Top 5: Sustainable Hotels in NYCBy Angelica Malin
New York City’s ever-evolving hotel scene is embracing eco-conscious design and practices showcasing the City’s pledge to sustainability, with over 19 properties currently committed to the NYC Carbon Challenge (to reduce their building-based emissions by 30% or more over 10 years).
Compelled to become ‘the capital city of a responsible world’, New York City is proud of its abundance of innovative initiatives designed to benefit locals, visitors and the planet; from focusing on park preservation including Central Park and Prospect Park recently becoming permanently car-free, to the rapid growth of green roofs and urban farms, and the City’s many LEED buildings becoming models of sustainable urban architecture.
Additionally, NYC is excited to welcome one of the world’s key summits to drive the conversation around climate change during Climate Week NYC (24-30 September 2018), returning to New York City for its 10th year. Keen to rest your head in a sustainable hotel bed? From Brooklyn to Manhattan here are the best eco-friendly places to stay in New York City:
1. For Wooden Furnishings: 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, Brooklyn / 1 Hotel Central Park, Midtown West
The Lowdown: The 1 Hotel brand believes sustainable hotels are the future and makes a conscious effort to showcase this throughout their hotels: from the water to the textures used. Reusing and repurposing as much as they can and using reclaimed wood and natural elements throughout, the sustainable hotels also aim to reduce the volume of water they use and have energy saving lights. Offering guests stunning views of Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan, the focus is on the details with the hotels even using recycled wood as room keys in order to get rid of plastic keys.
Where: Locations here
2. For a Luxury Stay: The Peninsula New York, Midtown West
The Lowdown: The Peninsula New York offers luxurious comfort, combined with exceptional personalised service, and features a roof-top lounge with impressive views over Central Park and Fifth Avenue. In 2013, The Peninsula New York and the wider brand formalised a sustainable strategy to address their social and environmental impacts. Water and food saving initiatives have been introduced and low-temperature laundry programmes implemented to use less energy and waste, while still maintaining the high standard of luxury for which the hotel is renowned for.
Where: 700 5th Ave, New York, NY 10019, USA
3. For Social Sustainability: The Pierre, A Taj Hotel, Upper East Side
The Lowdown: Iconic Taj hotel, The Pierre, participates in EarthCheck, a program which measures the property’s impact on the environment, and has previously won EarthCheck’s gold award. The property has also received the Sustainable Hospitality Award for its overall achievement in environmental and social sustainability.
Where: 2 East 61st Street &, 5th Ave, New York, NY 10065, United States
4. For a Central Location: The Grand Hyatt New York, Midtown East
The Lowdown: Located in Midtown East, the Grand Hyatt New York is the only hotel connected to Grand Central and close to many of the City’s most popular attractions including the Empire State Building, Fifth Avenue shopping, Times Square, Central Park and much more. This hotel has vowed to shrink their carbon footprint by upgrading to high-efficiency boilers and LED lighting.
Where: 109 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10017, USA
5. For a Boutique Hotel: Crosby Street Hotel, SoHo
The Lowdown: The Crosby Street Hotel is a luxurious boutique hotel with interiors by Kit Kemp, individually designed rooms and suites, uninterrupted views of Manhattan and a Gold LEED certification. LEED certification is a globally recognised symbol of sustainability achievement.
Where: 79 Crosby Street, New York NY 10012
For more information on New York City, see here.
