2016 Sustainability Report

EarthView Hotel Spotlights

Across Hersha, new strides are being made by our associates to make more effective use of resources, engage with our communities, and provide value to our guests and our business. Click the arrow to see some of the innovative initiatives happening at our hotels.

Doing Well by Doing good
Courtyard San Diego, San Diego, CA

Our Courtyard San Diego Hotel received the Energy Star Certification for the past two years. Energy Star certified buildings use less energy, are less expensive to operate, and emit fewer greenhouse gas emissions than their peers.

In 2016, the Courtyard San Diego and our Chief Engineer, Dave Campbell, were recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council and received the EBie Award for sustainability implementation and impact at the hotel. The Courtyard San Diego earned the top spot out of 70 nominations nationwide recognizing superior environmental performance in existing buildings.

Our associates received a Proclamation from the City of San Diego for organizing a Toy for Tots build-a-bike competition in December.

Leed-ing the Way
The Ambrose, Santa Monica, CA

Our hotel, The Ambrose was the first hotel in the nation to receive the US Green Building Council’s LEED-EB Silver Certification. LEED certification requires a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.

The Ambrose also has a green cleaning program in place that utilizes Eco-friendly non-toxic and biodegradable cleaning products throughout the hotel. Guests also enjoy charging their zero-emission vehicles at one of the four Electric Vehicle Charging Stations on site.

Exploring Santa Barbara Like a Local
Hotel Milo, Santa Barbara, CA

Our Hotel Milo in Santa Barbara, CA offers guests free access to bike rentals for getting a little exercise while discovering the hidden gems in the neighborhood.

Immersion in Nature
The Sanctuary Beach Resort, Monterey Bay, CA

Our Sanctuary Beach Resort in California is located among Monterery Bay and the protected Marina Dunes Preserve. Once guests arrive, our walking paths, biking paths, and electric golf carts provide a low-footprint experience.

Style Leaders
Hyatt House, Pleasanton, CA

Our Hyatt House Pleasanton Hotel received the Energy Star Certification for the past two years. Energy Star certified buildings use less energy, are less expensive to operate, and emit fewer greenhouse gas emissions than their peers.

The hotel partners with the non-profits, 1-Closet and The Hanger, to be the official drop off location for clothing donations. These donations go to families and teens in need in the San Francisco East Bay area.

The Best of Bean Town
The Envoy Hotel, Boston, MA

Our Envoy Hotel, built in 2015, is equipped with state-of-the-art technology and sustainability-minded décor. The furniture inside the soothingly earthy yet modern rooms was created specifically for the hotel, including TV stands made from bicycle frames and white desks wrapped with a retro-inspired leather belt. The hotel boasts one of the best rooftop destinations in Boston and was awarded Best New Hotel in Boston by Forbes.

Natural Amenities
The Boxer, Boston, MA

The Boxer Hotel in Boston has implemented L’Occitane dispenser amenities throughout the hotel. This initiative provides high-quality amenities to guests in addition to reducing waste from containers that are for one-time use only.

Local Art & Music
NU Hotel, Brooklyn, NY

Our NU Hotel in Brooklyn, NY has worked with local artists to bring a sense of community to the hotel. 15 of NU Hotel’s guestrooms have murals that integrate various parts of the local culture. NU Hotel is also starting a music night that will host a local band or musician.

HANYC Social Responsibility
Hilton Garden Inn Midtown East, New York, NY

Our Hilton Garden Inn Midtown East Hotel in Manhattan received the 2016 Social Responsibility Award by the Hotel Association of New York City (HANYC). The HANYC represents more than 280 hotels in New York City, and recently started a Sustainability Committee to help shape the future of sustainable hospitality in New York City.

Bringing the Power
Hilton Garden Inn, JFK Airport, NY

Our Hilton Garden Inn JFK Airport Hotel received the Energy Star Certification for the past two years. Energy Star certified buildings use less energy, are less expensive to operate, and cause fewer greenhouse gas emissions than their peers.

Grow-NYC in Union Square
Hyatt Union Square, New York, NY

Our Hyatt Union Square Hotel in New York City has started a partnership with GrowNYC, a non-profit leader in sustainability throughout New York. GrowNYC has established a sustainability center and event space in a shared space at our hotel. This space allows New Yorkers to explore environmental issues through the lens of food horticulture, arts, and more.

Graffiti Earth
Duane Street Hotel, New York, NY

Our Duane Street Hotel in New York City has opened a restaurant on the ground floor of the hotel called Graffiti Earth. This restaurant has a strong emphasis on sustainability from the food choices to the renewable materials used in the furniture.

Restore in the City of Brotherly Love
The Rittenhouse, Philadelphia, PA

The Rittenhouse Hotel in Philadelphia, PA renovated its Luxury Park Suites in 2016. We partnered with Habitat for Humanity to donate furniture, lighting, and appliances to hard-working, low-income families in the region.

Restoration & Reuse
Ritz Carlton, Georgetown, Washington, DC

Our Ritz-Carlton Georgetown is an adaptive reuse of a former vacant industrial building. The site was closed, renovated, and reopened as a hotel with the iconic smokestack still a prominent feature of the building.

The Ritz-Carlton also has an electric vehicle charging station allowing for guests to charge their vehicle during their stay.

Quality & Comfort
Hilton Garden Inn M Street, Washington, DC

Our Hilton Garden Inn M Street Hotel is a LEED Silver certified building by the U.S. Green Building Council. LEED certified buildings are resource efficient. They use less water and energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. They also take additional measures for indoor environmental quality that ensures improved occupant comfort.

The Hilton Garden Inn’s roof deck also provides guests a chance to see downtown DC, while enjoying one of DC’s best green roofs.

Capturing Energy from the Sun
Residence Inn, Coconut Grove, FL

Our Residence Inn Coconut Grove Hotel is topped with a 336-panel, 92 kW Solar PV system. The system captures renewable energy from the sun, and generates 150,000 kWh of electricity each year for the hotel.

Certified to Save
Courtyard Cadillac, MIami Beach, FL

The 93 room tower at our Courtyard Cadillac Miami Beach is LEED Certified. As built, the tower reduces energy consumption by 15% and water consumption by 30% compared to other hotels.

national initiatives