Hotels Food
A Virtual Education Preview from Solution Providers
A Virtual Education Preview from Solution Providers

How does an industry that is required to offer a relaxed, discreet, unobtrusive, and unencumbered experience for guests and members, reconcile those goals with offering guests and members a secure environment? Every company is responsible for creating and maintaining a safe environment for its employees.

Understanding that there is potential for danger, hospitality properties need to counter it with preemptive response planning. It is imperative for organizations to implement appropriate security measures, collaborate with local authorities and train staff in proper prevention and reaction methods.

Employers can provide a safe and secure working environment by using a thorough security system including access control systems, CCTVs, keycards, and emergency notification devices, along with training the employees about security procedures, and constant improvement of a safety management system program.

HFTP recently hosted a webinar entitled “Safety Systems and Devices” that focused on some of these security measures and devices designed for the hospitality industry to keep people safe and properly protected. The panel for the webinar included representatives from companies who will be exhibiting their safety solutions in the exhibit hall at HITEC® Toronto 2023. Keep reading for advice from the solution providers who participated in the webinar.

HITEC Toronto will be held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, June 26-29. (Visit the HITEC website for a complete list of the 300+ hospitality technology companies that will be exhibiting at HITEC this year. Register to attend today.)

Did you miss the live “Safety Systems and Devices” webinar? Visit the HFTP 2023 Virtual Education Archive Library to watch the recorded session.

Exploring Smart Safety Solutions with:

  • Fiona Moloney, CEO at HelloSOS (Visit HITEC Booth #2533)
  • Lucie Deuel, CEO at SIGFLOW
  • Sandy Murray Hanson, VP of Sales, Hospitality at ROAR (Visit HITEC Booth #1905a)
  • David Branca, NE Regional Sales Manager at PinPoint (Visit HITEC Booth #1150a)

Statistics show that by the year 2025, it is estimated that there will be more than 75 billion IoT connected devices in use. We are in the midst of a digital transformation right now, and IoT is leading the way with solutions such as panic buttons, asset tracking, energy usage monitoring, and more. IoT sensors are solving unique and complex monitoring challenges by combining an intelligent network of sensors and gateways with industry-leading monitoring applications, real-time reporting, and instant SMS text message alerts. It is now possible to connect your sensor data to any platform, deploy plug and play solutions, and manage all sensor activity through a single pane of glass.

These IoT devices include wearable panic buttons that are designed to protect hotel workers who may find themselves alone in vulnerable or dangerous situations and can send emergency, location-tracking alerts with the push of a button. According to PinPoint, “hospitality is in the top five most dangerous industries to work in,” with significant percentages of hotel workers indicating: sexual harassment (58 percent), indecent exposure (49 percent), and verbal abuse or violence (10 percent) from guests or customers.

Smart wearables like panic button devices should allow communication between teams, emergency alerts, crisis communication, smart messaging and scalability. When considering this technology, look for a solution that is:

  • Developed for the people who are using it.
  • Designed with integrity by people who care and is simple to use, private and secure.
  • A truly mobile and smart safety solution that cannot be knocked off or removed easily, is discreet to guests, and easy and comfortable to use.
  • Multifunctional (able to do more than one thing).

Other important considerations should be made, as well:

  • The product should work within the confines of your current business operations.
  • Consider the power source. Can it be unplugged, what is the battery life, and is the hardware discrete to guests?
  • Confirm the solution’s accuracy and speed, both indoors and outdoors, during active threats (this is paramount!).
  • Determine the level of redundancy provided.
  • Does it offer teamwide communication, room messaging, improving operations and scalability?
  • Is it Union-tested, does it pass these tests, and does it comply with brand standards?
  • Are references provided?

Finally, there are a few things you can do for your end throughout the selection and implementation of a new solution:

  • Have your priorities and a plan in place, rather than expecting a solution provider to come up with these for you.
  • Perform regular updates and equipment checks, much like changing the oil in your car.
  • Make sure your staff understands the system, how and when to use it – as well as the culture behind your protocols. Your staff should have confidence in the system. It will only work as well as your staff understands the protocols and procedures behind it.

For more valuable information, watch the webinar recording or feel free to reach out to any of the companies who contributed their knowledge of these security technologies.

