The Hotel Palomar in the Westwood area of Los Angeles is promising to be the first green hotel in Los Angeles. The hotel, part of the Kimpton group, has 268 guest rooms. Their green features include in-room recycling bins (yes!); energy-efficient lighting; water-efficient fixtures; toiletries made from natural ingredients by earth-friendly manufacturers; organic food and beverage options in its mini-bars and a restaurant that follows the Monterey Bay Seafood Watch's sustainable seafood guidelines. The hotel will offer wireless Internet, concierge-directed private car services in a Lexus Hybrid, hosted evening wine receptions, private trainers available by appointment, a pool and a "Mind. Body. Spa." wellness program that includes 24-hour, in-room yoga and Pilates television programming. The hotel is also pet friendly. The California Environmental Protection Agency has awarded Kimpton the Governor's Environmental and Economic Leadership Award for preserving the state's resources. Rates start around $300 and it looks like the hotel is set to open in June.
