The Westin South Coast Plaza Goes Green

Going, going, going green! The Westin South Coast Plaza, located in Costa Mesa, has recently been honored with the Green Seal Environmental Standard for Lodging Properties – Bronze for achieving stringent environmental and performance requirements.

Green Seal, a 20-year-old independent, non-profit organization dedicated to creating a more sustainable world, bestowed the designation upon the hotel. Green Seal has created a rigorous, science-based environmental standard for the hotel industry, which includes nearly three dozen environmentally responsible criteria. The hotel is the only one in Orange County to receive the designation.

As part of the certification process, the extensively remodeled hotel underwent a comprehensive audit covering nearly every aspect of its operation. These included a review of the hotel’s practices regarding minimizing, reusing and recycling waste;

energy efficiency, conservation and management; management of fresh water resources; waste water management; handling of any hazardous substances; and

environmentally sensitive purchasing.

“We are proud to have received this important designation and want to set an example for others to follow by doing our part for the environment,” said Mike Hall, the hotel’s general manager.

“Given that the average hotel purchases more products in one week than one hundred families typically do in a year, we can all make quite a difference in saving valuable natural resources and protecting hotel guests and staff from environmental toxins from products ranging from cleaners to paint to floor coverings,” he said.

But recycling is nothing new for The Westin. Hall said that in 2009, The Westin recycled more than 16,000 tons of paper, 6,000 pounds of glass, 900 pounds of aluminum, and 1,500 pounds of plastic. The hotel will now pursue Green Seal’s Silver designation.

The hotel’s $20 million renovation included new guestrooms that exude an inviting residential feeling and are furnished with a host of convenient amenities like high-speed Internet access, flat screen plasma televisions, the Westin “Heavenly Bed” and the relaxing “Heavenly Bath.”

The lobby, public spaces and meeting rooms have been completely redesigned, and a Terrace Level with relaxing outdoor space and a striking 5,100-square-foot pavilion that features insulated walls, an air and heating system, new carpeting, an accent wall and new chandeliers was added. Other upgrades include a wedding gazebo to comfortably accommodate up to 250 people, and a “Grab ‘n Go” coffee/bakery/retail shop to offer guests the ultimate in convenience.

The Westin South Coast Plaza is located at 686 Anton Boulevard in Costa Mesa, California. For reservations and information, call (714) 540-2500 or visit westin.com/southcoastplaza.