Lark awarded Maine Environmental Leader Certifications for ME hotels

Portland, ME Lark, a premium development and management company encompassing multiple boutique hospitality brands, has been awarded coveted Maine Environmental Leader Certifications for its state-wide portfolio of boutique hotels throughout Maine. Awarded by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection’s Office of Innovation and Assistance, this recognition honors the state’s eco-friendly businesses for their commitments to environmental and economic sustainability. 

“Sustainability is one of my core values personally,” said Lark CEO, Peter Twachtman. “So to receive this recognition for several of our branded and independent hotels in my own home state, feels like an important milestone in Lark’s trajectory. I am proud to continue to grow as environmental leaders and champions in sustainable business practices.” 

Maine Environmental Leader Certifications were presented to seven Lark properties: AWOL Kennebunkport, the Kennebunkport Captains Collection, Blind Tiger Danforth, Blind Tiger Carleton, Bluebird Ocean Point Inn, and two of Lark’s independent properties under management: the Yankee Clipper, and the Belfast Inn. These honors are granted to businesses that apply to Maine’s Environmental Leader Program and are then scored on a point system for their commitment to the environment. Each leading business will be recognized for two years and then reapply through the same nomination process. 

To operate as sustainably as possible, all AWOL and Blind Tiger properties currently participate in Hotels for Trees, a program in which one tree is planted for every day a guest skips daily housekeeping services. Maine properties in Lark’s portfolio have transitioned to refillable bath amenities, eliminated single-use plastics, and have implemented paperless check-in and accounting processes. 

Across all Lark properties, the staff prioritizes local partnerships to support regional economies and reduce transportation impact, and selected environmentally conscious products whenever possible.

Founded by Rob Blood in 2012, Lark is a leading operator of boutique hotels under 150 keys in North America. In addition to its brands, including Lark Hotels, Bluebird by Lark, Blind Tiger, and AWOL, Lark offers third party management services to hotel owners. These services provide independent hotel owners with the perfect balance of autonomy and hands-on operational, tech, design, marketing, human resources, and revenue support.