DALLAS—Motel 6 looks to ring in its Golden Anniversary by going green. As part of its Phoenix prototype and ongoing renovations, 100 locations have adopted sustainable flooring as part of a mandated standard. The brand has instituted wood laminate flooring, 80% of which is made up of recycled materials, in guestrooms of the prototype.
The flooring is not just green in terms of materials; a large part of its eco-cognizance comes from where it is manufactured. Tarkett supplies the flooring, sourcing recycled materials from within 200 miles of its facility, thereby cutting transportation costs.
While the laminate flooring is more expensive than carpeting, there is a very tangible return on investment, according to Terri Monroe-Gordillo, Director of Strategic Sourcing for Accor North America. “Regardless of what we buy, there is an investment up front, because we test it out and put it in guestrooms.” In the end, “Whenever we look at pricing, we look at the total cost of ownership.”
The flooring seems to be paying off: With the prototype, Motel 6 introduced a contemporary look and the wood laminate flooring fits right into the minimalist design. With no artwork on the walls, and only one of those walls featuring a bold color, texture plays a key role.
Monroe-Gordillo noted that durability did factor into the decision to invest. “This is the fourth year the Phoenix design has been in use. The flooring was made for longer wear,” she said. It’s durable and does not require a lot of maintenance, and when a property does have to repair or replace it, “We can do it by plank as opposed to taking up the whole floor,” Monroe-Gordillo said. While it doesn’t cut operating costs, “it conserves energy in that we don’t have to vacuum and steam clean,” she clarified. “Our housekeeping goes in with just a damp mop.”
And though the prototype still outfits its hallways with carpeting and features tiled floors in the lobby, Motel 6 is taking steps to convert its remaining properties. “It’s not going to happen overnight,” Monroe-Gordillo explained. “There is a question of timing and budgeting.” Still, she maintained that, in due time, sustainable laminate flooring “will be rolled out to all brand properties.”