LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and is a green building rating standard developed and administered by the US Green Building Council. The idea is that a building be constructed with sustainable materials and be as energy- and water-efficient as possible.
It should be pointed out that simply implementing a selection of green initiatives, while a worthy goal from an environmental standpoint, is not the same, as LEED is a rigorous, third-party verification process in which everything—from construction materials to carbon emissions—is evaluated and measured via specific sustainability standards, resulting in a scorecard. There are various levels of LEED certification, from a basic LEED accreditation, then moving up to silver, gold and finally, platinum, which is the most difficult level to achieve.
“LEED certification demonstrates that a property’s efforts are not just well-intentioned—but proven and accountable,” said Marie Browne, general manager of the Ritz-Carlton, Portland, Ore., whose hotel has achieved a LEED Gold designation.
LEED Trends
Going for LEED designation in the construction of a hotel in many cases also can be a reflection of a company’s core value: a commitment to environmental stewardship.
An increasing number of hotels have made this commitment front and center. According to the U.S. Green Building Council, there were over 4,100 LEED-certified and registered lodging and hotel projects as of March of 2025. And some brands are starting to place more emphasis on it. Recently, Four Seasons has begun to require that all new construction achieve LEED Gold status or higher.
“We’re definitely seeing more and more properties in the hospitality space exploring LEED certification. Sustainability is no longer just a ‘nice-to-have,’—it’s something guests are actively looking for and brands are prioritizing. There’s a clear shift in the industry toward measurable, responsible practices and LEED helps provide that structure and credibility,” said Josh Delgado, director of sales and marketing at the AT&T Hotel and Conference Center in Austin, Texas, which is LEED Gold certified.
Browne agreed that it appeals to guests. “Hotels with strong sustainability practices are something guests actively look for and value when choosing where to stay. Today’s travelers, especially those in the luxury space, want to know that the hotels they support are aligned with their values. LEED certification offers credible, transparent proof of a property’s environmental efforts, which helps build trust and loyalty.”
Justin Rodriguez, general manager, Shashi Hotel in Mountain View, Calif., a Silicon Valley-based hotel that has LEED Gold certification, believes that in new construction, LEED is a ‘massively growing trend.’ He added that the decision to strive for LEED Gold was based in part on the company’s values but the region in which his hotel is located already has fairly stringent building requirements that are consistent with the LEED standards, so it was an easy decision.
Bruce Becker is the owner, architect and developer of Hotel Marcel in New Haven, part of Hilton’s Tapestry Collection, the first US hotel to earn a LEED platinum designation in 2016. It is unique in that it is a zero-emissions hotel with no use of any fossil fuels. Housed in a former rubber tire company, to date it is one of the only hotels in this category. “It’s a mystery why there are not more hotels that have pursued it. It’s in everyone’s self interest in the industry—it helps reduce energy and utility costs when you design a building that is sustainable and provides higher quality indoor air quality, it’s making better use of resources and making better use of transportation,” he observed.
In addition to LEED, the hotel also has a Passive House Certification, which Becker said is a rapidly growing standard.
The Process
In order to have your hotel certified as a LEED property, you must submit an application, which then must be reviewed and approved by the Green Business Certification Institute to make sure requirements are met.
Working with a team who is on board with your vision is essential; the U.S. Green Building Council does offer many resources to help with the project. Consultants can come in handy, as can architects with experience in LEED buildings.
Throughout the process, the team will strive to meet certain benchmarks, which will become more stringent depending on the LEED level in which the hotel is aiming. Plans must be submitted to the organization and then it will be inspected by a third-party evaluator and presented with a scorecard.
Ideally, it is easier to design and build a hotel from the ground up rather than attempting to retrofit an existing structure, as it is more expensive to change out an entire HVAC system and other elements.
“To receive the certification, we had to register the project, submit an application and undergo a review process by the Green Business Certification Institute to ensure we met the requirements and demonstrate compliance with the LEED rating system,” said Browne.
At AT&T Conference Center, Delgado said that they were very intentional about their approach to sustainability during construction, from sourcing local limestone and brick to cutting down on fuel use and emissions, using insulated techniques that reduced energy loss and incorporating low-emissivity glass to limit heat transfer. “Even our concrete mix included 20 percent fly ash—essentially recycling a byproduct that would’ve otherwise ended up in a landfill. More than 75 percent of our construction waste was recycled and we made sure to use low-emission materials and furnishings indoors to support better air quality,” he said.
