Doubletree Grand Key Resort Completes AH&LA Challenge for Hotels - Hoteliers Use Association Guidelines to Benchmark Eco-Friendly Operations and ROI

Key West, FL, October 18, 2009 --(PR.com)-- Doubletree Grand Key Resort has successfully completed the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) Green Guidelines Challenge, in which more than 200 hotels across the country tracked and, in many cases, improved their green business operations via AH&LA’s 11 Minimum Green Guidelines, released in November 2008 by the association’s Green Task Force.

With the aid of a tracking tool provided by AH&LA, Doubletree Grand Key Resort communicated its results via an online Green Guidelines Challenge survey, as well as shared the hotel’s success stories and best practices. The challenge asked hotels to measure occupancy statistics, monetary and energy expenditures, and return on investment (ROI) from specific green practices.

Based on existing environmental certification programs, including Green Seal, Green Globe, Green Key, and LEED, along with various state certification programs, the 11 Minimum Green Guidelines define ways to give hotel owners and operators opportunities to reduce operating costs and environmental impacts through reduced utility consumption, recycling programs, employee training, and supply chain management. The guidelines also allow hotels to improve their fiscal performance by tracking ROI against their general statistics.

Serving the hospitality industry for nearly a century, AH&LA, which is headquartered in Washington, D.C., is the sole national association representing all sectors and stakeholders in the lodging industry, including individual hotel property members, hotel companies, student and faculty members, and industry suppliers.

Doubletree Grand Key Resort received a certificate of completion in recognition of the hotel’s efforts. The hotel is continuing to maximize its green efforts by examining the additional 58 guidelines AH&LA has put forth and integrating new policies and practices into our operations.

“By completing the AH&LA Green Guidelines challenge, Doubletree Grand Key Resort can be identified as an eco-friendly establishment, based on these important industry guidelines,” said General Manager Michael Knowles. “We’re proud of our accomplishments and look forward to finding better ways to serve our guests – and the planet.”

Doubletree Grand Key Resort earned a 3-green Eco-Leaf rating April 1, 2009 from iStayGreen.org, the online social network of environmentally friendly travel. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) recognized Doubletree Grand Key Resort in the state’s Green Lodging Program on June 25, 2008.

Key West’s Doubletree Grand Key Resort is a 216-room, full-service, pet-friendly hotel that’s part of the Hilton family of brands. It features 7,000 square feet of banquet and meeting room space, in-room dining, a resort-style restaurant, zero-entry pool with whirlpool, large deck for sunbathing, tiki bar, massage services, fitness center, business center, complimentary Internet access and shuttle service, the Hilton Honors program and a warm, chocolate chip cookie welcome.

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