A Vision Rooted in Resilience and Respect

The hotel has never been just a workplace. From the beginning, it was about creating a space where people feel accepted, where nature is respected, and where visitors leave with more than memories of the sea. What my grandfather understood long before many others was that travel can change us — if it is done with awareness.

Born on Iž, he knew the island intimately: its scarcity of water, its hard soil, and its traditions rooted in both struggle and abundance.

“On an island, you learn quickly to be resilient and resourceful.”

he often told me. “You respect what you have.” Those values — resilience, resourcefulness, respect — became the foundation of everything he created, and they remain the words I would use to describe him.

From Struggle and Abundance to a Hotel with Purpose

When he opened the first vegetarian hotel on the Adriatic coast 25 years ago, it was far from an obvious choice. “It was an opportunity and a risk I decided to take,” he once said. The idea was born out of his travels to India with his teacher, Maheshwarananda, and it was never just about food or tourism. What he wanted to create was a place where people could slow down, reflect, and explore a more spiritual way of life.

Naturally, the locals met the idea with skepticism. “They were mostly mocking us the first ten years,” my grandfather recalled with a laugh. “They remained tolerant for the next 10 years and, five years ago, accepted our concept as normal. Change comes gradually here.” While many locals struggled to see the point, international visitors were often quicker to embrace it.

“The first intention, one present to this day, is introducing people to spirituality, raising consciousness, and being humane toward all living things,”

he explained. “This is a challenging thing to do in tourism, especially when guests come only for a week or two. But what matters is opening that window of possibility, letting them know it exists. That it is something worth striving for.”

Guests feel the special spirit 

That sense of possibility is what guests feel when they arrive. Many speak of being drawn not only by the vegetarian food but by the energy of the place — the sense of community, of guidance, of retreat from the noise of everyday life. Guests often say the same thing when they step through the door: “We’re home.” That simple phrase captures everything my grandfather hoped to achieve—a vacation not for luxury, but for the soul.

Even as the hotel expanded and the next generation of our family took over daily operations, its essence has remained unchanged. What we offer is not just space and programs, but connections — between people, cultures, and ourselves with the world around and within us.

Hotel Korinjak will stay vegetarian

When I asked my grandfather about the future, his words stayed with me: “I am certain the hotel will stay vegetarian, and what undoubtedly deserves special attention now and in the future is educating people to move toward the more spiritual path, to change their perception of everyday life. Constant practice, making it a daily habit, begins the moment they wake up.”

 As I study the island and reflect on the challenges of sustainable tourism, I see just how forward-thinking his vision was. Long before “green travel” became a trend, he understood that tourism could either exploit or protect a place. His choice was always clear. For him, and for us, it was about living with nature, not against it.

That is the inheritance we carry forward. Hotel Korinjak has evolved over the years, with each generation leaving its mark, yet the spirit remains the same: a simple, mindful place where people rediscover what truly matters. When I once asked him what the tourism industry needs most, he just laughed: “It should have more places like this, haha.”

This is a guest article from Mikela Vlahov.

Der Beitrag Growing Up at Hotel Korinjak: My Family’s Journey as Croatia’s First Vegetarian Hotel erschien zuerst auf GREEN TRAVEL BLOG.

What does it mean to “feel at home” while traveling?

It means staying in small hotels where the staff recognizes you and gets to know you by the end of your vacation! The number of rooms is often a good indicator of this. In our article on unique boutique hotels, you’ll find ten wonderful hotels with just 11 to 38 rooms. However, size alone doesn’t make a hotel feel like home.

Indicators of hotels with a family atmosphere include:

• Personal flair instead of anonymous service
• Hosts who are approachable and authentic. In most cases, the hosts are a family who are fully committed to their profession, and you will meet them every time you visit.
• Rooms were designed with attention to detail, not from a catalog. They reflect the hosts’ philosophy and personal taste.
• Few rooms
• Cozy atmosphere
• Regional cuisine is served, and your personal preferences are taken into account when it comes to meals.

Why are more and more travelers looking for exactly that?

In a world that constantly demands something from us—one that is digital, fast-paced, and geared toward efficiency and mass production—many people are developing a growing desire for authenticity. Rather than staying at faceless hotel chains, more and more travelers are seeking places where they feel truly welcome and can have meaningful encounters with people, cultures, and places.

Family-run hotels offer exactly that: personal interactions with the owners, insider tips on places to visit off the beaten path, and an atmosphere that feels more like visiting friends than staying in a hotel.

Slow Travel and the Counter-Movement to Mass Tourism

The concept of slow travel also plays a role, meaning traveling more consciously and at a slower pace. Stay longer, take in more, and immerse yourself more deeply. Last but not least, many choose these accommodations because they are often sustainably oriented. Rooted in the region, owner-operated, and committed to environmental awareness and social responsibility.

Four examples of familiar hotels with heart and that personal touch

#1 Relais del Maro, Liguria — Feel at home in the heart of a village

The Relais del Maro is actually the reason we came up with the idea for this article. When you arrive, you immediately sense that this place has soul. Elena Scalambrin founded and built the Albergo Diffuso in Borgomaro with her parents—not just as a place to stay, but as a project to revitalize their hometown.

The Albergo Diffuso concept places 14 lovingly restored rooms and suites across three historic family-owned buildings that once served as residences and commercial spaces. Skilled artisans furnished each room individually, using traditional techniques and paying great attention to detail. Here, you can live among the villagers.

You can go to the main house for meals and to use the pool. This place used to be a butcher’s shop. Elena is often available to assist you, and you will grow fond of the entire village community, including the mini market, the bakery, the hairdresser, and the small church with its dedicated pastor.

#2 Hotel Bella Vista Zermatt — Family-friendly, panoramic views, and comfort

Nestled above the car-free village of Zermatt, the Hotel Bella Vista boasts direct views of the Matterhorn and offers a harmonious blend of nature, warmth, and sustainability. This small, 21-room hotel is incredibly cozy! It is built entirely of wood and features hand-crafted furniture, an open fire in the lobby, and a Swiss stone pine room in the wellness area.

The Anthamatten family runs the hotel and will make you feel right at home. Fabienne Anthamatten, for example, can give you hiking and skiing tips. She knows secret routes where you won’t encounter anyone for hours. She can also explain how you can ski all the way to Italy, starting right outside the hotel—including tips for lunch stops along the way!.

Stefanie, her sister, will often greet you at the front desk, and when she’s not there, she’s probably leading a yoga retreat. As a trained yoga teacher, she brings an extra sense of calm and mindfulness to the hotel. Mother Anthamatten also has a significant influence on the hotel, particularly through her traditional recipes that the kitchen team adopted. (Tip: Be sure to try her Zermatter hay soup!) The family also has a real mountain guide and mountain rescuer in Simon Anthamatten. He is very active in the region and organizes the “Ultraks” trail running event, among other things.

• Tip: We recommend the newly renovated “Sky Lounge” rooms located in the attic, where you can see the mountain peaks from your bed through a skylight.

#3 Hotel Okelmann’s in Lower Saxony – Arrive, take a breather, and wish you could stay forever

The charming Eco-Hotel Okelmann’s in the small Lower Saxony village of Warpe is now run by the fourth generation of the Okelmann family. Sisters Kristin and Maren manage the hotel today with great dedication and a clear commitment to nature. Maren is a trained yoga teacher and singing bowl therapist who oversees the retreats and yoga classes offered there. Kristin, on the other hand, loves good food, a topic covered in our article on northern German cuisine.

Father Helmut is enthusiastic about the project, too. As a passionate cyclist, he enjoys offering personalized tour recommendations and has published his own routes on Komoot for guests.

With only sixteen individually designed rooms, Okelmann’s is a boutique hotel in the truest sense — manageable, personal, and intimate. Highlights include the small sauna in a converted shepherd’s wagon, the wooden whirlpool, and the delicious homemade cakes at Café Heimatliebe. Incidentally, the cake display doesn’t always feature what’s on the menu. Mama Okelmann likes to get creative, so new, unplanned creations often make their way into the café..

#4 Hotel Weihrerhof in South Tyrol — a family hotel with lake access and a passion for books

On the shores of Lake Wolfsgruben on the Ritten plateau in South Tyrol lies the Weihrerhof, a place that exudes tranquility and is steeped in history. Run by the Pichler family, the Weihrerhof has only 23 rooms and offers opportunities for personal encounters and genuine relaxation in nature.

In 1967, Friedl and Zilli Pichler fulfilled their dream of owning a guesthouse with eleven rooms and a breakfast island built by Friedl himself in the lake. Today, Klaus Pichler and his family are the second generation to run the guesthouse, doing so with great dedication. Reading is one of the family’s favorite pastimes. You will find a bestseller library here that is open to guests. Manuela Pichler will be delighted if you browse through it and ask her for advice on your holiday reading. Or, you can go straight for a “blind date with a book.” The family has even published their own children’s book with stories about the lake. Fittingly, the style here is very cozy, with lots of wood, natural decorations, and lovely details.

#5 Naturresort Gerbehof — a lovingly run organic hotel

You will also find a family-run hotel near the famous Lake Constance – the Naturresort Gerbehof. It is not located on the lakeshore, however, but about five kilometers away in the middle of its own organic farm. The small, 40-room hotel is run by the Wagner family. You can meet Ursula, Bruno, and their children, Priska, Christel, and Ralph, on the website. Each family member has their own area of responsibility, and they all work together to provide passionate and dedicated service.

