Eco Services Offers Eco-Friendly Index

HVS Eco Services has issued its 1997 EcoteP Product Index, its third annual list of eco-friendly products for hotels.The guide, a 30-page pamphlet, features prod- ucts and services ranging from solar-powered water heaters to non-toxic heat sources for chaf- ing dishes, as well as all-natural amenities and environmentally responsible gifts.

The guide is available for $5 from HVS Eco Services, 372 Willis Ave., Mineola, NY 11501. In addition to the product list- ings, display advertising provides product information.

Here's a sample of some of the products in the 1997 guide: a warming gel made of sugarcane alcohol, air filters in all shapes and sizes, a wall plaque that allows the guest to indicate whether the linens are to be reused or the bed made up fresh, an energy-saving mini-bar refrigerator, and a bromine- generator system to re- place swimming-pool chlorinators. The guide lists four paper suppliers that offer products re- cycled with at least 20- percent post-consumer content, including one manufacturer whose napkins and tissues are bleach-free and comprise 100-percent post- consumer recycled fiber. One of the more unusual services is provided by a company that creates and manages chemical-free "urban aquatic systems," also known as ponds. Indeed, products for water management seem to constitute the largest category in the brochure, with a panoply of water-saving devices, includ- ing (honest!) a battery-powered self-flushing urinal.--G. W.

VIEWS

A renovation of the Indianapolis Radisson by the Gettys Group created a cohesive space in a public area that connects the hotel's two towers. Above: an atrium dining area.

You're the Top Toronto's Four Seasons Hotel has been named by the readers of five different business publica- tions as the best in its class. Based on the opinions of more than 100 top-level bankers, Institu- tional lnvestor named the Toronto property as one of the top-100 hotels in the world and the best in Canada. Fortune declared the Four Seasons the best hotel for business in Toronto, based on a survey of business executives. In its first round of "world's best" awards, Travel & Leisure ranked the property in its top-100 hotels in the world, as well as including it in a separate list of the top 25 in Nor th America. The hotel's meeting facilities got a strong thumbs up from the 75,000 readers of Successful Meetings, which gave the Four Seasons its pinnacle award.The hotel's res- taurant, Truffles, won Gourmet's "America's Top Tables" awards for best overall restaurant in Toronto, best ambience, best presentation, and best wine list.

The 29,000 readers sur- veyed by Gourmet also named the hotel's Studio Care as the best place for business meals.To top off the magazine awards, Truffles was also awarded five diamonds by the Canadian/American Automobile Association, one of just 39 restaurants in North America (in- cluding Mexico and the Caribbean) to be so named.

Fortune also smiled on the Radisson Plaza Hotel in Minneapolis, which was named that city's best business hotel by that magazine. Minneapolis

was number three on Fortune's list of best cities for work and family. The 357-room P, adisson has meeting and banquet facili- ties for up to 500 people and is

connected to other downtown sites via a network of skyways.

O H G awards. The Official Hotel Guide surveyed 20,000 travel agents for their opinion of the best hotel in several catego- ries. The Camp Hyatt activities at the Dorado Beach Hyatt in Puerto Rico won top honors for the best children's activities. At the other end of the age range, the travel agents noted that the Scottsdale Princess in Scottsdale, Arizona, was particularly respect- ful to older travelers. For overall best service, OHG's readers liked the Lansborough Hotel in Lon- don, where a personal butler will handle your needs.The most romantic resort, best for honey- moons, is Sandals Dunn's River, in Ocho Rios,Jamaica, according to the O H G survey.The top hotel chain in Europe was Lead- ing Hotels (a referral group). In Nor th America, the respondents picked Hyatt as the best chain, followed by Marriott and Radi- sson. Radisson was chosen as most environmentally friendly, and Holiday Inn was voted the chain with the best children's programs.

One must remember, however, that there's no accounting for taste, as demonstrated by the voting for the hotel with the best view. The Peaks at Telluride, with its view of the Rockies was sec- ond, while The Plaza, overlook- ing Central Park and Fifth Av- enue, came in first.

Then again, perhaps the real winner in the "best hotel" derby is the property that takes in the most money. For 1996, as tallied by Lodging Hospitality, that honor was held by NewYork's Lowell Hotel, a Preferred Hotel that averaged $213,753 in sales per room. Second was the Washing- ton Four Seasons, at $163,265. The Plaza was only third, with sales of a mere $148,883 per room. - -G. W.

8 EUNLL HOTEL AND RESTAURANT ADMINISTRATION QUARTERLY