The company stated that its sustainability platform, now in its third year, has evolved from foundational initiatives to a portfolio-wide approach integrating operational improvements, certification standards and guest engagement.
Kristi Allen, Executive Vice President of Hotels at Ensemble Hospitality, said: “Reaching over 80% certified hotels is an important milestone, but more importantly, it reflects the scalability of our sustainability platform.”
“Our focus now is accelerating measurable impact across the entire portfolio while enhancing the guest experience and protecting the destinations we serve.”
Green Key Global serves as the operational framework guiding environmental performance across Ensemble properties, with certified hotels evaluated on energy efficiency, water conservation, waste reduction and community engagement through a tiered system ranging from one to five Green Keys.
Across the portfolio, properties are progressing from three to four Green Keys as new sustainability initiatives are implemented and measured. Certified hotels include Bernardus Lodge & Spa, Best Western Plus Arroyo Roble Hotel & Creekside Villas, Courtyard by Marriott Philadelphia Navy Yard, Delta Hotels by Marriott Phoenix Mesa, DoubleTree by Hilton Carson, Dream Inn Santa Cruz, Hyatt Place Pasadena, Hotel Maya and Vinarosa Resort & Spa, alongside additional properties currently undergoing certification.
Each property operates a dedicated sustainability committee responsible for advancing environmental practices and monitoring performance improvements.
Under the “Sustainable Travel with Ensemble” platform, the company continues to implement operational measures aimed at reducing environmental impact, including the expansion of electric vehicle charging infrastructure, adoption of drought-resistant landscaping, installation of water-efficient systems, transition to digital processes to reduce paper use, upgrades to high-efficiency building systems and the elimination of single-use plastic water bottles.
At Dream Inn Santa Cruz and La Bahia Hotel & Spa, food and beverage operations have received Ocean Friendly Restaurant designation from the Surfrider Foundation.
Earth Day 2026 is being used as a coordinated engagement platform across the portfolio, involving guests, employees and local communities in sustainability initiatives.
In Santa Cruz, teams from Dream Inn Santa Cruz and La Bahia Hotel & Spa are leading coastal clean-up activities. In Sonoma County, Vinarosa Resort & Spa and Bernardus Lodge & Spa are highlighting sustainable agriculture through olive tree adoption, vineyard partnerships and locally sourced culinary programmes.
In urban locations, Hyatt Place Pasadena is organising community clean-up and conservation activities, while Courtyard Philadelphia South at the Navy Yard is supporting park maintenance and restoration efforts at FDR Park. In Phoenix, Delta Hotels by Marriott Phoenix Mesa is promoting pollinator seed distribution and desert-adapted planting initiatives.
La Bahia Hotel & Spa, opened in 2025, represents a new approach to sustainable hospitality development for Ensemble, integrating environmental practices from construction through operations. The waterfront project incorporates electric vehicle infrastructure, sustainable sourcing and resource conservation measures, and has generated more than 500 jobs across construction and operations. The property is currently progressing towards Green Key Global certification in 2026.
Looking ahead, Ensemble aims to achieve Green Key Global certification across 100% of its portfolio by 2027, while continuing to focus on measurable reductions in energy use, water consumption and waste generation.
Tags: Kristi Allen, Ensemble Hospitality Green Key Global
