Evans Hotels and The Lodge at Torrey Pines Honored with Gold Key Awards by San Diego County Lodging Association

La Jolla, California (February 2024) — Evans Hotels and The Lodge at Torrey Pines, its AAA Five Diamond property in La Jolla, celebrated two outstanding awards at the 44th annual Gold Key Awards presented by the San Diego County Lodging Association (SDCLA).

On February 15, 2024, the SDCLA held its prestigious Gold Key awards recognizing the very best of San Diego County’s hotel community. Evans Hotels was honored to have five finalists, including two award winners, at this year's awards gala before an audience of friends, family, and distinguished local leaders.

Evans Hotels was honored with the inaugural Good Earthkeeping Award which recognizes lodging properties that have developed a culture toward integrating environmental management practices that improve everyday operations and the bottom line while maintaining quality service and meeting guest expectations.

Evans Hotels was awarded as a result of the company’s WE CARE corporate social responsibility program and the consistent daily efforts of its entire team at the Bahia Resort Hotel, Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa, and The Lodge at Torrey Pines. The following is an excerpt from the nomination:

Improving and sustaining the local environment through careful stewardship of natural resources is a key focus at Evans Hotels. The company is dedicated to making the oceans, beaches, bays, and parks healthier and more beautiful through local cleanup efforts, waste diversion, water conservation, energy efficiency, and carbon emission reduction. Environmental efforts from the 2022 WE CARE program included:

• 40 tons of food waste composted (100% of collected food waste generated).
• 5,147 gallons of used cooking oil converted to biodiesel.
• All the on-property restaurants are Ocean Friendly Certified by the Surfrider Foundation.
• 7,020 pounds of e-waste recycled.
• 689,584 gallons of water saved through laundry recycling efforts.
• 100% of paper products are made from recycled materials (napkins, paper towels, toilet paper, printer paper, face tissue, take-out containers and cups).
• 100% of guest rooms using energy-efficient light bulbs.
• 64% of total waste diverted from landfills.
• 102 employees donated 306 hours to beach clean-ups.
• 199 pounds of waste removed from beaches during clean-ups.

In addition, Diana Sanchez, Concierge at The Lodge at Torrey Pines, was named the Guest Service Associate of the Year. This award is presented to an associate in Guest Services who always goes above and beyond to make guests feel special and welcome while helping their fellow employees.

The other award finalists from Evans Hotels included Lauren Bergman for Sales Associate of the Year, Lisa Gossman for Hotel Executive of the Year, and Roberto Lemuz for Heart of the House Associate of the Year.