The Jury's In: Boston Hotel Goes Green

Need a place to crash in Beantown? As of September 1st, Jurys Boston Hotel in scenic Back Bay is offsetting 100 percent of its electricity by purchasing certified renewable energy credits. Sound too good to be true? It doesn't stop there. The in-house restaurant buys local produce whenever possible; an Ozone laundry system cuts down on chemical and hot water use; housekeeping uses environmentally friendly cleaning supplies; and Energy Star appliances—including water-conserving showerheads and compact fluorescent lighting—are ubiquitous.

Jurys is the first hotel in Boston to completely offset its electricity, and it's leading the pack compared to most hotels nationwide. How can they afford it? Jurys uses almost one-third less energy than similar buildings and saves more than $200,000, according to the EPA, which gave the hotel an Energy Star rating last year.

But conserving energy doesn't make this hotel (rooms start at $250) any less luxurious. Housed in a 1920s building that is the former location of the Boston Police Headquarters, this 225-room hotel offers AAA four-diamond amenities and a fantastic location, just a few blocks from Boston Common. From the Irish bar Cuffs, a nod to the hotel's heritage, to the lobby's unique wall fountain and posh, Turkish cotton bathrobes in each room, IT can't wait to splurge on a New England getaway.

Comments

[Mala Mukunda]

Refreshing news! Such buildings can be instrumental in bringing down the ‘Urban Heat Island’ effect, commonly caused by huge city developments. Businesses supporting environmental causes should proudly patronize these earth friendly ventures. At a time when conservation in hotels is restricted to reusing towels and soaps, Jury’s Boston Hotel has definitely raised the bar.
Mala Mukunda
Live The Dream…Tell The Tale
http://www.traveling-stories-magazine.com/

[Evelyn]

This is not the first time that I have seen "green" businesses (especially hotels) mentioned! I think this is very encouraging to see it more than once. I hope it continues to spread. Epidemics don't get much better than this! Thank you for sharing this story!