The Innkeeping Blog

I just noticed this MSNBC/Forbes Traveller article on some of the top “green” hotels in America. The piece highlights 14 properties; among these properties are four bonafide B&Bs. Nice work innkeepers! We can all draw inspiration from them.

Ray and Kristie Rossett
Lookout Point Inn
Hot Springs, Arkansas
*Kristie is on PAII’s Advisory Council. Way to go, Kristie!

Neeraj Kebede and Vicki Schomer
Asheville Green Cottage
Asheville, North Carolina

Los Manos B&B
Buena Vista, Colorado

Charlene Torchia & John Huffaker
Journey Inn
Maiden Rock, Wisconsin

What can one say about the environment and “being green” that hasn’t already been said? I don’t claim to be an authority on environmental matters, but I was a junior member of Greenpeace way back in the late 80s! While my motivation to join the high school Greenpeace club had more to do with a certain young lady than my desire to save the whales, I nevertheless joined and learned a little something.

My point with that little anecdote? No matter what your motivation to be “green,” or if you believe in Global Warming or not, it’s a good decision. Let’s review some of the reasons you should consider following environmentally-friendly practices at your inn:

Using less energy saves you money.
Who wants to spend more money running their inn than necessary?

It’s wrong to be wasteful.
We live in one of the most privileged societies in the world, which (in my opinion) breeds a bit of laziness and superfluous consumption. If there is no need to keep the water running, then turn it off. If your thermostats can be programmed to change temperatures during times guests might be away, you should consider taking the time to program them.

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