Cafe Portofino at the Doubletree Guest Suites is First 2 Star Certified Green Restaurant(R) in Naples

News provided by

Jan 11, 2010, 04:54 ET

NAPLES, Fla., Jan. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Cafe Portofino at the Doubletree Guest Suites Naples is proud to officially be a 2-Star Certified Green Restaurant®. In 2008, the Doubletree's Naples location, ideally located on the Cocohatchee River and Nature Preserve, began working with the Green Restaurant Association (GRA) to certify one of its restaurants, Cafe Portofino. Now, the restaurant is the first in Naples to hold the GRA's 2 Star Certification distinction.

The Doubletree Guest Suites is also a Two Palm Designated Green Hotel by the Florida Green Lodging Program.

"We're aware of the growing need for all businesses to reduce their carbon footprint," says Jennifer Robbins, General Manager. "Being able to offer a Certified Green Restaurant® to our guests, helps us not only to broaden our Green efforts, but to make choices that translate into tangible changes that will truly leave and impact."

The GRA is a non-profit organization that specializes in helping restaurants become more environmentally sustainable through their Certification program and consulting services. In accordance to the GRA's guidelines, 2 Star Certified Green Restaurants® must meet a minimum of 100 points within their program. Cafe Portofino at the Doubletree Guest Suites Naples has already earned over 111, significantly improving their environmental impact by reducing water and energy, recycling, purchasing organic foods, and more. Some of the additional steps they received points for include:

Installing energy efficient lighting, significantly reducing their energy consumption
Using low flow faucet aerators and spray valves to conserve water
Offering sustainable seafood
Sourcing recycled office paper, and to-go packaging made from post-consumer recycled content
Using non-toxic cleaning chemicals in their kitchen

"Cafe Portofino has made great strides toward becoming more environmentally sustainable, and we commend them for their commitment to these initiatives," says Michael Oshman, Executive Director of the Green Restaurant Association. "We look forward to helping them make more changes in years to come."

About Cafe Portofino at the Doubletree Guest Suites Naples

The onsite restaurant, Cafe Portofino, offers a delicious buffet breakfast and an American fare menu with a South Florida twist for lunch and dinner. Open to both guests of the Doubletree and the public, Cafe Portofino offers both inside and outside seating overlooking the pool area and river. Located on 3.6 acres of peninsula on the Cocohatchee River in Naples, Florida, the Doubletree Guest Suites, Naples offers 101 beautifully appointed suites and 2400 square feet of flexible meeting space.

The Doubletree Guest Suites of Naples is a franchised property of Doubletree Hotels Corporation, a division of the Hilton Hotels Corporation located in McLean, VA. Guest Services, Inc. has been operating hotels, resorts and dining facilities for over 90 years. Their 3500 employees serve in over 250 facilities across the United States. For reservations or more information about the Doubletree Guest Suites, visit our website at www.doubletreenaples.com.

About the Green Restaurant Association

The Green Restaurant Association (GRA) is a national non-profit organization, founded in 1990 to shift the restaurant industry toward ecological sustainability. For 19 years, the GRA has pioneered the Green Restaurant® movement. With their transparent and turnkey Certification system, the GRA has made it easy for thousands of restaurants to profit and successfully become more environmentally sustainable. With the world's largest database of environmental solutions for the restaurant industry, the GRA provides environmental consulting, education, and the only official standard for Certified Green Restaurants®. In 2009, the New York State Restaurant Association announced its official endorsement of the GRA, joining EPA Energy Star for Small Business, Environmental Defense Fund, and several other national environmental groups. The GRA has been featured on CNN, NBC Nightly News, NPR, and in The New York Times, and The Washington Post. For more information visit www.dinegreen.com.

*Photos of Cafe Portofino available upon request.

SOURCE Guest Services, Inc.