Hotels Food
Thank You Booking.com For Showing Us The Future

For the last five years, travel has been all about sustainability, recovery, and – for the last few weeks – generative AI. And while all of these are highly relevant topics, there’s only one thing that ties them together – Diversity, and knowing that each person is different and is looking for unique and personalized experiences that cater to their individual needs and preferences.

This is where, at the recently concluded Click. 2023 event, Booking.com showed us the future of travel and hospitality.

The Changing Traveler and the Future of Travel

The 2023 Travel Predictions by Booking.com showcased at the event highlighting the importance of customization. And here’s how the hoteliers can leverage these trends to stay on top.

1. 55% of travelers are planning to spend their vacations off the grid.

As most travelers are looking for off-grid style vacations to escape reality in 2023, a rise in eco-friendly stays that embrace natural surroundings and sustainability is expected.

For those hotels who have already been investing in sustainability, it is pivotal to make the guests aware of the same. They can do so by indicating the sustainability practices implemented on the extranet, which can then be displayed on their property page on booking.com as part of its Travel Sustainable Programme.


Read Also: How Green is your Hotel? Do Good and Show it to the World – on Google


2. 42% of travelers will focus on mental health and mindfulness.

While highlighting the wellness facilities that the hotel currently offers – such as spas, gyms, etc. – is pivotal to drive growth for businesses, it is also important to partner with local businesses outside that provide additional wellness experiences. These additional experiences can then be offered to the guests.

Hotels can also share information about local groups or attractions that might be relevant to certain niche groups – either pre-trip (window between the booking and the actual trip), or during the stay with the help of guest engagement solutions.

3. 43% of travelers will use virtual reality to find travel inspiration.

Metaverse, and virtual or augmented reality offer people a new way to experience travel. While 43% of global travelers claim that technology will inspire their 2023 travel choices, 60% of travelers still believe that such experiences are unlikely to be replaced by in-person travel any time soon.

Investing in high-quality images and extended reality content such as virtual property tours can make the hotel property stand out, and help potential guests imagine themselves in these properties. Thereby inspiring them to experience the stay in the physical world as well.

4. The future of travel and hospitality lies in the understanding that each person is different.

The bold & impressive stance around DE&I was truly the highlight of the event. At the event, Booking.com showed us that it is this diversity that makes travel so exciting and enriching.

The tagline at the photo – “We filter places, not people.” – encapsulates the idea that diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the core of travel. It is through experiences that we get to know different people and cultures, and it is essential that we provide customized experiences that cater to the needs of different individuals and groups.

Here are four tips for hoteliers who might not be already doing this:

a. Show all your facilities that meet the accessibility requirements

Hoteliers should highlight the accessibility features of their facilities and services, such as wheelchair ramps, bathroom grab bars, and designated parking spaces for those who may have mobility needs. They should also showcase their staff’s training to provide assistance to guests who require support and offer information on nearby accessible attractions and transportation options. This information can be prominently displayed on their website and in promotional materials to ensure that all guests feel welcomed and valued.

b. Make your content more gender-neutral and diverse

It is crucial for hoteliers to create content that is inclusive and welcoming to all guests, regardless of gender identity or expression. They can use gender-neutral language in their descriptions of amenities and services to make sure they don’t alienate guests with different gender identities. Hoteliers should also consider creating separate rooms or spaces for guests who don’t feel comfortable staying in traditional male or female accommodations.

c. Show diversity through images

Hoteliers should showcase diversity in their promotional materials, including images of guests from different backgrounds, ethnicities and cultures. These images can be displayed on their website, social media accounts, and marketing materials to show potential guests that they are welcome and included in the hotel’s community. They can also highlight local cultural events and activities to encourage guests to explore and learn about the diversity of the surrounding area.

d. Share information around local groups or attractions that might be relevant to certain niche groups

For hotels that attract guests from different countries, it is important to provide information in multiple languages. This includes translating their website, brochures, and other marketing materials into the languages ​​that their potential guests speak. Hoteliers should also consider hiring multilingual staff to assist guests who don’t speak the local language. By providing these services, hoteliers can ensure that all guests feel comfortable and included during their stay.

The Click. 2023 event by Booking.com was indeed an incredible experience that showed us the future of travel and hospitality. The onus is upon us to embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion in the travel industry, and deliver the perfect experience for every guest.


