The fall months are seriously stacked with days devoted to spreading awareness about supporting green initiatives. From National Indoor Plant Week from September 16 – 20 to Sustainability Day on October 23, the season is dedicated to boosting eco-friendly habits.
In an effort to support green living, Orbitz partnered with the Garfield Park Conservatory (GPC) and The Kimpton Gray Hotel in Chicago to create the first-ever plant pop-up hotel. The idea was inspired by a trend that hits close to home for me. I am currently the proud owner of six thriving succulents and I have grown (pun intended) to love them a lot. “Millennials are welcoming plants into their homes and now their vacations, too,” Carey Malloy, Director Brand & Marketing at Orbitz, says of the pop-up’s inspiration. “Plants intersect a lot of tourism trends–sustainability, design, wellness–and provide real benefits for travelers.”
Rendering of The Desert House
The plant oasis will feature ten custom-designed rooms at The Kimpton Gray Hotel in Chicago’s Loop neighborhood. Each room has been modeled after popular gardens at Chicago’s GPC. Guests can book overnights from October 18 – 20 and choose from rooms such as the lush Fern Room, the sweet-smelling Sugar from the Sun room decorated with vanilla orchids, or the chic Desert House, adorned with cacti and succulents.
Rendering of The Palm House
Each room features clever amenities to further encourage the mission of GPC to educate guests on exploring plant life. Guests will find aloe facemasks, green juice, daily care instructions for the greenery in each room, and art modeled after installations found at the Conservatory. “Plants clean the air, create oxygen, decrease blood pressure and help reduce stress. Houseplants are a great way to get your green fix, but you can also visit Garfield Park Conservatory any day of the year to immerse yourself in tropical forest, lush desert or cascading ferns,” Jennifer Van Valkenburg, president and CEO of Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance says.
Book your stay at the Kimpton Gray plant pop-up here.
