Sofitel Builds a Better World

North American Properties Up Conservation and Sustainable Efforts for Earth Guest Week

Dallas (PRWEB) April 23, 2008 -- Sofitel Luxury Hotels continues to support environmental awareness and do its part to protect the ecosystem with the annual "Earth Guest Week" taking place at Sofitel properties across North America April 21 - 25. In observation of Earth Day, celebrated April 22, Sofitel Luxury Hotels will conduct initiatives and local actions to improve human and environmental conditions to bring lasting change.

Earth Guest Week encourages Sofitel employees and guests alike to focus on preserving the Earth's resources for future generations. During this unique week, each North American Sofitel property will focus efforts in two sectors: Eco (involving ecological and environmental conservation) and Ego (encompassing volunteer outreach in each community). To plant eco-ideas in guests' minds, each Sofitel property will leave a packet of seeds for guests as an invitation to "sow seeds for the future with Sofitel."

To promote ego-centered activities in their respective locations, Sofitel properties will partner with a local humanitarian organization to emphasize the importance of social responsibility to employees and guests, as well as educate on environmental issues. Each North American Sofitel property will engage in the following ego and eco initiatives:

Sofitel San Francisco will participate in annual walks for the fourth year in a row and donate funds raised by employees to the San Francisco AIDS Association. Sofitel San Francisco also continues its participation as the only hotel in Redwood City to actively engage in the city's Recycled Water Project. The property, which was honored by the WateReuse Association with the 2007 Customer of the Year Award, began using recycled water for all landscaping purposes in 2007 and moves to recycled water for toilets this year.

Sofitel Montreal employees will reach out to the local community by serving dinner at the local Old Brewery Mission, a homeless shelter, on April 22. The hotel employees have also committed to planting 60 laurel trees on the property.

Guests at Sofitel Los Angeles will receive perks and benefits for their "green" efforts during Earth Guest Week. Upon check-in guests will have a donation made in their name to Global Green USA (a national environmental organization). At LeSpa, the Java Jolt will be discounted $25; the organic treatment incorporates peppermint and coffee, leaving the body detoxified. Finally, rewarding guests driving a hybrid vehicle, complimentary valet parking will be offered during Earth Guest Week.

Sofitel Miami will host children from the nearby Flagger Middle School on a tour of the hotel with the general manager, director of engineering and the director of housekeeping to demonstrate the hotel's eco-friendly initiatives and explain how collective efforts can make a difference in the environment. The children will then join the chef for a special organic lunch. The employees at Sofitel Miami will join a gardening representative from a local Home Depot to plant a new tree on the property grounds to commemorate the special week.

To support the local environment, Sofitel Minneapolis reached out to the City of Bloomington to volunteer to clean the road that passes in front of the hotel on Earth Day, April 22. In an ongoing effort to support the community, the property provides resources such as home furniture and goods to Bridges, an organization that provides care for underprivileged persons.

In Chicago, Sofitel Chicago O'Hare has invited local schools, grades K - 12, to participate in a science fair. The fair (for which the hotel is encouraging the students to enter recycling projects) will be for guests and employees to enjoy, topped off with refreshments and prizes for the winners. Sofitel Chicago O'Hare will also begin an ongoing recycling program with blue recycling bins placed in the cafeteria.

Not far down the road at Sofitel Chicago Water Tower, employees will volunteer to clean Washington Square Park to show their commitment to the local community. The local electrical server, Con Edison, will lead a presentation and training for hotel staff on energy-saving techniques. Beginning in 2007 during Earth Guest Week, Sofitel Chicago Water Tower committed to volunteer at a local soup kitchen once each month; the property will recommit to this effort for 2008. A hybrid car will also be displayed at the front of the property during the week to encourage environmental transportation.

Employees at Sofitel Lafayette Square in Washington DC will help the surrounding environment by volunteering to clean nearby Rock Creek Park. On Earth Day, the hotel will be offering a special organic menu during lunch and dinner in the hotel restaurant ICI Urban Bistro, with five percent of the proceeds being donated to Habitat for Humanity. On April 23, the Sofitel Lafayette Square will host children from the Montessori School of Alexandria on a tour of the hotel to highlight its environmental-friendly initiatives.

Sofitel New York will feature a video about environmental issues as well as Earth Day posters in the employee cafeteria. At the hotel restaurant, Gaby, a distinct menu intermingling organic chocolate and produce will be offered on April 22 for guests and restaurant patrons. The hotel will plant new trees in front of Gaby, as well as donate linens and towels to a nearby homeless shelter. Hybrid vehicles will be offered to guests for transportation services.

Also on the East Coast, Sofitel Philadelphia will reach out to the Richard R. Wright Elementary School to clean the school grounds and plant a garden for the children. Employees from Sofitel will also give a presentation on recycling to kindergarteners and first-graders at the school. The property reached out to the Woodstock Family Center to deliver donated clothes and goods.

About Sofitel:

Sofitel reinvents French elegance in its hotels throughout the world.

Sofitel is the only French Luxury Hotel brand with a presence on five continents, in more than 50 countries. Whether situated in the heart of a major city like Paris, New York or Bangkok, or nestled away in a country landscape in French Polynesia or Brazil, each Sofitel property offers a genuine experience of the French art de vivre.

Discover Sofitel on www.sofitel.com.

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