There is no "official" green business certification program in Santa Barbara County (it's in the works!) but that doesn't mean businesses are not going green. In fact, several hotels have made greening their operations a priority. And, when you stay in Santa Barbara City hotels, you can rest easy knowing that 2% of the hotel tax you pay will go towards improving our water quality and restoring urban creek corridors.
Following is a list of hotels that are proactively greening their operations, as well as some unique lodging options. If you don't find what you are looking for, visit www.santabarbaraCA.com for additional hotel listings and to book on-line.
El Capitan Canyon
11560 Calle Real, Santa Barbara
805.685.3887, www.elcapitancanyon.com
This resort camping venue right across from El Capitan State Beach offers a range of accommodations including 108 luxury cedar cabins and 26 classic safari tents built on raised wooden decks with comfortable queen beds. The camp provides amenities such as healthy dinners, activities, and wellness treatments. Some of the Canyon's notable green efforts include:
1. The Canyon has a car-free policy to encourage safety for pedestrians and wildlife and to reduce noise and air pollution. Alternative forms of transportation include the complimentary shuttle service and bicycles, and walking.
2. The swimming pool is solar-heated, cutting the Canyon's heating expense by an estimated 75 percent.
3. The Canyon's native vegetation enhancement project is repopulating the surrounding landscape with native plant biodiversity, including drought-tolerant plants.
4. The El Capitan Canyon Workshop salvages fallen trees to make the Canyon's picnic tables, posts and rails, signs, stairs, and even the interior design of the Canyon Market and Deli. These trees would otherwise end up as firewood or in a chip yard.
Fess Parker's DoubleTree Resort Santa Barbara
633 East Cabrillo Boulevard, Santa Barbara
805.564.4333, 800.879.2929, www.fpdtr.com
Fess Parker’s Doubletree Resort is dedicated to contributing to the Green Practices in the community of Santa Barbara. Participation in environmentally safe and sustainable procedures includes the Laundering and Grounds maintenance as well as employee participation in recycling paper and vendor packaging throughout the resort. An Energy Conservation “Green Card” is placed in all guest rooms: one each to offer guests the choice to have bed linen or towel changes. Laundry washers are programmed with formulas which use reclaimed water for the first rinses; and final rinse water returns to replenish the reclaimed water supply. Our Landscaping Department practices include use of disease resistance plantings in lieu of pesticides, and the use of reclaimed water for all irrigation needs, with the exception of food serving areas. Mulching lawnmowers aid in supplemental nitrogen, eliminating the need for fertilization and we utilize drip irrigation where practical.
A recognized property by the CA Integrated Waste Management Board: California Green Lodging for implementing environmental policies.
Four Seasons Resort Santa Barbara
1260 Channel Drive, Santa Barbara
805.969.2261, www.fourseasons.com/santabarbara
The Green Team, a dedicated committee comprised of representatives from each department, monitors efforts to improve and maintain environmental standards including: reduction of carbon dioxide, paper reduction, vendor packaging reduction, environmental options for guests, proper waste disposal, reduction of electric consumption, recycling program and reduction of odors and noise. Achieving these standards is accomplished by creating environmentally safe procedures and educating employees to practice them in the work place. Awareness is one of the first actions taken by the Resort. Every employee, during initiation, receives formal training, which includes an explanation of the policies and procedures set in place to enhance the environment and community of Santa Barbara. The Four Seasons won a Green Award in 2006 for their practices.
Franciscan Inn
109 Bath Street, Santa Barbara
805.963.8845, www.franciscaninn.com
Green features: Linen program; irrigation drip system where possible; recirculating water heating system; low flow toilets; flow restrictors on sinks and shower heads; all green janitorial supplies; 75% of employees use public transportation or walk; recycle office paper; spa is covered at night.
Harbor View Inn
28 W. Cabrillo Boulevard, Santa Barbara
805.963.0780, www.harborviewinnsb.com
A full blown recycling property also in the process of converting the cleaning products to a Green Seal approved system. The hotel offers guests the option of not laundering their linens every day to conserve on water, energy and chemical use.
Hotel Mar Monte
1111 E. Cabrillo Boulevard, Santa Barbara
805.879.1335, www.hotelmarmonte.com
For the past 15 years, the Hotel Mar Monte has recycled their glass, aluminum and paper products. Now, they are incorporating eco-friendly elements into their guest’s stay. Bistro Eleven Eleven offers nightly organic specials. The restaurant continues to serve Monkey & Sons organic free-trade coffee to guests. The Hotel is striving to reduce the amount of trash being disposed of throughout the hotel as well as reduce energy consumption. The housekeeping department uses environmentally safe cleaning products that are “Green Seal Certified.” For additional information or to offer suggestions on how to implement other environmentally friendly features into the hotel please email bonnie@hotelmarmonte.com.
Hotel Santa Barbara
533 State Street, Santa Barbara
805. 957.9300, www.hotelsantabarbara.com
The hotel uses Green cleaning products (not exclusively however); guests may participate in the "conserve linen" program (linen washed every other day for example); we actively support the SB Car Free Program (there is a link to the Amtrak Website/SB Car Free page on our home page, and the hotel participates in trash/recycling in our offices.
Ramada Limited
4770 Calle Real, Santa Barbara
805.964.3511, www.sbramada.com
The hotel employees the “Conserve Linen” program which our guest can participate in (linens washed every other day for example). We use “Green” cleaning products whenever possible and have a recycling program for all guest rooms and offices. We actively support the “Santa Barbara Car Free” program and we are members of the “Green Hotel Association”.
West Beach Inn
306 W. Cabrillo Boulevard, Snata Barbara
805.963.4277, www.westbeachinn.com
The West Beach Inn is committed to business practices that save water, energy, and reduce solid waste. As a member of the “Green Hotels Association”, (www.greenhotels.com) the Inn encourages and supports the “greening” of the hotel industry and is eager to help Save our Planet.
