We often don’t realize the carbon foot print we leave behind when we travel (Not just from airplanes but even at the lodgings). In fact, most people tend to use more water, electricity and toiletries on the road versus when they are at home. While I encourage everyone to learn about different cultures and explore the world through travel, I certainly wouldn’t want to see you causing anymore harm to our planet. Eco lodges are great alternative to staying at hotels, but most of them are confined to the rain forests of Central and South America. And if you have stayed at any, you would realize that many amenities are compromised while going green. You would be surprised to learn that I recently discovered a high quality eco friendly hotel, right here, in the heart of the Mid West that offers all the luxuries of a star hotel while maintaining a healthy attitude towards Earth.
The Adoba Eco Hotel Rapid City/Mt. Rushmore is perhaps one of it’s kind. A former Radisson hotel in downtown Rapid City was recently fitted with several environment friendly upgrades under the new Adoba brand. From linens, bathroom fixtures to wall paint, everything got a nature approved makeover. While the list of the environmental friendly products can be overwhelming to learn about, I want to give you some idea of how your stay will leave a lesser impact on the environment at the Adoba.
Custom made water faucets (flow is 1.5 gallons per minute vs 2.5 gpm), Delta water efficient and water-amplifying shower heads and the famous Niagra Toilets (use 1.0 gallons per flush vs. 3.0) reduce water usage considerably. The towels are made with 110% long-staple, ring-spun, combed cotton with Centium core technology, while sheets and pillows are made from eucalyptus and cotton fibers. The duvet and shams are 100% organic cotton duvet cover filled with enviroloft comforters made from recycled bottles. Carpet tiles are sourced from the sustainable programs of InterfaceFlor Company featuring 100% recycled content fibers. The walls are painted with Portola Lime wash paint, which has a beautiful aged look and no chemical odor.
There is a luxurious choice of toiletries offered to the guests, but with responsibility. Adoba has partnered with Gilchrist and Soames to offer their BeeKind™ Collection in their guestrooms. The innovative company enthusiastically supports honeybee and sustainable pollination research at the University of California at Davis’s Entomology Department by donating a portion of sales to the University’s Honey Bee Research Program. Also, the products are free of any artificial colors, dyes and chemicals commonly found in soaps and shampoos.
The restaurant at the Adoba, Enigma offers organic lunch and dinner prepared with globally inspired flavors. Even the wines, tea and coffee have a green story to tell.
The best part about the Adoba Eco Hotel is that the rooms actually look more appealing than traditional large hotels. Large wall murals depict the local Dakota culture (buffaloes, mountains and motorcycles) while Native American blankets adorn the antique chairs. The mural is custom earth intelligent containing no PVC, chlorine, plasticizers, heavy metals and includes 31% post consumer recycled materials.The in-room guest trays that display the coffee/cups are made from recycled road signs, again bringing the outdoors in and giving the guests a feel for their surroundings.
Adoba believes that every traveler has the power to make a positive decision. While the Adoba Eco Hotel Rapid City/Mt. Rushmore may be a pioneer in luxury green travel, the day is not far when as travelers we will have the choice to “travel with a purpose and make a difference.”
Words cannot describe the beautiful property and the efforts taken to make it environment friendly. Here is a You Tube video where you can get a behind the scenes look at the hotel and hear from its creators.
