“Actions taken on a daily basis form a sequence of events that define a company. OTO cares passionately about our team members, customers, and the communities in which we operate. Whether designing environmentally friendly new hotels or helping others in our communities, we intend to be an active participant in efforts to make the world a better place.”
Corry Oakes, President and Chief Executive Officer of OTO Development, LLC
Our focus on the environment and sustainability begins during the design and construction phase of each hotel, when company architects and development managers work with brand partners to incorporate resource conservation, waste minimization, and environmentally-friendly systems into every project. Examples of “green” design and construction features include rain sensors, low flow plumbing and white roofs.
Our commitment continues in Operations, where our team’s commitment to sustainability shines in processes and procedures that support the environment while providing a superior guest experience. Teams focus on responsible use of cleaning and maintenance chemicals, reviewing procedures and exchanging ideas in daily huddles. Examples of “green” operational practices and processes include light-touch room cleaning for stay over guests, recycling stations, compact fluorescent lighting and seasonal thermostat settings.
Residence Inn – Gainesville, FL
- Located on site of EPA “brownfield,” with land restored to pristine condition
- Framing structure made from 90% post-consumer recycled steel
- Demolition / Construction wastes recycled
- Property xeriscaped to save water, featuring all native plants, minimal turf areas, and a water-saving irrigation system.
- Roofing materials certified by Cool Roofing Council
- Recognized by Florida Green Lodging Program
- Certified by AHLA / AAA EcoRooms & EcoSuites Program
- Benchmarked using the Energy Star Portfolio Manager
SpringHill Suites – Irvine, CA
- Certified “Irvine Green” status
- White / Cool Roof Reduces Energy Usage and Costs
- Recycled Construction & Demolition Waste
- Recycled materials used in construction process
- Turf Areas Less than 25% of Landscaped Area
- Water-Efficient Irrigation Systems
- Irrigation Controllers that are Based on Weather Signal or Moisture-Sensor
- Storm water treatment system
- Recycling stations inside
- Bike Racks Installed
- Low-flow Faucets & Fixtures
- Compressed Natural Gas-powered Shuttle Van
- Occupancy-sensing Thermostats
- Materials Used Preserve Indoor Air Quality
- Extensive “Daylighting” Reduces Artificial Lighting Needs
- Recycled / Energy Star Products Utilized in Building Finishes
- Team Trained in “Green” Features of Building and Operations
Teams in our hotels and at the company’s home office reach out to local communities, providing financial support and volunteer service through a wide variety of agencies and organizations.
TOTAL Ministries
OTO Development’s home office team took time out to support TOTAL Ministries mobile food pantry. TOTAL Ministries, founded in 1982, provides much-needed groceries to hungry families in Spartanburg County. Together with volunteers from other companies and religious institutions, the OTO team unloaded, sorted, bagged and staged over 11,000 pounds of food for distribution in a single day. More than 300 families received help at the TOTAL Ministries food pantry supported by OTO.
Teams in our hotels and at the company’s home office reach out to local communities, providing financial support and volunteer service through a wide variety of agencies and organizations.
Quantum House
OTO Development’s Homewood Suites and SpringHill Suites hotels in West Palm Beach, FL have a deep relationship with local charity Quantum House. Quantum House provides “a caring place to call home” for Palm Beach County families with children hospitalized with a critical illness or injury. Support from the OTO hotel teams in West Palm Beach takes many forms, with Housekeeping cleaning rooms, Engineering painting rooms & public areas, Front Desk & Sales deep-cleaning guest rooms, and Staff cooking dinner for families staying with Quantum House.
The hotels staffed telephone lines and presented Quantum House with a $5000 check during an on-air Hope Drive event. In addition, the Homewood Suites provides overflow housing for families when QH is at capacity. OTO team members staffed telephones during “Holiday Hope Drive” on local television, and the Homewood Suites donated space for a recent Quantum House Board of Directors meeting.