With Earth Day quickly approaching, sustainability is top of mind for many planners and attendees. Luckily, these three hotels in Miami Beach are thinking ahead and doing their part so you can do yours.
The Gabriel South Beach
The Gabriel South Beach, Curio Collection by Hilton, in Miami Beach, Florida, is part of CGI Merchant Group’s Conscious Certified Hotels and also a zero single-use plastic property—exceeding the City of Miami Beach’s compliance requirements. For planners looking to book hotels that place sustainability as a pillar to their foundation, The Gabriel South Beach is rolling out a menu of green initiatives to select from. The eco-friendly options include team-building group beach cleanups with Clean Miami Beach, the omission of single-use plastics from meetings and events, and more. In return for selecting one of the initiatives, organizations will receive an incentive such as a food and beverage discount or a tree planted on behalf of the group.
Additionally, the hotel has omitted all paper products within the rooms, introduced a digital property directory, digital writing tablets, and bamboo “do not disturb” signs. Within every room there is a colorful, reusable Path water bottle for hotel guests to carry throughout their trip, along with energy-efficient windows and thermostats. The hotel also partners with Candledales to create coconut-based candles and diffusers for the hotel and, for every product that is sold, Candledales plants a tree through their partnership with One Tree Planted, a nonprofit organization with the goal of helping reforestation across the globe. The Gabriel South Beach offers more than 6,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor semiprivate space, accommodating intimate meetings with as little as eight people and larger receptions accommodating as many as 150.
The Balfour Hotel
The Balfour Hotel, located in the South of Fifth neighborhood in Miami Beach, is a historic, yet modern property committed to seamlessly integrating sustainable practices into every aspect of the guest experience. From the introduction of bulk shower amenities and water bottle refill stations to the elimination of Styrofoam and plastic straws, The Balfour offers eco-friendly alternatives to single-use plastics throughout the hotel. Attendees can also embrace sustainability on the go with the option to purchase reusable water bottles on-site. Additionally, The Balfour has taken part in a carbon reduction initiative—it is powered entirely by 100% renewable electricity, certified by the California-based nonprofit Center for Resource Solutions’ Green-e program, and supported by a carbon offset plan. Electric vehicle charging stations and bicycle and e-bike rentals provide eco-friendly transportation options for attendees looking to explore responsibly. Responsibility extends to sourcing practices, as The Balfour adheres to a thoughtful purchasing policy, working to source food and ingredients locally, purchase cage-free eggs, and incorporate sustainable seafood. The menu also showcases a commitment to conscious consumption, offering plant-based options and featuring seasonal, organic ingredients. The Balfour Hotel boasts an intimate courtyard, dual rooftop, and The Studio, a space suitable for any kind of special event or gathering.
Cadillac Hotel & Beach Club
Cadillac Hotel & Beach Club, Autograph Collection takes many steps to preserve the beauty of its surroundings. Located in Miami Beach, the hotel encompasses a triple-bottom-line approach to sustainability through the implementation of EarthView, a proprietary program created by Hersha Hotels & Resorts. The green initiative focuses on a holistic approach to hospitality, incorporating green meeting elements such as tap water in carafes and reusable glasses; the elimination of single-use plastics; recycling containers in all meeting rooms; linenless tables; vegetarian and vegan food and beverage options; and the reporting of the environmental impact of stays and meetings at the hotel. Cadillac Hotel & Beach Club also participates in Clean the World, a social organization with the mission to save millions of lives around the world by distributing recycled soap and hygiene products donated by hotels and resorts. The hotel uses key cards made from recycled materials, energy-efficient light bulbs, and smart thermostats throughout its guest rooms to aid in conserving energy for the building. The hotel’s housekeeping has also adopted the EcoLab Aquanomics laundry program, which delivers significant energy and water savings. A few other green initiatives the Cadillac Hotel & Beach Club has implemented include property-wide recycling, branded hotel bicycles, a turtle conservation program, and refillable water bottles in every room. With 10,000 square feet of event space, the Cadillac Hotel & Beach Club’s spaces boast floor-to-ceiling windows, pool views, and more.
