Green Hotels, Resorts and B&BsThese charming Tucson hotels, resorts and B&Bs go above and beyond in their efforts to ensure that the Old Pueblo remains the clean, green desert it is today. Eco-conscious travelers will rest easy knowing these companies are striving to keep Tucson "green" and beautiful.
The Big Blue House is a unique, upscale, centrally located boutique bed and breakfast. Located near the University of Arizona - and a short walk from Fourth Avenue and downtown - this B&B is also an Earth-friendly establishment. In the process of becoming Green Seal certified - and already a member of www.IStayGreen.org - Big Blue House also boasts LED lights; Energy-star appliances; water-saver shower heads; drip watering systems and xeriscaping; recycling, composting and gray water use; and uses 50 percent locally grown fruits and vegetables in its kitchen. All of its cleaning products are natural, and 15 percent of its power comes from solar energy.
Located in Tucson's stylish northern foothills - just far enough "off the road" to feel secluded - the historic Westward Look Resort offers some of the best views of the city. The resort grew around a 1912 homestead estate built just six months after Arizona became a state, and recently underwent a $10 million renovation. Westward Look boasts a number of eco-friendly practices, including the use of energy-efficient CFL bulbs; low-flow toilets, urinals and showers; hot water re-circulation pumps; towel and linen re-use programs; recycling; water-saving xeriscaping; and much more. The resort engages in composting, and 25 percent of the food from its award-winning kitchens comes from local sources, including its on-site Chef's Garden. Westward Look's restaurants serve up Earth-friendly organic produce and free-range meats, and the resort participates in Community Food Bank donations.
JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa works to conserve water through xeriscaping, and recycles most materials. But what makes this luxury resort's "green" efforts stand out is its dedication to promoting local, sustainable agriculture. The resort has committed itself to being 95 percent sustainable by partnering with the Tohono O'odham Nation to produce local, organically grown products for the resort. Located just 15 minutes from the JW, this native American tribe (which has been farming organic, desert-friendly foods for generations) is helping the resort reduce its carbon footprint by producing organic meats and produce, free-range meats and cage-free eggs. JW also participates in Tucson's community food bank food donation program. In the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains north of Tucson, the Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa boasts eco-friendly efforts that include the use of compact fluorescent light bulbs, LED light bulbs and Energy-star appliances. Water-efficient technologies like low-flow toilets and urinals, hot water re-circulation pumps and water-cooled equipment help the resort conserve both water and energy, while towel and linen re-use programs and solar-powered signage lights help reduce energy costs. La Paloma also utilizes a reclaimed water system to help irrigate its lush landscaping. In addition to recycling and using chlorine-free paper products, the resort's restaurants often use organic and native foods, and participate in the community food bank food donation program. Non-toxic and chemical-free cleaning products are available upon request, and La Paloma's Energy Committee is working toward continuing the resort's "green" efforts. Loews Ventana Canyon Resort -- a 93-acre luxury resort nestled in the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains -- is designed to blend in with its mountainous surroundings. Set on a plateau above Tucson, Loews offers guests beautiful scenery, two Tom Fazio-designed championship golf courses, the 5-Diamond award-winning Ventana Room restaurant, two swimming pools, fitness trails (including Loews' Nature Trail, in partnership with the world-acclaimed Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and Tucson Botanical Gardens), a 7,000-square-foot Spa and Tennis Center, and much more. Loews has gone above and beyond to go "green" and reduce its carbon footprint. The resort is U.S. EPA Energy-Star certified, and uses energy-efficient compact fluorescent lightbults, LED lights, water-cooled equipment, high-efficiency heating and cooling equipment, and Energy-star laundry appliances. To help save water, Loews uses low-flow toilets and urinals, and low-water xeriscaping. Inside the award-winning Ventana Room, Loews' chefs prepare a number of dishes using locally grown Tohono O'odham crops, as well as fresh produce from nearby Willcox, and pecans and nuts from Green Valley, just south of the city. Loews' restaurants use organic produce and animal-friendly free-range meats, and participate in a food donation program with the Tucson Community Food Bank. Lastly, the staff at Loews has appointed a Green Committee to educate resort staff on environmental issues and encourage new suggestions for becoming eco-friendly. Downtown Tucson's historic Hotel Congress is famous as the scene where Tucson police captured notorious 1930s gangster John Dillinger and his gang. In addition to recycling, Hotel Congress helps conserve energy with CFL bulbs and solar-powered outdoor concerts. The hotel's restaurant - Cup Café - buys local produce (Willcox tomatoes) and serves up fresh, organic produce and free-range meats. But