Marriott International Goes Green in a Big Way With its First LEED-Gold Certified Property in Downtown Portland, Oregon
The Newly Redesigned Courtyard by Marriott® Portland City Center is Just One of Nine U. S. Hotel Properties to Achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Gold Certification
Portland, OR (PRWEB) May 22, 2010
Coinciding with Earth Day's 40th year, Courtyard by Marriott Portland City Center now stands out among the Marriott family of hotels as the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold-certified Marriott Hotel in the United States. The hotel's Gold LEED certification is the second highest certification possible, and only one of nine such hotels in the United States, of nearly 900 LEED-registered properties.
To achieve this prestigious certification, the Courtyard by Marriott Portland City Center (http://www. marriott. com/hotels/hotel-deals/pdxpc-courtyard-portland-city-center/) worked in under the guidance of hotel management and development group Sage Hospitality to incorporate a number of innovative energy efficient practices. The hotel officially launched its green initiatives along with other Sage Hospitality hotels during "Earth Hour" on March 27, 2010, encompassing consciousness-raising environmental efforts such as tree planting, Travel Green hotel packages, and complimentary valet parking for hybrid and electric cars at select hotels.
In addition to energy saving efforts, guests have recycling bins guest rooms, the hotel uses green housekeeping products and organic bath products, efficient fluorescent lighting and programs to reduce water usage. Even restaurant food waste is composted rather than thrown away as trash.
Other sustainability practices include:
Non-PVC wall covering, low VOC paints and low urea-formaldehyde casework in the guestrooms will contribute to a healthier indoor environment for both guests and employees. Located on the Portland's new Green Max Line with easy access to downtown Portland, the Oregon Convention Center and Portland State University by public transportation. Bicycle storage and changing rooms available for employees. Uniforms made from recycled plastic bottles. Kitchen waste composting program that includes turning used cooking oil into biodiesel fuel.
In addition, the hotel was the winner of the 2010 Green Award, sponsored by the Energy Trust of Oregon. "Sustainability is much more than a corporate ethos at Courtyard by Marriott Portland City Center; as a LEED Gold hotel, it is just how we do business," said Mike Castro, General Manager. "As Portlanders, saving energy, protecting the environment and adopting local suppliers, artists and vendors is a way of life. "
Visit Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) for company information. For more information or reservations, please visit our web site at www. marriott. com, and for the latest company news, visit www. marriottnewscenter. com.
About Courtyard by Marriott Portland City Center
Whether you're traveling for business or pleasure, the Courtyard by Marriott® City Center hotel in downtown Portland (http://www. marriott. com/hotels/hotel-information/travel/pdxpc-courtyard-portland-city-center/), near Oregon's Pearl District provides you with everything you'll need. From spacious guest rooms to a full-service business center and on-site restaurant with classic American cuisine, this hotel's amenities and services offer the perfect Rose City experience in downtown Portland. Near the Pearl District area, this business hotel in Portland (http://www. marriott. com/hotels/hotel-rooms/pdxpc-courtyard-portland-city-center/) is ideal for corporate travelers attending conventions, conferences, seminars or board meetings with great group rates and stylish green meeting spaces, featuring seven meeting rooms and more than 5,300 square feet of meeting space. With the assistance of Portland City Center's hotel meeting professionals, you can count on us to help you plan a flawless business meeting or social event. Find everything you'll need at Marriott's only LEED Gold Certified hotel near the Pearl District.
Www. MyFavoriteCourtyard. com.
About Sage Hospitality
Founded in 1984, Sage Hospitality has strategically grown into one of the largest privately held hotel management and development companies in the nation operating a variety of large, full-service hotels and extended stay and select-service properties. Sage Hospitality's comprehensive management portfolio includes major international brands for Marriott, Starwood, Hilton and IHG as well as the independent boutique hotels the Oxford. Sage Hospitality has further differentiated with the creation of the Sage Restaurant Group, which has created and is managing 8 unique restaurant concepts including the acclaimed Mercat a la Planxa in Chicago. The company developed the innovative CoCo Key water resort brand with 10 destination hotel and water resort properties. For more information, please visit www. sagehospitality. com
About LEED Certification
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is a third-party certification program and the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings. LEED certifies green practices by giving building owners and operators the tools they need to have an immediate and measurable impact on their buildings' performance. LEED promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality. LEED ratings cover new construction, operations and maintenance, as well as waste water and trash disposal and more. www. usgbc. org.
###
