This past weekend I was in Nashville to visit with friends and family and thought it would be an opportune time to sample some of the city’s finest Southern green hospitality. The Hutton Hotel has a lot going for it, and we were delighted as soon as we entered the lobby.
TripAdvisor named the Hutton one of the ten trendiest hotels in America for 2010. Contemporary design touches are evident throughout. So too are the green design features. Below are pics of three of my favorites.
1) A digital shower heating system. It’s fun to play with and enhances the shower experience by enabling you to instantly control the exact temperature of the water. It also saves energy by not having to heat water higher than necessary.
2) A slot for the room key card which activates the lighting system. When you take your key with you upon exiting the room the lights automatically shut off. Why every hotel in America doesn’t have this system in place is a mystery to me since it not only saves energy but also saves money just like a good green solution should.
3) Bamboo furniture. This is the first hotel I’ve seen that utilizes bamboo as the principal furniture material for many pieces throughout the hotel room. Bamboo offers a terrific aesthetic and is considered one of the best materials for furniture because it grows and replenishes so quickly without the need for pesticides and insecticides. It’s often a great alternative to wood or synthetic materials.
