Mischer News

A northwest Harris County hotel goes above and beyond when it comes to being environmentally friendly. That is what makes the Element Houston Vintage Park unlike any other hotel in Texas.

"It is really how a building is measured; its environmental impact, its sustainability," describes Kristen Vasquez.

The luxurious interior of the building hides an incredible green movement. From top to bottom, start to finish, the Starwood property is the only LEED-certified hotel in Texas. That honor by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design carries a high standard.

From the caulk that contains no silicone to the materials, such as low VOC paint, to the earth-friendly cleaning products, the Element stands at the top level of green properties.

The 123-room extended stay hotel does not look like a traditional hotel and Vasquez takes that as a compliment.

"Most of the products that you look at when you walk into an Element is a recycled product of some type. The carpeting, the stuffing in the furniture, the stuffing in the pillows, the chairs in our meeting room were actually made from a recycled product the actual cabinetry. Basically, everything is a recycled product."

Even though there are recycle bins everywhere, most hotel waste is generated by what guests throw away, so even the garbage cans get the once over.

The kitchen boasts of all Energy Star appliances. The rooms with the recycled tire floor are fully stocked with real china, cloth napkins and silverware.

You will not find paper, plastic, foam or even straws at Element.

The bathrooms come complete with dual flush toilets, low-flow sinks and nowhere in sight are those tiny shampoo bottles.

"We don't have the little shampoo bottles which in a big hotel, they can throw away hundreds and hundreds away a day, so much plastic wasted. So we have the dispensers in the showers," said Vasquez.

Magnetic strips on both sides of the door hold any messages or schedules. You will not find any door tags inside the Element.

"It is more expensive to build a LEED building. I will say it's a lot more time-consuming; also we spend a lot of time building this building but that's what we do. We're trying to leave a carbon footprint that is less impact on the environment."

From the saltwater pool to the bicycles on the property that you can ride around to the outdoor courtyard with grill, iti s also about a healthy lifestyle.The Element believes that you should not have to leave that behind just because you're leaving your home. Even with a free breakfast and free evening reception, the price point for a stay here is very competitive with other hotels.

It is an investment in the future.

Even if building green was not a top priority before, the Element hopes you will catch their enthusiasm once you've visited.