Starwood Opens First Eco-Friendly 'ELEMENT' Hotel

July 16, 2008

Starwood Hotels & Resorts' new environmental hotel concept, ELEMENT, made its official debut early this month in Lexington, Mass., where the first of several planned locations opened on July 1.

The first LEED-certified hotel chain in the United States, ELEMENT is an extended stay hotel with nature-inspired aesthetics and eco-friendly amenities. Each of the brand's hotels will feature at least 838 square feet of meeting space adjacent to the hotel lobby, not to mention and all will offer green details like energy-efficient appliances and lighting, water-efficient faucets and fixtures, recycling bins and more.

"We are committed to providing a no-compromise, eco-chic experience," Brian McGuinness, global brand leader of Starwood's aloft and ELEMENT brands, said in a statement. "ELEMENT makes it easy to be environmentally responsible without having to sacrifice a great guest experience."

At ELEMENT, part of that guest experience is a complimentary hot and cold breakfast in the morning, as well as a complimentary reception with light snacks and cocktails in the evening. The hotel offers free WiFi throughout and will function as a "concept lab" for other Starwood brands, including Westin, Sheraton and Le Meridien Hotels, all of which plan to adopt some of the brand's so-called "eco-chic" elements.

Conceived of in 2006, ELEMENT has hotels already under development in Summerlin, Nev.; Irving, Texas; Arundel Mills, Md.; and Houston. For more information, visit www.elementhotels.com.

experience element

Learn more about the clean, intuitive design of each of element’s spaces, from the welcoming and versatile public space to the soothing and refreshing private space. experience element