Motel 6 "Phoenix" Prototype in Northlake, Texas, Gains Green Certification

Motel 6, known for providing guests with a clean, comfortable room for the lowest price of any national chain, has proven that green lodging does not have to be expensive lodging. The brand's newest property in Northlake, Texas, has attained LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and is the first hotel for parent company Accor to gain the distinction.

"With the brand's 'Phoenix' prototype, we are setting the pace for the future of Motel 6, which, in line with our values, must be as energy-efficient as possible," says Olivier Poirot, CEO of Accor North America, Motel 6 and Studio 6. "LEED's high environmental standards lend a great deal of credence to our efforts, and we look forward to continuing on the path to greater sustainable practices in the future."

According to the USGBC, LEED certification provides "third-party verification that a building or community was designed and built using strategies aimed at improving performance across all the metrics that matter most: energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality, and stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impacts."

Opened in October 2009, Motel 6 Northlake-Speedway adheres to Accor North America's ongoing sustainable initiatives like the use of technologically-advanced heating and cooling systems, Fluorescent Light Bulb and Battery Recycling Program and water conservation measures, and also includes advanced energy efficiency features that further reduce its energy consumption compared to existing Motel 6 properties. Some of these advanced environmentally-friendly measures include:

• Energy efficiency: Thermal solar water heating; reflective cool roof; low e-glass tinted windows; low-energy lighting (compact fluorescent and LED); high-efficiency PTAC units with wireless occupancy-sensing thermostats; high-efficiency laundry equipment with computer-controlled dryers; environmentally sensitive laundry and cleaning products; property designed to get minimal western sun exposure to keep the building cooler in hotter months
• Water conservation: Native landscaping with water-efficient and drought-resistant plants; high-tech irrigation control; guestroom low-flow 1.1-gallon pressurized toilets; 0.5-gallon aerators in all sinks; and 1.75GPM shower heads
• Building materials and recycling: Wood-effect flooring made of 80% pre-consumer recycled material which is longer-lasting and requires no vacuuming or steam-cleaning; use of certified sustainable lumber for construction; low-emitting construction material; waste recycling during construction

Since its introduction in March 2008, the award-winning Motel 6 "Phoenix" room design has been incorporated into more than 70 of Motel 6's existing corporate-owned and franchised locations in more than 20 U.S. markets. Guestroom features include a modern, Euro-chic design by Priestmangoode of London, 32" flat-screen TVs, wood-effect flooring, granite bathroom countertops, and a comfortable settee area conducive for eating, working, or watching TV. The design won Travel + Leisure magazine's 2010 Design Award for "Best Large Hotel."

RELATED GREEN NEWS