(CNN) — As we wrap up the final months of 2022 and look ahead to a new year, there’s a buzz phrase that’s gaining steam in the world of sustainable travel: net-zero hotels. In other words, accommodations that are powered entirely by renewable energy sources.As big hotel groups move at a sluggish pace in reducing carbon emissions, a few smaller players are taking the green lead and tackling the climate challenge head-on, boldly committing to a net-zero future well ahead of government targets.Forget carbon neutral. Soon that term will be passé. Net-zero goes much further than simply paying someone else to offset emissions while still relying on fossil fuels for heating and cooling.Here’s a look at six hotels and resorts that are leading the way.
Hotel Marcel, New Haven, Connecticut
The new Hotel Marcel New Haven, part of the Tapestry Collection by Hilton, is a 165-room hotel inside the city’s iconic Pirelli building that’s “powered solely by the sun” and is fusing a legendary past with a climate-first future.
It operates independent of fossil fuels, resulting in zero carbon emissions.The hotel is expected to be certified as the first net-zero hotel in the US, while also receiving LEED Platinum and Passive House certifications. (Hotel reps tell CNN the net-zero certification process requires 12 months of third-party verification and monitoring of various systems.)”
Fossil fuels are really a 20th-century technology, and they are more expensive to use now,” says Bruce Becker, the architect-developer behind Hotel Marcel.”
A net-zero hotel is really self-sufficient and makes all the energy it uses. The brutalist landmark was transformed using smart building technology, from thermal insulation to an energy recovery system and air-source heat pumps that transfer outside air indoors. Again, this means 80% energy savings, with no skimping on style.
“Over 1,000 solar panels generate all the electricity to meet the needs of the building,” says Becker.”Solar panels covering the rooftop and parking canopies provide 100% of electricity for lighting, heating, cooling, and electric car charging stations.”
Behind its gridded concrete facade, the Hilton Tapestry Collection hotel boasts walnut furniture, white terracotta tiles and Bauhaus geometric print rugs — all custom-designed.The rooms have touchpad controls for controlling temperature, lighting, and automatic shades. Triple-glazed windows and dramatic views of Long Island Sound meet curated art, retro lights and original wood-paneled walls.