About the Author

Mark Haywood who is the SVP and GM for Europe and Africa for RateGainMark Haywood
SVP & General Manager – Europe and Africa
RateGain

Hotels Food
Expedia Recognizes RateGain as an Elite Connectivity Partner for 2023

Dallas, 16th March 2023: RateGain Travel Technologies Limited, a global provider of SaaS solutions for travel and hospitality, today announced its Elite Connectivity Partners status with the Expedia Group.

The Expedia Group recognizes and rewards a select few connectivity partners who achieved excellent results on various performance metrics, such as maintaining high-quality connections and helping lodging partners grow their business on the Expedia Group marketplace. This also means that RateGain will work directly with the Expedia Group to help shape their future products and technology solutions.

Comment on the achievements, Chinmai Sharma, President – ​​Americas at RateGain, said, “Our goal is to provide excellent travel experiences to the guests while maximizing revenue opportunities for our lodging partners. We are delighted to receive the topmost connectivity partner status with Expedia; a recognition that shows our passion and commitment to solving the connectivity challenges for the industry.”

Expedia’s Connectivity Partner Program recognizes and rewards top connectivity providers for maintaining high-quality connections and helping lodging partners grow their business on the Expedia Group marketplace. To be eligible for Elite status, Expedia Group connectivity providers are rated on several technical and business criteria. Rate Gain earned the Elite status for its commitment to:

  • Improving traveler experiences on Expedia Group websites
  • Enabling a wide range of tools and capabilities integrated with the Expedia Group travel platform
  • Providing a quality connection with a reliable user experience
  • Ensuring a streamlined onboarding experience and high-quality support for properties
  • Empowering business growth for our clients on Expedia Group websites

“RateGain has proven itself a top-class hospitality solution for lodging properties by providing them with the best tools and user experiences,” said Chris Hodges, Senior Director of Expedia Group Lodging Connectivity. “We congratulate them on their Elite status and are excited to continue working closely with them to unlock more capabilities so that our mutual hotel and vacation rental partners can focus on what matters most – delivering outstanding experiences to their guests.”

About Expedia Group

Expedia Group, Inc. companies power travel for everyone, everywhere through our global platform. Driven by the core belief that travel is a force for good, we help people experience the world in new ways and build lasting connections. We provide industry-leading technology solutions to fuel partner growth and success while facilitating memorable experiences for travelers. Our organization is made up of four pillars: Expedia Services, focused on the group’s platform and technical strategy; Expedia Marketplace, centered on product and technology offerings across the organization; Expedia Brands, housing all our consumer brands; and Expedia for Business, consisting of business-to-business solutions and relationships throughout the travel ecosystem. The Expedia Group family of brands includes: Expedia®, Hotels.com®, Expedia® Partner Solutions, Vrbo®, trivago®, Orbitz®, Travelocity®, Hotwire®, Wotif®, ebookers®, CheapTickets®, Expedia Group™ Media Solutions , CarRentals.com™, and Expedia Cruises™.

About RateGain

RateGain Travel Technologies Limited is a global provider of SaaS solutions for travel and hospitality that works with 2800+ customers and 700+ partners in 100+ countries helping them accelerate revenue generation through acquisition, retention, and wallet share expansion.

RateGain today is one of the world’s largest processors of electronic transactions, price points, and travel intent data helping revenue management, distribution and marketing teams across hotels, airlines, meta-search companies, package providers, car rentals, travel management companies, cruises and ferries drive better outcomes for their business. Founded in 2004 and headquartered in India, today RateGain works with Top 23 of 30 Hotel Chains, Top 25 of 30 Online Travel Agents, and all the top car rentals including 8 Global Fortune 500 companies in unlocking new revenue every day. For more information, please visit https://www.rategain.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this document relating to future status, events, or circumstances, including but not limited to statements about plans and objectives, the progress and results of research and development, potential project characteristics, project potential, and target dates for project-related issues are forward-looking statements based on estimates and the anticipated effects of future events on current and developing circumstances. Such statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties and are not necessarily predictive of future results. Actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. The company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changed assumptions or other factors.

