On a balmy May afternoon, I drove past a pretty water feature as I approached the lobby door for the modern brick-faced The Broadway — A DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel. Located on one of Columbia, Missouri’s main thoroughfares, this LEED™ Green Certified property operates in ‘The District’—the city’s popular arts, shopping and dining neighborhood. It’s also within walking distance from the University of Missouri’s main campus, as well as Stephens College and Columbia College.

A metal sculpture on the lobby fireplace represents the Lake of the Ozarks. Photo by Lisa Waterman Gray

Checking into The Broadway

When I checked in, an employee noted that what looked like a piece of modern art above the lobby fireplace actually mimicked the winding path of the Lake of the Ozarks, located about an hour southwest from the hotel. A lovely metal piece behind the front desk represented the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers, in St. Louis. In typical DoubleTree style, a warm chocolate cookie accompanied my room key.

The hotel lobby is naturally comfortable. Photo by Lisa Waterman Gray

Just off the lobby, Eleven Eleven restaurant serves upscale breakfast, lunch and dinner fare amid maroon leather chairs and orange-hued glass light fixtures. Recipient of multiple awards in food and wine, Chef de Cuisine Ben Randolph, is a certified Chef de Cuisine with the American Culinary Federation.

Breakfast lovers can choose sautéed shrimp and grits or chorizo huevos ranchero, alongside pancakes and several Benedicts. Lunch and dinner offerings range from beef tenderloin steak tartare with chive, capers, and crostini, to Penne with Italian sausage, parmesan cheese, and fire-roasted marinara, or grilled lamb chops and miso-glazed salmon.

Green Practices at The Broadway

Upholstered chairs, coffee and side tables crafted from large tree trunks, and more decorative metalwork created a cozy lobby seating area. Décor crafted from natural materials nicely dovetails with efforts the hotel made towards achieving LEED Certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design).

Situated within a quarter mile of the city bus station and several bus lines, The Broadway provides easy access to the city without a private vehicle. The hotel provides bike racks for customers and employees, as well as showers where employees may freshen up after summer rides to work. 

Before obtaining LEED certification, the hotel had reduced its indoor water use by 31% and also eliminated outdoor irrigation through the use of native and adapted plantings. In addition, The Broadway achieved a 21% reduction in energy costs, and a 15% reduction in energy use.

During construction, the hotel purchased 14% of required materials from local sources, which helped to support the local economy; while recycling 80% of all construction waste diverted it from the landfill to recycling or clean-fill sites. The hotel also achieved all four LEED points in use of low-(chemical) emitting materials, eliminating irritating or allergenic chemicals from the indoor environment. Guests also benefit from the hotel’s ‘clean’ indoor environmental quality.

In an effort to help educate the community regarding green practices, The Broadway-A DoubleTree by Hilton has hosted a series of special events, which included: “The Business of Going Green,” an educational seminar regarding benefits of incorporating sustainable practices throughout all business operations. The hotel also hosted Columbia’s 1st Annual Mayor’s Climate Awards as well as The District Launch Party for the city’s Recycle Program Roll-out.

Amenities Abound at The Broadway

On the way to my room, I noticed a compact ‘pantry’ where guests can buy snacks and a small gift shop. The brightly lit gym area featured several treadmills as well as weights and exercise balls.

Upstairs, the long, sleek hallway featured earth tones with dark doors and woodwork. Inside my room small, bright art pieces and metalwork complemented neutral-colored walls and light wood.

Neutral decor characterizes every guest room. Photo by Lisa Waterman Gray

Multiple outlets and dual reading lights were situated between two double beds covered in white linens. My guest bath featured a broad vanity and walk-in shower, with a short wall that hid the toilet.

As a solo traveler on this trip, one tiny detail that I really appreciated was the moveable metal cover installed atop the peep hole in my entry door. I also appreciated a trash can beneath the desk that featured a divider with one side designated for plastic, paper, and glass disposal.

On this gorgeous evening, I decided to visit the rooftop, a popular outdoor bar atop the hotel. I stepped off the elevator and walked past red leather barrel chairs in a short glass-walled hallway that led outside. Bright umbrellas dotted the patio and a live band played.

The rooftop at The Broadway in Columbia. Photo by Lisa Waterman Gray

Guests bellied up to the bar with its luminescent backsplash, and filled tables and conversation nooks with revelry. I savored a glass of red wine and delicious, crunchy crawfish egg rolls while admiring the quaint cityscape and soaking in the waning sun.

Chilled red wine complemented crawfish egg rolls – Photo by Lisa Waterman Gray

Sleek, sexy and dedicated to environmental excellence, The Broadway-A DoubleTree by Hilton is located at 1111 E. Broadway in Columbia, Missouri. Call 573.875.7000 or visit The Broadway website.

Read more about Green Hotels from Wander with Wonder writers.

Note: As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with accommodations, meals and other compensation for the purpose of review. While it has not influenced this review, the writer believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest.