The Ameswell Hotel Announces Ambition to Become Carbon Neutral
The newly LEED Silver Certified modern luxury hotel launches new initiatives to become carbon neutral, complementing existing efforts to be among the most sustainable hotels in the Bay Area
MOUNTAIN VIEW, California — The Ameswell Hotel, a new design and technology-oriented independent hotel located in the heart of Mountain View, California, today announces their plan to become carbon neutral by the year 2024. Following their recent recognition as the newest hotel in California to be awarded the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), the hotel’s initiative to become carbon neutral will coincide with existing efforts since the hotel’s inception for a sustainable future, with the goal to become the most sustainable hotel in the Bay Area.
Following a greenhouse gas emissions inventory assessement by Zenith Energy, a company specializing in energy procurement, The Ameswell is committed to reducing Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions with respect to its 2022 baseline, setting a new green standard for all hotels in California to aspire to reach.
From inception, the intent of The Ameswell was to be much more than just the greenest hotel in Silicon Valley. By focusing on eco-friendly practices in everything we do, we committed ourselves to being stewards in this emerging sustainable economy. The goal of carbon neutrality is based on our collective environmental values and it’s now becoming a reality. However, we understand the magnitude of the challenge and offsetting our carbon emissions is just one small step. Our commitment to action remains strong and we hope our efforts benefit our surrounding communities and reduce the potential impact of climate change. Ru Paster, The Ameswell’s General Manager
Since opening in 2021, The Ameswell has placed a large emphasis on sustainability, quickly emerging as one of the greenest hotels in Silicon Valley. Their commitment to reducing single-use plastics and incorporating solar power were some of the first unique aspects that embodied their initial sustainability efforts. In an effort to further that distinction, the hotel has recently been awarded LEED Silver Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), which was an important step as part of their comprehensive sustainability program. The certification is founded upon a number of construction and design features that have a positive impact on the project and surrounding communities. These include:
- Drought resistant and water efficient landscaping
- The use of low-emitting greener materials throughout construction of the hotel, including the flooring systems, adhesives and sealants, and much more
- Reducing hotel water usage by 35%
- Eco-friendly, compostable items like our recyclable cups, biodegradable food containers
- Offering Juice Beauty bath amenities as the in-room product, which are 100% organic
- Going solar with the installation of solar panels on our rooftop
- Optimizing energy performance by 26%
In an effort to reduce carbon emissions, the property has made a commitment to zero single use plastic (eliminating 96% of single-use plastics on-site since opening), while the expansive 10-acre property, which saved hundreds of trees during the development process, features solar panels that power its LED lighting, 12 electric car charging stations, and over 26 varieties of indigenous trees, plants and flowers outdoors. New practices to reduce carbon emissions include limiting the amount of hotel deliveries per week to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, along with planting a new herb garden on April 21 in celebration of Earth Day.
At the destination bar and restaurant, Roger, advanced technology is used from end to end to reduce food waste, while partnerships with local farms, ranches, and dairies reduce gas emission of long-distance food transportation. In the kitchen, the team has partnered with FiltaFry Service to lower their cooking oil usage and recycle into Biodiesel, significantly reducing their environmental impact. In a three-month period alone, The Ameswell’s reduced cooking oil usage saved 1,850 pounds of oil, reducing 7,040 pounds of greenhouse gases, which has the same effect as planting 351 trees. High tech cooking equipment is also utilized from prep work to finished dishes, with machines assisting with knifework in the form of rotary slicing and dicing, while a series of conveyer belts and timers limit the overcooking of food items, which allows for a high level of accuracy and rids the kitchen of any waste.
With a commitment to sustainability in many forms, the property also features hyper-efficient heating and cooling; LED lighting throughout; and organic soaps/shampoos/lotions (the first hotel to feature organic, Sonoma-based Juice Beauty (same brand behind Goop’s products) as the in-room product). Additionally, the hotel has direct access to the Steven’s Creek Trail to encourage biking and walking throughout Silicon Valley and the surrounding corporate campuses (such as Google, Apple, and Facebook headquarters), while the outdoor Event Lawn is covered in life-like astroturf, eliminating the need for excessive watering.
More details about The Ameswell’s comprehensive sustainability efforts can be found here.
About The Ameswell Hotel
Inspired by the backdrop of California’s untamed wilderness and legacy of unconventional thinking, The Ameswell Hotel is a new 255-room modern luxury independent hotel located in the heart of Silicon Valley from Broadreach Capital Partners and Rockwood Capital, managed by Storey Hotel Management Group. With thoughtfully designed public spaces + guest rooms by the award-winning design team BAMO, the hotel takes inspiration from the nearby NASA Ames Research Center and features a world-class extensive art gallery with video installations and commissioned artwork inspired by the natural beauty of Northern California, a tucked away library, and destination dining with a beverage program curated by James Beard award-winning husband and wife team Shelley & Greg Lindgren, including Roger, an indoor/outdoor bar + restaurant with seasonal cocktails and Mediterranean-inspired fare; Flyby, the quick and casual all day lobby café; and the Airstream Bar, an outdoor bar housed in a retrofitted vintage trailer. Set against the Santa Cruz Mountains and steps away from Google & Apple’s headquarters, the property’s resort-like setting is spread across 10 acres that includes an outdoor pool, fitness center and Wellness Wing, beer garden and fire pits, an event lawn, recreational field with lawn games, and access to the private Stevens Creek Trail for hiking and biking, along with Wellness guest rooms that include The Mirror for private fitness opportunities and Football Hall of Famer Jerry Rice’s healthier alternative to energy drinks, G.O.A.T. Fuel. The property is the first hotel to feature the robot restaurant servers, Servi—a self-driving indoor delivery robot that helps to clear tables at Roger—among other innovative features. www.theameswellhotel.com
About LEED®
LEED is a crucial tool for companies looking to improve their corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts. In today’s eco-system, retaining green building strategies becomes beneficial for communities and businesses striving to better adapt with environmental changes, thus making the proposition for a LEED certification even higher. Efforts to drive green building initiatives continue to increase in communities throughout the world, with most now viewing these principles as a solution to combat extreme events and rising climate concerns.