A vacation that’s like staying with friends

The small Green PearlsⓇ hotels featured in this article offer the comfort of a real vacation combined with the cozy feeling of arriving at a friend’s house. They offer homemade food, genuine recommendations, and plenty of space to relax. Best of all, you won’t even have to clear the table or wash the dishes at the end of the day. Sounds pretty perfect, doesn’t it?

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Here, you will find both. Together, we will take an in-depth look at sustainable travel, explore its background, and establish connections. You will also find useful tips in the article. But enough preface. Let’s get started!

Table of Contents: Sustainable Travel

A Look at Tourism

How does sustainable travel work?

What is sustainability and what does it have to do with our travels?

Sustainability today: Comprehensive and blurry

Environmental protection while traveling

Water consumption as a traveler

Sustainability meets animal welfare

Climate protection while traveling: Do you still fly??

Let’s talk about money – What our money does when we travel

Questions you can ask yourself before you spend your money

Excursus: The Green Pearls® network

Often overlooked: Social sustainability when it comes to travel

An alternative to traditional tourism: Slow Travel

Small steps also make a difference

Sustainable Travel – Different Experience

If you landed on our website, it’s likely that you’re someone who likes to travel themselves, right? Think back, where have you been? It varies greatly among members of the editorial team. Some of us have experienced distant parts of the world. Literally. Some people prefer to stay in Germany and Europe. What we all have in common is that we love discovering new places.

A Look at Tourism

When we’re traveling, and I’m sure you feel the same way, we’ve noticed that we can’t continue like before. It has been evident for some time that tourism is not the white, unsullied industry that it likes to be portrayed as. Mass tourism, short-haul flights, and water scarcity are just a few of the keywords associated with this context.

But, how can we improve? What are some ways we can discover other countries and regions without leaving a damaging imprint on the ground? In summary, how can we travel responsibly?

How does sustainable travel work?

This is the very question we want to explore in this blog article. We will do it in as much detail as we can. That is why we will begin by explaining what sustainability is and how it relates to our travel behavior. Of course, the topic of climate protection and air travel has its place as well. Lastly, we’ll introduce you to an alternative to classic tourism, and in part two of this series of articles, we’ll share with you tangible, tried-and-tested tips on how you might make your trip more sustainable.

Despite all the tips we’ve given you, there is one thing we don’t want you to forget: As a traveler, you will always have higher CO2e emissions and consume more resources than you would if you didn’t travel. Most cases, at least. The most sustainable way to travel would be not to travel at all. But sustainability has now taken on a greater meaning than just environmental protection.

What is sustainability and what does it have to do with our travels?

To answer this question, we must travel back to the Middle Ages. At that time, the term ‘sustainable’ first appeared and meant something like ‘lasting.’ The first proper definition of sustainability in today’s sense came from Hans Carl von Carlowitz. The chief miner faced numerous challenges, such as extreme deforestation, droughts, and bark beetle infestations, in his forests in the 18th century. Does this sound familiar to you?

Perhaps we should take another look at the 300-year-old textbook published by von Carlowitz. In it, he introduced the principle of sustainable forestry, which states that only as many trees should be cut down as can grow back. Von Carlowitz developed this method to ensure that future generations would still have access to wood.

Sustainability today: Comprehensive and blurry

Our approach to sustainability has evolved and changed since then. Forestry’ is a term you probably don’t associate with it anymore, but maybe your cell phone case, clothing, or food. And yes, travel is also part of the equation.

There are many perspectives on what sustainable travel looks like. One definition does not exist. You won’t find one here either. Instead, we want to introduce you to the different aspects of sustainable travel and explain how they work. We’ll start with the most obvious aspect: the environment.

Environmental protection while traveling

As travelers, we should be aware that we can harm the environment. Otherwise, you probably wouldn’t be reading this article. However, our environmental impact isn’t only made up of flights and travel-related exhaust fumes. For example, many people don’t realize that building a hotel can significantly disrupt the natural environment. This environmental damage forces plants and animals to look for new habitats. Therefore, renovating existing buildings is the best solution.

Monastery hotels are a good example of this, such as the Hotel Klosterbräu in Seefeld, Klosterhof – Alpine Hideaway & Spa in Bavaria, and Hotel Le Pavilion in Paris. By utilizing old monastery walls, abandoned buildings are given a new lease on life while preserving the culture and history of the community. If you want to learn more about this trend, you can find out more in our article on monastery hotels.

Water consumption as a traveler

At this point, there’s no reason to sugarcoat things. As frequent travelers, we use a lot of water.

• According to the German Hotel and Restaurant Association (DEHOGA), a tourist consumes approximately 350 liters per night in a hotel (compared to around 130 liters at home).
• The 2030 Report even estimates up to 2,425 liters per night for a tourist. This includes personal water consumption (showers, toilets) as well as swimming pools, golf courses, green spaces, etc.

Even if sustainable and environmentally friendly hotels and accommodations use water-saving faucets and use rainwater and gray water for garden irrigation, every guest still uses more water on vacation than they would at home. Not just for brushing teeth. That accounts for the least amount. Indirectly, we also use the water that is consumed in the restaurant, for the pool and for cleaning.

It’s cool when the hotel uses a natural bathing pond instead of a classic chlorinated pool, as the STURM in Mellrichstadt, Germany, does, for example. Furthermore, it provides a habitat for numerous animals. If flowering meadows with bee- and insect-friendly flowers are also planted, the hotel garden becomes a small, biodiverse paradise.

Sustainability meets animal welfare

Traveling and experiencing animals in their natural environment is one of the top experiences, especially for children. Whether they are wild animals on safari or domestic animals, seeing them in their natural habitat is incredible. However, travel can have a negative impact on animal protection. Visits to national parks ensure that they can continue operating. Our visits also demonstrate to the local population that protecting animals can be financially worthwhile. On the other hand, tourism can encourage practices that are not in the animals’ best interest, such as elephant riding or lion petting.

If you are interested in learning more about animal welfare while traveling and how you can make
your trip animal-friendly, you may want to check out this blog article. We’ve covered the topic in
detail here.

Furthermore, our article on wildlife on vacation provides specific vacation offers where you can experience safaris, diving, or national park animals in a sustainable way.

Climate protection while traveling: Do you still fly?

Travel and accommodation have been found to be the areas with the greatest environmental impact when it comes to tourism. That means that adjusting these adjustment screws has the biggest effect. You can find a selection of sustainable hotels and vacation rentals on our website. We not only present each hotel with its rooms and offers, but also with its sustainable initiatives and measures. This will give you an opportunity to get an overview in advance and actively contribute to protecting the climate by making environmentally friendly choices when it comes to accommodation.

By now, we are all aware that flying, especially short-haul flights, is immensely detrimental to the climate. Flight shame has become a term for when you get on a plane even though you feel bad about it.

How you can deal with flight shame, we have already discussed in tis blog article.

Other alternatives to flying are driving a car, taking a bus or train, cycling, and wearing walking shoes. Yes, we count the car as well. Although we wholeheartedly agree that car traffic must be reduced, if you look only at carbon dioxide emissions, then a fully occupied car with four or five people can sometimes even have the better balance than an empty train. However, the train still runs, and in addition, it offers the opportunity to spend time together with family or friends without having to concentrate on road traffic.

An alternative that many people are unaware of is the long-distance bus. In recent years, companies such as Flixbus have established a huge network across Europe, and their environmental friendliness is on par with that of trains! Find out more about sustainable vacations by long-distance coach here.

It is even more environmentally friendly to travel by foot or by bicycle rather than by car. The journey itself will become an adventure, and you will develop an entirely new perspective. By the way, this principle is the foundation of the Slow Travel movement. You can read more about it in the article below.

Let’s talk about money – What our money does when we travel

When we travel, we incur expenses. On accommodation, food, souvenirs, activities, and events. It is not without reason that tourism is one of the most important, sometimes even the most important, industry in many countries. It offers a lot of potential, if done right.

“Right” in this case means that our money benefits the country and the local population, and does not flow back abroad or to large, international companies. Experts here speak of the percolation rate, which indicates how much of the profits from the respective destination seep back out again. This happens, for example, through staying in international hotel chains, buying imported goods and eating at global franchises.

Another aspect is that we determine what we support through our purchasing or consumption behavior. What practices and behaviors do we support with the money we spend while traveling? Keywords here are production conditions, supply chains, payment of employees, exploitation of nature, and child labor, just to name a few.

Questions you can ask youself before you spend your money:

• Who owns the hotel or lodging I want to stay at? Is it family run? Locally owned?
• Who owns the restaurant? Who does the cooking? How are the employees treated?
• Where does the food come from? Was it grown locally? Or imported?
• Where do the souvenirs come from? What material are they made of?
• Does the event benefit the local population? Or is it cultural appropriation and exploitation?

Additionally, a sustainable economy also refers to the entrepreneurs in tourism. They should take care not to work only for short-term profit, but to think in the long term. That means taking into consideration the impact and responsibility of their own company, hiring local employees, and investing in environmental and social measures.

Excursus: The Green Pearls® network

At Green Pearls®, we want to advocate for more sustainability in tourism and help you do the same. That’s why we work with various partners around the world who offer sustainable hotels and vacation rentals. After prior verification and only if they meet certain sustainable criteria, which concern environmental protection as well as economy and social issues, they are allowed to be part of the Green Pearls® partner network.

This means that when you choose a Green Pearls® hotel or vacation home, you can be confident that your accommodations are sustainable. You can read exactly what makes each hotel or vacation home sustainable on its respective Green Pearls® page. For example, you can learn how the five-star Der Birkenhof Spa & Genussresort hotel in Bavaria is a pioneer in sustainable hospitality despite its luxury orientation; how the Aparthotel OLM Nature Escape in South Tyrol generates all of its energy from its own sources; how 50 percent of the employees at the Green City Hotel Vauban are disabled; and how the Hotel Luise in Erlangen makes its hotel rooms entirely from recyclable materials.

