Social responsibility is a priority at some hotel companies, an afterthought at others. Here's the lowdown on 25 hotel chains with properties that appeared in the 2006 Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice poll

Amanresorts
Company-wide policy: no
Hires and trains staff from local areas; provides some community health care services in areas where none exists.

Banyan Tree
Company-wide policy: yes
Evaluates compliance at each hotel: yes
Company founded on principles of environmental protection and community empowerment. Resorts built to have minimal environmental impact. Company matches $2 guest surcharge to support the Green Imperative Fund, for educational, environmental, and poverty projects.

CC Africa
Company-wide policy: yes
Evaluates compliance at each hotel: yes
CC Africa channels $3 million per year back into the local economy and employs more than 2,200 local people. The company's Africa Foundation funds wildlife conservation, clinics, and schools.

Fairmont
Company-wide policy: yes
Evaluates compliance at each hotel: yes
Fairmont's Green Partnership Guide sets environmental practice standards for properties worldwide.

Four Seasons
Company-wide policy: no
Launching social-responsibility policies this year. Partnered with London non-profit Youth Career Initiative to train impoverished youth in Amman. Individual hotels support educational and environmental projects. Supports charities.

Hilton/Conrad
Company-wide policy: no
Targets set for energy saving; individual hotels and brands focus on environmental initiatives and launch community projects. In 2005, Hilton in the Community Foundation donated more than $2.4 million to small charities outside North America. Makes charitable donations at corporate level.

Hyatt International
Company-wide policy: yes
Evaluates compliance at each hotel: no
Global initiative encourages volunteerism among employees.

InterContinental
Company-wide policy: yes
Evaluates compliance at each hotel: yes
Leader in International Hotels Environment Initiative; all new hotels use energy-efficient lightbulbs. Company works with Youth Career Initiative in Brazil; also buys fair-trade coffee.

Kempinski
Company-wide policy: no
Individual properties launch community projects.

Mandarin Oriental
Company-wide policy: yes
Evaluates compliance at each hotel: yes
Policy encourages energy efficiency; new hotels installing more efficient heating and cooling systems. Company and individual hotels make charitable donations; company supports cross-cultural exchange through a foundation.

Marriott
Company-wide policy: yes
Evaluates compliance at each hotel: yes
Managers are evaluated in part on social-responsibility efforts, including environmental and community programs; committees encourage employees to join volunteer programs in the community; company works with Youth Career Initiative to train underprivileged youth.

Oberoi
Company-wide policy: yes
Evaluates compliance at each hotel: yes
Green Teams at each hotel focus on recycling, conserving energy, and preserving the environment. Three-year work-study program for high school grads covers cost of a bachelor of arts degree in tourism studies.