Many hotels are making strides to go green with eco-friendly practices, but the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort has always been a pioneer on the hospitality green scene. Having initiated its earth-friendly program in 2007 when it first opened, the property is well ahead of other hotels and resorts that are just dipping their toe into the social responsibility pool. Even so, this property continues to expand its cadre of eco-friendly features, raising the bar ever higher with the hope others will follow its lead.
Sustainability practices aside, this 374-suite resort offers a vacation paradise for leisure travelers. Located in the exclusive enclave of North Beach in the center of the famed Fort Lauderdale strip, this four-diamond, award-winning property boasts many features that make it a standout among the copious accommodation options in the city. These include large suites with full-size modern kitchens, wrap-around ocean-view balconies, and Italian marble floors as well as handsomely-appointed studios and guest rooms. The resort’s amenities include leading-edge technology and meeting facilities, an infinity pool with a 25,000-square-foot Sunrise Pool Terrace replete with poolside cabanas, beach access, a fitness center, luxurious spa, on-site oceanfront cuisine and 24-hour room service. The resort is located close to popular city attractions like the Everglades National Park and The Galleria Mall while also being situated close to a bevy of water sports.
In sharing what sets the hotel apart, Brigette Bienvenu, the property’s Director of Sales and Marketing, noted, “It is unique in its level of service and guest experience. Also, we have the best rooms in Fort Lauderdale Beach in terms of size, amenities, and the contemporary, yet residential, style. Our innovative trendsetting sustainability initiatives promote education and inspire eco-friendly practices for our industry and among our guests.”
Setting a high standard from its start, this property was the first in Fort Lauderdale to be designated a Florida Green Lodging destination. Continuing its legacy of going above and beyond local regulations, in January 2014 this resort voluntarily installed six wind turbines at a cost of $700,000 to help reduce energy consumption from sources that deplete natural resources. These commanding turbines are located on the resort’s rooftop to achieve the maximum wind velocity and provide enough renewable energy to light the building year-round.
Other noteworthy programs spearheaded by the property’s Green Team committee include waste reduction, energy efficiency, and resource conservation. The programs involve an environ-pure composter to help decompose up to 900 pounds of food waste each day to avoid adding to the local landfills. An in-room linen and towel program encourages guests to assist the hotel in being eco-friendly by hanging towels to reuse and having bed sheets changed out every three days on extended stays rather than every day. The hotel also has windows that use manufactured tinted glass to protect the interior of the building from sun exposure, which also helps to reduce the amount of energy needed for heating and cooling.
To further identify areas that could be improved, the resort utilizes LightStay, which is a proprietary system utilized by the Green Team to analyze and track the property’s sustainability performance. This system is used by the entire Hilton chain, setting a precedent in the hospitality industry as no other brand has implemented sustainability initiatives throughout its portfolio.
Always seeking to push the eco-envelope, more green objectives are planned, including a Tesla charging station allowing the vehicle owners to receive a high-speed charge in less than an hour. To further elevate its image, Bienvenu explained the property will continue its sustainability tours, which are conducted weekly for guests, local residents, and schools. Future plans include the addition of two unique venues to provide an array of culinary and entertainment options both for hotel guests and local residents. In the summer of 2014, the property will open a new outdoor lounge that overlooks the Atlantic Ocean for private receptions or daily fun-in-the-sun with music, an outdoor bar, and culinary options. A little further out, in early 2015, a new sky bar and lounge will open; with this, the resort will be the tallest building to have a rooftop venue on Fort Lauderdale beach.
With a contemporary beach ambiance, four-diamond service, residential comforts, priceless views and an unsurpassed sustainability program, the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort exemplifies green luxury travel and is doing more than its fair share to convey how, together, everyone can make a difference in the planet’s well-being.
