Reviewed & Recommended
EcoExcellence AwardTOP 10 winner
Don’t let the mild mannered exterior of Casa Ojai Inn foul you… the rooms here are very comfortable & nicely appointed, the services are on par with much higher priced establishments, and the management is committed to continually improving their sustainable best practices & training. One of the healthiest options for lodging in the Ojai Valley, the property features a chlorine-free, algaecide-free salt water pool, uses non-phosphate enzyme soaps for laundry, Ozonized disinfecting pure water for cleaning, no deodorizers, no air fresheners, cleans air conditioning coils monthly, guarantees all non-smoking rooms, uses walk off mats, and low VOC paints and finishes.
Read more in “Casa Ojai Inn” EcoLogic LifeStyle feature article.
For more information on accommodations visit Casa Ojai Inn.
On Site Sustainability Review for Casa Ojai Inn
PROPERTY INFORMATION
Property/Business Name: Casa Ojai Inn
Telephone Number: US
City: Ojai
State (US): California
Country: United States
DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS
Site Design:
- Comply with local zoning requirements
- Conserve resources by increasing density – 2 story, compact
- Redevelopment existing building(s)
- Private or semi-public outdoor gathering place with natural elements,
- Access for persons with special needs
- Secure bicycle racks and/or storage – Bikes delivered to site by MOB Shop Project Ride
- Preferred parking for hybrid & electric vehicles – 5% discount given to hybrid/electric car drivers
DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION OF INFRASTRUCTURE
Exterior & Structural Design:
- Shading on all south-facing (northern latitudes) /north-facing (southern latitudes) – tinted windows in lobby
- Cool roof
- Low E, multi-pane, energy efficient windows and glass doors
Energy:
- Renewable energy source: Solar for pool hot water
- High efficiency ceiling fans, lighting and signage – CFLs inside, LED outdoor signage, disconnected all other landscape lighting
- Motion sensor controlled lighting – in maintenance, housekeeping, pool room and porch areas
- High efficiency appliances (refrigerators, stoves, dishwashers, etc) Energy Star preferred
- ECO 8000 Hairdryers by Barbar – This unique hairdryer uses a fraction of the electricity of your average hairdryer with its use of a ceramic disc
- Monitoring of energy consumption and energy savings campaign – recently purchased monitoring equipment
Water:
- High efficiency toilets – HET 1.0 gpf
- High efficiency showerheads – 1.25 gpm
- Flow limiters or flow control valves on faucets – .5 gpm
- Efficient water filters to provide safe & bathing drinking water – ice machine & coffee makers
Indoor Air Quality:
- Moisture resistant material in wet areas: Kitchens, Bathrooms, Laundry, Utility Rooms and Basements
- (Not Permanent) walk-off mats
- all non-smoking rooms
LANDSCAPING
- Storm water control to prevent erosion
- Native species only / No invasive species
- No plant species that require shearing – roses only, hand sheared
- No toxic pesticides or herbicides
- Mulch all planting beds to the greater of 3 Inches or more – use recycled rubber in planter
- Minimal turf in landscape
- Only when necessary, high-efficiency, weather based irrigation systems – drip style
- Shielding of exterior light fixtures and directing light downward – except on sign
MAINTENANCE & PURCHASING
- Repair and seal all necessary areas for moisture prevention to inhibit mold growth
- Filter changes 1x per month, coil cleaning 1x per year, thermostat calibration, and damper adjustments -
- Nontoxic, natural cleaners, soaps, sanitizers, pest management -
- Lotus Ozone cleaning with water, (This process ozones regular tap water for the purpose of disinfecting and cleaning rooms on a daily basis. This process has the lowest MSDS rating there is because it only uses water)
- non-phosphate enzyme soaps in laundry
- No air fresheners or deodorizers
- Bath linen reuse program with client reuse education
- Recycling program – containers in every room
- Composting program – yard waste
- Refillable dispensers vs. disposable
- Chlorine & algaecide free pool maintenance – salt water in pool and spa which is a chlorine generator allowing maintenance without the use of any harsh chemicals.
- HEPA filters on vacuum cleaners
- Two sided printing on recycled content, bleach free paper
- Bulk purchasing & in reusable or recyclable containers – lotion, soaps, shampoos
- Regional purchases – within 200 miles – tea, coffee mugs, baked goods
- Fair Trade purchases – Zhena’s Organic Fair Trade Gypsy Teas
- Reusable or biodegradable, non-petroleum based cups, plates and cutlery – converting to biodegradable
- Sustainable best practices training program for employees
COMMUNITY & SOCIAL POLICIES
- Equitable hiring practices for women and minorities, in all positions, and no child labor
- Hiring and training opportunities provided to local citizens first
- Compliance with international, national, state or provincial legal protection of employees including fair living wages
- Basic services, (water, energy, or sanitation), are not disrupted to neighboring communities by actions on property
- Sustainability education for guests, ie) suggestion cards & linen reuse signage
- Donations made to local community – sponsorships for local festivals
Casa Ojai Inn also has plans to incorporate…
solar for power, tankless water heaters, more LED & Dark Skies lighting, plans for arbor/pergola for shading submitted to city planning commission, new dark skies compliant lighting for signage submitted to city planning commission
Other Awards…
- On Site Review – CA Green Lodging Association – Leadership Level Status
- Self Audited rating – Green Eco-Leaf by – 3 Leaf Rating Self Audit
- Self Audited rating – Green Suites Certified by Green Suites International hotel supply company – 4 Leaf rating Self Audit
