Solar panels at the Ranch

Xanterra’s Commitment to Sustainability

Sustainability at Xanterra Travel Collection®

 

Our name “Xanterra” is derived from the combination of two words. The first part, “Xan” originates from the word “Xanadu,” as featured in the epic poem “Kubla Khan” by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. In the poem, Coleridge depicts Xanadu as an idyllic and beautiful paradise. The latter part of our names comes from “terra,” the Latin word for earth. Thus, the name Xanterra means “beautiful places on earth.”

At Xanterra we recognize the interdependence between our resorts and the natural environment and we are committed to the preservation and protection of the environment in each of our “beautiful places on earth.”

We will continue to set the standard for ecologically sound resorts that complement, not harm, the natural surroundings. Xanterra Travel Collection®, owner of The Oasis at Death Valley National Park, is committed to long-term business practices that aid the environment. Below are just a few of our sustainability initiatives at The Oasis at Death Valley.

Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy

  • Installing a 1.7 MW solar photovoltaic system consisting of more than 5,000 individual panels.
  • Replacing the 125-ton chiller and guest room fan units at the Inn and adding a Building Management System that helps maintain optimal indoor temperatures while conserving energy.
  • Installing building sensors that automatically turn off lights and adjust room temperatures when spaces are unoccupied to conserve energy.
  • Replacing windows and doors at the Inn with high-efficiency, double-pane, gas-filled alternatives, significantly reducing heat gain in public spaces and guest rooms.
  • Conducting a comprehensive lighting inventory and replacing incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient LEDs.
  • Participating in Southern California Edison’s Demand Bidding Program to reduce electrical consumption during peak demand periods.

Waste Reduction & Recycling

  • Eliminating as many single-use plastic items as possible. In our food outlets, you’ll find that our to-go containers and utensils are almost entirely compostable. From coffee cups to silverware and beyond, The Oasis is committed to eliminating plastic waste in all of our food outlets.
  • Implementing recycling programs that divert a significant portion of our waste from landfills. Our mixed recycling and scrap metal recycling programs divert several tons of material from landfills every year.
  • Collecting waste vegetable oil for conversion into biodiesel.
  • Using renewable diesel in all of our diesel-powered vehicles and offering R99 renewable diesel at the Furnace Creek fuel station.

Water Conservation & Irrigation

  • Utilizing naturally heated, gravity-fed, spring-fed swimming pools that eliminate the need for heating in the winter and cooling in the summer. The springs that feed our pools originate deep underground and maintain a consistent temperature of approximately 84°F year-round.
  • Continuously circulating and replenishing the water in the Inn and Ranch pools approximately four times per day. The water then drains into our irrigation holding ponds, where it is collected for reuse in landscape and golf course irrigation.
  • Replacing golf course irrigation motors with new, premium-efficiency, variable-frequency drive motors.
  • Applying natural green turf dye to dormant Bermuda grass on the golf course during the winter to reduce watering.
  • Offering optional stayover housekeeping services to help conserve our water resources.

Environmental Stewardship

  • Helping preserve Death Valley National Park’s Gold Tier International Dark Sky Park status. You may notice how dark it is outside at night, and we’re working to make it even darker. By partnering with the National Park Service and lighting experts, we aim to reduce light pollution each year by replacing exterior fixtures with dark-sky-friendly lighting.
  • The Furnace Creek Golf Course at Death Valley is the world’s lowest golf course, sitting at 214 feet below sea level. The course has earned the designation of “Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary” through the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program (ACSP), administered by Audubon International. This certification recognizes the course’s commitment to environmental stewardship and is subject to third-party review.
  • Xanterra Travel Collection undergoes regular internal and external audits conducted by internal partners and independent consultants to evaluate compliance with ISO 14001 environmental management standards and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.

Sustainable Purchasing & Local Communities

  • Proudly sourcing products from neighboring communities to sell in our retail outlets.

The Oasis at Death Valley has been welcoming guests since the 1930s. The AAA Four-Diamond-rated Inn at Death Valley features 66 rooms, including two suites with a full array of amenities, fine dining, tennis courts and a spring-fed pool.

The Ranch at Death Valley is situated adjacent to the golf course and features 224 rooms in a casual setting, general store, spring-fed swimming pool, tennis courts, horseback riding and the Borax Museum.