CHLA January February 2019

www.calodging.com January/February 2019 5 IN OUR BUSINESS, we are concerned with two things: the customer experience and the numbers. But sometimes, the numbers we think we should all be going after— meaning RevPar, ADR, online ratings and the like—aren’t the only ones that truly track our progress, or ensure our future success. Sometimes, important numbers come from surprising places, like when we track our commitment to sustainability. Now celebrating seven years of sustainability, Santa Monica’s Shore Hotel has worked hard on these numbers. The city’s first LEED Gold-certified hotel, Shore Hotel has saved 31 million watts of energy (enough to power the average U.S. home for 34 months), 5.2 million gallons of water (enough to fill nearly eight Olympic-sized swimming pools) and 28,000 plastic water bottles from entering our landfills, all through the hotel’s eco-friendly management practices. The hotel has saved 31 million watts of energy through the use of energy efficient light bulbs, participation in Santa Monica’s opt-in energy- saving program “Demand Response Unit” (being the only hotel in California to do so) that reduces the energy use during peak hours, and through our solar energy-powered swimming pool and Jacuzzi, also 75% of Shore Hotel’s roof surface is covered in solar reflecting material which reduces heat islands. Over 5.2 million gallons of water have been saved by using low flow toilets, showers, and sinks, as well as with native, drought- resistant landscaping. Some 75% of the hotel’s construction materials were recycled or salvaged, including metals, concrete, stucco, terrazzo, wood and carpet. In addition, the hotel gym’s floor was made from recycled tires and lobby chairs are upholstered with 100% pre-consumer recycled polyester. And while we’ve saved a lot, we’ve also given back. Since 2011, our guests have been rewarded $73,800 in savings from Shore Hotel’s Green Clean program, which has saved water, energy and resources on over 8,800 room cleanings. We’ve donated over $20,000 to Heal The Bay by giving $15 of each purchase of the Shorely Sands mascot to the organization. These are good numbers for sure, but it makes us want to improve them as we go forward. Once you’ve started the commitment towards sustainability, there is no turning back. Shore Hotel has started a series of new initiatives that we’ll carry out throughout the next year, including: • For the 2018–2019 school year, we’ve launched a new scholarship for two Santa Monica College students in the Environmental Studies program continues   Shore Hotel engages travelers and passers to make the switch to sustainability, including this recent water bottle swap with JUST Water and the Debbie Allen Dance Academy 7 Years of Sustainability at Shore Hotel Santa Monica By Gerry Peck, General Manager, Shore Hotel Santa Monica