Little Gnesta B&B in Downtown Newport, Vermont Newest Green Hotel in the Green Mountain State

Little Gnesta, A Swedish-Inspired Bed and Breakfast (B & B) in downtown Newport, Vermont was recently designated a GREEN HOTEL in the Green Mountain State (www.vtgreenhotels.org) by the Vermont Business Environmental Partnership Program (VBEP). This status is conferred upon lodging establishments that have made significant efforts improving environmental management at their businesses.

The VT Small Business Development Center and the VT Environmental Assistance Office of the VT Dept. of Environmental Conservation have sponsored the VBEP - Green Hotel program jointly since 1998.

"Every aspect of the renovation of Little Gnesta B & B was approached with environmental consideration from the organic linseed oil paints we used to conserving original elements of this historic property." said owner Ruth Sproull. 

"What's more," she continued, "We heat with local, renewable wood in a three-compartment boiler which burns off most particulate matter, installed CFL's in all our lamps and clean and launder with organic and/or natural soaps."

Sproull explained that guests are invited to participate in conservation efforts at Little Gnesta B & B. "Customers appreciate that we offer local, organic choices for breakfast and they can recycle and compost on site," she said. "We chose this location on the isthmus (between the two bays of international Lake Memphremagog) which is downtown Newport so that people could forego use of their cars and walk and bike to shopping and dining," she added.

"At Little Gnesta B& B, we're always looking for ways we can be more sensitive to the environment in which we all live," said Sproull when explaining the significance of the environmental management plan, which maps out future improvements and is a requirement of the Green Hotel program. "The way we see it, being a good environmental citizen not only makes good business sense, it's the right thing to do," she said.

Little Gnesta B & B also partners with Newport City Renaissance Corporation, the city's downtown revitalization program, Northern Forest Canoe Trail, Newport Natural Market and Cafe, Vermont Outdoor Guide Association and local and regional chambers of commerce. For more information about Little Gnesta, A Swedish-Inspired Bed and Breakfast, visit DiscoverNewportVT.com/visit-stay/bbs-and-inns/little-gnesta