With solar power, skylights and a swan pond, the new Gaia Napa Valley Hotel & Spa is the first of a series of environmentally-friendly resorts consuming less electricity and water and possibly saving travelers' money.

With solar power, skylights and a swan pond, the new Gaia Napa Valley Hotel & Spa is the first of a series of environmentally-friendly resorts consuming less electricity and water and possibly saving travelers' money.

The Gaia consumes 26 percent less electricity and 45 percent less water than a similarly sized establishments, says Wen-I Chang, who runs hotels through his company, the Atman Hospitality Group. In addition, the countertops, floor tiles and carpets were made with recycled materials, and environment-friendly sealants were used in the construction. Solar panels will provide about 10 percent of the resort's electricity, and reflective coating on the roof will cut down air-conditioning expenses.

Chang's hopes to build a series of resorts allowing for environmental consciousness and creature comforts consumers expect to find on their vacation starting at $99 a night.

But while consumers are gravitating toward products that are good for the environment, the success of "green" tourism, which is aimed at consumers of organic foods and hybrid cars, remains to be seen.

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