The Florida Department of Environmental Protection presents the Green Lodging Certification to Hyatt Regency Coral Gables, (left to right): Fernando Sarmiento, Director of Engineering,  Mark Trowbridge, President of the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, Leigh-Ann Dawes, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Cristina Llorens, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and Gabriel Castrillon, General Manager.

Hyatt Regency Coral Gables has become the first green certified hotel in Coral Gables, Florida. To become a designated member of the Florida Green Lodging Program, hotels must implement a variety of green practices, including water conservation measures, linen reuse program and energy efficiency achieved by installing ENERGY STAR appliances and programmable thermostats, usage of green cleaners and high efficiency air filters, and clean air handler units. Hyatt Regency Coral Gables is an upscale business and meetings hotel with an intimate, boutique atmosphere. The 242-room hotel features a total of 13,400 square feet of meeting/function space, 2,732 prefunction space, and 2,732 square feet of exhibit space, including the Hall of Ambassadors, which has a 20 foot high ceiling and can accommodate up to 400 guests theater-style; the George Merrick Boardroom, with antique furnishings and mahogany conference table that comfortably seats 14 guests; the 14-th floor Regency Boardroom, with magnificent views of Coral Gables and downtown Miami; the Court of Lions, a lush courtyard with a bubbling fountain, accommodating up to 300 guests for receptions or banquets; and an additional 13 meeting rooms. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection presented the hotel with its Green Lodging certification in September. “We are very proud to be spearheading the green movement within the hospitality industry in Coral Gables,” said Gabe Castrillon, General Manager.   “Our Hyatt family has a social responsibility to raise awareness by implementing ecologically sensitive practices and using our energy resources efficiently, while offering guests an environmentally friendly place to stay for years to come.”

It takes a team to implement a meeting hotel’s green practices. The Hyatt Regency Coral Gables “Green Team” (left-to-right): Maurice Van De Linden, Director of Food & Beverage, Roxana Campos, Director of Catering, Octavio Toledo, Storeroom Manager, David Laureano, Front Office Manager, Gabriel Castrillon, General Manager, Nilsa Vargas, Accounts Payable,  Fernando Sarmiento, Director of Engineering,  Stephanie Dominguez, Housekeeping Supervisor, James Mas Executive Housekeeper, and  Ramon Antelo Director of Sales & Marketing.