Often overlooked: Social sustainability when traveling

Both the economic and environmental aspects of sustainability are socially oriented. At first, this may sound very abstract, but imagine the following: You travel to any country, or even just another city. You arrive there, stay in a hotel, eat in a restaurant, and walk through the streets. You can also buy some souvenirs. Likewise, you drink water, swim in the pool, throw away your garbage, drive boat, cab, car. Then you leave again. If you tried to spend the money locally, then the money you spent stays there. What also stays there is your environmental impact, the missing water and the garbage.

And now imagine thousands, in some places even millions, doing the same. What do you think the effects will be on the local people?

Let’s take a look at the social impact of man-made climate change, which is not entirely innocent when it comes to tourism. The people who are affected by it are the ones who don’t contribute to it. People who don’t travel around the world three times a year.

Furthermore, there are also clear abuses in tourism, such as the exploitation of seasonal workers. You can find out more about this in this article on social sustainability in tourism.

An alternative to traditional tourism: Slow Travel

You might have heard of Slow Travel before, right? Over the last few years, countless books, articles, and podcasts have been published about it. The idea behind it is simple: Slow travel. The journey should be made to the destination. Putting achieving your goal above arriving at your goal. In this way, Slow Travelers are returning to the old definition of travel: being on the way from A to B.

Slow Travel grew out of the Slow Food Movement, which promotes the conscious cultivation, handling, and enjoyment of food. It was founded as an alternative to fast food. Slow Travel can be similarly compared with conventional travel.

Instead of considering the journey as a mere tool to reach the destination, Slow Travel considers it an essential part of the trip. On foot, by bike or by train, you experience the first adventures already before your destination.

The main thing, when you’re walking, is to stay in one place for longer. Because the longer we stay, the greater the benefit to the local economy. You’ll also get to know the local people in an entirely different way and discover places that other tourists miss. Perhaps the locals will even share with you one or two insider tips. 😉

Read this blog article for more information about slow travel and how a slow trip can look like. Furthermore, join us on an adventurous journey by train through Thailand!

Small Steps also make a difference

You might be thinking that’s okay, but there are just too many things to consider. Where do I even begin? That’s precisely how everyone started who is involved in sustainable travel today. The key is to take small steps initially. If the issue seems too large to tackle right now, start by booking sustainable lodging in your destination. Stay longer in one place instead of spending each day somewhere else. Actively choose vegetarian or even vegan meals. These are all small steps you can take to move in the direction of more sustainable travel.

Sustainable Travel – Different Experience

Travel is indeed a wonderful thing. We meet new people and discover nature. Unfortunately, however, our travel has an immense impact on the environment and people around the world.

It would, therefore, seem logical to say that, even if it’s difficult, we’ll give up traveling if we have to.

However, that is too narrow-minded. Tourism impacts thousands of jobs and livelihoods around the world, and many people rely on us travelers for their livelihood. Especially in countries like the Maldives, there are very few job or income opportunities outside of tourism. Sustainable hotels like Gili Lankanfushi provide a stable income for locals, which encourages a change in mindset. Whether it’s local or foreign visitors, the mindset will be changed. Read here to find out what sustainable vacations in the Maldives can look like and how you can actively participate in a coral conservation project as a diver, for example.

In rural areas, they offer opportunities for sustainable development. The travelers staying at Relais del Maro, located in the small Ligurian town of Borgomaro, not only ensure the preservation of the historic buildings that house the family-run “Albergo Diffuso” hotel, they also support regional farmers, winemakers, and artisans.

In other words, we don’t have to stop traveling. We need to travel differently.

Sustainable travel does not eliminate these impacts. But when we travel sustainably, we make more conscious choices and don’t just accept our effects. We make conscious decisions to forgo flights, take more time to explore a country or place, and search for sustainable accommodations and activities. We strive to help you do that here on the Green Travel Blog and over at Green Pearls.

What’s your favorite way to travel? Do you travel sustainably? And what aspects of your trip are particularly important to you? You are welcome to share your thoughts and experiences below.

This is an update from September 27, 2022.

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Der Beitrag Sustainable travel at a glance: Background, facts and tips erschien zuerst auf GREEN TRAVEL BLOG.

Driven by nostalgia, I inquired among our Green Pearls® partner hotels and found many like-minded individuals passionate about wood and craftsmanship. Some hotels even have their own forests from which they source wood for furniture. Others use traditional materials, such as Swiss pine, applewood, and moon wood. Some hotels furnish their rooms with lovingly restored family heirlooms, while others are rethinking furniture design based on the principle of the circular economy.

A hotel made of applewood: The Klosterhof — Alpine Hideaway & Spa

Dr. Andreas Färber, the owner of the Klosterhof – Alpine Hideaway & Spa in Bayerisch Gmain, is one of the hoteliers who shares my enthusiasm for solid wood furniture. When he and his wife took over the hotel, they made an unusual decision: the Klosterhof would become one of the world’s few “apple hotels.”.

About 90 percent of the custom-made furniture in the house is made of applewood. However, the wood did not come from various locations; it comes from a single apple orchard. This creates a sense of unity in design and content throughout the entire house, something that can be felt in every room and detail.

The concept was implemented in collaboration with longstanding partners at Philipp Haas + Söhne, a master workshop in nearby Bad Reichenhall. The workshop’s latest project was its involvement in the “Spa Glow-Up” 2025.

Masterful craftsmanship with a regional flair

Like the Klosterhof, many of our Green Pearls® partner hotels use handmade furniture crafted by local carpenters.

At the Naturresort Gerbehof on Lake Constance, all the furniture is made from wood sourced directly from the resort itself. They primarily used spruce, which was processed directly on the farm. The furniture reflects the character of this living material, telling the story of the nature that produced it. The spa area’s whirlpool is unique as well; it was designed with stones from the nearby Rhine estuary.

The Hotel Klosterbräu in Seefeld, Tyrol, has adopted a similar concept. Almost all of the materials used for the 28 newly built nature rooms came from the region. Ninety-five percent of the materials come from the Alpine region, and the wood comes from the hotel’s own forest. One interesting architectural feature is the bed’s placement under a round arch in the wall. This creates a cozy, almost fairy-tale atmosphere. The bedside lamps with hay-flower lampshades provide the perfect finishing touch.

“”Sometimes, an inner satisfaction makes you want to reach out and touch the piece, to stroke it. God bless the craftsmen who can inspire such feelings in their fellow human beings with just a few pieces of wood!” —From the book So Grün War Mein Tal (My Valley Was So Green) by Richard Llewellyn

At the Naturhotel Outside in East Tyrol, the connection to nature is evident throughout the entire interior design concept: the rooms feature larch wood walls and beds, and the tables are made from regional oak by a Pinzgau carpenter in Salzburg. The newly designed nature spa also incorporates wooden elements from the same workshop.

Wood art in South Tyrol

Individuality and regionality are also emphasized at the Hotel Weihrerhof in Ritten, South Tyrol. For many years, it has worked with the Eisath und Lintner carpentry firm, which manufactures furniture on site from local wood with great attention to detail.

The OLM Nature Escape in the Ahrntal Valley offers a holistic experience. Its ApartSuites are almost entirely clad in larch wood, from floor to ceiling. There are no ornate decorations or Alpine carvings. Instead, the clear, straightforward, modern design creates a natural sense of space, complemented by spruce in the saunas and maple in the restaurant area. The interior design was created by South Tyrolean master craftsmen from Plana Ladina in Val Badia.

Honeycomb design

Lastly, there is the Apipura hotel rinner in South Tyrol. Here, a local carpenter crafted all the furniture in the rooms. The hotel has its own organic beekeeping operation, so the carpenter chose honeycombs as a recurring design element.

Custom work from the Green City: Handcrafted ash furniture at the Hotel Vauban

The Vauban district of Freiburg is known throughout Europe as a model of environmentally friendly urban development. Right in the heart of the district lies the Green City Hotel Vauban, which carries this philosophy through to every detail, including the furniture.

The entire interior was custom-made by Werkhalle 53, a Freiburg-based collective of three master carpenters. They used solid ash wood from nearby Umkirch, a wood that impresses with its fine grain and high durability. The modern, timeless, and clear-designed furniture can be found throughout the hotel, including in the rooms, lobby, and conference rooms.

Another advantage is that the furniture can easily be added to or restored as needed. This approach is sustainable and creates long-term design continuity, which is perfectly in keeping with the neighborhood’s reputation for thoughtful interplay of ecology, architecture, and community.

The power of the moon: Furniture made from moon wood at La Vimea

People deeply involved in traditional craftsmanship and sustainable processing know that not all wood is the same. Moon wood is a prime example: it is wood cut during a waning moon. This ancient practice is based on the knowledge that the moisture content of wood is lower during certain phases of the moon. The result is a highly resistant, durable, and dimensionally stable material — no chemical additives necessary.

At LA VIMEA, a purely vegan hotel in South Tyrol, moon wood plays a central role. Most of the furniture is made from locally sourced wood harvested during the waning moon. The wood is left untreated, making the rooms’ special energy and authenticity palpable.

LA VIMEA uses only natural, cruelty-free materials, such as wood, paper, jute, straw, and cork, for its decorations. Even the candles are made from eco-friendly rapeseed wax.

