We’re very excited to visit and review the Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte:
Now the Ritz-Carlton chain has launched its first environmentally-friendly hotel, the Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte in Charlotte, N.C., which, upon opening, will apply for LEED certification. The Charlotte hotel started accepting reservations for its 146 rooms today (www.ritzcarlton.com or 800-241-3333), for stays beginning on Oct. 1. So what does “green” mean? The new hotel sports a planted roof, which is intended to reflect heat, insulate the building and slow rain runoff; a specially designed water purification and containment system; conference tables and other furniture made from recycled materials; and, maybe most notably for the visitor, 150 complimentary bikes and free parking for hybrid and electric vehicles. – from NYTimes
With opening rates starting at $199, Charlotte’s new Ritz-Carlton hotel begins taking reservations today for stays beginning Oct. 1. The 18-story, environmentally friendly luxury hotel will offer 146 rooms, a 13,000-square-foot “Wellness Center with Aqua Lounge,” a saline-treated swimming pool and a streetside BLT Steak restaurant. – from Charlotte
Here’s the official news from the Ritz:
The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte is scheduled to open this October in the heart of dynamic Uptown, bringing The Ritz-Carlton brand to the fast-growing Carolinas market and becoming the first LEED-built hotel for The Ritz-Carlton and for the city of Charlotte.
The contemporary 146-room hotel is set in a sleek 18-story building designed to attain LEED Gold environmental certification from the Green Building Council, which certifies new buildings based on sustainability, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, and innovation and design. The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte has been built to provide a supremely comfortable yet environmentally-mindful travel experience, seamlessly integrating green and sustainable practices with the rigorous standards of The Ritz-Carlton brand. The new Ritz-Carlton will be an eco-focused rarity among top-tier city hotels.
Guest rooms at The Ritz-Carlton begin at 506 square feet and offer uniquely upgraded air quality, thanks to a state-of-the-art air transfer system that efficiently circulates large amounts of outside air into rooms and suites. Further energizing its green commitment, the hotel will utilize a sophisticated Natura Water Purification System, diverting 73,000 plastic bottles from landfills, saving more than 104 barrels of oil, eliminating nearly 49 tons of CO2 emissions and saving almost 605,000,000 BTUs of electricity each year.
A highly-reflective roof vegetated with living plants and aggressive water conservation and recycling programs will support the new Ritz-Carlton property’s commitment to its surroundings, while select staff will wear stylish, custom-designed uniforms made of fabric derived from regenerated plastic bottle materials. Among the hotel’s sustainable practices, complimentary hybrid-vehicle transportation will be provided to guests wishing to visit destinations within the I-277 loop on weekday mornings, while 150 guest bicycle storage spaces will encourage non-motorized enjoyment of the vibrant city of Charlotte. The hotel’s bike valet team will store and service guests’ two-wheelers and provide complimentary local bike usage, and guests driving hybrid cars will receive complimentary parking on-site.
The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte will feature a 13,000-square-foot, bi-level penthouse Wellness Center–a special rarity among urban properties. The Wellness Center’s philosophy is embodied in its selection of natural eco-based treatments, 100% organic and vegan products and a menu of services designed to lend precious balance to life on the road. The Center offers four treatment rooms, two vitality lounges, a movement studio, fully-equipped fitness center, whirlpool and indoor saline-treated swimming pool.
Dining enthusiasts will experience a variety of in-hotel organic and sustainable options, including the Lobby Lounge’s regional culinary choices and its array of signature martinis, cocktails, wines, coffees and flavored ice teas. A street-side BLT Steak will further highlight the dining experience, offering prime cuts of beef, fresh seafood, a wide variety of tempting side dishes, and classic American dessert favorites. BLT, or Bistro Laurent Tourondel, is the personal stamp of acclaimed chef and restaurateur Laurent Tourondel, named 2007 Restaurateur of the Year by Bon Appétit magazine.
More than 12,000 square-feet of contemporary meeting space can accommodate up to 480 dinner guests at the hotel, with green meetings to be a standard. Offering nine function rooms, the property’s meeting, wedding and event space utilizes visually stunning yet environmentally-mindful interior design, as well as low-emitting organic components and materials seldom found in such quarters.
From recycled aluminum meeting room tables, recycled leather furniture and sustainable mahogany and sapele wood, to regionally-indigenous Tennessee Blue Eyes granite and curated local and regional art, the hotel interior will offer a striking look at the beauty of next-generation hotel eco-design. These components will be highlighted to interested guests by the hotel’s Environmental Steward, a key member of the concierge team and director of the property’s own Environmental Education Center.
The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte enjoys a strategic Uptown setting that puts restaurants, shopping, businesses, sports, entertainment and cultural attractions within an easy five-minute walk of the property. The city’s acclaimed EpiCentre, Founders Hall, Charlotte Convention Center and NASCAR Hall of Fame (scheduled to open next year) lie within moments of the hotel’s front door, and the property is just seven miles from Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT), offering non-stop access to and from 134 destinations. The airport is served by eight major U.S. airlines, seven regional U.S. carriers and multiple international airlines. Additionally, the city of Charlotte itself is served both by Amtrak and by a convenient local light rail and trolley system.