In the current climate, where sustainability is no longer just a trend but a necessity, hotels are facing the challenge of rethinking their renovation approaches. Sustainable renovations offer not only environmental benefits but also have the potential to make economic sense and significantly improve the guest experience.
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Many hotels are already developing forward-thinking renovation projects that align with the latest sustainable practices in areas such as the circular economy, sustainable supply chains, material selection, and energy efficiency. As the foremost platform for sustainable hospitality, Green Pearls® is committed to sharing best practices to assist hotels in their sustainability endeavors and elevate the profile of sustainable renovations within the industry.
Circular economy: The Key to sustainable Renovation
The circular economy is a concept that aims to extend the lifespan of resources within the economic cycle. For hotels and vacation accommodations, this entails considering the entire life cycle of materials and products during renovations. The Hotel Luise in Erlangen has a consistent policy of upcycling and recycling in its renovations. „We aim to produce as little waste as possible during every renovation and only make new purchases when absolutely necessary,” says Ben Förtsch, the hotel’s current managing director. One example is the Lounge 20 conference room, which features decorative elements made from old beer barrels and wine bottles.
The cradle-to-cradle concept builds upon the principles of the circular economy, intending to design products that can be fully recycled at the end of their life cycle. Hotel Luise has adopted this principle in its recent purchase of new tables for the breakfast room. The tables are made from recycled plastic from discarded refrigerators. Another example of innovative recycling management in the hospitality industry is the new carpet the hotel will soon install. The carpets are made from fishing nets and plastic bottles that would otherwise end up in the ocean, thus conserving resources and reducing the amount of plastic waste in the oceans.
We aim to produce as little waste as possible during every renovation and only make new purchases when absolutely necessary
Ben Förtsch | Hotel Luise
The HUBERTUS Mountain Refugio Allgäu has also embraced the concept of upcycling. The new Mountain Nest features 46 rooms that have been completely renovated using valuable old materials to create new design objects. „Upcycling means one thing above all: a contribution to resource, nature, and climate protection,” states host Marc Traubel. Reducing, reusing, and recycling not only minimizes the ecological footprint but also creates an artistic dimension by transforming existing materials into new, unique pieces.
Sustainable Supply Chains: The Foundation for eco-friendly Renovations
The selection of sustainable suppliers is a critical factor in the success of eco-friendly renovation projects. Hotels must carefully consider their supply chains and select partners who align with their values regarding sustainability. Naturresort Gerbehof relies on local resources and craftsmanship for renovations. „All of our furniture is made from our wood and hand-carved,” states Ursula Wagner, host and owner of the hotel. This approach not only reduces transportation routes but also supports the local economy and preserves traditional craftsmanship techniques.
The SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA in Bad Herrenalb takes it a step further when selecting its partners. To bring their CIRCULAR LIVING hotel rooms to fruition, they collaborate closely with the Black Forest hotel interior designer, FRITZ SCHLECHT | SHL, who is EcoVadis Silver certified. This ensures that the entire supply chain meets the high sustainability standards. The Circular Living rooms are constructed exclusively from recyclable materials and components. Agreements with the most important suppliers and manufacturers ensure that the materials used are taken back and can be reused beyond their current life cycle.
The aforementioned HUBERTUS Mountain Refugio Allgäu also places significant emphasis on regional sourcing. „The materials used for the renovations are sourced locally and contribute to the preservation of the surrounding natural environment. This is reflected not only in the architectural design, but also in the overarching philosophy of our hotel, centered on respect for nature.” Some rooms were just renovated in April, and all building materials and decorative items were selected in accordance with sustainable and fair purchasing practices.
Hotel Milano Scala is focused on identifying new green trends and compatible suppliers to ensure that all aspects of the renovation are aligned with the principles of sustainability. „We conduct thorough vetting of our suppliers and prioritize sustainable services wherever possible,” confirms the Milano Scala team. Not only was the hotel the first zero-emission hotel in the city, but it also made a conscious decision to install a smart air conditioning system that imitates fresh mountain air in the hotel’s rooms.
