8 Eco-Friendly Summer Vacation Getaways

Summer is slowly slipping away, so if you haven’t planned your vacation getaway yet – the eco-friendly hotels and other lodging listed below may help you take a step in the right direction. Doesn’t a bamboo hut situated in a tropical setting sound heavenly? What about staying in a hotel dedicated to a favorite late-night indulgence? Orchard Garden Hotel (San Francisco, California) When planning a trip to photograph the Golden Gate Bridge or enjoy a natural boost of energy at Golden Gate Park, San Francisco offers an array of attractions and activities to keep you busy. However, when it's time to recuperate, where will you lay your head? LEED-certified by the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design program, the Orchard Garden Hotel provides a relaxing. modern luxury stay for the eco-traveler. Embracing organic and recycled materials, the hotel foregoes toxic paints, glues and varnishes; uses energy-efficient lighting; and supports Forest Stewardship Council-certified wood. Hotelito Desconocido (Jalisco, Mexico) Instead of wasting electricity, Hotelito Desconocido chooses to light up your vacation stay with solar power and candles. Rooms offer distinct bamboo, palm leaf, and clay huts situated in a protected wetland estuary that provides gorgeous views of the Pacific. Outside of your room, take a stroll through the tropical gardens; enjoy a leisurely tour on horseback; or take advantage of surrounding waters with kayaking, fishing, rowing, and windsurfing. Habitat Suites (Austin, Texas) The BBQ isn’t the only thing attracting tourists to Austin, Texas. Habitat Suites have been a proud member of the Green Hotels Association since 1991. From using ladybugs as a natural pesticide to putting cooling shade trees to good use, this hotel has won over eco-minded guests for many years. Other highlights of Habitat Suites include courtyard swimming pool; hot breakfast buffet with vegan and vegetarian selections; and a luxurious garden filled with flowers, trees, and butterflies. Gaia Napa (American Canyon, California) The Gaia has been utilizing recycled materials and supporting low-energy options since it opened in 2007. Don't think that going green means that your luxury stay suffers. Guests often indulge in the spa, take a dip in the heated outdoor salt water pool, and freshen up in restrooms constructed with recycled tiles and granite. This hotel is certainly proud to hold the title as the 'First Fully Environmentally Sustainable Hotel and Spa' in Napa Valley. Additional highlights of the hotel include recycled carpet content and low-emission paint. Zion Lodge (Zion, Utah) Surrounded by 146,000 acres of cliffs, canyons, and endless plants and animals, the Zion Lodge is nestled inside the Zion National Park – the perfect summer vacation for nature lovers. Step into one of Zion's Green Suites and you're treated to luxury sustainable features that include bamboo floors, recycled carpet content, organic linens, and convenient key card lighting controls. It's no wonder that the Zion Lodge has won a Sustainable Hotel of the Year Award. Looking for an exciting winter getaway? Open year-round, don't forget to check out special winter rates and packages offered at Zion Lodge from December through mid-March. Other eco-friendly hotels to consider include:

• 70 Park Avenue (New York City) – With the EarthCare eco-program, kitchen oil is transformed into biodiesel, hybrid drivers enjoy discounts, and an eco-concierge is ready and willing to make your stay unforgettable.
• Hotel Triton (San Francisco, California) – What started as just one eco-floor in the 1990s has expanded to all floors since 2003. Designer celebrity suites include Haagen-Dazs "Sweet Suite" (shown above) Kathy Griffin's D-List, and the J. Garcia Suite by Jerry Garcia.
• Hilton (Vancouver, Washington) – Situated just over the bridge from Portland, Oregon, this Hilton recycles 75% construction waste, offers refueling stations for electric cars, supports water conservation, uses less energy, and provides eco-friendly dining at Gray's at the Park.

Photo Credits: Orchard Garden Hotel, Hotelito Desconocido, Habitat Suites VRX Studios (Gaia), Zion Lodge, Hotel

How to Find the Ultimate Green Dining Experience

When it comes to serving a chilled glass of biodynamic Merlot or providing a romantic setting with energy-efficient lighting, an increasing number of luxury restaurants are embracing the concept of dining green. From the food they serve to their manicured lawns, take note that some of the best sustainable experiences come from a luxury restaurant with the Green Restaurant Association seal of approval. What is the Green Restaurant Association (GRA)? The GRA is a national non-profit organization that offers restaurants, manufacturers, distributors, and consumers an easy and cost-efficient entryway into the world of environmental responsibility. In order to become certified by the Green Restaurant Association, an already established business, new venture, or the foodservice portion of an event must satisfy standards ranging from water efficiency to sustainable foods. The GRA relies on a point system to determine worthy businesses. For example, since an average restaurant can use 300,000 gallons of water per year, the organization encourages water efficiency and conservation in food service facilities. As a result, the GRA awards points for low water landscaping that covers 50% of site area (3), greywater reuse in plumbing system (7.25), and waterless urinals (4.25). Celebrity Green Restaurant Buzz When it comes to attracting the rich and famous, there is no denying the star power of Batali-Bastianich restaurants. Celebrity chef Mario Batali and biodynamic winemaker Joseph Bastianich are known in luxury dining circles as a sustainable force. Satisfying the GRA certification standards is no easy feat, but six Batali-Bastianich restaurants stretching from Los Angeles to New York accomplished the task with flying colors. Most recently, the B&B Ristorante, Enoteca San Marco, and Carnevino in Las Vegas joined the Del Posto in New York, Pizzeria Mozza and Osteria Mozza in Los Angeles in receiving honors from the GRA. Some of the sustainable features they've implemented include:

• Food waste composting program
• Full-scale recycling
• Bottled water elimination
• Use of non-toxic cleaning chemicals
• Water and energy-conserving spray valves in their kitchens
• Recycled paper menus
• No Styrofoam
• Energy-efficient hand dryers

Additional restaurants that have received high marks from the GRA: George's at the Cove (La Jolla, California) – breathtaking ocean views and relaxing indoor setting Lumiere (West Newton, Massachusetts) – dishes with a French influence Bamboo Sushi (Portland, Oregon) – sustainable fish and highest grade of beef served The Bagel Bin Cafe (Rochester, New York) – Serves spicy salmon wrap and gourmet bagels Roti Mediterranean (Chicago, Illinois) – Moroccan rice bowl and Mediterranean lemon chicken soup To learn more about how luxury restaurants become a significant member of the sustainable community, the Green Restaurant Association has created a PDF outlining their standards and point system. To locate GRA-certified eateries in your neck of the woods, use their restaurant locater. Photo Credits: Enoteca San Marco (t) and George's at the Cove (b)