UKIAH, Calif. — In the hospitality business, many owners see only two worlds to spend money: the front of the house—amenities and features that attract and cater to guests—and that other land known as the back of the house. Most owners place these worlds in different galaxies.
Raakesh Patel is not most owners. His Super 8 property here strikes a true balance between the two worlds.
Indeed, Patel sees things differently, and the primary color he is focused on is green, says laundry equipment distributor Laundrylux. It’s his passion to show others how eco-friendly lodging makes both sense and cents.
“Green is not just a fad or a marketing theme,” Patel says.
DEEPER SHADE
Many owners might be satisfied with a move to soft-mount washers boasting high-G-force extraction (450 G-force), which cuts drying time significantly from high-speed hard-mounts.
When he learned of the Smart Dosing system that automatically ensures the proper amount of laundry chemicals are added to match the load size, Patel made sure the Ecolab chemicals his property uses were being managed by this technology.
Add a unique Automatic Water Savings system, which adds exactly the correct amount of water to the load size, and loads are processed with the ultimate in precision, according to Patel.
Patel also appreciates the fact that his hotel is partnered with a company equally committed to the environment. Electrolux has been recognized by CDP as a climate performance leader, was selected for the Global Compact 100, and is a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index.
RESULTS ARE IN
Patel sees the technology he’s employed in his laundry as the perfect recipe to deliver green results and much more.
“I have a system that accurately and efficiently adds up to great savings in dollars and, very importantly, for a low impact on the environment,” he says, adding that savings are reflected in lower gas, electric, water and sewer costs, and help reinforce the ENERGY STAR rating for his property.
Patel estimates his laundry savings total 20-25%. But the benefits are reaching much more than his utility bills. Faster cycle times in the laundry have given housekeeping staff additional time to take on other projects in the front of the house—keeping with Patel’s focus on providing the highest-quality lodging experience for his guests.
Guest surveys show the fruits of his labors, Patel says, as the property consistently receives high marks and rave reviews online. And the laundry is a key component.
Gone are the survey comments from the past mentioning rough towels that felt “like sandpaper.” Now he reads comment after comment about how soft and fresh his linens and towels are, he says.
SPREADING THE WORD
Patel isn’t keeping his green initiatives a secret. As a member of the Wyndham Green Advisory Board and Super 8 Franchise Advisory Board, among other lodging associations, he is eager to share all he’s learned.
“We have to think and act together,” Patel says. “I want my fellow lodging members to follow my lead; so I spread the word … by going green, save green.”
If you missed Part 1, you can read it HERE.
Have a question or comment? E-mail our editor Matt Poe at [email protected].