The legendary Hotel del Coronado, built in 1888, has received Bronze Level certification from Green Seal, making it the oldest hotel in the United States to receive Green Seal certification, it announced last month.
Located in Coronado, Calif. — across the bay from downtown San Diego — "the Del," as it's known, is a National Historic Landmark that has hosted scores of celebrities, presidents and dignitaries during its 123-year history, including Thomas Edison, Charlie Chaplin, Babe Ruth, John F. Kennedy and Barack Obama. Perhaps most famous as the backdrop for Marilyn Monroe's 1959 film, "Some Like It Hot," the hotel has 679 guest rooms and over 65,000 square feet of meeting space.
To achieve Green Seal certification, which is among the most recognized environmental standards in the hospitality industry, the Del has recently made a slew of changes to promote sustainability in spite of its age. For instance, it has:
• Replaced all of its outdoor trash cans with dual-use receptacles for trash and recyclables;
• Begun recycling fry oil for use in the production of biofuels;
• Completed a retrofit of every guest room to include energy-efficient lighting;
• Implemented a state-of-the-art energy management system that controls the property's heating, ventilation, air conditioning and lighting;
• Installed ceiling fans in guest rooms to cut back on air conditioning usage;
• Installed low-flow, high-efficiency sprinkler heads for use in irrigation;
• Contracted with a pest control company to reduce the use of chemicals for pest and weed control;
• Planted an onsite garden for fresh fruit, vegetables and herbs;
• Purchased vacuum cleaners that reduce indoor air pollutants;
• Converted discarded linens into cleaning rags and cook aprons;
• Used soy ink and FSC-certified paper for all resort sales and marketing collateral; and
• Convened a Sustainability Steering Committee that includes staff from all departments, who meet regularly to evaluate current programs and proposals.
"The entire staff embraced a culture of environmental responsibility, which supported our efforts to overcome the challenges associated with being a 123-year-old property," said General Manager Donna Gonser. "We are so proud that we've achieved our goal of being certified by Green Seal. We are always looking at new and innovative ways to improve these important and vital practices."
For more information about the Del's green practices, visit www.hoteldel.com/green. Or, to learn more about Green Seal certification, visit www.greenseal.org.