The Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac

There is a green procurement program, including the reduction of pre-packaging, ensuring that purchase like amenities, supplies, equipment, fixtures and furniture are environmentally sensitive. They encourage green conference planning as well.

This hotel donates soaps and amenities, re-usable items (furniture, linens, and such), and food from buffet lines to shelters, food banks, and soup kitchens.

Employees raise money for endangered species preservation and have adopted two beluga whale. The hotel hosts a "green contest" where each hotel's Green Committee competes for environmental superiority, often exceeding 100 environmental initiatives/year.

I wasn't sure how green this hotel would be because the website doesn't talk much about what they specifically do, so I was quite pleased to see the variety of green initiatives that have been enacted.

My room windows were able to open and I had a lovely plant too. Lamps were fitted with CFL and halogen bulbs, mostly. The cotton sheets and towels felt very good, and the fabric shower curtain and liner spoke of quality and environmental sensitivity.

Individual amenities are sadly still being used. I guess it's going to be awhile before most hotels of this prestige will be able to adopt bulk amenities. At least the contents are donated to charity and the bottles recycled.

Hey, what a nice surprise; the wastebaskets weren't lined with plastic bags. The hotel had the blue recycling bin set in a wooden bin to help it fit the decor - nice touch.

Glasses were fresh from the kitchen! I didn't have to worry about them being "sanitized in my room" -- they really were clean.

The food here is also fresh, local and organic. They even have bee hives and their own herb gardens.

The room also came equipped with a flat-screen tv and scale. I can watch the news and my weight! And I'm looking forward to watching what green initiatives this hotel adopts next.

September 2009

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