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Thu, October 16, 2008 |
Last Updated: October 14,2008 5:03:25 pm
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July 23rd, 2008, By Waheeda Harris
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts Offers Green Luxury
 Fairmont regulars can now upgrade and, to a certain degree, be kind to the planet. The NewsGreen conscious luxury sounds like an oxy moron. Typically, extravagant pursuits and environmental concerns are considered mutually exclusive. Hoping to refute that myth, Fairmont Hotels and Lexus have teamed up to create Lexus Hybrid Living suites. Behind the NewsIntroduced in Washington DC and San Francisco, the suites stand apart from the archetypal beige hotel boxes thanks to environmentally-friendly materials and opulent style.
Designed by L.A.-based Kelly LaPlante (owner of Organic Interior Design) the sleek two-bedroom suites are chock-full of sustainable and recycled materials like bamboo, organic cotton, recycled glass, recycled concrete, FSC-certified wood sources, low-VOC Benjamin Moore Aura paints, and low-VOC water-based finishes. This isn’t the first green step for Fairmont; for the past four years, the hotels giant has offered a Green Partnership Guide detailing how to implement green business practices and showing examples of the company's eco advances, especially in conservation and recycling. Inspired by an early 20th century room from designer Dorothy Draper, LaPlante based her design on black and white. “I didn’t realize the photograph was black and white, not the room design,” explained LaPlante, “but I felt the palette was distinct and contemporary.” Her challenge was to keep the aesthetic true to her plans. The task was eased thanks to increasing green décor options in the past 18 months. However, LaPlante didn’t want the suites to be decorated in shades of green. “I wanted to show the elegance of green design and [to] surprise guests.” The suites are very tactile, with salvaged natural birch logs used as accents in the main space, Murano glass beads used on the bathroom walls, and certified cotton organic bed linens from Coyuchi. Artwork for the Washington DC suite was commissioned from local artist Jon Wassom, whose mixed-media pieces used reclaimed materials, including leather from recycled Lexus vehicles. Even the mini-bar could not escape the green makeover, with a selection of organic wines and local artisan cheeses. Through Lexus Living’s program there is online access to the Lexus Green eco living tours, which provide “green options” in local restaurants, attractions and shopping. With advance booking, guests will also receive access to a Lexus LS600h L hybrid vehicle. With packages from $869 - $999(USD) per night plus taxes, Fairmont regulars can now upgrade and while helping the planet in the process. Comments
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