The historic La Fonda on the Plaza Hotel in Santa Fe, New Mexico, has been named Green Business of the Year by the Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce during the city’s annual Business Awards. This honor recognizes the hotel’s long-term commitment to sustainability, historic preservation and community engagement.
Each year the Chamber highlights outstanding local businesses across multiple categories. In 2018 more than 80 nominations were received, and the awards program aims to promote practices that strengthen the local economy and protect Santa Fe’s unique cultural and environmental heritage. Selection criteria emphasize efforts that reduce environmental impact while supporting the community.
La Fonda earned the Green Business distinction for a broad range of sustainable measures. The hotel has implemented continuous recycling programs, adopted water-conservation strategies, and carried out energy-efficient upgrades. Those operational changes are complemented by community outreach and charitable partnerships that extend the property’s impact beyond its walls.
Historic preservation is another key part of La Fonda’s sustainability profile. Maintaining and restoring the landmark structure preserves embodied energy and protects the character of downtown Santa Fe, while thoughtful renovations have allowed the hotel to modernize systems and reduce resource use without compromising its architectural legacy.
By combining environmental practices with cultural stewardship and local engagement, La Fonda on the Plaza serves as a model for how hospitality businesses can contribute to a greener, more resilient Santa Fe. The Chamber’s recognition highlights how well-planned sustainability efforts can benefit both a business and the wider community.
As cities and organizations continue to promote green initiatives, awards like this encourage other businesses to adopt similar practices—reducing waste, conserving water, improving energy efficiency and investing in preservation and outreach. La Fonda’s example illustrates that sustainable operations and strong community ties are compatible goals that can reinforce each other over time.