Environmentally-friendly hotels conserve resources, save money and attract customers
ORLANDO (Nov. 29, 2007) - The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today welcomed the Rosen Centre Hotel, located in Orlando, to the Florida Green Lodging program. The Rosen Centre is the 57th in the state to be designated in the Florida Green Lodging Program, a voluntary state initiative that provides the lodging industry with technical assistance, encouraging hotels and motels to adopt cost-saving “green” practices that reduce waste and conserve natural resources.
“I am so pleased that Rosen Hotels is continuing their commitment to the environment,” said DEP Central District Director Vivian Garfein. “With this second Rosen Hotel joining the Green Lodging program, Florida’s resources are preserved and protected for its millions of residents and visitors.”
To be designated a Florida Green Lodge, hotels must follow certain green practices. These practices include, but are not limited to, water conservation measures through low flow plumbing fixtures and a linen reuse program, and energy efficiency achieved by installing ENERGY STAR® appliances and programmable thermostats. The waste reduction criteria are met by providing the opportunity to recycle, purchasing items in bulk, purchasing recycled materials and by recycling ink and toner cartridges. All Green Lodges must also use green cleaners and high efficiency air filters, and clean air handler units frequently.
"Rosen Hotels is proud to be among the first in the Orlando area to implement environmentally conscious policies in order to conserve resources like water and energy," said Harris Rosen, President/COO, Rosen Hotels & Resorts. "We made the decision years ago, long before the Green Lodging program was established, to be responsible citizens of Central Florida and of planet Earth, and we continue to find new ways to exceed program standards to make Orlando a better place for all of us to live, work and play."
On July 13, at his Serve to Preserve Florida Summit on Global Climate Change, Governor Crist signed three executive orders initiating state energy-use policies, including one that requires state agencies and departments to hold meetings and conferences only at hotels with Green Lodging designation starting January 1, 2008. The Summit was a bold first step to explore groundbreaking technologies and strategies that will place our state at the forefront of the growing world-wide movement to reduce greenhouse gases.
Launched in March 2004, the Florida Green Lodging Program establishes environmental guidelines for hotels and motels to conserve natural resources and prevent pollution. As reward for designation, Florida is recommending Green Lodges to companies and trade organizations seeking environmentally conscious lodging and convention facilities. With the addition of the Rosen Centre Hotel, the program has designated 57 hotels and has more than 100 applicants.
Just minutes away from the Orlando International Airport and the area's most popular theme parks and attractions, Rosen Centre is located at 9840 International Drive, Orlando, FL 32819. The hotel offers not only a desirable location directly next to the Orange County Convention Center, but also offers 106,000 square feet of recently renovated sophisticated meeting space, which includes a 35,000-square-foot Grand Ballroom. Contemporary materials and complementary furnishings have transformed ballrooms, salons and pre-function space into a fresh, inviting environment designed for ultimate comfort and productivity.
Rising 24 stories, Rosen Centre features 1,334 deluxe guest rooms that have also been recently refreshed with newly appointed bedding. The new bedding features soft white luxurious linens topped with decorative “ComforTwill” sheets and soothing sage-colored bed scarves. Super Soft Feather Quilted pillows and ultra-luxurious mattresses manufactured by Simmons specifically for Rosen Hotels & Resorts complete the new package.
Amenities at the Rosen Centre include a full-service concierge desk, high-speed Internet access in all guest rooms, off-site airline check-in and a TSA approved remote skycap service that allows guests to receive their airline boarding passes and check their luggage directly from the hotel. Guests of Rosen Centre enjoy six restaurants and lounges, as well as the Body & Sol Spa and state-of-the art fitness center, a heated tropical pool and lighted tennis courts.