Contact Media

Ankit Chaturvedi
[email protected]
Global Head-Marketing

Hotels Food
Bhanu Chopra Recognized As ‘Founder Of The Year’ At Entrepreneur India’s Startup 2023 Awards

Noida, March 14th, 2023: RateGain Travel Technologies Limited, a global provider of SaaS solutions for the hospitality and travel industry, announced today that its Founder and Managing Director, Bhanu Chopra, has been recognized as ‘Founder of the Year‘ at the recently concluded Startup Awards powered by Entrepreneur India.

In its fourth year now, the Startup Awards have been recognizing the best talent in the startup world since 2018 and have seen leading startups compete for recognition every year, where winners are decided by an eminent and diverse jury.

Today India is the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem, with more than 84,012 recognized startups as of 30 November 2022. In this 75th year of independence, the number of recognized startups has increased from 452 in 2016 to 75,000. In the last year, more startups are focusing on profitability and longevity.

RateGain’s founder Bhanu Chopra has operated RateGain profitably since its inception, and, owing to its strong fundamentals, is witnessing healthy growth in a volatile environment; creating an example for the startup ecosystem to follow for scaling their business and building a competitive advantage.

Speaking on the occasion, Bhanu ChopraFounder and Managing Director, RateGain – said, “I am truly humbled by this recognition. The last few years have been a great learning curve for all of us, with every founder, old and new, facing some sort of challenge in doing business. Our journey at RateGain over the last three years has also been transformative, and it would not have been possible for us to achieve new heights without the amazing team that works with me at RateGain.”

Entrepreneur India is committed to creating an extraordinary community of diverse people who are architecting a better tomorrow. It is part of Entrepreneur media which is visited by over 20 million readers every month and for the last five decades has been a leading publication that startups and founders rely on for insights

About RateGain

RateGain Travel Technologies Limited is a global provider of SaaS solutions for travel and hospitality that works with 2800+ customers and 700+ partners in 100+ countries helping them accelerate revenue generation through acquisition, retention, and wallet share expansion.

RateGain today is one of the world’s largest processors of electronic transactions, price points, and travel intent data helping revenue management, distribution and marketing teams across hotels, airlines, meta-search companies, package providers, car rentals, travel management companies, cruises and ferries drive better outcomes for their business. Founded in 2004 and headquartered in India, today RateGain works with Top 23 of 30 Hotel Chains, Top 25 of 30 Online Travel Agents, and all the top car rentals including 8 Global Fortune 500 companies in unlocking new revenue every day. For more information, please visit https://www.rategain.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this document relating to future status, events, or circumstances, including but not limited to statements about plans and objectives, the progress and results of research and development, potential project characteristics, project potential, and target dates for project-related issues are forward-looking statements based on estimates and the anticipated effects of future events on current and developing circumstances. Such statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties and are not necessarily predictive of future results. Actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. The company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changed assumptions or other factors.

Contact Media

Ankit Chaturvedi
[email protected]
Global Head-Marketing

Hotels Food
International Travel Tips Ahead of HITEC Toronto 2023
International Travel Tips Ahead of HITEC Toronto 2023

Last year, hospitality professionals from 46 countries across the globe traveled to Orlando, Florida USA for HITEC North America. Will your HITEC journey be transnational in 2023? Here are some valuable travel tips to help non-Canadian attendees prepare for the upcoming trip to HITEC Toronto, taking place June 26-29 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. You can also visit cbsa.gc.ca and cic.gc.ca for more information on traveling to Canada.

ENSURE YOU HAVE THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS IN ADVANCE.

Make sure you have all proper, up-to-date travel documents to enter Canada as a visitor. According to the Government of Canada, international visitors to the country require acceptable identification and possibly a valid visa or eTA. A passport is recommended “because it is the only reliable and universally-accepted travel and identification document for the purpose of international travel” (CBSA Travel Tips).

Passport Tips

If you are bringing your passport as identification, verify that it is valid and in good physical condition. If you do not have a passport already, it is advised that you start the application process now, as it can take several weeks or months to receive your final document. For more passport information, visit the following informational websites: United States; europe; United Arab Emirates.

Do you need an eTA?

Some visa-exempt foreign nationals who fly to or transit through Canada will need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). Exceptions include US citizens and travelers with a valid Canadian visa. Canadian citizens, including dual citizens, and Canadian permanent residents cannot apply for an eTA. Learn more and find out if you need an eTA by visiting the official Government of Canada website.

