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THE BOSTON PARK PLAZA HOTEL & TOWERS ANNOUNCES GREEN PRACTICES

Boston, Massachusetts, 5 May 2008—The Boston Park Plaza Hotel & Towers, a member of Historic Hotels of America, recently announced its goal to become an environmentally sensitive hotel at every level. Through its green practices, the hotel wishes to reduce their overall carbon footprint on the planet, while maintaining its immaculate luxury and elite service. The hotel’s primary concern is decreasing energy use and conserving a greater amount of resources in its day-to-day operations.

“Considering increased costs and growing environmental concerns, it is becoming increasingly more important for us to focus our efforts on conservation,” said Hotel Manager Greg White. “We have made significant improvements to our boiler system, and we want to continue to reduce the amount of water, electricity, gas, and oil that we use.”

The hotel utilizes a bi-fuel converter, which allows the hotel to purchase the most efficient natural resource to provide energy to the building. Compact florescent bulbs are used in all 941 guest rooms and suites, and motion detectors have been installed in office and meeting space to conserve energy. The hotel employs a state of the art energy management system that detects when a room is vacant, which automatically turns off the heating and/or air conditioning. The system also detects when an occupied room is vacant and automatically sets the system back to room temperature.

In addition to energy conservation, the hotel is also focusing efforts on decreasing water and paper use. The front desk uses a paperless check-in/check-out policy and the hotel makes an effort to purchase only recycled or recyclable products. Recycling containers have been added to hotel office space and operational departments for paper and plastic disposal. In regards to water conservation, the laundry department has a water reuse system in which the water is used three times before being disposed.

The food and beverage department also employs green practices, using bulk dispensers, reusable containers and reusable serving utensils, napkins and tablecloths. The department also composts biodegradable organic food waste.

Training is a primary focus in the hotel’s green practice initiative. Park Plaza employees are trained on ways that they can help with conservation and are encouraged to become involved with the hotel’s green initiatives. The hotel’s Green Team, which consists of employees from different departments, meets weekly to discuss conservation ideas and issues. Upcoming projects include installing a “green roof” to decrease energy heating and cooling costs.

The hotel has not only increased their green efforts at the operational level, but has also offered guests the chance to do their part in conserving resources. Guests have the option to reuse towels and bed linen instead of having them changed daily through the hotel’s Green Linen program. Park Plaza’s Green Newspaper Delivery Program allows guests the option to have a daily newspaper delivered to their room. Guests have the opportunity to minimize green house gases—the hotel is located one block from both the subway and bus transportation and is within walking distance to many restaurants, shops and attractions, eliminating the need to drive.

The Park Plaza’s marketing is also targeting green practices, by offering environmentally friendly packages. The Go Green Package features an eco-friendly bike tour around Boston, while the Hybrid Package, rewards guests who drive Hybrid cars with complimentary overnight valet parking.

“It is everyone’s responsibility to conserve natural resources,” said White. “We want to have a positive impact on the global environment.”

About the Hotel:

The Boston Park Plaza Hotel & Towers is completing a $5 million room renovation that updates the technology and comfort of guestrooms while preserving the hotel’s historic integrity. Built in 1927, The Boston Park Plaza Hotel & Towers is a member of Historic Hotel of America, and a recipient of Successful Meetings Pinnacle Award for delivering excellence in meetings. Some of the city’s top restaurants can be found at The Boston Park Plaza Hotel & Towers including Todd English’s Bonfire Steakhouse, Swan’s Café, Whiskey Park, McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant and M.J. O’Connor’s Irish Pub-- a restaurant to suit virtually every taste. With an unmatched location for business and leisure travel, this historic hotel is adjacent to the Public Garden with its Swan Boats and Boston Common. Boutiques, art galleries, restaurants and cafes along famous Newbury Street, are just one block away. Rich in history, the hotel offers the same hospitality and service that has attracted United States Presidents, international business leaders and celebrities for the past 81 years.