Furniture in a Cycle: Circular economy meets design

Furnishings don’t have to be new to look modern and high-quality. In a circular economy, everything can be reused. Two of our partner hotels have demonstrated this by incorporating it into their design concept. In addition to wood, other recycled and recyclable materials play a central role as well.

Circular Living at the SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA

In cooperation with the impact service providers RITTWEGER + TEAM and Fritz Schlecht GmbH, the SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA in the spa town of Bad Herrenalb developed room concepts such as “Freigeist” (free spirit), “Waldklang” (forest sound), and “Falkenstein” (falcon stone)—a stylish combination of nature and contemporary design. Highlights include oak parquet flooring with Cradle-to-Cradle Bronze certification, regional softwood side tables, and pendant lights made from PEFC-certified birch—ecologically sound and aesthetically pleasing.

The circular hotel room at Hotel Luise

The Hotel Luise in Erlangen is a pioneer among sustainable city hotels. Of particular note are the “circular hotel rooms,” which were designed according to the cradle-to-cradle principle. This means that everything in the room, from the floor to the ceiling, is either biodegradable or fully recyclable.

The hotel also features upcycled furniture and restored pieces, including an antique pharmacy cabinet from the Coburg court pharmacy. The cabinet was found by the owners in the local classifieds and was restored. Now, it houses the hotel’s “Tiny Shop.”

Furniture with history: restored, inherited, and preserved

Like the apothecary cabinet, many pieces of furniture carry memories of previous generations and nearly forgotten craft traditions. In some Green Pearls® hotels, this emotional connection is incorporated into the interior design. Rather than using mass-produced items, they focus on restoring unique pieces and preserving family heirlooms, complemented by custom-made furniture from sustainable production.

At the Ligurian Relais del Maro, you will stay in historic houses belonging to the host family — lovingly restored and scattered throughout the village of Borgomaro in the style of an Albergo Diffuso. Some of these houses contain furnishings that still belong to the family, while others were sourced from small antique markets on the nearby Côte d’Azur — with each piece telling its own story.

Old meets new at Hotel Okelmann’s in Lower Saxony, too. For example, the grandmother’s wedding cabinet has found a place of honor in the new Signature Suite. Adjacent to it are handcrafted furnishings from a carpentry workshop in the neighboring village. Other antique pieces have been refurbished and carefully incorporated into the design.

Individuality is a top priority at Gut Sonnenhausen in Bavaria. They have collected original farmhouse cabinets from all over Bavaria and lovingly restored them in the stables of the historic farmhouse. These cabinets form an exciting contrast to the modern art and contemporary design found throughout the hotel. And the beds were designed in-house and crafted by a local carpenter using regional wood. Each room is unique; no two rooms are alike.

“”Wood is proud of its age.” —From the book “So Green Was My Valley” von Richard Llewellyn

Immerse yourself in craftsmanship: Carved rooms that evoke a sense of well-being

In some hotels, you will find not only unique pieces of furniture but also rooms that are completely carved.

At the Hotel Bella Vista in Zermatt, the “Arvenstube” is the perfect place to relax. This entire relaxation room is furnished with fragrant Swiss stone pine wood, which is known for its restorative properties (read this blog article to learn more about the latest studies). Here, you can unwind on waterbeds after an active day exploring the mountains around the Matterhorn. According to Fabienne Anthamatten, the hostess, this is one of the guests’ favorite rooms. 🙂

The Hotel Klosterbräu in Seefeld showcases master craftsmanship with its unique, hand-carved “Herzerl-Sauna” (heart sauna). You won’t find another one like it anywhere on the planet.

Handcrafted rooms like this one combine craftsmanship, natural materials, and wellness in a special way.

Wood in all its facets: regional materials, sustainable partners, and natural construction methods

In addition to offering handmade furniture, our partner hotels are taking various approaches to providing a sustainable wood and nature experience, such as using regional materials, creating durable products, and employing innovative construction methods.

At My Arbor, for instance, furniture crafted from regional oak and sun-baked larch, both sourced from sustainable forestry, dominates. Entirely built high up in the treetops of the South Tyrolean spruce forest, the hotel offers unique views of the Plose from its rooms.

Sustainability is a recurring theme in the partnerships at the Lifestylehotel SAND (SAND Aspires Natural Design). The beds here are from CocoMat, a company whose mattresses are made exclusively from natural materials, such as coconut fibers. The sturdy, recycled teak bed headboards and matching tables in the breakfast and bar areas highlight the hotel’s commitment to sustainable interior design, focusing on quality and durability.

Vacation in a log cabin

The Summit Lodges in Pfunds are completely different but equally impressive. These vacation homes are traditional log cabins, built entirely from whole logs. This construction method boasts an excellent ecological balance, minimal resource consumption, and a particularly pleasant indoor climate thanks to natural Tyrolean sheep’s wool insulation and large windows that let in plenty of sunlight.

Wooden furniture inspiration for your home

Do you want to bring a piece of craftsmanship into your home? Here are a few ideas for finding furniture with history, character, and sustainability:

• Go treasure hunting: Antique and flea markets, as well as online classified ads, are full of special pieces with patina.
• Discover journeyman pieces: Many cities, including my hometown of Cologne, have chambers of crafts that exhibit journeyman and master pieces every year. You can find inspiration there and connect with young carpenters. Years later, these unique pieces sometimes end up in classified ads.
• Build it yourself using the right wood: Numerous DIY instructions for shelves, tables, and more can be found online. When buying wood, look for regional origin and the FSC seal, which is better than PEFC.
• Choose solid wood over chipboard: Furniture made of solid wood is more durable and better for the indoor climate because it doesn’t contain adhesives or formaldehyde. Veneered panels have their place, but opt for solid wood if possible.
• Consider custom work from a professional: Need a new piece of furniture? Ask your local carpenter. Custom-made pieces are more expensive, but not prohibitively so. They are also unique and high-quality.

This demonstrates the versatility of wood as a raw material used in sustainable hotels and homes. It is used not only for furniture, but also in a variety of other forms, always with the goal of blending nature, design, and responsibility.

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An encounter that changed everything – The story of Douglas Maclagan

Nepal is a country of majestic mountains, spiritual places and warm people that attracts travelers from all over the world. One such traveler was Douglas Maclagan from England. It could have been a “normal” trip had a woman not pressed her sick infant into his arms. “Help!” Her look seemed to say. But all he could do was hand it back to her. “I’m not a doctor,” he said helplessly. The child died that night.

Douglas learned that at the time (1993), infant mortality in Nepal was extremely high. Approximately 34% of children did not reach school age. Preventable causes such as infectious diseases, diarrhea, and pneumonia were responsible. There was a lack of both a reliable health care system and adequate facilities for the care and treatment of children.

An inheritance opened up new possibilities

Shortly after that fateful encounter, Douglas’s grandfather died, leaving him a house in England. With the money from the sale of the house, he did what he had wanted to do since the day the woman gave him her sick child: he flew to Nepal and opened two daycare centers for young children in 1995. These grew into today’s Right4Children organization, which has helped more than 40,000 children to date.

Die Daycare-Zentren bestehen aus kindgerechten Betreuungsräumen mit geschultem Personal, wo Eltern ihre Kinder im Alter von 1 bis 5 Jahren tagsüber hinbringen können. . Es gibt Spiele, warme Mahlzeiten und eine hygienische Umgebung mit Gesundheitsvorsorge. Der erste Bericht zeigte: Kein einziges der betreuten Kinder starb.

Daycare centers for strong and healthy children

People in neighboring villages also wanted daycare centers for their children, so Douglas approached the provincial government about opening more centers. However, the government told him that he would first have to set up more daycare centers throughout the province and provide a detailed report on their development to demonstrate the benefits of these facilities. The only support he received from the monarchy was recognition of his work as an NGO. But he still had to raise the money for the centers himself.

In 1996, he used his last money to fly to Hong Kong (then still British) to promote his project. On the side, he waited tables at the Hard Rock Cafe. Through newspaper and television reports, he was able to publicize his idea and raise funds. First one daycare center was added, then three more. Gordon Oldham became Chairman of the Child Welfare Scheme (CWS) in Hong Kong and is still Chairman of the entire Pavilions Hotels & Resorts Group.

Love in Nepal – Douglas and Incuba

During this time, Douglas also met another important person: Incuba. The Nepalese was one of the women who had been trained as caregivers in the daycare centers. They shared not only a vision for the children of Nepal, but also love. Today, they are married and have three daughters. From the beginning, Douglas had a partner who knew the local conditions and people. This turned out to be very important because war was coming.

Nepal in the grip of civil war (1996-2006) – Sustained commitment in difficult times

Until 2008, Nepal was a Hindu kingdom ruled by a brutal king. In 1996, the Communist Party rose up against him. A Maoist guerrilla force attacked police stations, robbed banks, and drove out landlords. They demanded the removal of the ruling elite and land reform. A ten-year civil war ensued, leaving more than 16,000 dead, 100,000 refugees, and scores of missing persons and political prisoners.

Douglas and Incuba look back on those days in their eco-booklet:

“Many NGOs left the country out of fear, but CWS stayed to help people when they needed it most. In remote areas, hundreds of children were recruited as soldiers. Fear led to a mass exodus from villages to cities in the hope of safety and protection. Unfortunately, the reality was that many children left school and became child laborers, street children, or domestic slaves. Young girls and women were trafficked across borders and forced into prostitution.”

