My family and I recently spent 9 days at the lovely FDR Pebbles family resort in Falmouth, Jamaica. One of the reasons we picked this hotel was because of its stated environmental policy. The best news for travelers is that you can't tell the difference in quality, service, comfort or cost.

The hotel, which is a member of the Green HotelsAssociation and has been Green Globe 21 Certified, has environmentally friendly policies including:

* using gray water from showers and sinks as well as rooftop water used for irrigation
* solar thermal power to heat the hot water
* low energy lighting fixtures
* used cooking oil is saved and used as animal feed
* plastic bottles are recycled
* low-flow toilets
* the restaurants and gym are all open air, so air conditioning is not required
* recycled paper and rolls are used in the kids' activity center

Not one of these policies had a negative impact on our enjoyment of the hotel. The hotel primarily uses glass for drinks instead of plastic, and only silverware instead of flatware, which benefits patrons as much as the environment. The sewage system also does not put pollutants into the crystal-clear ocean, unlike some other island resorts where I have stayed. FDR Pebbles also surpassed my expectation for friendly service, cleanliness, and creating activities and a fun environment for the entire family.

More and more travelers will be considering a hotel's green stance before their traveling, which should create even more competition. Luxury does not have to compete with environmental policies -- they go hand in hand.