Alegria Oceanfront Inn Eco-conscious

Lights Off

While it may not be welcoming, I was pleased to see the lights off in my Mendocino hotel room upon arrival.  Owner and Innkeeper Elaine Wing Hillesland showed me to the Pacific Suite at Alegria Oceanfront Inn and Cottages, gave me a brief tour of the property and handed over the key to my 24 hour paradise. 

Eco-friendly lodging 

Back in July, I had challenged Darren Cronian's comment on Travel Rant's about the travel industry not caring about climate change.  He cautioned me to take note of the lights blazing upon entering my next hotel room.  Well Darren, I'm pleased to say that my first of five nights in the Mendocino/Fort Bragg area is proving eco-friendly.  In fact, there was a note left on the corner of my bed pointing out the many ways the California hospitality industry was commiting to improve the environment by using less energy and creating less waste.

Mendocino Recycles

The Mendocino coast offers single stream recycling.  Cans, paper, glass bottles and plastic bottles and containers can all be collected in the container marked recyclabes in my room.  Of course, it is standard operating procedure to not change sheets and towels daily unless you request it.  I was also pleased to see that the lighting utilized CFL bulbs (compact fluorescent light) bulbs.

Flo Mattress is Green

I can't comment on a low-flow shower head yet, but I can tell you that the Flo mattresses used in  the hotel are smashing...and I mean that in a good way.  The Flo mattress rocks AND it is a green mattress,too!  Composed of organic cotton and EcoWool on top, even the layers of latex inside are natural.  Yes, I have organic cotton sheets on my beds at home, but it's the mattress that I covet.

The 28-year-old mattress company is based in Fort-Bragg.  I think a field trip is definitely in order.  When's the last time you drove to Fort Bragg to lay in bed?