It is important to have the proper documentation so that you are not delayed or refused entry into Canada. Click here to learn more about travel documentation and entry requirements by country.

HITEC Supporting Documents

If you require additional support to travel to HITEC, HFTP (the event producer) has provided the following documentation:

Do you have any questions regarding these documents? Please email [email protected] for more information.

Additional Travel Tips: Make two photocopies of all your travel documents in case of emergency. Leave one copy with a trusted friend or relative at home and carry the other separately from your original documents in case of loss or theft. (Travel.State.Gov Traveler’s Checklist)

GET TO KNOW THE LOCAL CURRENCY.

The Canadian dollar (CAD) is the official currency of Canada. It is sometimes listed as CAN$ or C$. There are 100 cents to every Canadian dollar. Canadian coins come in all different sizes, shapes and colors. They include the nickel (five cents), dime (10 cents), quarter (25 cents) and dollar or “loonie” ($1). Paper money includes the blue $5 bill, the purple $10 bill, the green $20 bill, the red $50 bill, and the brown $100 bill. Learn more facts about Canadian currency online.

Monetary Conversion

You can use this currency converter through the Bank of Canada to determine current exchange rates. Do the math before you make the trip so you can be prepared financially for expenditures in the local currency.

Make sure to notify your bank and credit card companies in advance of your upcoming travels, so that their fraud alerts are not triggered by the unusual geographical activity.

Tipping in Canada

According to the Government of Canada website, the standard tip is usually 15 percent of the total bill in exchange for good service provided in places such as restaurants, hotels, bars, taxis, etc.

Additional Travel Tips: When traveling in new countries, it is wise to carry local cash, as not every place will accept credit cards – especially important for situations where public transportation is required. Also, use the bank or local automated banking machines (ABMs) to withdraw cash, if necessary; conversion centers around the city or in the airport may be overpriced. It is advised to change money into Canadian dollars before you depart for your trip.

ENSURE YOUR SAFETY WHILE ABROAD.

As you should with any travel to a foreign country, get to know the entry/exit requirements, local laws, customs and medical care system in advance. While Canada is generally considered a safe place to both live and visit, you should always exercise routine precautions to ensure your personal safety while traveling. Did you know? 911 is the emergency telephone number in Canada.

Additional Travel Tips: US citizens and nationals can enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) and receive important information from the US Embassy about safety conditions in the destination country and provide contact with the US Embassy in the case of an emergency. You can also monitor US travel advisories by destination (currently, Canada is listed as “level 1: exercise normal precautions.”)

MAKE APPROPRIATE HEALTH/MEDICAL CONSIDERATIONS.

Find a complete list here of current Covid-19 travel, testing and border requirements for travel to Canada. To date, travelers entering Canada are not required to provide proof of Covid-19 vaccination or pre-board testing. There is an exception: Covid-19 pre-boarding test is now required for air travel from China, Hong Kong and Macao (as of January 5, 2023). Click here to learn more about these special pre-boarding test requirements.

Vaccinations: It is recommended that you are up to date on all routine vaccinations before each trip. Visit the US CDC website for additional health-related information prior to your trip to Canada.

Medications: Ensure that you have renewed all your necessary prescriptions in advance and obtain an official letter from your doctor for any medications you plan to cross borders with. Please note that some countries have strict laws in place regarding prescription medications. You can contact Canada’s embassy to verify the legality of your prescriptions before you travel with them.

PERHAPS MOST IMPORTANTLY… ENJOY YOUR EXPERIENCE ABROAD IN THE THRIVING CITY OF TORONTO.

Destination Toronto has all the information you need to know about the city you’ll be visiting this summer when you attend HITEC North America 2023. Start planning your travel agenda today with a look at these must-see attractions. Housing for HITEC Toronto is now open, so you can also reserve your hotel room.

Then, stay tuned to HFTP Connect next month – when we take a much closer look at the city of Toronto and all that HITEC attendees have to offer.

Resources to Consider:

Hotels Food
How to find an eco-friendly hotel
A hotel bed.

A hotel bed. Illustrated | Getty Images

You reduce, reuse, and recycle at home. And when it’s time to stay in a hotel, your desire to be as good to the planet as possible doesn’t go away. But finding an “eco-friendly” hotel can be a challenge. There’s a lot more to reducing a property’s environmental footprint than asking guests to reuse their towels. Hotels need to find ways to conserve energy, reduce water use and waste, source products from local vendors, and eliminate items like single-use plastic.

