MIAMI -- Gov. Charlie Crist is requiring all state employees to hold meetings and only stay in green hotels.

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In South Florida, there are only two green hotels, and the first ever was certified in Miami.

The Four Seasons in Miami is a four-star hotel, but it has another rating that makes other hotels green with envy.

“The rating is done in palms, so we got our first palm in July of last year,” said Eveliny Baston-Klein, the general manager of the Four Seasons Miami. “We are actually now in the process of going for the second palm."

The Four Seasons was the first state-certified green hotel in Miami-Dade County. The hotel uses energy-saving light bulbs in every room. They save water by using low-flow faucets, showerheads and toilets.

You will find recycle bags tucked away in your room. Every employee helps out, as well.

“I keep myself informed and involved,” said George Gomez, the doorman at the Four Seasons. “I said to myself, 'I am doing what I can for now, but hopefully I will do more in the future.'"

Deep down below the hotel in a place guests never see is where the Four Seasons' “Green Program” is really paying off.

“We were paying someone $600 a month to haul away our cardboard,” said Bob O’Neill, director of security at the Four Seasons. “We bought a cardboard bailer now and we're actually making money."

O’Neill said they used to take away two full garbage trucks of trash from the Dumpsters on the loading dock. Now, they only take away one, and it's usually just full of organic trash.

It looks like it's also working for business at the hotel.

"There's a growing market of people that are environmentally conscious,” said O’Neill. “Believe it or not, they look for facilities that are green-friendly."

The next time you check in to a hotel ask what they are doing to help the environment. At the Four Seasons, they don't just pamper the guests, they also pamper Mother Nature.

Green Travel: How To Find A 'Green' Hotel

Sustainable Travel International offers a searchable eco directory of lodging and other tourism services that have demonstrated a commitment to sustainable tourism.

Green Globe is a worldwide benchmarking and certification program for the travel and tourism industry.

Rainforest Alliance's lodging choices are part of its Sustainable Tourism Certification Network of the Americas, which sets baseline standards that include environmental impact assessments, staff training, environmental monitoring, biodiversity conservation and benefits to local communities.

The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) offers a worldwide lodging search tool to locate TIES members who follow the guidelines of responsible ecotourism.

Green Seal lists lodging properties in the U.S. that meet its Green Seal certification standards.

Green Hotels Association offers an international directory of its eco-minded hotel members.

One last tip: Don't be fooled by businesses that talk the talk but don't walk the walk. Here are a few questions to ask before you check in:

How do you handle trash and recyclables?

What is your policy on washing sheets and towels? Look for hotels that participate in towel and linen re-use program such as Project Planet.

What are your water/energy conservation policies? Look for Energy Star certified appliances, affiliations and awards.

Does your restaurant offer organic and local food?