sidewalk with pink flowers
Environmental Policy

Boston Green Hotel Initiatives

At InterContinental® Boston, a AAA Four-Diamond luxury hotel, the goal is to be a socially and environmentally responsible organization. In partnership with suppliers, guests and the community at large, our 424-room luxury Boston hotel seeks ways to conserve natural resources and protect the environment. InterContinental Boston is continually working toward more sustainable practices. Since 2007, InterContinental Boston increased its recycling from 8% to 39% and are proud to have the following eco-friendly policies in place at our Boston hotel.


Roof Deck Apiary & Beekeeping


In June 2010, InterContinental Boston launched Boston's first hotel rooftop apiary with 10,000 bees. By September 2010, the apiary grew to more than 40,000 bees that were hard at work pollinating the flora of an approximate 4 mile radius of the hotel; which includes Boston's expansive 21-acre green space, the Rose Kennedy Greenway, Boston Common and Public Gardens in the Back Bay as well as the hotel's own waterfront floral and herb gardens.

In April 2011, InterContinental Boston added two more beehives and by fall 2011 the apiary has grown to approximately 150,000 bees and counting. The honey harvested is used in Miel Brasserie Provençale's cuisine (miel translates to ‘honey' in French), and in a variety of new cocktails at Miel, and RumBa, plus select SPA InterContinental Boston's spa treatments.

See our bees in action at Miel, featuring "Bee T.V.," a live camera feed from the rooftop apiary!

Boston Green Hotel Policies & Initiatives

  • Recycle Vegetable Oil from the Kitchens of InterContinental Boston
  • Food Waste Pulper
  • White/Colored Paper, Magazines and Newspaper Recycling
  • Co-mingling Recycling
  • Recycle Clean, Used Bed Sheets, Towels, In-Room Amenities, Pillows, and Unclaimed Lost & Found Items
  • Cardboard Recycling
  • Battery Recycling
  • Light Bulb Recycling
  • Ink and Toner Cartridge Recycling
  • Reusable Dry Cleaning & Laundry Bags
  • High Efficiency Plumbing Fixtures in all toilets, taps and faucets, and shower heads