Portola Hotel and Spa, which currently holds the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) LEED® certification for Existing Buildings Operations and Maintenance, has completed the highly esteemed recertification process. This recertification represents a continuation of the eco-friendly initiatives set out in 2009. As the first LEED® hotel in Central California, Portola Hotel & Spa takes much pride in providing both eco-friendly and superior services and amenities to their guests.
Portola Hotel has invested in a new set of initiatives to guarantee its already existing superior “green” hospitality and live up to the eco-friendly standards of the LEED® certification. Some efforts include:
*Almost 20% of the hotel’s employees commute using alternative forms of transportation including biking, walking, and public transit.
*Native and adaptive plants that are drought-tolerant and provide habitat are placed throughout the property.
*In order to eliminate the hotel’s contribution to ozone depletion, all refrigerants containing CFCs have been phased out.
*Portola Hotel has purchased Renewable Energy Credits equivalent to 100% of yearly energy, which supports renewable energy generation offsite.
*Portola Hotel has a green cleaning policy and program and purchases over 60% sustainable cleaning products and materials leading to better air quality for staff and guests.
*Portola Hotel is diverting approximately 78% of waste from landfills and conducts an annual waste audit to identify areas that can be further approved.