During this time, they built:

• A center for street children
• A vocational training center for practical trades such as plumbing and electrician (running until 2015)
• The Asha Primary Health Clinic in Pokhara (still in operation)

Tourism as a source of income

When the global financial crisis hit in 2008, many of the donations Douglas and Incuba had been receiving (mostly from the UK and Hong Kong) suddenly stopped. The couple recalls this as a wake-up call. They felt the need to start a company that could fund charitable projects.

Financial support from the family

Before Douglas’ mother died in 2011, she visited the couple in Nepal and showed them the property near Pokhara that is now the Green PearlsⓇ Resort Pavilions Himalayas – The Farm. “I will leave you money,” she said in essence. “Money to start a business that will fund the charity projects that have already done so much good for the people of Nepal.”

Thus, the property with agricultural land in Chisapani was purchased and The Pavilions Himalayas – The Farm was born. It opened in 2015. The resort consists of 15 spacious villas that combine traditional Nepalese style with luxury. There is a swimming pool, outdoor hot tub, spa area with sauna, gym, yoga and meditation room, clubhouse and restaurant. It became part of the Pavilions Global Collection, which includes boutique resorts in other locations around the world, including Bali and Phuket.

Organic farming and sustainability

Nepal is a largely agricultural country. “About 70 percent of Nepal’s working population is engaged in small-scale subsistence farming,” writes the UN. The Chisapani property has been transformed into a certified organic farm. Douglas and Incuba have been a role model for local farmers, showing them an alternative yet profitable way to transition from traditional agriculture to organic farming.

The local farmers employed on the farm have learned all about organic farming and have received business training. The first recipient of the harvest is the hotel kitchen. So by staying at Pavilions Himalayas – The Farm, you are not only eating absolutely fresh food, you are also supporting the farmers and nature.

Green Initiatives

But it is not just the farming that makes the lodge sustainable. The electricity is generated by solar panels, there is a biogas plant on the property that produces energy for cooking, gray water is used and biodegradable cleaning products are produced.

“We set out to create one of the most environmentally friendly hotels in the world, and I think we’ve succeeded.” – Douglas Maclagan, interviewed by Nepali Times

Looking back on 30 years of helping children and 10 years of running a hotel

Douglas began working with the daycare centers in 1995, and Pavilions Himalayas – The Farm opened in 2015. In a press release in February 2025, they looked back on the project. They highlighted the now-completed Child Friendly School project, which has reached more than 14,000 students, and a new initiative to combat human trafficking. This initiative has already reached more than 4,400 young women and girls.

Travel and do good

Nepal attracts travelers from all over the world. But behind the breathtaking scenery lies a moving story. The Pavilions Himalayas – The Farm is not only a sustainable retreat for travelers, but also a source of support for the community.

Here you have the opportunity to have an unforgettable vacation in Nepal while doing something good for the environment and the local people.

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Interview with collector Stefan M. Gergely

Stefan M. Gergely is a science journalist, non-fiction author and entrepreneur. Since the 1980s he works in organic farming, nature and species protection. In 2015 he founded Gut Guntrams near Vienna on land he inherited from his mother. Gut Guntrams is a combination nature hotel and organic farm with a farm shop, orangery, café and his art collection.

Green Travel Blog: I would like to start with the most difficult question: human rights and their violation often come up in the context of gemstones and minerals. Are there certain seals or structures that you can rely on as a collector?

Stefan M. Gergely: I think first we have to answer if humans have the right to extract natural resources. Some would say “plunder the earth”?

GTB: And what is your response?

SG: One might object that the crystal does not come to the fore as long as it is hidden in the rock.

GTB: This reminds me of Dschelal-eddin Rumi, who attributes to God the statement (as the reason for the creation of man): “I was a hidden treasure and wanted to be known.”

SG: Yes, you can philosophize about it for hours! In any case, it is remarkable what beautiful crystals are hidden deep in the earth.

GTB: What do you know about stone mining?

SG: As often criticized in the media, regulations are often not followed in the mining industry. Whenever possible, I visit the site or mine. When that’s not possible, I ask specialists who know the area how things are there. But as far as I can tell, transparency leaves a lot to be desired. In recent years, businessmen from Asia, many from China, have been buying up crystals like crazy, and they probably don’t care about the conditions under which the minerals were mined.

Pyrite mining in Spain

GTB: Do you buy the exhibits on site? I thought that most collectors walk around the mineral show in Munich in suits.

SG: Whenever possible, I like to visit the sites in person, most recently special pyrites in La Rioja, Spain. They are mined in open-cast mines. But I’ve never been down into the depths of a mine; it’s just too scary for me. The shows in Munich, Alsace and Tucson in Arizona are also interesting because you can network there.

GTB: Have you ever looked for (and found) crystals or fossils?

SG: Yes, pyrite on Elba and rock crystals in Engadin! I started collecting crystals when I was still in primary school. Fossils came much later.

“Fossils are a cautionary tale for humanity”

GTB: Fossils and petrified wood tell us stories from tens to hundreds of millions of years ago – what do you find most exciting?

SG: To me, fossils are witnesses to past catastrophes. You can find giant fossilized ammonites that were wiped out by a meteorite impact or devastating volcanic eruptions. This is not only fascinating, but also a warning to modern humans, who are responsible for the disappearance of many species in the so-called Anthropocene.

“When will we stop plundering nature?”

GTB: Some geologists suggest that the Anthropocene should be dated not from the beginning of humanity, but from the beginning of industrialization. After all, humans have been largely responsible for species extinction, global warming, and other catastrophes for about 200 years.

SG: The Anthropocene Working Group (AWG) suggests 1950 (which, by the way, is the year I was born). In my opinion, however, it is not so important when the Anthropocene began; much more important is when we will stop the overexploitation of nature and the loss of biodiversity. In this sense, I hope that visitors will reflect on what they see in my exhibits.

GTB: Which exhibit in your collection gets the most attention from your guests?

SG: The large amethyst is a popular photo subject for guests, as is the colorful labradorite.

GTB: Personally, I am also interested in the meteorite on display at the Café-Restaurant Veranda. Is a rock from outer space different from a rock from Earth?

SG: Yes, of course! The meteorite in the Veranda was found in southern Argentina. Impacts from the asteroid belt are found there. The meteorites from there consist of iron and nickel, which is why they are so heavy and different from the stones on our Earth.

GTB: One last question: Do you offer personal tours?

SG: I am happy to give private tours (for groups).

GTB: Thanks for the interview!

Service-Info: The Crystal Garden is open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Admission is €5 per person and is donated to the Arche Guntrams Nature Museum, which is dedicated to the protection of endangered species. For more information, visit their website.

 

You can find information about vacationing at Gut Guntrams (in “floating garden lofts” above rare apple trees) on the Green PearlsⓇ microsite.

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Environmental aspects of golf – how bad is it really?

A golf course requires a lot of space and dense, green turf with a cut length of 2 to 5 millimeters. Doesn’t sound like a haven for biodiversity, does it? But this does not automatically mean that every golf course has a negative environmental footprint. Here are some of the determining factors:

#1 Land

A standard 18-hole golf course requires approximately 40 to 90 acres of land. Some courses are only 9 holes.

The question is: What else would the land be or have been used for? Would it be industrial agriculture (e.g. corn fields or pasture for cows) or a commercial area (sealed surface)? In either case, a golf course would be better in terms of emissions. (On the other hand, if natural areas (or near-natural fallow) have to disappear, a golf course is worse for the environment..

#2 Water use on golf courses

Water usage varies widely and not all golf courses are irrigated. Tee boxes, fairways and greens are watered.

• According to HR-Inforadio, the Praforst Golf Club (a 27-hole (18+9) course in eastern Germany) uses between 300,000 and 600,000 liters of water per irrigation cycle. (That would be 45 to 90 million liters for 150 days of irrigation (April to September).
• According to RBB, Berlin’s three largest golf courses are allowed to use up to 270,000 cubic meters (= 270 million liters) of water per year..
• This Los Angeles Times article even mentions 1 million gallons (= 3.79 million liters) for a single watering.
• The greenkeeper at the Bad Gastein Golf Club in Salzburg, Austria, reports that he uses between 40,000 and 60,000 liters of water to irrigate his 45-acre, 18-hole course. This figure is mentioned in the standard description of golf courses that use “little” water because of their favorable location.

As you can see, even in water-rich countries like Germany or Austria, water consumption is enormous. In water-poor countries (think of golf courses in deserts), this excessive use of fresh water is truly indefensible. We can well understand the protest of a climate-protection group that filled golf hole pits in Spain with cement.

What strategies are there to make water use more ecological?

The worst options are tapping groundwater and buying drinking water. Desalinated seawater, such as that used by some golf courses in the Gulf States or the Canary Islands, cannot be considered significantly more environmentally friendly. Although such desalination plants conserve groundwater, they consume a lot of energy (CO2 emissions). There is also a problem with wastewater from these plants.

Better solutions include:

1. Private Lakes: Some golf courses, for example in the DACH region, have their own lakes from which they draw water. Similar to reservoirs used for snow cannons, golf courses argue that they are not depriving the population of water..
2. A river that flows directly into the sea: In the ideal case, it can be argued that the water can be taken “without problems”..
3. Wastewater: It is well known that domestic and industrial wastewater is treated. Theoretically, it is of drinking water quality after treatment, but it is not used as drinking water. Instead, it is discharged into rivers and lakes. However, wastewater can also be used to irrigate land, which means it also returns to the water cycle.

In the future, new types of turfgrass may also be of interest. Species have already been bred that have longer roots and therefore require less watering. The “problem” is that the grass quickly turns brown and (although healthy) looks unattractive.

