Designers in Charge of Environmental Action

Specifically I'm talking about energy-efficient lighting. When I brought up the lack of compact fluorescent lighting in halls, guestrooms, bathrooms and meeting rooms, the overwhelming response was that the decorators wouldn't allow them because it changed the colors of their decorating. I was dumbfounded, as were some of the managers that designers had say over what environmental actions the hotel took. Rather than research the various colors different compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL) emit, and suggest specific brands, the designers just banned the bulbs. And the owners and operators allowed it!

What else are "green" hotels doing to pacify designers and decorators? Using formaldehyde-based furnishings and finishes because they are the right style and color? Avoiding sustainable fabrics for sheets, towels, curtains and bedspreads because they don't fit some notion the designer had in mind?

What about using natural mattresses and pillows, or providing fresh air for guests? Do designers control how healthy the guestrooms are and the quality of sleep your guests experience? Who is making the decisions about low VOC paints and finishes used in the hotel's guestrooms, common areas and meeting rooms, much less in the offices?

It seems that if a hotel is going to be green and present themselves that way to the world, the hotel owner and/or operator should be the ones to direct the designers and decorators as to the requirements of the job and the desired end result. When a hotel doesn't even take the "easy" green steps is being a green hotel, like using CFLs in guestrooms and having low-flow fixtures, the negative message sent to guests who come to a so-called "green" hotel are hard to overcome. That lack of attention to detail leaves green hotels with a marketing nightmare on their hands.

It's no wonder so many travelers snicker at the notion of a green hotel really being green.