Element Launches Green Hotels Nation-wide

Starwood Inc., known for their ubiquitous Sheraton Hotels and 'dance club gigolo' looking W brand has launched a new eco-chic line of hotels called Element. The new eco hotels have opened in five states, with plans to open in 10 more including New York as well as one international location in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Element does not slack on green features. To start with, all hotels are built to LEED green building standards. The rooms have carpets made from recycled materials, are painted with non-toxic paint and feature art work made from recycled rubber tires. All lights are energy efficient and toilets and sinks are low-flow, saving lots of water. The rooms are stocked only with organic food and the hotel offers free shuttle service to nearby farmers markets. They even have bikes that guests can borrow to cut down on local driving!

By far the best feature from TapIt's perspective is the lack of bottled water. Instead of tons of single serve water bottles in the mini-bar, each room features a faucet fitted with a water filter so you can fill your own water bottle. Does life get any better?

While other Starwood brands don't have these commendable green features, the company claims that Element is a testing ground for all it's brands. And the cool thing about Element is, you can add to the green with your regular hotel guest training - hang your towels so they're not replaced each day and put the little card on the bed so they won't change the sheets. Now you can really have a dirty weekend!