ITC unveils the eco-friendly Royal Gardenia hotel in Bangalore, and Marriott becomes the first hotel chain in the Middle East to operate a hotel entirely by solar energy.
ITC Royal Gardenia, Bangalore
The latest member of ITC's Luxury Collection officially opens on November 1, and the group has incorporated several eco-friendly initiatives into the 292-room property. These include solar energy, renewable energy and rainwater harvesting systems, and recycling and solid waste reduction programmes.
The hotel aims to be carbon positive by 2010, and has planted 175,000 locally grown plants to counteract the 50,000 trees which the Environment Support Group says Bangalore has lost in recent years due to development projects. Many of these plants feature in vertical hanging gardens running through the wind-cooled atrium lobby.
The décor of the hotel also embodies nature, with various themes including earth, foliage, birds, butterflies and clouds across the 11 floors.
For more information visit luxurycollection.com.
Jordan Valley Marriott Resort and Spa
Located on the Dead Sea, this five-star resort has recently switched to 100 per cent solar power, through the installation of 275 solar panels. The group says that making the switch has reduced energy consumption by almost 50 per cent during the first three months of operation, and reduced costs by almost 75 per cent.
Marriott has committed to installing solar panels at 40 of its hotels by 2017, and has set up a scheme allowing guests to offset their carbon created by their stay (see online news February 23). The group also aims to reduce fuel and water consumption by 25 per cent over the next ten years.
For more information visit marriott.com.
Report by Mark Caswell