Throughout the process, a hotel then receives a scorecard in such categories as Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy & Atmosphere, Material and Resources, Indoor Environmental Quality and there are even points to be awarded for Location and Transportation options in the area of the hotel. To illustrate, Hotel Marcel earned an 81 out of 100 total possible points. For example, it achieved credits for such criteria as indoor and outdoor water use reduction, water metering, light pollution reduction, construction and demolition waste management, low emitting materials, advanced energy metering and more.
One of the biggest energy wasters in hotels are HVAC systems as well as lighting, said Rodriguez. The Shashi Hotel utilizes energy efficient HVAC system with recycled fresh air that uses more carbon friendly refrigerants, while the lighting is 100 percent LED and motion controlled in each room.
For those hotels who are interested in exploring the possibilities of obtaining LEED status, Browne has this advice: “Understand where you can make the biggest impact—whether that’s water efficiency, energy savings or materials selection—and prioritize those areas. Also, be prepared to track everything carefully. Documentation and data play a huge role in the certification process. Most importantly, embed sustainability into your hotel’s culture. When the entire team is on board, it’s much easier to reach your goals and make them lasting.”
ROI/Benefits
Of those in the hospitality space that are affiliated with LEED buildings, most would agree that, while rigorous and possibly expensive at the outset, it is worth it in the long run.
Other than being environmentally conscious, there are other benefits of operating a LEED-certified hotel, with many properties viewing it as a differentiator, offering a competitive edge. “For group business in particular, we’re seeing more RFPs that include sustainability as a decision factor and being able to point to our LEED Gold certification is a real asset. On the guest side, it helps us appeal to travelers who want to feel good about where they stay. It’s also a reflection of our values—and that’s something both guests and partners respond to,” said Delgado.
Also, he added, from a business perspective, it’s a long-term investment that pays off, from lower operating costs to strong guest appeal. Moreover, “There’s a real sense of responsibility that comes with being a part of the hospitality industry. We have the opportunity to reduce our impact and LEED gives us a way to do that in a meaningful, measurable way.”
Browne pointed out that the LEED certification is more than a badge but reflects a commitment to doing better, both operationally and environmentally.
Though he said it would be difficult to put real numbers around it regarding cost savings, Rodriguez believes that striving for LEED gold was well worth it as it adds value to the property, in addition to savings around recycled water and energy-efficient lights, for example.
Becker pointed to a concrete metric: that a typical hotel room in the northeast would be over $20 per room per night in energy costs, but at Hotel Marcel, they only spent about $4 per occupied room per night on energy.
On its website, the USGBC said, “Green buildings use on average 26 percent less energy, emit 33 percent less carbon dioxide, use 30 percent less indoor water and send 50-75 percent less solid waste to landfills and incinerators.”
Ritz Carlton, Portland, LEED Gold Certified: A Case Study
Marie Browne detailed the highlights of the construction project that earned the Ritz Carlton, Portland, LEED Gold.
“During the project, 75 percent of construction waste generated was recycled and diverted from landfills. Low-emitting building materials including paint, insulation and composite wood and flooring were installed throughout the building. We also prioritized working with best-in-class manufacturers and contractors who are passionate about sustainability efforts and measuring their carbon footprint.
“The hotel’s most notable sustainable design feature is our eco-roof planted with low-water-requirement native and adaptative plant species that capture and store rainwater within the roof soil. This innovative eco-roof reduces the urban heat island effect and provides Portland with more green space, allowing heat to escape instead of being held in hardscape.
“Water conservation is also a key component to our environmental efforts—we use smart weather-based irrigation controllers and low-flow fixtures that cut our irrigation water usage by 42 percent from the typical baseline irrigation design and overall water consumption by 30 percent from typical baseline fixtures.
“For energy efficiency, we designed the building to use 13 percent less energy than a typical code building through better mechanical systems, a high-performance building envelope, LED lighting and efficient hot water systems.
“Our downtown location and ample bike space storage also make it easy for guests and employees to reduce carbon emissions by taking advantage of Portland's public transportation and extensive bike network.
“Every aspect of our property has been thoughtfully crafted to showcase Oregon's natural beauty through design elements that evoke the sights, sounds and soothing rhythms of water. This attention to detail creates an atmosphere that truly resonates with today's discerning travelers.”
This article was originally published in the June edition of Hotel Management magazine. Subscribe here.