Pioneers in responsible accommodation A thorough understanding of respectful living practices comes as standard in these rooms.

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Intro

Prominent projects, a holistic approach and a lot of heart and soul go into this pioneering approach to responsible accommodation and are a must for guests who insist on travelling sustainably.

Label, Swisstainable, neutral

Tradition Julen Hotel, Zermatt

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Intro

Sustainability is a family tradition at this hotel that has been run by the same family for generations. The commitment shown by this hotel located in the heart of Zermatt is as laudable as it is unique, and this makes it a prime destination for guests seeking both sustainability and attention to detail.

Investing in the future

In addition to supporting causes such as myclimate’s we care initiative, the latest technologies to reduce food waste and the ISO 14001 environmental certification, the Tradition Julen Hotel consistently invests in resource-saving and efficient technologies for its hotel group. The hotel installed LED lights and ventilation and cooling systems with heat recovery quite some time ago.

Turning animal waste into carbon-neutral electricity

The family-owned hotel is also proud to own its own biogas system. This means the hotel can use bioorganic waste and cow and sheep manure for biological fertilizer and carbon-neutral electricity. In a closed-loop process, the hotel generates carbon-neutral electricity for some 350 Swiss families. 

Respect – for humans and animals

The Julen family is also leading the way in animal husbandry. The family focuses on animal welfare in regards to their blacknosed sheep which promotes biodiversity during summer grazing and makes a large contribution to conserving protected forests. They feel it is their responsibility to not let any part of the animal go to waste. This means they use the hide, wool and horns. The wool, for example, ends up in the pillows in their hotel rooms.  

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Schloss Wartegg, Rorschacherberg

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Intro

The former retreat of Zita, the last Austrian Empress, is completely unique. Ecological and social principles are consistently upheld and are embedded in the historic building in a unique way. Both the hotel’s beautiful castle garden and its certified organic gourmet restaurant underscore its commitment to sustainability.

Living biodiversity

The paradise-like castle garden is completely dedicated to biodiversity – from its avoidance of hard paving and revitalisation of the soil to a beautiful flower garden that feeds pollinators well into late autumn thanks to the hotel’s own chemical-free bee hives. The heart of the parkland is the Demeter-certified ProSpecieRara vegetable garden and the Bernese Oberland sheep, which are also ProSpecieRara certified. Based on the principles of local, fresh and integral utilisation, the gourmet dishes feature the hotel’s own Bio Knospe-certified products.

Completely natural – from the construction materials to the bed linens.

But that’s not all. Located in Rorschacherberg, the hotel saves energy and conserves resources through heat recovery and 100% green electricity. Natural building materials are just as important as the consistent use of natural textiles. And bed linens made of organic cotton are of course standard in every room at Schloss Wartegg.

Social responsibility

None of this would work without highly motivated employees. Flat hierarchies for a quick decision process and flexible working hours for a better work-life balance are just two steps the hotel has taken to establish a long-lasting relationship with staff.

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Valsana Hotel Arosa

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Intro

What is the secret behind this hotel, which opened in 2017? Its ability to combine sustainability with modern nature-inspired design. Its carbon neutral credentials, clever ice storage heating technology that conserves resources and the option to plant a tree when you book are just some of the highlights of this 4-star superior accommodation.

Eco-friendly arrival and departure options included

Holidays usually begin at home. This is precisely where the hotel begins to make its guests’ stays as environmentally friendly as possible. Guests have the option of using the free shuttle service to Arosa on the Rhaetian Railway, which is powered by 100% green electricity. In addition, there are four free e-charging stations, as well as a scheme for compensating for travel to and from the hotel and for planting a tree.

Smart energy generation for more resource conservation

When the building that sits 1,800 metres above sea level was renovated, some of the building materials from the old complex were reused, saving valuable resources and creating fewer pollutants. Even the heating system is designed to conserve resources and work efficiently. No fossil fuels are used at all. The hotel uses heat recovery, geothermal heating and internal ice storage units instead. Ice storage provides energy autonomy, a complete and efficient use for the valuable waste heat as well as enormous CO2 savings. The hotel’s remaining CO2 emissions are offset with climate protection projects, which makes the Valsana one of the first carbon-neutral hotels in Switzerland.

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wellnessHostel4000, Saas Fee

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Intro

Swiss Youth Hostels are taking a leading role in creating a sustainable Switzerland. The wellnessHostel4000 in car-free Saas Fee serves as a beacon of excellence. Its praiseworthy efforts include the highest ecological building standards and local solar heating energy, to name just a couple.

Swiss youth hostels are taking their responsibilities seriously 

Socially responsible, ecological and forward-looking – Swiss youth hostels were one of the first establishments in Switzerland to recognise and accept their responsibility towards humanity and the environment. Today, every single youth hostel is certified and is making an ongoing effort to ensure accessibility for all. And the really great news? Each youth hostel has undertaken individual measures based on its surroundings and building type to lower emissions and improve integration. And these measures have paid off with unique, environmentally friendly accommodation that is open to everyone.

Renewable resources – both inside and out

As the first five-storey timber hotel building in Switzerland, the wellnessHostel4000 in Saas Fee is certainly one of a kind. And since achieving the Minergie-Eco Standard, the building has now set yet another ecological benchmark. The hostel will accept no compromises, even in its day-to-day operations. The heat is generated by the local solar heat network and the photovoltaic system installed on the hostel roof in 2014 produces around 30% of the electricity consumed.

Categorically barrier-free

By continuously working to be barrier-free, the Swiss youth hostels are also setting important standards in the area of accessibility and inclusion. In the wellnessHostel4000, for example, all rooms are fully accessible and information on barrier-free transport, wet rooms and services is comprehensive and readily available.

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Hotel Kartause Ittingen, Warth-Weiningen

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Intro

From zero mile gastronomy to an inclusive workplace to commercial strategies that target durable and long-term investments, there are very few other places that take sustainability as seriously as Hotel Kartause. This is hardly surprising. After all, the monastic community who lived in this historic place laid the foundation for such a well thought-out strategy over 900 years ago.

Truly local

Zero mile gastronomy is firmly embedded in the Thurgau hotel. The hotel farm supplies the restaurant with over 200 products. The milking parlour is less than 300 metres away from the hotel’s cheese dairy. The chef is often found out in the hotel garden picking fresh herbs for garnishing his culinary creations. This gives local a whole new meaning, while at the same time making a significant contribution to reducing carbon emissions.

Integration for an inclusive society

With its 60 sheltered employment places for those with psychological or mental impairments, the Kartause is proactively working toward a more self-determined and inclusive society.

Thinking long term

And their investment policy? Day-to-day business focuses on making long-term, future-oriented investments that safeguard the listed building and secure workplaces.

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