LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, and LEED certification process is run and managed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). And while there are a few LEED certified hotels in the U.S., a lot of them are currently in the application process, and some are thinking about it.

Why is this important? Due to enormous consumer interest in the use of eco-friendly products and services, all kinds of businesses, and even entire cities, are striving hard to be as green as possible. Obviously, when something becomes a trend, even an obsession, with consumers, there will always be a few bad apples will try to peddle their services as green, after applying a few cosmetic changes.

So, this is where we need a set of standards, which every hotel claiming to be eco-friendly must achieve. While something called the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria (GSTC) was launched by a group of key travel industry hevyweights, in partnership with environmental non-profit organizations, this standard is still under consideration status, and it mighth take some time for it to filter through to the markets. So, at present, that leaves LEED certiication as the ultimate stamp of approval for a green hotel. So, how any hotels are there, which have attained LEED certiication, and which are they? The answers, listed below, give you a definitive list of hotels which should make it easy for you to decide on your destination choice for vacations.

The Orchard Garden hotel in San Francisco's Union Square is probably the most famous example of a green hotel with LEED certification. Their committment to keeping their guests' hotel stay as green as possible is legendary. In addition to all the green practices implemented, the hotel also offers an eco-friendly getaway package which includes discounts on bike rentals and optional Airport transpotation in a a Hybrid Toyota Prius. Photo copyrights Orchard Garden Hotel.

Even with this intense focus on a green experience, you won't find any shortage of luxuries or amenities at the Orchard Garden. Quite the opposite, actually. Its one of the most popular San francisco hotels for an upscale and international clientele. Info: 466 Bush Street, San Francisco CA 94108; (888) 717-2881; www.theorchardgardenhotel.com/

The Orchard Garden may be a famous example of LEED certified hotels, but it is by no means the 'greenest' of them all. That title goes to the Proximity hotel in Greensboro, NC, which just a few days ago announced that it has been awarded the Platinum LEED certification from the USGBC.

You see, there are levels even within LEED certification - Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum. The Proximity Hotel is the first Hospitality industry establishment to recieve a Platinum certification. Even the construction phase was strictly in tune with required standards of recycling waste and other green practices. The hotel has a 100 rooftop solar panels which supply the energy to heat the water. Even the lifts generate their own power using regenerative drive elevators. They have over 60 green practices being implemented. Info: 704 Green Valley Road Greensboro NC 27408; (336) 379-8200; www.proximityhotel.com/; Photo copyrights Quaintance-Weaver Restaurants and Hotels.

The Gaia Hotel and Spa in Napa Valley is a great example of how one man can make a difference. Big hotel chains can afford to spend lots of time and money to ensure a hotel is green from the ground up, but the Gaia's green features and innovative means to conserve energy are all directly the handiwork of owner Wen Chang. Photo copyrights Gaia Napa Valley Hotel and Spa.

Portland's Avalon Hotel & Spa is the first LEED certified hotel in Oregon and the 10th in the world to get the certification. The Avalon has a silver ranking and recycles over 60% of its waste and has a stated goal of reaching 80% by 2009.

If more getaway spas were to be as eco-friendly as the Avalon and the Gaia, romantic escapades would be much more guilt-free. There's already more than enough guilt (LOL!) when it comes to spending money on romantic (read sexual) getaways... Info: 0455 S.W. Hamilton Court, Portland Oregon 97239; (503) 802-5800; www.avalonhotelandspa.com/; Photo copyrights - Avalon Hotel & Spa.

I'd like to go on like this, but I fear your attention span is being dangerously challenged, so here's some more LEED certified hotels.

The Ambrose, Santa Monica, CA - LEED Silver certification

The Palazzo Las Vegas Resort, Hotel & Casino - Largest LEED-certified building in the world.

The Inn & Conference Center (Marriott), University of Maryland University College, Adelphi, MD - Country's first environmentally friendly hotel and conference center.

Unity Village Hotel & Conference Center, Unity Village, MO - First LEED certified hotel in the midwest.

Please note that this is not an all-encompassing list of LEED certified hotels. There are lots more which are already certifed, and even more are in the process. Take, for example, the 1 Hotel & Residencies group, which is building a 31 story green tower in New York, slated to open in 2010, which is supposedly going to be greener than all the other New York hotels put together.

Point here, like I said, is that this rush to get LEED certification is driven by consumer demand. And you can make this green makeover of the nation's hotels even more comprehensive and even more faster by opting to stay at one of these places.