If you have guests coming to visit the fine city of Philadelphia this summer, encourage them to stay well and green at Hotel Palomar in Center City. The hotel is the first in Philadelphia to achieve LEED Gold Certification for its sustainable build and management practices.
On a regular basis guests of Hotel Palomar may expect organic coffee and tea, responsibly laundered linens, energy efficient lighting and water conserving toilets. From April 18-22, they can expect some additional services as part of the hotel’s Earth Care Week leading up to Earth Day on April 22.
We had the opportunity to learn more about Hotel Palomar from Hotel Manager Sean Flanigan and Jacklin Rhoads of Cashman and Associates.
Greenlimbs (GL): Why has Palomar (Kimpton) committed to operating a sustainable hotel?
Hotel Palomar (HP): One of Kimpton’s biggest programs is our Earth Care program and the mission is to support a sustainable world and reflect the values of our employees, guests, and investors by using non-intrusive, high quality, eco-friendly products and services at all Kimpton hotels and restaurants. Today, we are recognized by environmental organizations and our industry as a leading eco-standards program. Our goal as a company is to make the world a better place to live while continuing to deliver a premium guest experience.
GL: There are many who deny the potential of a green economy; is it fair to say that Palomar is proving that green business is good business?
HP: Green business is good business. By providing a sustainable building and atmosphere, Kimpton and Hotel Palomar Philadelphia have shown their commitment to the greater good in Philadelphia and that is always good for business.
GL: Philadelphia is fortunate to have a mayor and a community who are passionately committed to becoming the nation’s greenest city. Did this play into the decision to build a LEED Gold Certified hotel here?
HP: It’s great to open a hotel in a new market and to have the Mayor share the same passion about the environment as we do as a company.
GL: What percentage of your guests would you say choose Palomar because of its commitment to sustainability?
HP: Approximately 20% of our guests stay at Kimpton Hotels across the nation because of our eco initiatives.
GL: Based on your Earth Care model, what/if anything would a guest notice or experience at your hotel that they would not notice or experience at a traditional hotel?
HP: The nuances of the sustainable aspects of the hotel are sometimes subtle. Guest rooms have several environmentally friendly aspects such as low VOC paint, FSC certified wood furniture, recycled materials in wall coverings low-flow plumbing fixtures, large windows lending natural light, and high efficiency mechanical systems.
GL: Is your staff committed to sustainable living? Are they able to educate guests who may be unfamiliar with the way of life?
HP: Absolutely, our staff are ambassadors to guests about all the sustainable things the hotel does to lessen the carbon footprint of their stay, but in ways that don’t ever compromise their enjoyment of the hotel and the city.
GL: Why would/should a potential guest choose Palomar over the many other hotel options in the city?
HP: Hotel Palomar Philadelphia is the perfect choice in the city because it has everything – unparalleled service, centralized location, trendy atmosphere, and of course a commitment to sustainability complimenting the guests’ experience.
GL: Were guests notified in advance of their arrivals of your Earth Care events? Did any come prepared to participate?
HP: Yes, we sent out pre arrival emails to our Kimpton In Touch Guests (our loyalty program) prior to their arrival at the Palomar. In addition Kimpton as a company sent out an email to our email database about the Kimpton Earth Week activities throughout the nation.
GL: How has the “Lights Out Program” been received so far by guests and staff?
HP: The Eco conscience guests really enjoy it and appreciate all the added efforts Kimpton does to save energy. Some guests ask why and it’s a great conversation piece. It helps us start the conversation and educate our guests on our Eco initiatives.
GL: What items are being collected as part of the “Recycling Rundown?”
HP: This year, we are focusing on e-waste. Many people don’t know what to do with old VCRs, printers, and cell phones. Hotel Palomar Philadelphia will serve this week as a drop off for those items.
GL: How are collection rates going so far?
HP: They are going great we have been able to fill 2 large recycling bins so far.
GL: The “Recycling Rundown” was described to me as a competition; is there a prize to be awarded and if so, how is a winner to be determined?
HP: There is no prize unfortunately, but it is a corporate competition to collect as much “e-waste” as possible and the prize is a greener Philadelphia with less cell phones and printers in our trash.
GL: Where are the collected items going after the end of the “Rundown?” In the there have been many problems with e-waste being “recycled” in less than responsible ways; how do guests and neighbors know that their waste will be recycled responsibly?
HP: Kimpton has established a partnership with ERI, a national e-waste recycling company that will assist in the recycling of the e-Waste products.
GL: What type of recycled art will be exhibited at the “Party for the Parks” auction?
HP: This year, we have a great mix of art. Everything from wall art to sculptures.
GL: What qualifies a piece as “recycled?”
HP: A piece is considered “recycled” if the artists have utilized used items that would normally be trash to create the piece. We have art made of everything from newspaper to wire hangers, as well as items made from recycled materials from our hotel.
GL: Are the participating artists local?
HP: The participating artists are all local. We partnered with Philadelphia based In Liquid to secure art and artists for this year’s event. Special thanks to Rachel Zimmerman for all her tremendous help.
GL: Where will proceeds from the auction go?
HP: Proceeds from the silent auction will go to The Trust for Public Land, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the creation of parks in cities throughout the United State.
GL: Are you considering implementing any of this week’s programs on a permanent basis?
HP: Hotel Palomar Philadelphia is commented to green initiatives throughout the year. Even though these specific events may not happen all year long, we have a commitment to this community to practice sustainability.
GL: Do you expect that more hotel owners will incorporate similar standards of building to their portfolios?
HP: We know that Hotel Palomar Philadelphia is the first and only LEED certified hotel in the city as of now, but we are positive it won’t be the last. Kimpton has plans for building another LEED certified hotel in the city next year.
