Chances are if you hear the words ‘Las Vegas’ and ‘green’ together, dollar bills start forming a dance number in your mind. While most Las Vegas hotels and casinos are certainly concerned with that type of green, many are beginning to implement non-dollar ‘green’ measures as well. Hotels get their money from tourism and Vegas activity, so they recognize the need for sustainability. Without resources like water, they would be up a dry creek holding a useless paddle. When it comes to eco-friendly Las Vegas hotels, some of the top locations in the city make the list.

Harrah's Paris Las Vegas Puts Steam to Good Use
The Paris Las Vegas hotel and casino is more than hot when it comes to gaming and entertainment. Underground boiler rooms at this property generate enormous heat waves as they work to control water and power in the building. The hotel uses the heat to deliver hot water and to power emergency generators for use during electrical outages.

Efficient Glitz and Glam
Many eco-friendly hotels in Vegas are making the most of energy-efficient light bulbs. In a city that lights up the desert horizon at night, millions of light bulbs provide an enormous drain on power resources. Hotels like the Paris, Caesars, and Rio have replaced old-style bulbs with efficient lighting that lasts up to five times longer. Although not all lights can be replaced with the energy-friendly variety, hotel staff reports they make an effort to change bulbs in any location where a change would not diminish guest experience.

Double the Carbon Footprint Reduction
The Doubletree Hotel located at the Las Vegas Airport goes above switching out light bulbs. They attempt to stock rooms and guest areas with a number of energy-saving items. Televisions, microwaves and kitchen equipment at the hotel are Energy Star-compliant, so guests can reduce the carbon footprint of their Vegas stay. Guests can also catch a shuttle from the airport to the MGM casino, reducing the fuel waste of taking multiple cabs downtown.

LEED-Certified Buildings
The upscale Palazzo Resort Hotel and Casino is certified by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). Although accommodations are roomier at this resort than others on the strip, the hotel is designed to reuse waste energy, reduce environmental impact and operate some areas as self-sustaining. Guests can enjoy a luxurious and stylish experience without guilt, as the Palazzo operates as one of the top eco-friendly hotels in Vegas.

Another LEED-Certified hotel is the modern Aria Hotel and Casino. What this property may lack in Vegas history, it makes up for in crisp, clean lines and elegant style. As one of the newest buildings in the area, the Aria was designed with all the modern conveniences and environmental protections available.

Eco-Friendly Hotels for the Non-Gamer
There are many Las Vegas hotels available for families or tourists who do not want to spend most of their time gambling. If you are traveling through Vegas or planning to visit sites like the Hoover Dam or the Las Vegas Springs Preserve, you might consider a stay at the Courtyard Marriott. The hotel is certified as Energy Star-compliant by the EPA and provides an option that fits into many family budgets.

If you are looking for a relaxing weekend without the kids, the Vdara Hotel and Spa may be the right choice for you. The hotel operates energy-efficient devices and implements responsible building strategies. The entire hotel is smoke-free and provides numerous spa options for guests. Although there are no gaming or loud entertainment options in the relaxing resort, the building is situated next to the Bellagio. Guests who tire of being pampered can pop next door for a few high-stakes games before returning to quiet luxury.

Creative Use of Trade Show Leftovers
Las Vegas hotels often host conferences and trade shows. People travel from all over the world to attend electronic, car and business shows at various Vegas hotels. While attending the show, those people generate enormous amounts of waste in the form of food containers, soda cans, brochures and packaging. The Mandalay Bay Convention Center implemented a program to meet the need caused by all this trash. Their recycling program now makes use of almost 75% of trade show waste. Over the course of four months, the program was able to collect over 6,000 cubic yards of waste for recycling, all behind the scenes of trade show entertainment.

Las Vegas hotels understand the need to preserve the environment. In a place like Vegas where resources are precious, reusing what you have is not only environmentally friendly; it is also a way of life dating back to original desert settlers. Vegas natives know you never throw out something that could be useful later and you never waste a drop of water. Eco-friendly hotels are only putting those common sense philosophies into action in an upscale, massive way.

Owners and operators of all the eco-friendly hotels in Las Vegas say the same thing. The environment is important, but so are the guests. Almost all eco-activity takes place behind the scenes. Guests are never aware of the activity as they splurge on luxury and fun. Many guests would be surprised at how green their resort was, and how their stay in Las Vegas might have impacted the environment less than a few days spent at home. One thing Las Vegas hotels prove is that environmental consciousness does not mean sacrificing fun.