HotelChatter

Specifically:

We open our doors on December 8, 2011, and are accepting reservations for stays on or after February 1, 2011.

We actually think this is unfair and almost deliberately misleading. If we weren't already suspicious types, we'd think, "December 8--fantastic! We can stay a night before our holiday flight to Europe!" or "New Year blizzard? Whatevs. Who cares when you can bunk in comfort and catch a flight the next day?" But, clearly, that's not going to be happening at the Element.

While we continue to wait for this, one of our favorite hotel brands, to open up at MIA, let's take a moment to think about what we're actually going to get in a 'green hotel' that will be pursuing LEED certification. How do they actually do this?

The Miami Green Hotel Blog breaks it down for us, explaining that Element has the following checklist for its guest rooms:

- In-room recycling bins for paper, plastic, and glass
- Water-efficient faucets fixtures
- Filtered water faucets
- Soy cushioning in furniture
- Use of over sized windows, open spaces, and natural light
- Low volatile paints for good air quality for our guests
- Environmentally friendly cleaning chemicals
- Recycled carpet cushions
- In room art mounted on recycled tires
- Silverware and glassware in place of paper/plastic supplies

So, there you have it. Now we know... exactly what we'll be waiting another six months for!

[Photo: Miami Green Hotel Blog]