this historic hotel really makes its mark with eco-friendly cleaning practices. Congress keeps its pipes clean and running with an earth-friendly, bacteria-based degreaser. And to help conserve water - a precious resource in the desert - the hotel has implemented waterless urinals, which have saved in excess of 100,000 gallons of water per quarter. The newly renovated Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Tucson Airport North is one of the largest convention hotels in Tucson. Holiday Inn uses energy-saving CFL and LED bulbs, as well as high-efficiency heating and cooling systems. The hotel's water conservation practices are far-reaching, including use of low-flow toilets, urinals and showerheads, as well as hot water re-circulation pumps. Holiday Inn's beautiful courtyards are kept in top shape using low-water xeriscaping, while a towel and linen re-use program further reduces the hotel's water use. In addition to a comprehensive recycling program, the hotel uses recycled, biodegradable, and post-consumer products, as well as non-toxic and chemical-free cleaning products. La Casita del Sol Bed & Breakfast is a fully restored 1880s working-class adobe rowhouse, located in downtown Tucson's El Presidio Historic Neighborhood. La Casita's "green" efforts include use of CFL bulbs, energy-efficient heating and cooling systems, and Energy-star appliances. Low-water xeriscaping and towel and linen re-use programs help save water. In addition to recycling, La Casita uses recycled, post-consumer, chlorine-free and biodegradable products. To top off this historic B&B's eco-friendly list, 40 percent of the food at La Casita is locally grown. The award-winning, Spanish-inspired Hacienda del Desierto Bed & Breakfast is found in a peaceful desert setting on 16 acres next to Saguaro National Park East. Hacienda conserves energy with solar-powered entrance gates and high-efficiency zoned heating and cooling systems. This peaceful B&B saves water with low-flow toilets and urinals, high-efficiency front-loading washers and low-water dishwashing practices. Hacienda's water-efficient xeriscaping is kept in bloom with a drip irrigation system and gray water use, while an energy-saving towel and linen re-use program means linens are only replaced for new guests or after a 3-night stay. Hacienda -- a certified wildlife habitat -- has also reduced its consumption of wasteful plastic bottles by serving fresh well water instead of individual water bottles. The Doubletree Hotel Tucson at Reid Park is taking tremendous strides to introduce eco-friendly programs to the Midtown hotel. The Hilton wide program, "Conserve to Preserve," has steadfastly helped to cut back on electricity, gas and water usage. Currently at the Doubletree Hotel Tucson, new dual pane, low E windows and sliding doors are being replaced in all guestrooms, along with installing energy efficient thermostats. Guestroom incandescent and T-12 fluorescent light bulbs are being exchanged with high efficiency CFLs and T-8 fluorescent fixtures to reduce electricity usage and a speedier, paperless checkout is offered to reduce paper waste. Recycle trash cans will be installed in all guest rooms and will be provided for all conferences. Additionally, paper usage is limited via computer file sharing programs and all the paper used throughout the hotel has a minimum of 10% recycled content. The Doubletree Hotel Tucson at Reid Park is a leading innovator in introducing eco-friendly technologies to the hotel and tourism industry.
Set at the base of the Santa Catalina Mountain range in northwest Tucson, the Hilton El Conquistador Golf & Tennis Resort is one of the finest resorts in the Southwest. Inspired by the beauty of its pristine natural canyon views and lush desert surroundings, this luxury full-service Tucson hotel is equipped with golf, tennis and conference facilities, and much more. The El Conquistador's "green" efforts include use of high-efficiency heating and cooling systems, CFL lighting, low-flow toilets and urinals, and water-saver showerheads. The resort uses gray water to keep its landscaping flourishing, and re-uses towels and linens to conserve water. El Conquistador recycles a variety of materials, and engages in composting. Fifteen percent of the resort's foods are locally grown - including herbs, tomatoes, chili peppers, zucchini and nuts. El Conquistador is also in the process of becoming Green Seal and EPA Energy-Star certified. Located near Saguaro National Park East with panoramic views of the Santa Catalina Mountains, Rincon Mountains, and Tanque Verde valley, Alta Vista Bed and Breakfast is a quiet haven that offers bird watching, hiking, biking, and horseback riding opportunities. A pool and a hot tub that can be heated upon request are available. Staff and guests participate in recycling of glass, plastic, metal, paper, and ink products. Alta Vista uses solar panels for 30 percent of its power. Guests will find Energy Star appliances, high-efficiency heating/cooling, towel and linen re-use program, low-flow toilets, water-saver showerheads, and hot water re-circulation pumps. Alta Vista serves many locally grown foods, including eggs from its own cage-free chickens and organic vegetables and fruits from its own garden. Alta Vista's gardeners engage in composting, rainwater harvesting, and gray water use. A number of Tucson's hospitality partners are in the process of becoming green-certified and eco-friendly, so be sure to check back frequently for updates and newcomers! |
