Sometimes I fear I’ve become a cranky bitch in my old age, but then I get so taken with this or that company that I’m afraid I’m still a naive optimist –

My latest crush: Hotel Triton. Willie, the front office manager, kindly gave me a tour (pics to come) after I emailed him, post-Treehugger review.

This hotel does some seriously cool green stuff — It’s arguably greener than my own, relatively green digs. Yes, there’s the usual stuff, like a linen & towel reuse program that many hotels have now, to save money. But it doesn’t stop there.

Seriously, Triton takes it the extra step. You know those “Do not disturb” signs for the door handles? Triton made those using old CDs. That’s right — one of those ubiquitous AOL CDs may actually serve a purpose now.

Every room has a recycling bin, and the entire hotel uses energy-saving lightbulbs. All hotel stationery’s printed on recycled paper with soy-based inks. The intensive recycling program recycles 60% of hotel wastes. Willie actually took me down to look at the huge recycling bins in the basement!

And the 7th floor is an EcoRoom floor, which offers organic towels and sheets. Not only does do these rooms offer eco-friendly Aveda bath products, they offer them in pump dispensers, dispensing with the need for those pesky little bottles and wrappers.

Which is why Hotel Triton’s been named the state model for California’s Green Lodging Program. (A directory of Cali hotels in the program)

One of the other Triton employees pointed out to me that eco-friendly does NOT mean expensive, even for a hotel. His example, using non-toxic paints (I believe Triton uses AMF Safecoat). “Most people think just about the extra cost on the front end,” he said. And yes, the paints do cost more. But with nontoxic paints, Triton can have guests in the newly-painted rooms the next day, versus 2-3 days later for “regular” paint. In the hotel biz, that means more business, more revenue.

Triton doesn’t skimp on the important stuff — Each room has an iPod dock with speakers, and every night, guests are invited to a complimentary wine reception :)

A night at Triton starts at $129. A lil pricy, considering I stayed with my friend Melvin for free during my trip, but certainly something to consider if Melvin moves back down to LA…

(An aside: Did you know the entire script for The Little Mermaid’s online? Found it while looking for cute quotes by King Triton…)

Hotel Triton. 342 Grant Ave. San Francisco. 800.800.1299.

4 Comments