Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort awarded for eco-excellence from Green Key

The Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort and Spa, the newest beachfront property on Florida’s sunny west coast, has raised the bar in its commitment to environmental management and corporate social responsibility.  The 250 room all-suite beach resort recently received a fourth “green key” from the internationally respected Green Key Eco-Rating Program, designating it a national industry leader.

The Green Key Eco-Rating Program awards four green keys to resorts and hotels that have implemented wide-ranging policies and practices in operational areas such as housekeeping, food and beverage operations, corporate environmental management, conference and meeting facilities and engineering.  Sustainable practices include energy and water conservation, solid waste management, land use, indoor air quality, community outreach and environmental management.

Green Key properties involve management, employees, guests and the public in their eco-initiatives and have demonstrated both measureable and substantial results.  There are currently 2,780 hotels participating in the Green Key program.  Following is the breakdown:

• One Green Key         22 hotels
• Two Green Keys       404 hotels
• Three Green Keys     1417 hotels
• Four Green Keys       738 hotels
• Five Green Keys        50 hotels

These numbers change almost daily as new properties become added to the program.

Brian Kramer, general manager of Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort and Spa,

“We are pleased to have received this elite designation, but we are particularly honored that our efforts will help preserve this beautiful destination for the community and future travelers.  Our team takes great pride in participating in community clean-ups, earth days and other eco-initiatives, which further complement our on-property policies and procedures.”

As the centerpiece of Clearwater’s new Beach Walk, a $30 million revitalization project along a half-mile pathway of shopping, dining and entertainment, the Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort and Spa serves as a destination leader in hospitality, service and sustainability.

View a slideshow of Clearwater Beach.

The Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort and Spa features 250 guest suites that blend elegance and luxury with a tropical, carefree beach lifestyle.  Each suite has fully equipped kitchens and balconies or rooftop terraces.

Guests can enjoy a variety of upscale amenities such as a resort swimming pool deck with air-conditioned cabanas, a children’s pool area, a spa pool area and multiple dining options, including the resort’s signature seafood grill SHOR.  Other amenities include the eco-friendly Sandava Spa and Camp Hyatt Kids’ Club, along with indoor and outdoor space for meetings, receptions and beachside events.

The Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort and Spa has also received the following awards and recognitions:

• AAA/CAA Four-Diamond Award
• The 2011 ConventionSouth Readers’ Choice Award
• The 2011 Brides’ Choice Award by Wedding Wire
• TripAdvisor’s 2011 Certificate of Excellence
• Placement on Elite Meetings’ Top 100 Hotels list
• Recognition as a gay-friendly hotel by the TAG Approved Accommodations Program
• The 2011 Large Business of the Year Award by the Clearwater Beach Chamber of Commerce
• The Metro’s Best Award in the Hot Spots to Shop, Dine, Play and Escape by Tampa Bay Metro Magazine for the past two years
• The resort’s restaurant, SHOR American Seafood Grill, has earned the 2011 Best Dessert Award at Clearwater Beach’s Restaurant Week, the 2011 Best of Show at A Taste of Clearwater, and Tampa Bay Magazine’s Best of Tampa Bay Award.

Clearwater Beach Attractions

• Clearwater Marine Aquarium – Home of Winter the dolphin from the movie Dolphin Tale, the CMA specializes in the recovery, rehabilitation and release of stranded and injured marine animals and serves as a “teaching aquarium.”
• Sunsets at Pier 60 – The daily sunset is a reason to party as arts and crafts vendors, musicians, fun and entertainment fill up the area around the pier every evening.  Walk out on the pier or enjoy stunning sunset views from a soft blanket on the sand.
• John’s Pass Village at Madeira Beach – Just a few miles away, this quaint fishing village-themed area has shops, fishing charters, jet-ski rentals, entertainment and dining, including Hooter’s, the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. and Sculley’s Seafood.
• Sand Key Park – Picnic shelters, grills, a park, a dog park and a white sand beach make Sand Key the perfect spot to relax and play the day away.  Sand Key is the site of an artificial reef program and sea turtles deposit eggs on the beach.  The Clearwater Aquarium maintains responsibility and keeps statistics on the eggs.
• The Dali Museum – This brand new, 20,000 square-foot gallery in nearby St. Petersburg is home to a permanent collection of oil paintings, drawings, fine prints, photographs and surreal objects by Salvador Dali.  Stunning views of Tampa Bay can be seen from the glass enclosed walls.
• The Courtney Campbell Causeway – One of this Examiner’s favorite places, it is much more than a scenic drive from Tampa to Clearwater.  This sparkling stretch of pavement crosses Tampa Bay and offers beach access, hiking and biking trails, birding trails, fishing and a public boat ramp, as well as mangroves, nature preserves and marine habitats. 
• Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo – Lions, tigers, elephants and kangaroos, as well as a free-flight aviary and native Florida animals, such as alligators, flamingos, panthers, manatees and aquatic animals make this an fun family outing.
• Busch Gardens Tampa – Experience the animals of Africa alongside world-class thrill rides and family attractions while learning about animal care and conservation.

Clearwater Beach is a family-friendly spot to shop, dine and relax on a beautiful stretch of soft sand along the Gulf of Mexico.  TripAdvisor, the largest online travel site, has recently named Clearwater Beach on its list of Travelers' Choice 'best beaches' for 2011.  

Richmonders interested in jet-setting off to the sunny Gulf Coast can book a flight on Delta, United, US Airways, AirTran or JetBlue from Richmond (RIC) to Tampa International Airport (TPA).  Then, it’s just a quick, and scenic, drive across the Courtney Campbell Causeway straight to Clearwater Beach. 

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