Advertisement
Business

Photos: Hotels making more room for green

A drought-tolerant succulent decorates a planter at the Intercontinental Los Angeles Century City Hotel, where crews are removing draping ivy plants from the balconies of all 361 rooms.

A drought-tolerant succulent decorates a planter at the Intercontinental Los Angeles Century City Hotel, where crews are removing draping ivy plants from the balconies of all 361 rooms.  (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

Share

With California in the worst drought in state history, some hotels have gone beyond simply installing low-flow shower heads and urging guests to reuse towels. The goal is not just to save water or money. It’s about creating an eco-friendly image to appeal to environmentally minded guests.

Intercontinental Hotel

Crews are removing draping ivy plants from the balconies at the Intercontinental, replacing them with drought-tolerant succulents. “It’s not a huge savings,” said Steve Choe, the hotel’s general manager. “I think it’s about sending the right message.”  (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

Intercontinental Hotel

Ivy is removed from a balcony at the Intercontinental. The Intercontinental Hotels Group plans next year to give all 4,700 of its hotels access to an online tool that lets managers track how much energy and water they are using.  (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

Hotel Bel-Air

Enzo Manca, director of engineering, walks the lush grounds of the Hotel Bel-Air, which reuses bathroom water to irrigate its 12 acres of gardens.   (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Hotel Bel-Air

Enzo Manca, director of engineering, monitors the gray-water treatment room at the Hotel Bel-Air, which underwent a multimillion-dollar renovation three years ago.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Hotel Bel-Air

Swan Lake at the entrance to the Hotel Bel-Air. The hotel collects water running downstream and then filters and recycles it to keep the lake full.   (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Hotel Bel-Air

In the face of the worst drought in California history, some hotels have adopted creative water-saving measures. Hotel Bel-Air is among them.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Business

More From the Los Angeles Times

Advertisement