Saunders is something of an environmental fanatic. The Lenox and a companion hotel invest $11,000 each year in Midwestern wind farms to counterbalance, or offset, the carbon dioxide used in generating their electricity. Saunders drives a late-model Toyota Prius and even pays to offset his fossil fuel energy use at home.
But for every Saunders and Lenox, there is Chicago's Hotel Raffaello, which purports to be an "eco-hotel." In October, the refurbished Raffaello, formerly the Raphael, promised guests "an opportunity to experience an incredible green and eco renaissance" and claimed to be "one of the most technologically advanced green hotels in the country."
Quicker than you can say "cold cathode compact fluorescent lights " -- and we will be saying more about those later -- I traveled to Chicago to investigate the Raffaello's claims that it would reduce guests' "carbon footprint" while they luxuriated in a "soothing aesthetic of tranquil light beige and chocolate hues" just a few blocks from Lake Michigan.
I was equally eager to take in the promised 1,500-square-foot " ' green roof,' a soothing oasis with a hydroponic garden that will provide herbs and produce for the hotel's restaurant and spa "; the "eco living design library "; and "complimentary mountain bikes with biking and walking maps, all to further reduce your [carbon footprint ]."
None of which existed.
To be fair, the Raffaello is a perfectly comfortable, if pricey, hotel with an attentive and well-trained staff. It is true that the "spa-like" bathroom did have a "rain forest shower head," and was well stocked with Aveda organic products like shampoo and conditioner in those little plastic bottles that I like to give as stocking gifts at Christmas.
