Spotlight on Starwood: the Element brand.

I’ve been learning a lot about Starwood properties lately.

Why? Because I’m curious.

I’ve discovered a lot of cool stuff about each of their nine brands – amenities that I had no idea existed, themes that are worth paying attention to, interesting touches that might enhance your experience if you knew about them…stuff like that. So, I thought I would share. I’m writing a series of posts about Starwood. I’ll sprinkle them in throughout my regular pieces, so watch for them over the next few weeks. I think you’ll like them.

First up for my “spotlight” is the Element brand.

An energizing environment.

Element’s goal is to be a “personal retreat from the stresses of travel.” To this end, their guest rooms feature natural light and open spaces, with oversized windows. Guest rooms are created to be used in multiple ways, with the intention that you can customize the space to meet your needs, with multi-functional furniture and an open layout.

Each room has a fully equipped kitchen and a “spa-inspired” bathroom.

Don’t these rooms look amazing? They’re so clean and modern. I love that style. I must be their target audience.

Focus on health, well-being, and balance.

The Element mission is to support and encourage guests to eat right, sleep well, exercise, and relax at their own pace and on their own schedule. They promote “balance.”

Sounds great to me.

Breakfast is complimentary, and includes “hot sandwiches, refreshing smoothies, wholesome granola, and fresh fruit.”

Three times a week, hotels offer a complimentary happy hour, with complimentary food and beverage pairings in addition to a signature evening smoothie.

Woo hoo!

There is a fully stocked Restore “pantry” in each hotel, open around the clock. You can purchase ready-to-cook meals to prepare in your guest room, salads, artisanal meats and cheeses, snacks, treats, local specialties, beer, wine, coffee, and other beverages and goodies.

For me, the pantry would be a lifesaver – I am notoriously bad about eating at regular times, and I often find myself famished late-night. I would be so happy to be able to run down for a salad and a glass of wine.

Some hotels have bikes to borrow. Some have weekly complimentary evening BBQs. All feature shared outdoor patios (some with grills for guests to use).

Each hotel has a fitness center that is open 24/7, and a saline pool.

Green practices

Element has made a brand-wide commitment to pursue LEED Certification.

Floors feature carpets with up to 100% recycled content and recycled carpet cushions. Art on the walls is mounted on a base made from recycled tires. Bath amenities are in a dispenser system rather than wasteful multiple mini-bottles. And guest rooms include recycling bins for paper, plastic and glass.

I really like this sustainable, eco-friendly approach.

Stylish, modern, and inexpensive

I am looking forward to staying at an Element hotel. After reading more about them, I am actually planning to seek one out for a future trip. I like the clean, modern design, the social nature of the hotels, and the focus on health and wellness.

To me, it looks like a mashup between the Andaz and Homewood Suites…an intriguing blend.

For the dates and locations I peeked at, prices seemed reasonable – around $100 – $125/night.

Currently, there are only ten Element properties across North America, in Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, and Texas. Three more hotels are being built as I write this – in New Hampshire, North Dakota, and South Carolina.

Have you ever stayed in an Element hotel? What did you think? Was it as great as it looks?

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