Irrigating with only 300 liters

Another option – which has been rejected by the rules so far – would be to simply stop insisting on so much grass. Who is to say that the rules of sport are set in stone and can’t be adapted to a changing climate? In Burkina Faso, for example, there is a golf course that uses only 200 to 300 liters of water for irrigation! “We play in the nature we have,” says the course manager.

#3 Use of pesticides

Golf courses are known to use large amounts of fertilizer to keep the grass thick, green and pristine.

There are some clubs that strictly limit the use of pesticides and fertilizers, such as those with Gold & Nature certification. Fertilizer, for example, is used only when necessary and only on greens, not on fairways and tees. Calculations have shown that such golf courses are even better than industrial agriculture (e.g. potato farming), but never better than organic farming.

Can golf and nature go hand in hand?

Yes, they can. The German Golf Association has created the “Golf & Nature” label for this purpose. Members with this seal of approval, such as the Würzburg Golf Club, distinguish themselves by leaving large parts of the golf course in their natural state. They even create biotopes.

Supporters of golf (e.g. Bernd Müllender, author of the taz column “Eingelocht”) argue that golf is much closer to nature than many other sports, e.g. football and other stadium sports. (He doesn’t even mention things like “Formula 1”).

If you want to argue that way, it is important to note that the only courses that have any ecological value are those that make a real effort to provide large areas of trees, lakes and biotopes, for example, and not just green, artificially fertilized meadows that not a single ladybird can benefit from! Fortunately, courses without any nature at all are now considered “boring” anyway.

Combine a sustainable vacation with golf

If you want to ensure that your golf vacation is as sustainable as possible, the first step is to choose a region that does not suffer from water shortages. Countries like England, Scotland, Ireland, but also the Alpine region (Switzerland, Austria, South Tyrol) as well as Germany or the Scandinavian countries (usually) have an abundance of surface water, so it is not too problematic from an ecological point of view to irrigate a golf course.

Golf in the Rhön UNESCO Biosphere Reserve

The Rhön region in central Germany has been designated a biosphere reserve. As such, it is a model region for how nature and people can live in harmony in the long term.

Here in Mellrichstadt you will find the Green PearlsⓇ Hotel STURM. Using natural materials and organic food from the region, this family-run hotel is very sustainable. You can relax in a large, natural garden area with a natural swimming pond and a garden sauna.

• For golfers, the STURM offers a 30% green fee discount at the following golf clubs in the area: Golf-Club Fulda Rhön (which advertises itself as being close to nature), Golf-Club Maria Bildhausen, Golf-Club Bad Kissingen, Golf-Club Lauterbach, Golf-Club Hofgut Praforst and the Kurhessischer Golfclub.
• Es gibt 2 Programme: „Golf x5“ und „Golf x2“

„We are actively involved in sustainable tourism. We are aware that sustainable economic activity requires both responsibility and financial resources – for an environmentally conscious hotel business that will also be preserved for future generations”. – Julius Schulze Dieckhoff from STURM

“Golf & Spa” Days at Hotel Klosterbräu in Austria

Combine golf, wellness and a short break in a sustainable hotel? You can this summer at Hotel Klosterbräu. From 22 June to 13 July 2025, you can book the “Golf & Spa Days” special with a minimum stay of 4 nights.

Included are:

• 4 nights half board
• 35% discount on green fees at the Wildmoos and Seefeld\/Reith golf courses
• Free shuttle to the golf course
• Feel Spa massage voucher worth €20 per person

Golf on the Ritten in South Tyrol

The Ritten Plateau in South Tyrol is another great place to spend a sustainable vacation close to nature. The northern Italian vacation region is characterized by many sustainable initiatives, such as the Bio-Fair Südtirol gastronomy project or eco-friendly mobility. With the RittenCard, you can use all public transportation, including cable cars, for free and get discounts at museums and other attractions.

The family-friendly Green PearlsⓇ Hotel Weihrerhof is located 1,200 meters above sea level, directly on the Wolfsgruben lake. From here you can reach four golf courses within a radius of 45 kilometers.

Other sustainable hotels on the Ritten are the ADLER Lodge RITTEN, where you can enjoy a relaxing vacation in wooden cabins and with a farm-to-table concept, and the APIPURA hotel rinner, which serves organic food and has its own beekeeping.

Golf around Munich

In the Munich area we can recommend Gut Sonnenhausen. A carefully restored former manor house in the midst of nature. The surrounding gardens are sustainably managed according to the principles of permaculture. Within 15 to 25 minutes by car you can reach the following golf clubs:

• Golfclub Ebersberg
• Golfclub Schloss Egmating
• Golfclub Schloss Elkoven e.V.
• Golfclub Schloss Maxlrain (By the way, dogs are allowed Monday through Friday)

Golf must adapt to climate change

Golf is said to have been invented by shepherds in Scotland in the 13th century. There was an endless expanse of green grass – and they played on it. Wonderful. Over time, it developed into an elite sport with many rules and high standards. For many years, the environmental aspect was neglected. However, a change in attitude is slowly taking place and a number of “natural golf courses” are now emerging that take responsibility for the use of resources.

In the long run, however, it would be best to follow the approach of courses like those in Burkina Faso, where you play on the land “as it is” and don’t try at all costs to transform the landscape into the Scottish Highlands, anywhere in the world.

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A village of Nordic freshness

Lower Saxony is the largest state in Germany and is located in the northwest of the country. It stretches from the North Sea coast to the Harz Mountains. Warpe itself is a village in the middle of Lower Saxony with a population of just over 700. Fields, meadows and forests characterize the flat landscape, criss-crossed by small and large rivers.

Distances from Warpe

• You are about an hour’s drive from Bremen
• Two hours from Hamburg
• One hour from Hannover
• The Lüneburg Heath is about an hour and 15 minutes away.
• And the North Sea (the seaside resort of Schillig) is about two hours away by car.

So while it’s not really far from any of the big cities or well-known tourist destinations, it’s far enough to enjoy absolute JOMO (joy of missing out).

Nature and Mindfulness

Warpe is not for everyone. Party animals, museum lovers and action vacationers probably won’t be happy here. But if you are looking for an authentic, quiet and natural vacation, the region in Lower Saxony is perfect for you. And if you are also interested in mindfulness, sustainability and yoga, you will find like-minded people here.

Maren Geisler-Okelmann, one of the two hosts at Eco-Hotel Okelmann’s in Warpe, also offers singing bowl massages by Peter Hess. The town of Bruchhausen-Vilsen is very close to Warpe. Here you will find the Peter Hess Institute, named after the inventor of the sound massage.

Eco-Hotel Okelmann’s in the 4th generation of the family

Okelmann’s Eco-Hotel is located in a building that dates back to 1879. For four generations, the Okelmann family has welcomed guests from near and far.

At the moment the sisters Kristin and Maren are in charge, but their parents Annegret and Helmut and their two dogs will also give you a warm welcome. Nature and a balanced relationship with it are deeply rooted in the Okelmann family. Father Okelmann is an enthusiastic cyclist and will be happy to advise you on bike routes and has created several tours on komoot. Maren is a trained yoga teacher and teaches guests methods to find inner peace.

16 rooms, spa and yoga

With only 16 rooms, the hotel is a true boutique gem with individual charm. The tap water is (revitalized) Grander water. A converted shepherd’s hut serves as a sauna, and there is a wooden hot tub that can be heated with wood from the hotel’s own forest.

Another highlight is the yoga room, where regular classes in yoga, meditation and mindfulness are held, as well as Reiki and the aforementioned sound massage.

• Find the latest yoga and retreat offerings here.
  

Café Heimatliebe

The hotel also includes Café Heimatliebe, where you can enjoy homemade cakes, Nordic classics and vegan coffee specialties. There is also a small concept store with sustainable products. From homemade delicacies to handmade dog accessories, you will find unique and special souvenirs for yourself or your loved ones back home.

But what can you do in Warpe?

In Warpe you can enjoy the great outdoors with

• Bicycle tours (for example along the Weser river)
• Mindfulness walk
• A hike to see the alpacas
• Forest bathing
• Geocaching

The Okelmann sisters recommend the Wolfcenter Dörverden as a special place where you can learn a lot about wolves in Germany, how to live with them and how they behave. An exciting experience for both children and adults.

The sisters also recommend Parkgarten Twietmeyer as an insider tip. This garden is private and can only be used by appointment (e.g. for photo shoots for your social media account) ☺️ Small events such as plant markets are also held here several times a year.

Warpe in Lower Saxony: An underrated gem for nature lovers

Where is Warpe, please? Now you know! It’s ideal for nature lovers who don’t need all the tourist attractions but prefer to relax in a familiar environment.

PS: Okelmann’s is also ideal for a vacation with your dog. Read more in our blog article about a short vacation with your dog at Okelmann’s.

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1.5 degree climate goal – what was that again?

The 1.5-degree goal stems from the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris. Where nearly all of the world’s nations signed an agreement to limit man-made climate change to an average global warming of 1.5 degrees Celsius.

The rapid rise in temperature since industrialization, along with scientific recognition that greenhouse gases like CO₂ from burning coal trap heat in the atmosphere, provides evidence that human activity drives the greenhouse effect. These gases accumulate because natural storage systems, such as swamps and forests, cannot absorb them fast enough.

Ten years ago (in 2015), this goal was considered achievable. The rough roadmap was this. Humanity as a whole must significantly reduce its CO2 emissions by 2030 and achieve climate neutrality by 2050. This would allow humanity to live relatively safely on planet Earth as we know it until 2100. Now we are still at the (relative) beginning of the century – and global warming has NOT been stopped.

