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LEED Certified Home2 Suites by Hilton® in Lexington Park, Maryland
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News for the Hospitality Executive |
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| McLean, Va. (Nov., 2010) – Home2 Suites by Hilton, the newest and fastest growing brand in the history of the Hilton Worldwide portfolio of brands, announced today it will build its first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)-certified hotel in Lexington Park, Md. As the brand’s fifth U.S. property to break ground, this will also be the first LEED-certified hotel in Southern Maryland.  Left to
right:
Ray Herman,
President Herman/Stewart Construction; Matthew Brown, Senior Project
Engineer,
Geo Technology Associates; Jim Stapleton, AIA, Vice President, FRCH
Design
Worldwide; Jim Cornelsen, President, Old Line Bank; Dawn Koenig, Vice
President
Brand Performance Support, Homewood Suites and Home2 Suites by Hilton;
Brian
Norris, Chief Operating Officer, Cherry Cove Hospitality; Harry
Weitzel, Chief
Finance Officer, Cherry Cove Hospitality; Delegate John Bohanan,
Maryland House
of Delegates, District 29B; Francis "Jack" Russell, President, St.
Mary's County Board of Commissioners; Thomas Mattingly, St. Mary's
County Board
of Commissioners, Commissioner; Jonathan Blasco, Engineer, Mehaffey
& Assoc.
The new property is aiming for a silver level of LEED accreditation, which is one tier higher than basic accreditation. Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, LEED is an internationally recognized green building certification system, providing third-party verification that a building was designed and built using strategies intended to improve performance in metrics. There are four different levels of building certification, based on a point system focused on six main categories: sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, quality internal environment and innovation and design. Even without LEED certification, Home2 Suites was developed with a specific commitment to sustainability. Appointments will include low-flow showers and faucets, CFL light bulbs, dual-flush toilets, recycled flooring, saline pools, Energy Star appliances, and carpet, material and surfaces made from recycled product and other sustainable product selections. Hotels will also use real dishes, glasses and mugs instead of disposable place settings, and landscaping will feature indigenous plants, which significantly minimizes water usage and irrigation needs. “The prototype for Home2 Suites already gets owners pretty close to LEED certification,” said Brian Norris, Chief Operating Officer for Cherry Cove Hospitality. “The building is designed to be naturally economically competitive. We’re proud to be the first LEED-certified property for Home2 Suites, as we know more and more consumers are paying attention to ‘going green’ when they stay in a hotel. This provides a socially responsible extended-stay option for those who want to do their part for the environment. It gives them just one more reason to choose Home2 Suites.” In addition to the sustainability practices and products already put into place, the Lexington Park location plans to move into LEED-certifiable territory on these merits:
“Home2 Suites is a product that offers style and comfort, but possibly the most important aspect of the brand and what I’m proudest of, is its commitment to sustainability,” said Bill Duncan, global head for Home2 Suites. “This is an exciting milestone for the brand and will be a nice addition to the Lexington Park community.” As a part of Hilton Worldwide, Home2 Suites is currently rolling out the company’s proprietary LightStay system. By December 31, 2011, all 3,600 properties within Hilton Worldwide’s global portfolio of brands will use LightStay, making the company the first major multi-brand company in the hospitality industry to require property-level measurement of sustainability. LightStay, measures energy and water use and waste and carbon output at Hilton Worldwide properties around the globe. The company saved more than $29 million in utility costs in 2009 and the reductions conserved enough energy to power 5,700 homes for a year and reduce carbon output equivalent to taking 34,865 cars off the road. The brand’s approach to extended-stay travel emphasizes comfort and flexibility, easy access to technology, community space and a unique design. Research shows that guests in extended-stay situations seek community and connection with others after several days, even if it means they are all singularly working among others in a common space. Based on that research, Home2 Suites properties feature an open lobby area with 4,200 square feet of space called the Oasis. The Oasis is an industry-leading expanded community space that includes communal and individual work zones, wireless access, 52” flat-screen TV and a complimentary breakfast service area that provides one of the most expansive continental breakfasts in this segment of the hospitality industry. The “Inspired Table” breakfast offers a wide variety of continental and customizable breakfast options, including select hot items. The variety, which includes breads, pastries, hot and cold cereals, and unique toppings, is such that a guest could have a different breakfast each day for 70 days without repeating. The Oasis encourages a social environment where guests can obtain information on the local area, check e-mail and connect with others and because of its size and offerings is unique in the extended-stay category. All guest suites include the proprietary Home2 Suites “working wall” that incorporates the kitchen and flexible working space connecting separate living and bedroom zones. A fully accessorized kitchen contains a refrigerator/freezer with icemaker, dishwasher, place settings for six, microwave oven and coffee maker. The media/working zone includes queen size sofa/sleeper, 42-inch flat screen TV, roll-around ottoman, ambient task lighting, iHome alarm clock with iPod port and MP3 jack, and various pieces of furniture which can be moved around to create customized living spaces and adjustable storage options. Other highlights of the Home2 Suites brand are the Home2 MKT for grab-and-go items, an integrated guest laundry and fitness room, a saline pool, patios with grills, outdoor seating areas and an exercise trail. The first Home2 Suites is located in Fayetteville, NC and is scheduled to open in Q1 2011. There are approximately 75 Home2 Suites planned and another 30 in the development stage. About Home2 Suites by Hilton Home2 Suites by Hilton, the newest addition to the Hilton Worldwide portfolio of brands, is a mid-tier, extended-stay hotel concept designed to offer stylish accommodations, flexible guest room configurations and inspired amenities for the cost-conscious guest. As the fastest growing brand in the history of Hilton Worldwide, Memphis, Tenn-based Home2 Suites offers a complimentary breakfast selection; innovative and customizable guest room design; combination laundry and fitness area; complimentary Wi-Fi Internet access; multiple outdoor spaces; 24-hour business center; expansive community spaces; and a commitment to environmentally friendly products and hotel operations. For more information about Home2 Suites by Hilton visit http://www.home2suites.com/. For information on franchising opportunities, visit http://www.home2franchise.com/. About Hilton Worldwide Hilton Worldwide is the leading global hospitality company, spanning the lodging sector from luxurious full-service hotels and resorts to extended-stay suites and mid-priced hotels. For 91 years, Hilton Worldwide has been offering business and leisure travelers the finest in accommodations, service, amenities and value. The company is dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences across its global brands. Its brands are comprised of more than 3,600 hotels and 600,000 rooms in 81 countries and include Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Doubletree, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Hotels, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. The company also manages the world-class guest reward program Hilton HHonors®. For more information about the company, visit www.hiltonworldwide.com. |
| Contact: Jennifer Hughes Manager, Brand Public Relations Home2 Suites by Hilton +1 901 374 6053 Jason Schneider Account Supervisor Crosby~Volmer International Communications +1 202 236 8583
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