Sustainable Building-Napa Valley Hotel Wins Awards for Environmental Design, Building and Operation
The market for eco-conscious travel accommodations is becoming more and more popular, and the Gaia Napa Valley Hotel is leading the way in adoption of sustainable, environmentally-friendly building and operating practices to draw eco-conscious guests. Situated in the Napa Valley’s wine country, the 132-room Gaia Napa Valley Hotel and Spa in American Canyon, California opened its doors in October 2006 and exemplifies environmental stewardship.
The word “Gaia” means “Mother Earth” in the Greek language and the hotel is conceptualized and owned by Wen I. Chang. Weng’s stated mission is to “change the world one traveler at a time.”
Gaia is Napa Valley’s first Gold LEED (Leader in Energy and Environment Design) certified hotel, and prides itself on its gentle blending of environmental design and considerations, with nature, including a swan-filled lake, and koi pond surrounded by a lush garden.
Entering the lobby, visitors are greeted with three LCD screens on the wall behind the front desk, showing the property’s minute-by-minute co2 emissions, electricity use, and water use. The hotel’s roof is peppered with Solatube Tubular skylights magnify that sun’s rays to light the hotel even on an overcast day.
Winning the California Lodging magazine’s 2007 Outstanding Lodging Property Award, this hotel is the first of two such properties built by this owner. The other is located in Anderson, California. Both properties also feature full conference facilities including various sized meeting rooms.
Its many environmentally-friendly features include:
Use of Forest Stewardship Council lumber;
Use of recycled materials wherever possible in hotel and construction;
Use of low VOC (volatile organic compound) paints, sealants and carpeting;
Recycled-content carpeting including backing, fiber and pad;
Recycled construction waste;
Use of recycled stone, including tile and granite;
Reduced water usage tactics achieved a water use reduction of approximately 40% using DDLow-flush toilets, low flow showerheads, and use of recycled water;
The koi pond uses recycled water from the site which is filtered and cleaned prior to entering the pool;
Energy efficient windows and skylights;
Use of solar panels for on-site electricity production, producing 10% of hotel’s electricity;
Cool reflective roofing materials reflect heat saving on cooling costs;
On-site recycling;
Use of only recycled paper products;
Use of bulk soap and shampoo dispensers, eliminating hundreds of pounds daily of plastic containers and packaging from mini shower bottles and soap;
Use of native plant species in landscaping;
Chemical-free landscaping practices;
Use of eco-friendly cleaning products;
Promotion of environmental education through GreenTouchscreen Kiosks; and
Promotion of indoor air quality through use of aluminum exterior grates;
Full-service health spa that features carcinogen-free nail products, and organic spa products
Gaia is a prime example of how builders can economically incorporate eco-friendly considerations into their plans, while creating an appealing environment geared towards eco-friendly travelers. For more information about Gaia Hotel and Spas, visit GaiaHotelNapaValley.com or call 888-798-3777.
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