Sustainability is on the Menu in Seattle Southside

Before promoting destinations, Mark Everton was a hotel manager with over three decades of experience and one guiding principle always stood at the forefront of operations: “Make the guest happy!” Traditionally, this philosophy translated into providing an abundance of amenities and conveniences, from bottled water at every turn to to frequent service with fresh towels, bed sheets and robes that were all washed daily, to daily replenishments of those tiny toiletry bottles we've all come to expect. The notion of sustainability? Hardly a blip on our radar. Luxury was measured by the quantity of goods provided, a testament to the excesses that defined hospitality. Sustainability was just not “on the menu.”

Shifting Tides: The Emergence of Sustainability
However, the landscape began to shift, catalyzed by a growing environmental awareness and accelerated by the economic implications of the Covid-19 pandemic. The industry found itself at a crossroads, balancing the mission to delight guests with the urgent need to conserve resources. What emerged was a profound transformation in both hotel operations and guest expectations.

The New Guest Expectations
Today's travelers seek a reflection of their own values in their accommodation choices. The sight of water pitchers in meeting rooms, recycle bins in their room, the use of multi-use dispensers, and a broader acceptance of practices like reusing towels and linens mirror the sustainable habits guests practice at home. The luxury once defined by abundance has given way to a new paradigm where care for the planet is an integral part of the guest experience.

Leading the Change: Seattle Southside's Sustainable Hospitality
This evolution towards sustainability is not merely a moral choice; it represents a strategic economic decision. In conversations with the general managers of SeaTac’s leading hotels: Hilton Seattle Airport, Seattle Airport Marriott, Crowne Plaza Seattle Airport, and DoubleTree by Hilton Seattle Airport, it's clear that our local industry leaders are not just participating in this shift—they're at the forefront of it. From converting shuttle fleets to natural gas and electric that run on a schedule instead of on-demand, eliminating multiple trips with 1-2 passengers, to implementing carbon dashboards that track and transparently report consumption data, these actions signify a profound commitment to environmental stewardship. The property leadership’s compensation is based on their sustainability success!

Remarkable Results: The Impact of Sustainable Measures
The results of these efforts are nothing short of remarkable. By diverting thousands of used bars of soap to organizations like ‘Clean The World,’ our hotels contribute to global health initiatives, simultaneously addressing waste and supporting hygiene in underserved communities. The benefits extend to significant reductions in electricity and water usage, underscoring the impact of these sustainability measures. Enough electricity is saved it could power 1,000 homes. And, water consumption is down by 66 million gallons because of water-reuse systems in the back-of-house and mechanical equipment.

The journey from a culture of excess to one of conservation underscores a pivotal change in the hospitality industry. As we continue to forge ahead, the hotels of Seattle Southside stand as beacons of progress, demonstrating that sustainability is indeed “on the menu.” So, the next time you encounter one of those little bars of soap in your hotel room, remember: it represents a small piece of a much larger, more impactful story.

Seattle Southside’s commitment to sustainability is a call to action for all of us, inviting guests, stakeholders, and the broader community to witness the transformative power of responsible hospitality. The path we’ve embarked upon is not just about making guests happy; it’s about ensuring a happier planet for generations to come.