Lights Out! Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket Celebrates Earth Hour

Phuket, Thailand, March 28, 2009 --(PR.com)-- Today, Sheraton Grande Laguna, a Luxury Collection Resort, Phuket announces it will participate in Earth Hour, a global environmental awareness event organised by the World Wide Fund For Nature (WWF), on March 28, 2009, to send a powerful global message about environmental awareness and caring for the planet. Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket will observe Earth Hour by turning off its lights and taking other energy-saving measures for one full hour further underscoring Starwood Hotels & Resorts’ commitment to environmental sustainability.

Earth Hour is drawing strong support from Starwood hotels around the globe.

“We are delighted to support for the Earth Hour with Starwood Hotels & Resorts. We invite our guests to join a specially organised Energy Saving Cocktail hour, decorated with candlelight and burning torches by poolside to encourage the guests to save energy for the Earth Hour, on 28th March 2009, between 8.30pm – 9.30 pm” said Mr. Jan Kirstein, General Manager, Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket.

Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket will take several measures such as turning off exterior signage lighting; dimming or turning off non-essential interior lighting; using candlelight in appropriate public areas such as restaurants and bars; and encouraging guests to support the hotel’s observation of Earth Hour through reading non essential energy use during this time.

Additionally, hundreds of Starwood hotels around the world are coordinating supplementary awareness events such as walk-a-thons in their local communities, public candlelight unplugged concerts and receptions for guests featuring signature green cocktails.

Starwood made history in 2006 when it launched Element Hotels, Starwood’s green trailblazer and the first major hotel brand to mandate that all U.S. properties pursue the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED certification. Across its entire portfolio, Starwood is rolling out initiatives that aim to conserve energy and water, reduce waste and enhance indoor environmental quality for Starwood guests and associates alike.

About Earth Hour
Earth Hour began as an awareness effort in Sydney, Australia in 2007 when more than two million homes, businesses, and the city’s largest landmarks shut off their lights for one hour, resulting in a significant energy reduction across the city. Quickly evolving into a global phenomenon, Earth Hour drew an estimated 50 million people in 35 countries and 370 cities in 2008, and this year one billion homes, businesses and countries are expected to take part. For more information and video on the genesis of Earth Hour visit www.earthhour.org.

Discover Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket
Surrounded by tranquil lagoons and facing the Andaman Sea, Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket offers a range of luxuriously appointed rooms and villas, nine dining and entertainment outlets and an abundance of recreational activities, including a 323m swimming pool and floodlit tennis courts. A twenty minute drive from Phuket’s International Airport, the resort is also part of Laguna Phuket, Asia’s finest destination resort.

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