It’s important to be on the lookout for buzzwords and claims that can’t be backed up with receipts. Some hotels might tout themselves as being green, but their only offering is an electric vehicle charging station. A property that is actually walking the walk will explain its initiatives and share its water and energy reports, which will detail how much each is saved.

There are other questions to ask about an eco-friendly property: What is its waste management plan? Does it source food and other products locally? Does it give back to its local community and pay its staff a fair wage? Does the hotel have LEED certification from the US Building Council, or other official accreditations? If you want to know more or need clarification on any topic, call the hotel and ask to speak with someone who can answer your queries.

Here are a handful of hotels working to reduce their environmental footprints:

1 San Francisco Hotels

At 1 San Francisco Hotels, sustainability meets luxury. The property, open since June 2022, is inspired by nature, and embraces the idea of ​​indoor/outdoor living, with preserved plants and driftwood in the inviting rooms and public spaces. Joel Costa, director of sales and marketing at 1 Hotel San Francisco, told The Week designers utilized locally sourced and repurposed materials for the property, with the lobby flooring consisting of 7,000 square feet of reclaimed barn wood and each guest elevator landing made of redwood lumber from the original San Francisco Bay Bridge. There are also gentle reminders for guests on steps they can take to conserve water, like the 5-minute timers in the showers, and through the 1 Less Thing program, they can leave behind extra clothing and accessories, which is donated to the St. Anthony Foundation, a local social services organization.

A king suite at the 1 Hotel San Francisco.

A king suite at the 1 Hotel San Francisco.

Courtesy of 1 Hotel San Francisco

The hotel’s restaurant, Terrene, primarily uses ingredients sourced from within 100 miles, “and we’re fortunate to be in Northern California, where this is possible,” Costa said. The greens don’t have to travel far — they come from the chef’s rooftop garden — and several of the cocktails on the menu are zero-waste. “In the kitchen, we divert about 71 percent of our waste out of landfills,” Costa said, through composting and recycling. The 1 Hotel San Francisco is under certification review for a LEED gold standard hotel.

Catherine Garcia was a guest of 1 Hotel San Francisco. Nightly room rates start at $490.

The Nature Inn at Bald Eagle

Located inside the Bald Eagle State Park, the Nature Inn at Bald Eagle offers a one-of-a-kind experience. There are lake views, forest views, and garden views, all from the comfort of this LEED Gold property in Howard, Pennsylvania. The hotel uses GeoThermal heating and cooling, and its 2,800-gallon rain water harvesting system is used to flush the toilets. Several of the windows are made from fritted glass to reduce bird strikes, and the Forest Stewardship Council certified white oak grown in the state was used to create the mission-style furniture found throughout the property. The patio furniture is made of recycled aluminum, and the counters at the front desk and library were constructed from sunflower seed hulls.

Nightly room rates are seasonal, and start at $115 in the winter.

The Allison Inn & Spa

the Allison Inn & Spa in Newberg, Oregon, is a well-oiled green machine. It received its LEED Gold Certification less than a year after opening in 2009, and since then has been adding to its eco-friendly initiatives. The hotel, which uses solar panels to heat the water used in the spa and across the property, has eliminated the use of plastic bottles and Styrofoam, focuses on bulk products rather than single-use items, and instead of air conditioners, turns to Mother Nature , opening windows so the breeze can cool things down. At the on-site Jory Restaurant, many of the dishes contain ingredients from the chef’s 1.5-acre garden and greenhouse, a welcome addition to the already lush grounds.

Nightly room rates start at $555.

Inn by the Sea

Right on the coast, the Inn by the Sea in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, with its lovely gardens that serve as habitat for wildlife and butterflies, is a charmer. The hotel has Silver LEED certification, and the goal of maximizing its eco-friendly offerings in order to minimize its footprint. The pool is heated by solar panels, while the spa’s sheet rock walls and cork flooring are made of recycled materials. The on-site Sea Glass restaurant works with local fishermen and farmers to get sustainable fish from the Gulf of Maine and organic produce, and all food waste is composted. The Inn by the Sea also partners with local schools by purchasing books from their wish lists and making donations to local environmental organizations.

Nightly room rates start at $284.50.

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