Has the climate goal been abandoned? And what does that mean?

The 1.5-degree Celsius goal is not out of the question. Even if 2024 is the hottest year in human history, there is still a chance that the temperature will drop again. That’s what Copernicus director Carlo Buontempo told Reuters. For that to happen, countries would have to cut their emissions quickly and drastically to prevent them from rising to catastrophic levels.

“The matter is not yet settled. It is in our hands to change the course of events from now on.” – Copernicus-Direktor Carlo Buontempo

1.5 degrees vs. 2 degrees

However, some are saying that the 1.5-degree goal has been abandoned and a 2-degree goal is more realistic. According to an IPCC special report cited by WWF, half a degree will have far more serious consequences for the planet, people, and living things. For example, at 1.5 degrees, 6 percent of insects are expected to become extinct – at 2 degrees, the figure is 18 percent!

At 1.5 degrees, the probability of flooding increases by 100 percent (doubling); at 2 degrees, it increases by 170 percent. The reason for this calculation: warmer air can absorb more water vapor, which is why there is more heavy rain.

If the average temperature on our planet rises by more than 2 degrees, it is quite possible that the consequences will be uncontrollable and impossible to manage.

How do you notice the effects of global warming when you travel?

As travelers, we care about the weather not just at home but also in other countries. A single extreme weather event. Say a flood, a drought, a forest fire… these things have always happened (by the way, this is one of the main arguments of climate change deniers). But new records for extreme weather (do the math to see how many hundred-year floods we’ve already had) in so many places around the world? From a scientific point of view, this has never happened before.

Climate indicators while traveling

As you travel, you can see climate change firsthand in some places. One important climate indicator is glaciers, such as those found in the European Alps.

#1 Glaciers

In our blog article on glaciers, we report on the extent of glacier melt using three examples in Switzerland and Austria. Here, for example, we introduce Fabienne Anthamatten from the Green PearlsⓇ Hotel Bella Vista Zermatt, who found an 8,000-year-old larch tree on a (now exposed) glacier field. In Zermatt, you have the Gorner Glacier right on your doorstep. So, you can see this important climate indicator with your own eyes.

According to Matthias Huss, head of the Swiss Glacier Measuring Service, if global warming stops at 1.5°C, only 300 of the current 1,400 glacier fields will remain by the end of the century. If we reach 3.2°C of global warming in the next 70 years (which is what the German Federal Environmental Agency says will happen if we continue at the current rate), there will be no glaciers left in the future.

And if you know people who shrug when you bring this up. Remind them that warmer winters (and disappearing glaciers!) have a direct impact on winter sports. Check out the Sustainable Skiing article to learn how resorts are already using artificial snow on a massive scale and what that means for the environment.

#2 Sea Level

A direct consequence of melting glaciers and melting icebergs at both poles is sea level rise.

Depending on the degree of global warming, sea levels will rise. According to an ICPP report, the sea level will rise by 29 cm to 84 cm by 2100, but could reach as high as 200 cm (i.e. 2 meters)!

Rising sea levels pose a direct threat to many island nations, such as the Maldives. They are the lowest lying country in the world and consist of over 1,000 coral islands. Its highest elevation (on the main island of Male) is only 2.4 meters.

Read more in our article on threatened islands. At the same time, you will learn about tourism projects such as the Green PearlsⓇ partner resort Gili Lankanfushi. Here, you can enjoy a vacation on stunning beaches while also participating in the resort’s marine biology center. Opportunities for involvement include seagrass planting, coral restoration, and reef cleaning.

#3 Biodiversity

A 2023 study reveals a major threat to biodiversity on our planet. Worldwide, approximately 2 million species of animals and plants face the threat of extinction, with invertebrates being particularly affected. These include small animals such as insects. In our article on the decline of insects, entomologist Dietmar Borbe warns of dire consequences:

“Insects are at the top of the food chain. If we destroy everything at the bottom of a food pyramid, everything will eventually collapse.” – Biologe Dietmar Borbe

Hotels are often accused of destroying and spoiling nature (think of the ugly hotel blocks that line the beach). But there are hotels that are doing a lot to protect species. The STURM in Mellrichstadt, Germany, for example, has created a 3,500-square-meter natural “nosh garden” with numerous fruit trees, berry bushes, herbs and flowering plants, as well as a natural swimming pond that serves as a wetland biotope. Care was also taken to avoid sealing the soil unnecessarily and to allow guests to consciously enjoy nature.

#4 Justice

While poor people in the Sahel region of central Africa or southern India are already suffering from global warming, the effects of climate change in the Western industrialized countries are still far away. The rich have many more options to avoid a catastrophe, to protect themselves or to make their lives more comfortable with various extras (e.g. air conditioning).

Climate change is driving people into poverty

A World Bank background report on the link between climate change and poverty to 2030 predicts that between 32 and 132 million people will fall into extreme poverty by 2030 as a result of climate change. According to the report, those who spend a large proportion of their income on food will be particularly hard hit.

At the same time, a summary of an IPCC report by the German Federal Environment Agency states that “people with high socioeconomic status contribute disproportionately to climate change.

To put it bluntly: The rich produce more emissions than the poor, while the poor suffer far more from the effects of climate change. This is a double injustice – and the gap is widening.

When it comes to climate change, this fact should not be ignored. The crux of the matter is that tourism is an important economic sector for many poor countries. Sometimes it is the only one. So if those who can afford to travel (i.e. the rich) stop traveling to the Global South in order to reduce emissions, this is ecologically understandable and correct, but it is not necessarily a socially sustainable solution. This topic is very complex and complicated, which is why we have dedicated a separate blog article to it, where you can learn more about the social dimension of travel sustainability and get to know projects that support it.

How does my travel affect climate change?

According to UNWTO, tourism is a fast-growing sector that accounts for a significant share of global emissions. Travel to and from the destination accounts for the largest share, followed by accommodation.

“The share of greenhouse gas emissions caused by global tourism is currently estimated at 8%, with three-quarters of these emissions caused by the use of transport” (WWF, citing UNWTO).

When it comes to the accomondation itself, there are several factors to consider. It starts with the construction, the choice and use of materials and furnishings, and it doesn’t end with the energy consumption during operation. The latter, however, takes up the most space when it comes to calculating environmental impact.

Other important sustainability factors include food sourcing (local organic vs. imported), waste management, fair treatment of employees, and ensuring that the accommodation contributes to the well-being of the local community.

Sustainable accommodation are committed to fighting global warming

If you want to travel in an era of global warming, you should consider the emissions that come with it. This includes: 

• Arrival and Departure
• Local transportation
• Accommodation

At Green PearlsⓇ, we introduce you to sustainable hotels and vacation rentals that are committed to reducing emissions from tourism. A good example is the Hotel Milano Scala in Milan. This city hotel in the Italian metropolis is accessible by train from all European cities and by direct flight from many international airports.

Zero Emissions Hotel

Hotel Milano Scala was the first zero-emissions hotel in the city. Opened in 2010 in the Brera art district (near La Scala), it was created by renovating an existing building. The hotel was also designed to be powered entirely by renewable energy (geothermal probes).

“We are committed to using only renewable energy, promoting sustainable transportation, and reducing waste in all areas of our operations.” – Elisa Trinchi vom Hotel Milano Scala

This modern city hotel, with its green facades and inviting roof terrace, has also invested in innovative solutions. A heat recovery air conditioning system has reduced energy consumption by 35-45% compared to conventional systems.

In South Tyrol, the energy-independent OLM Nature Escape Aparthotel opened at the end of 2023. Here, too, geothermal probes are used for sustainable energy generation. In addition, there are photovoltaic systems and a sophisticated water recycling system.

The round building of the OLM Nature Escape blends harmoniously into the alpine landscape of Sand in Taufers. You will stay in suites made of local larch wood, each with its own kitchen and some even with its own mini spa and sauna. It’s a great example of how, even in these times of global warming, you don’t have to sacrifice luxury for a sustainable vacation 🙂

Climate friendly hotels in Germany

In Germany, too, there are examples of green hotels that are leading the way in the age of climate change. The Hotel Luise in Erlangen is run by the third generation with a clear focus on the environment and climate protection. “Renewable hotel rooms, astronaut showers with minimal water consumption, and a microforest to improve the climate are just a few examples of how the hotel and its current manager, Ben Förtsch, are leading by example.

Not only is the hotel taking steps to offset the emissions it produces, but it is also taking steps that do more to help the climate than harm it. (We will discuss offsetting in more detail in the next section.)

In Freiburg im Breisgau, the Green City Hotel Vauban is an excellent starting point for a combined city and nature vacation. You have the Black Forest on your doorstep and are close to Strasbourg and Basel. Also, you can easily reach the hotel by train and tram. You will also receive a free ticket for local transportation.

According to the hotel, the energy consumption of the Green City Hotel Vauban is at least 60% below the permissible primary energy requirement of the German Energy Saving Ordinance. There is a photovoltaic system on the roof and electricity is supplied by a local woodchip heating plant.

“Climate Neutral” – A Greenwashed PR Lie?

Carbon neutral flying, carbon neutral accommodation, carbon neutral skin cream – you’ve probably heard it all before. The climate goals of the UN Climate Change Conference mentioned at the beginning of this article also call for individual countries to become carbon neutral by 2050.

The reason the terms “climate-neutral” or “climate-positive” have come under fire is that many people have taken the easy way out. In other words, company XY continues business as usual while leasing a piece of rainforest to offset its activities and emissions on paper. This oversimplifies a complex problem, as anyone can see..

Planting trees is not enough!

