels to meet the demand for floating B&Bs in the Seattle area. The M.V. Challenger, Mischief and Friendship are berthed at the Yale Street Landing on Seattle’s Lake Union. Rates begin at $81 a night (includes taxes), based on double occupancy.
The 60-foot Jacquelyn (360-378-5661) is a gaff-rigged motor sailer ketch. The twin-masted ketch was originally a salmon fishing trawler. Cleaning and restoring the sailboat was truly a labor of love. The ash- and mahogany-trimmed interior accent Victorian antiques.
The Jacquelyn is berthed at Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. Regular ferry service is available from Anacortes. There are two cabin choices. The aft cabin is larger and has a queen-size bed, stern windows and private head and sink. It has a private entrance and rents for $85 a night. The forward cabin is perfect for families traveling with children. It has a double bed and two seamansize bunks. The forward cabin rents for $80 a night.
xxxx