The TradeWinds Island Resorts – the Island Grand Resort and the Sandpiper Hotel & Suites – located on the Gulf of Mexico on the island of St. Pete Beach, Florida
WHAT: The TradeWinds Sandpiper Suites was recently awarded the Green Lodging Certification from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection in recognition for their efforts to protect the area’s natural resources. Florida’s voluntary, non-regulatory Green Lodging Program works with the lodging industry to reduce waste and minimize pollution. TradeWinds’ green initiatives include an extensive paper, cardboard and aluminum recycling program that involves guests, and participation in the Water CHAMPs program through the Southwest Florida Water Management District. The resort also uses energy-efficient appliances that are Energy Star-rated, and high-efficiency air filters with an aggressive program to improve indoor air quality. A towel and linen reuse program is also utilized through housekeeping. The Sandpiper’s sister property – the Island Grand – was awarded the Green Lodging designation in June 2006.
Green-minded guests may want to celebrate these designations by driving their hybrid, riding their bike, or paddling their canoe over to the TradeWinds Island Resorts, which recently introduced the “It’s Easy Being Green” package. The eco-friendly package includes three-nights accommodations in a smoke-free room at the Island Grand or Sandpiper Suites, two tickets to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, one day beach trolley pass for two, dolphin watch or sunset sailing cruise for two, and a double travel hammock as a take-home souvenir. Beginning at just $674* at the Island Grand, the package also includes one sea turtle adoption from the Clearwater Aquarium, complete with adoption papers, a biography and photos of the extraordinary sea creature.
The TradeWinds Island Grand has also retrofitted all of its beach front lighting so that sea turtles may return to their native nesting habitat and hatchlings can more easily make their way safely to the glow of the Gulf of Mexico. “The TradeWinds Island Grand is the first in the state to do a major retrofit to meet wildlife lighting requirements that balance sea turtle survival with human safety and security,” said Dean Gallagher, Environmental Specialist II with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Committee ( FFWCC). Certified by the FFWCC, this unique new amber LED flood light designed by the Lighting Science Group, is a lower impact light that is more pleasing to humans and turtles alike.
WHERE: Located on Florida’s West Coast, just steps from America’s #1 Beach in 2005 – Fort De Soto Beach – and 30 minutes from Tampa International Airport, the TradeWinds Island Resorts are situated on a strand of beach directly on the Gulf of Mexico. The resorts offer access to two great properties in one, with limitless beachfront recreation, 56,000 square feet of function space, sumptuous dining, and golf privileges at some of the area’s finest public and private clubs.