Skip to main content

Element Hotels: Redefining your extended stay experience (By Mateusz Pasierbek)

Stylish, sustainable, and innovative - those are some of the most important features (or keywords) that many eco-friendly consumers are looking for. With the recent trend of travelers looking into more environmentally conscious tourism, the hotel industry is facing a higher than ever demand from consumers for eco-friendly products.

Current hotel markets offer a variety of different environmentally-friendly choices such as EVEN by IHG, Hyatt House by Hyatt, and Homewood Suites by Hilton, but in my opinions, only one of them offers a truly unique experience for this niche market --- The Element Hotels. “Built for today’s eco-conscious travelers, the Element brand has completely changed the face of extended stay with its light-filled atmosphere, eco-minded design and commitment to innovation,” said Brian McGuinness, Senior Vice President of Specialty Select Brands for Starwood Hotels.


Element Hotels, previously part of the Starwood Hotels portfolio and now under Marriott International, was established in 2006 with an idea of smart, nature-inspired design that would redefine the extended stay hotel industry. Two years later, the company opened its first location in Lexington, Massachusetts; Irving, Texas; Arundel Mills, Maryland; and Las Vegas, Nevada. Presently, as of 2018, Element Hotels has expanded globally and continuities to grow. The hotel plans to quadruple its footprint by 2019 with over 100+ properties.

So what makes Element Hotels a better choice than the competitors? It’s a combination of bright modern design, eco-friendly practices, and an innovative guest experience that makes travelers choose this brand over others.

Going Green

As the brand is committed to bringing more sustainable buildings into communities, all of its properties are built from the ground up and hold a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification. In addition, the company is committed to eco-friendly practices wherever possible, including lobby areas, parking lots, fitness rooms, and of course, guest rooms. Some of the most important methods consist of using energy efficient appliances and lighting, water-efficient faucets, low VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) paint, and environmentally-conscious shower amenities.

Rise, Restore, Relax


Whether staying for just a night or a whole week, Element Hotels provides a complimentary RISE signature breakfast featuring fresh made-to-order items that change daily, smoothies, yogurt stations, fresh fruits, and more. The hotel also thinks for the guests who are on the run or would like to prepare their own meals in their rooms by offering healthy and simple meals that are available at the hotel gourmet pantry. Another important feature of the brand is its innovative use of public space for guests who want to relax and connect with others. For example, “Communal Room,” is a “concept that consists of multiple rooms centered around a common living room space that allows guests in the surrounding rooms to congregate, interact, work or dine.”

Lifestyle


If complimentary breakfast and eco-friendly practices were not enough, the hotels also provide 24/7 access to state-of-the-art fitness centers equipped with cardio machines as well as full access to the Your Trainer app. This free app keeps track of guests’ workouts, fitness levels, and unique training activities. Element Hotels also offers complimentary bike rentals at over 25+ hotels across the U.S. Thanks to its partnership with Priority Bicycles, guests can maintain a healthy and balanced lifestyle.

Element Guest Experience

Thanks to its sustainable design, the hotel rooms provide truly unique eco-friendly experience with many features such as oversized windows that allow natural light, low-flow faucets and fixtures, CFL (Compact Fluorescent Lamp) lighting, and energy-saving appliances throughout the room. In addition, all rooms are equipped with Westin Heavenly® Beds, spa-inspired bathrooms with oversize showers and rain showerheads, and low natural bathroom amenities that are stored in a dispenser system.

Have you ever stayed at one of their hotels? Do you think there’s a need for more eco-friendly hotels like Element Hotels?

About the Author 

Mateusz Pasierbek is currently a student at Cal Poly Pomona pursuing his degree in Hospitality Management. After moving from Poland six years ago, he has gained valuable work experience in numerous places, such as The Resort at Pelican Hill, Orange Hill Restaurant, Irvine Marriott, and Sheraton Fairplex Pomona. During his spare time, he enjoys traveling internationally and is passionate about landscape photography. After graduating, Mateusz is planning to continue his hospitality career with Marriott International as a Rooms Operation Voyager on the East Coast for a luxury brand such as the Ritz Carlton or a St. Regis. In the future, Mateusz’s goal is to become a Director of Sales & Marketing in South-East Asia in a luxury segment.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Luxury vs. Millennials and Their Technology: The Ritz-Carlton (By Julia Shorr)

Embodying the finest luxury experience, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC has been established since 1983. In 1998, Marriott International purchased the brand offering it more opportunity for growth while being independently owned and operated. They are known for their enhanced service level as the motto states, “Ladies and Gentlemen serving Ladies and Gentlemen”. The luxury brand now carries 97 hotels and resorts internationally and is attempting to keep the aspects of luxury while keeping up with the trends of the technologically improving generations. The Varying Demographics of the Target Market The Ritz-Carlton’s typical target market includes: business executives, corporate, leisure travelers, typically middle-aged persons and elders, and families from the upper and upper-middle class section of society .   This infers a large range of types of travelers in which all are similar in that they are not opposed to spending extra for the luxurious ambiance. However, with

Is It OK for Hotel Staff to Wear Piercings and Tattoos?

Time has changed. I see more and more college students wearing piercings and tattoos nowadays, but is it OK for hotel staff to wear piercings and tattoos? The answer is “no, no, no.” According a report at USAToday.com, customers across the board do not want to see any hotel workers with pierced eyebrow, pierced tongue, tattooed arm, or nose ring. Some may argue that tattooed and pierced workers may seem more acceptable in edgy boutique hotels as compared to the big franchised hotels, but the survey results did not find any differences among a variety of lodging products. Many respondents believe people who wear visible tattoos and piercings are taking a high risk of their professional lives. If you stay in a hotel, do you mind being served by tattooed and/or pierced staff? What if you are the one who makes the hiring decision? References: USAToday.com: http://tinyurl.com/linchikwok08042010 Picture was downloaded from http://tinyurl.com/linchikwok08042010P

In what ways will AI affect restaurant operations?

A new wave of industrial revolution is here --- AI (artificial intelligence) will change everything we do. Undoubtedly, AI can improve restaurant operations.     Menu Engineering and Quality Control    AI can provide insights into a restaurant’s menu offerings and pricing strategies based on consumer data and market trends. Restaurant owners can adjust the recipes/menu and price accordingly.     AI can help restaurants monitor food temperature, cleanliness, and safety procedures, ensuring they comply with health and safety regulations. For example, AI can remind a sushi chef to replace a sushi plate that has been “sitting” on the conveyor belt for too long with a more popular item.     Consumer Experience   AI can help restaurants create location-based, personalized marketing campaigns to reach specific and targeted customers at the right time. Then, AI-empowered chatbots, reservation, and table management systems can help restaurants answer customer inquiries, manage reservations, and