UPDATED: Launched in Sydney, Australia in 2007, Earth Hour has grown to engage more than 170 countries worldwide.
This year, Earth Hour is on Saturday, 19 March, 8:30 p.m. local time. Participants switch off non-essential lights for one hour in an attempt to draw attention to environmental issues, with a number of events held to mark the occasion.
Of course, it isn’t just individuals who can make a difference. Each year more and more hotels are joining the celebration.
Participating hotels: (Updated)
Inspira Santa Marta Hotel: As in previous years, this Lisbon green hotel turned off its lobby lights and lit up the whole area with candles! But Inspira is committed to go beyond the hour, maintaining this very special set for the whole evening! Its restaurant, Open Brasserie Mediterrânica, will also be offering its clients a memorable candle light dinner.
Radisson Blu and Park Inn by Radisson: Rezidor had 212 of their Radisson Blu and Park Inn by Radisson hotels join the thousands of households and businesses across the globe to celebrate Earth Hour 2016. The Rezidor properties used Earth Hour as an opportunity to engage guests, employees and business partners in their pursue for energy savings by organising fun activities. Many hotels organised romantic candle light dinners, featuring special Earth Hour cocktails and Earth Hour menus.
Jumeirah Vittaveli: joined in the global celebrations of Earth Hour with an atmospheric singing bowl concert performed by Winnie Rode. Guest resident Winnie Rode is a recognised sound therapist who is currently staying at Jumeirah Vittaveli for the resort’s annual Talise Wellness Month. Until March 24, 2016, guests at the resort can join Winnie in daily group meditation sessions or experience his unique singing bowl sound massage in a private treatment.
Chatrium Hotel Royal Lake Yangon: The team of Chatrium Hotel Royal Lake Yangon participated by turning off non-essential lighting & electricity on the exterior, lobby, restaurants, offices and public areas. They also invited guests to participate on a voluntarily basis in the event. Additionally, this year they also raised awareness of Earth Hour with a candle lighting activity in the hotel Lobby Lounge and candle lit dinner in all restaurants. The hotel also served ‘Green Theme’ beverage to guests and media in the lobby lounge during the activity.
Participating hotels:
MGM Resorts International: Exterior lighting, rooftop signage, marquees and front features at the company’s major Las Vegas resorts, Gold Strike Tunica, and Beau Rivage Resort and Casino in Biloxi, Miss., will be turned off.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts: Will go dark across the Pacific. The following hotels will turn off lights and use candlelight in appropriate public areas such as restaurants and bars – Sheraton Samoa Aggie Grey’s Resort, Sheraton Noosa Resort & Spa, Four Points by Sheraton Brisbane, The Westin Sydney, The Westin Melbourne, Sheraton on the Park, Sydney, Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort Gold Coast.
PER AQUUM Huvafen Fushi: The world’s first underwater spa will power off in the Maldives. Brain coral, finger corals and sea anemone will glow before guests’ eyes. Masterminding the show are the resort’s in-house marine biologists Verena Wiesbauer and Hassan Hamid who will wield alternative light sources, blue lights powered by electric torches, to trigger light-sensitive proteins in the surrounding reef life. Absorbing the blue light, corals and creatures re-emit the fluorescence at longer wavelengths, producing a colourful otherworldly spectacle.
AccorHotels: For the tenth consecutive year, AccorHotels will “switch off” for Earth Hour. Over 50 AccorHotels properties including; Pullman Sydney Hyde Park, Mercure Melbourne Treasury Gardens, Novotel Barossa Valley Resort, ibis Styles Alice Springs, Sofitel Brisbane Central, The Reef House Palm Cove, MGallery Collection and ibis Perth will partake in the event.
Royal Plaza on Scotts: This will be the seventh year that RP is participating in Earth Hour. Non-essential lights in the hotel will be switched off and lights will be dimmed in the lobby and at Carousel, leaving only emergency lights to facilitate guests’ movements. Guests dining in Carousel will be invited to light up soy candles on their tables. Soy candles are a more sustainable alternative to the usual paraffin wax candles as they burn more slowly and cleanly.
Let us know on our Facebook page how your hotel is playing its part – include some photos and we will feature them in a gallery.
For more information, have a look at Earth Hour’s guide for participating hotels on their official site.
