For years, we heard a lot of talk about sustainability in hotel renovations – ambitious goals, green mission statements, and design-phase conversations about environmental impact. But by the time a project reached the jobsite, sustainability often faded into the background. LEED checklists gave way to phasing schedules. Green finishes were substituted for what was readily available. The intention was there, but the execution rarely followed.

That’s starting to change.

In the past two years, hotel owners, asset managers, and brands have begun backing up those early ambitions with commitments that extend through construction and into turnover. And while new construction long led the sustainability charge, hotel renovations are now getting the same robust attention.

A Late Start in Hospitality

The hospitality industry lagged behind sectors like healthcare or office when it came to LEED certification in renovations – and for good reason:

  • Cost sensitivity: Early LEED implementation required significant soft costs, which felt risky to value-driven owners.
  • Operational complexity: Hotels operate around the clock. Adding IAQ (Indoor Air Quality) protocols, commissioning, and documentation during a live renovation raised legitimate business continuity concerns.
  • Unclear short-term ROI: Efficiency improvements were often vague, and certification was viewed as admin-heavy rather than value-add.

Today, hard data is revealing a more compelling picture. The U.S. Green Building Council confirms over 4,100 hotel lodging projects in the U.S. were registered or certified under LEED as of March 2025 – dramatic increase from just a few hundred a decade ago.

A Real Shift in Momentum

The strongest evidence of momentum comes from operational performance – and the latest data from Cornell’s 2024 CHSB Index makes the change clear. Cornell’s benchmarking program participation grew by 7.4% over 2023, reaching over 27,400 hotels globally, and notably, between 2019 and 2021, hotels reduced GHG emissions by over 30% and energy use by about 25% per square meter.  

These performance gains, alongside USGBC’s LEED registration numbers, show that sustainability in hospitality is now driven by data – not just rhetoric.

Additional market drivers include:

  • Cost savings: According to the U.S. Department of Energy, green buildings can cut energy use by up to 30% and water by 50%.
  • ESG-linked financing: For example, Host Hotels has integrated sustainability into its investment strategy by connecting nearly $5 billion in financing – through green bonds and a sustainability-linked credit facility – to measurable decarbonization and resiliency goals across its portfolio, helping to reduce its cost of capital while advancing environmental initiatives.
  • Brand accountability: Initiatives like Hilton’s Travel with Purpose and Marriott’s Serve360 include certification goals.
  • CO₂ transparency pressure: CBRE reported in 2023 that hotels average a carbon score of 96 – higher than the 80 average across commercial properties –highlighting the pressure to decarbonize.

We’re seeing a new baseline: sustainability isn’t optional – it’s strategic.

Construction’s Role in Certification

Architects and designers may take the lead by specifying sustainable materials, but LEED success is often cemented during construction – through contractor execution and documentation. Even in renovation projects where contractors don’t specify finishes or FF&E, their role is critical.

Contractor-led LEED contributions include:

  • Construction Waste Management: Implementing waste plans, achieving diversion targets of 50–75%, and ensuring traceable disposal documentation.
  • Materials Transparency: Supporting compliance coordination with Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), Health Product Declarations (HPDs), and CSI-based cost breakdowns.
  • Indoor Air Quality (IAQ): Applying construction phase IAQ protocols – protecting HVAC systems, using low-VOC products, and coordinating flush-outs.
  • Commissioning Support: Coordinating functional testing and documentation through third-party authorities. 
  • Submittal Review: Ensuring equipment substitutions don’t compromise LEED criteria – verifying fixture flow rates and lighting efficacy mid-project.

Effective execution is as essential as design intent. Precise documentation – haul tickets, logs, photos – often determines final credit outcomes.

Continental Contractors Project Executive Jared Schanbacher has led multiple projects targeting LEED status. “When sustainability is a pre-requisite, and not an afterthought, it gets ingrained into the team and the project from the kickoff. When that happens, it’s great to be a part of a team, from design to operations, subcontractors, and ownership, that truly puts sustainability at the forefront – all the way from material selections to healthier indoor air quality and efficient use of water and energy.” 

Planning for Success

With renovation projects increasingly aiming for certification, pre-construction and collaboration are more critical than ever. Successful teams:

  • Integrate sustainability goals from day one
  • Involve contractors with LEED experience during planning
  • Maintain clear communication across ownership, design, and field teams
  • Monitor sustainability deliverables throughout construction – not just at close-out

Continental Project Manager Hailey Marchyshyn recently led the renovation of over 900 guestrooms at the Grand Hyatt Washington, DC. Following the renovation, the property achieved LEED Silver status. “LEED accreditation is certainly not a small undertaking, but with clear communication and project objectives it is achievable. It was a pleasure bringing a best-in-class owner’s sustainability goals across the finish line, and every stakeholder on the project contributed to that end.” 

Looking Ahead

At Continental Contractors, we’ve supported LEED-focused renovations including the Westin Denver Downtown, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina, and Grand Hyatt Washington, DC, delivering the documentation, waste tracking, and IAQ coordination that certification requires. These projects demonstrate that LEED success is built – not simply designed.

For owners and stakeholders considering LEED, the message is clear: results live in both the boardroom AND the field. If you’re exploring a renovation tied to sustainability goals, now is the time to align construction strategy with execution. We’re ready to share proven practices and help you build greener – without compromising on schedule, budget, or guest comfort.

— Renee Bagshaw, Chief Operating Officer