HOTEL BUZZ: New Eco-Chic Hotel Debuts in Santa Monica

Choosing between luxury and eco-friendly accommodations when vacationing is now a thing of the past. The lavish Shore Hotel in Santa Monica is the newest addition to the coastline—and it’s environmentally friendly to the hilt.

The Farzam family, who independently owns and operates the hotel, envisioned a green property that included community input. The Shore Hotel already has a Silver LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating and is just one point away from Gold. If achieved, it would be the only property in Santa Monica with such a rating. To be considered for LEED status, a variety of energy-conserving programs were implemented, including Auto Demand Response, roof-mounted solar panels, INNCOM occupancy sensor system and high-efficiency boilers and burners. Another ingenious initiative at the hotel is the Green Concierge, an electronic compilation of eco-friendly activities located near the hotel. This way, guests can reduce their carbon footprint outside of the hotel just as much as they will in the hotel. Just a few of the activities the Green Concierge suggests include sustainable shopping, dining and transportation.

The hotel also boasts a wide array of water-saving features, which include a storm-water management plan that captures and treats storm-water runoff, the use of native plants in landscaping and installing high-efficiency toilets and low-flow showerheads. Even the designs of the rooms were carefully chosen to extend the eco-chic theme. Lobby chairs are upholstered with 100 percent pre-consumer recycled polyester. Guest room carpet is manufactured with Eco Solution Q Nylon, which contains a minimum of 25 percent recycled content. Project Stone’s ecoQuartz bath vanity and desktops for the guest rooms contain ecologically safe solvents and adhesives. It doesn’t end with the design and fabrics of the hotel either. Rigorous green housekeeping policies will be implemented as well as offering incentives for employees who carpool or bike to work.

But the Shore Hotel isn’t simply eco-friendly — it’s eco-chic because of the luxurious feel and gorgeous look. The 164 rooms are designed in calming beach shades of teal and orange and outfitted with custom-made teakwood furniture. The cream-colored sandstone walls in the lobby and airy, open floor plan of the reception area bring the ocean-feel inside, while the glass walls here offer the perfect view of the ocean and lush, native plants. The U-shaped building nestles an outdoor pool and patio, which are situated under a distinctive, steel-trestle roof. A fitness center, state-of-the-art meeting and special events spaces top off the amenities.

Ideally located, the hotel is situated on Ocean Avenue, just steps away from the Santa Monica Pier, beaches, fabulous restaurants and some of the city’s best shopping.  The Shore Hotel will open its doors this October. 800-599-1515.