Forests and trees are very important for our climate, as trees store CO2 and also provide important habitat. However, climate protection cannot only be achieved through forest protection and reforestation. The offsetting company Atmosfair has therefore decided against forest projects.

“Even if you planted all the empty spaces on our planet with trees today, it would solve maybe 20% of the climate problem. But for that to happen, the trees would have to be there by the end of the century. And that’s the problem. – Dietrich Brockhagen, CEO of Atmosfair, told NDR

Forest fires and pest infestations can prevent trees from surviving their planned 50 to 100 years. When trees burn, they release the emissions they had stored back into the atmosphere.

Atmosfair therefore focuses on projects such as switching to modern cooking solutions for population groups that previously cooked with firewood. This reduces the need for wood (more trees remain standing) and improves the air quality in their homes.

However, avoiding emissions is more important than offsetting them. That means avoiding emissions in the first place. For example, by using renewable energy instead of fossil fuels. Or by buying energy-efficient appliances, buying local food, or eating legumes instead of meat. Unavoidable emissions can only be offset through meaningful climate projects in the second step.

Conclusion – Traveling in times of climate change

“We are all called upon to contribute to climate protection and should take responsibility for our own ecological footprint and thus for our CO₂ emissions. This also includes rethinking our own travel and consumer behavior according to the motto ‘avoid emissions if possible, but at least minimize them'” – Stefany Seipp, founder of Green PearlsⓇ

We travel because we love this world, we find it beautiful, and we want to see more of it. Traveling helps us discover other cultures, reconnect with nature, get out of our daily routines, and get to know ourselves better. Traveling has many positive effects. However, we should not forget that global tourism contributes to global warming. This makes it all the more important that we act consciously. If we do not, we could endanger the places we travel to.

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Whether you are considering this path or just curious, let these hoteliers inspire you with their experiences, challenges and successes.

Challenges and opportunities for the sustainable hotelier

Sustainable hosts are characterized by their ability to combine environmental, social and economic responsibility while remaining authentic.

At Green PearlsⓇ we have a series of interviews/portraits on “Pioneers of Sustainability” in which we have already spoken to several hoteliers. The following have been featured:

• José Koechlin von Stein – Owner of Inkaterra Hotels in Peru
• Tarn and Note from Keemala Resort in Phuket, Thailand
• Peter and Waltraud Unterlechner of Biohotel Grafenast in Tyrol, Austria
• Barbara and Tomislav from Green Spirit Hotels in Paris, France
• Fabienne Anthamatten of the Hotel Bella Vista Zermatt in Switzerlandz
• Lukas Obendorfer from Birkenhof***** Spa & Genussresort in the Upper Palatinate in Germany
• Daniel Ganzer from Naturhotel Outside in East Tyrol, Austria
• Andreas Färber of Klosterhof – Alpine Hideaway & Spa in Bayerisch Gmain, Germany
• Stephan Bode of SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA in Bad Herrenalb, Germany
• Marc Traubel from the HUBERTUS Mountain Refugio Allgäu in Germany
• Marion Muller of the Lifestylehotel SAND in Timmendorfer Strand on the Baltic Sea in Germany

Each faced different challenges, such as political hurdles, infrastructure changes, new investments and costs. In all cases, economic viability and the needs of guests must be considered. The accommodations themselves are often a source of inspiration and appreciation for guests and colleagues alike.

5 people, 5 stories, 5 ways to become a sustainable hotelier

As we have seen time and again, there is no ONE path to sustainability. Everyone has different circumstances, needs, priorities, and opportunities. Our partners are no exception. So it’s best to let them speak and tell their stories themselves.

Marion Muller – from mass tourism to sustainability

Marion Muller, the hostess of Lifestylehotel SAND, has a background in tourism. She studied tourism, and mass tourism really started to boom during her time. Even then, she was moved by the fact that nature, which everyone wants to see, cannot remain in this state if everyone flies there and tramples on it, she tells us in the interview.

Nevertheless, when she and her husband Lambertus started out as hosts, they had not yet thought about going the sustainable route. In 1995, they bought a hotel in the popular Baltic resort of Timmendorfer Strand, right on the beach. At first, it was simply a matter of economic survival.

Renewable energy and competitive differentiation

The hotel’s original 25 rooms were not profitable. So the first step was to add twelve rooms. The couple opted for two cogeneration units and a solar power system, taking their first big step toward sustainability.

Once the hotel was on a solid financial footing, they were ready for the next big change and the hotel became today’s Lifestyle Hotel SAND. SAND stands for both “sand aspires natural design” and “sand aspires natural doing”. The lifestyle hotel uses natural materials throughout the hotel and selects the products with great care. For example, there are bamboo bicycles for rent from my Boo (a social project in Ghana), COCO-MAT mattresses and refillable toiletries from Björk & Berries. The adults-only hotel has found a way to break away from the star categories, and its bold move now sets it apart from the (not too few) competition. The Mullers have been pleased to find that they have a large regular customer base and that many younger people like their concept.

Stephan Bode – from organic to sustainability

Stephan Bode also has an interesting story to tell. A self-made man, he gradually worked his way up to become a hotel owner. As “Little Stephan” he was always self-taught. He left school at the age of 14 and trained as a restaurant specialist. He then spent several years on cruise ships.

He worked his way up. From 2002 to 2010, he managed a large conference hotel in Thuringia and transformed it into a 100% organic hotel. The organic concept inspired him to go further and incorporate all areas of sustainability into the hotel industry. When he took over the management of the SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA (formerly “Ruland’s Thermenhotel”) in 2013, his intention from the start was to position it as a “beacon and pioneer” in terms of sustainability.

His motivation is to preserve the habitat. As a host, you should remember that you are also a guest – a guest of Mother Earth.

From manager to owner

For 19 years, Stephan Bode was the managing director of the SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA and expanded the health and wellness hotel to include the areas of selfness (meditation, mindfulness, fasting cures) and campus (conferences and meetings). In 2017, he was finally able to buy the hotel himself.

Stephan Bode initiated many sustainable measures right from the start. From the biodiversity garden to recycling and circular living. He has won numerous awards and prizes and has many ideas for the future (e.g. how to generate electricity and heat from biomass from guests’ excrement).

Dr. Andreas Färber – Sustainability from the start

Dr. Andreas Färber, a medical doctor, became a host as a career changer. When asked how a doctor came to buy a hotel, he replied that he had traveled to many countries and always enjoyed interacting with people. In addition, his wife comes from the hotel industry.

They searched for a long time before discovering the Klosterhof in Bayerisch Gmain. They knew from the start that their hotel would be sustainable. For example, they chose solid apple wood for the interior. The Klosterhof – Alpine Hideaway & Spa is one of the first hotels in Germany to be certified with the EU Ecolabel.

But sustainability also requires the hotel to be economically viable. So some things have to be adjusted. For example, the wellness hotel currently has only a small outdoor pool. This makes ecological sense, but guests would like a larger pool.

The Färbers hope to fulfill that wish soon. In order to make this as sustainable as possible, the Färber’s want to make use of technical possibilities.

Lukas Obendorfer – the technical innovator

Operating several pools and supplying energy to the saunas has led Lukas Obendorfer of Birkenhof***** Spa & Genussresort to sustainability. His father, Hubert Obendorfer, founded the resort. The senior chef, known as a radio chef and book author, founded the 2-star restaurant Eisvogel, which is now run by his son Sebastian Obendorfer. Like his father before him, Sebastian has two Michelin stars.

While his brother runs the restaurant, Lukas Obendorfer is in charge of the administration of the 5-star hotel, and he decided to make it as sustainable as possible. Of course, there were already some energy-saving measures in place, he says in an interview, but the real change came with the commissioning of the hotel’s own combined heat and power plant.

The hotel is GreenSign certified and continues to develop. From electric car charging stations to wooden coffee capsules, the hotel now has many sustainable initiatives, and Lukas Obendorfer is proud to show that luxury and sustainability can go hand in hand.

Daniel Ganzer – the traditionalist

Hotelier Daniel Ganzer of Naturhotel Outside did not have to build sustainability into his business from the ground up. His parents, Agnes and Sepp, built the hotel and were already very close to nature. The Naturhotel is located in the middle of the Hohe Tauern National Park, where many hikers come to enjoy the East Tyrolean Alps throughout the year. The preservation of this nature is therefore of great importance to the host family.

“We were shown a lot by example, and a lot was just obvious. I’m not an environmental activist, but for me sustainability is just logical and everything else doesn’t make sense”. – Daniel Ganzer in an interview with Green PearlsⓇ.

Daniel Ganzer is passionate about strengthening the region and relies on regional suppliers (not only for food, but also for building materials, etc.). The hotel does not offer packed lunches or similar for hikers, so people stop at the surrounding huts.

As a major new project, Daniel has upgraded the spa area with the latest technology.

Collaborative learning sessions for hoteliers

As you can see, there are many ways to get involved, and it’s never too late to start. The first step is a willingness to do more for sustainability. Of course, saving energy is especially rewarding because it can save you a lot of money right away.

Other things, like switching to organic food, can be costly at first. It also requires a change in attitude to avoid wasting food. Marion Muller says they set up a “front cooking station” where you can have organic eggs freshly prepared for breakfast – one at a time. This is much more sustainable than always having a certain amount of egg dishes on hand, and effectively prevents food waste.

Our partners also demonstrate that the transition to sustainability is an ongoing process that never really ends. Sustainability is factored into every new decision – new products, suppliers, renovations or offerings – to get better, bit by bit. Just as you might do in your personal life.

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