Pan Pacific Seattle Hotel: Community Support with Global Vision

In one of America’s greenest cities, Pan Pacific Seattle is a leader in the hospitality industry, connecting locally and globally in the ongoing quest for a more sustainable world. Seattle is recognised as a progressive urban centre and for Pan Pacific to have been certified internationally as a sustainable business is a major achievement.

"We are beyond honored to receive this prestigious certification for the fifth year in a row," said Webster Polk, Community Relations Manager of the Pan Pacific Seattle. "At Pan Pacific, global responsibility and sustainability are essential parts of our property’s DNA and we are committed to continually uphold and improve our practices. As a luxury boutique hotel, our guests can always expect genuine care, unique innovation and customized services along with a dedicated desire to minimize our overall impact on the environment."

Pan Pacific Seattle’s sustainable practices go hand-in-hand with its efforts in social responsibility. To date the hotel has raised nearly $50,000 for various local charitable organizations, collected or donated nearly 32,000 pounds of food and toiletries to local shelters and contributed more than 4,000 pounds of partially consumed soap for recycling and reuse in charity programs. Additionally, the hotel’s staff have volunteered more than 1,500 hours of community service, including neighbourhood clean-ups and meal services for the homeless.

As a hotel dedicated to supporting business, Pan Pacific has crafted green meeting and event options for any size company, for their seminars and conferences in a responsible manner. Pan Pacific’s green meetings and events have several sustainable initiatives and features. Carbon offset options sourced from wind farms and landfill gas projects are available via hotel partner OneEnergy Renewables. Complimentary valet parking for carpools and hybrid/electric cars help lower the carbon footprint for transportation. Un-presented banquet food from meetings is donated to local food bank community partners and any remaining food is composted. Options are also available for locally sourced food and beverage and filtered water is served in reusable glass bottles.

In an effort to minimize environmental waste and prevent hygiene related illnesses in impoverished areas of the world, guestroom bars of soap from Pan Pacific Seattle are sent to Clean the World. This global initiative takes partially used soap and hygiene products and recycles and sanitizes it before distributing the new soap to people around the planet. Pan Pacific also donates bath amenities locally to the YWCA Angeline’s Women’s Center.

Pan Pacific Seattle is also proud to take an ongoing interest in community programs. Mary’s Place Seattle works to empower homeless women, children and families, assisting them to reclaim their lives by providing shelter, nourishment, resources, healing and hope in a safe community. Upon acquiring a large space this year the charity needed help in outfitting and meeting the needs for their new facility. Pan Pacific Seattle donated several thousand pounds of bedding, linens and amenities as well as clothing via an associate donation drive.

Additional community support is raised in the hotel’s Lobby Bar, which offers a selection of drinks aptly titled Cocktails for a Cause, where $4 of every drink is donated to help alleviate global poverty. This ongoing campaign is a result of a partnership with One Days Wages, a local organization that takes a more grassroots approach for people and their stories and actions to inspire others around the world to donate.

For travellers to Seattle, Pan Pacific offers its Green Getaways package offsetting guest stays with the purchase of renewable energy credits supporting clean and sustainably produced Northwest energy projects. The package also includes complimentary valet parking for hybrid or electric vehicles and two complimentary cocktail selections with local spirits by Sun Liquor.

 About Pan Pacific Hotel Seattle
Pan Pacific Hotel Seattle is situated in the heart of the city’s thriving South Lake Union neighbourhood, and within walking distance of all that downtown has to offer. Recognized as a four-star hotel by the industry-leading "Forbes Travel Guide," the hotel features 153 newly renovated guest rooms with 22 sophisticated suites, each with views of the city, Lake Union or the Space Needle. Pan Pacific offers a full array of technology tools for business and leisure travellers, with sustainable practices throughout the hotel and social responsibility programs serving the community as part of its acclaimed PanEarth® program. The hotel is part of the vibrant 2200 Plaza located on Westlake, affording guests a 4,200-sq.-ft. fitness center, the luxurious Salon Refine, Tutta Bella Neapolitan Pizzeria, Starbucks, Whole Foods Market and several other fine retailers. For more information or to make reservations, visit panpacific.com/seattle or call 877-324-4856.

About Pan Pacific Hotels and Resorts
Pan Pacific Hotels and Resorts comprises 24 premium hotels, resorts and serviced suites (including those under development) in 13 countries across Asia, North America, Oceania and Europe. The "Pan Pacific" brand provides refreshing Pacific experiences inspired by an invigorating blend of its Pacific Rim locations. It is focused on enriching experiences that draw on a diversity of landscapes and cultures; and relevant choices that convey freedom and individuality. Pan Pacific Hotels and Resorts has been recognised by Condé Nast Traveller magazine as one of 25 hotel companies demonstrating social responsibility and has won esteemed accolades such as the World Travel Awards, AAA Four Diamond Award, Condé Nast Gold List and Readers’ Choice Awards. For more information, visit panpacific.com.

About Green Globe Certification
Green Globe is the worldwide sustainability system based on internationally accepted criteria for sustainable operation and management of travel and tourism businesses. Operating under a worldwide license, Green Globe is based in California, USA and is represented in over 83 countries.  Green Globe is an Affiliate Member of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). For information, please visit www.greenglobe.com

Media Contacts:

Bradley Cox
Director of Communications

Green Globe Certification
5959 W. Century Blvd., Suite 610
Los Angeles, California 90045
U.S.A
phone +1-310-337-3000
fax       +1-310-626-9982
email    [email protected]
web     www.greenglobe.com

Pan Pacific Hotel Seattle
GreenRubino – Public Relations

2125 Terry Avenue
Seattle, WA 98121
phone: +1 206 447 4747
fax:      +1 206 447 9494
email:   [email protected]
web:    www.panpacific.com/seattle