Sustainable Materials: The Foundation for eco-friendly Renovations
Selecting appropriate materials is essential for the sustainability of a hotel renovation project. It is not only about the ecological properties of the materials but also about their durability and recyclability. The CERVO Mountain Resort in Zermatt gives high priority to the use of natural materials. „As a matter of principle, we always ensure the use of energy-efficient and natural materials during renovation work,” explains Daniel F. Lauber, the visionary and owner of the hotel. This approach not only reduces the ecological footprint but also creates a pleasant and healthy atmosphere for guests. Health aspects are therefore important considerations in the selection of sustainable materials. Special care is taken to select equipment, materials, and furniture that exclude potential health risks from harmful substances.
Ecological Necessity
„A roof renovation was necessary for ecological reasons,” says Fabienne Anthamatten, owner of the Hotel Bella Vista in Zermatt. Since the two rooms would have been affected anyway, the family decided to renovate them at the same time. The result is the Sky Suite and the Sky Basic double room. Both are completely covered with steamed and brushed spruce wood. The advantage of the steaming process is that the wood takes on a warm color without the use of chemicals, and at the same time it „works” less than, for example, fresh wood. For the flooring, the Anthamatten family, working with local craftsmen, chose the more durable oak. The two skyrooms have only recently been completed. „We are very excited about the feedback from our guests,” says Fabienne Anthamatten.
Natural Materials from the Region
The Austrian wellness Hotel Klosterbräu unveiled 28 new rooms in the summer of 2023. Located in the Tyrolean resort of Seefeld, they have set new standards in the use of ecological and regional materials, with moon-struck wood from the hotel’s forest, organic loam plaster on the walls, an ecological floor structure and screed, and insulation made of hemp and sheep’s wool. Almost 95 percent of the products and raw materials used come from the Alpine region. At the same time, the hotel demonstrates that sustainability and high-quality interior design go hand in hand. Swiss stone pine furniture from South Tyrol meets modern standards and is combined with rustic Swiss stone pine vaults over the bed and seating area, as well as luxurious features such as a private sauna and bathtub.
Energy Efficiency: A Key Factor in sustainable Hotel Renovations
Energy efficiency is a critical component of sustainable renovations in the hotel industry. By implementing energy-saving technologies and systems, hotels can not only lower their operating costs but also significantly reduce their ecological footprint. Hotel STURM placed a particular focus on ecological aspects when renovating 16 bathrooms in the existing building. “Among other things, we installed water-saving toilet flushes and mixer taps,” explains Matthias Schulze Dieckhoff, host of the hotel. Such measures not only help to save water but also reduce the energy required to heat water.
Regular Maintenance for optimal Efficiency
CERVO Mountain Resort places great emphasis on the importance of regular maintenance for energy efficiency. „Systems such as heating, ventilation, freezers, and freezer rooms are subject to routine servicing to guarantee optimal functionality and energy efficiency,” reports the hotel team. This proactive approach ensures that the installed systems are always operating at maximum efficiency.
Innovative Energy Concepts
The Naturhotel Outside is planning a redesign of the spa, lobby, and garden for the fall, with an emphasis on innovative solutions for energy efficiency, particularly in the spa area. „We have devoted significant attention to this matter during the planning phase and developed an outdoor pool with demand-oriented filling,” states Daniel Ganzer, Managing Director of Outside. The pool is only filled during core times and within a few minutes during off-peak times, as required. For the majority of the time, the water is temporarily stored in a highly insulated tank directly below. This innovative solution significantly reduces the energy required to heat the pool.
Challenges and Solutions
Despite an increasing awareness of the necessity for sustainable renovations, hotels frequently encounter substantial obstacles when implementing these changes. The Naturresort Gerbehof reports encountering difficulties in obtaining approval for sustainable construction projects. „Currently, our objective is to construct a new outbuilding (made entirely of wood, according to Dr. Thoma). However, we have been awaiting approval from the city for years,” according to Ursula Wagner.
Lukas Obendorfer, co-owner of the five-star hotel Birkenhof in the Upper Palatinate, is intimately familiar with such challenges. He had hoped that the new wood gasifier, which was intended to supply the combined heat and power plant, would be operational by now. As a result of bureaucratic hurdles and a lack of knowledge on the part of the authorities and grid operators, the project has been delayed for over a year. „If we want to make changes, we need to take action now, rather than waiting another three years,” Obendorfer asserts in an interview with Green Pearls®.
These experiences demonstrate that, despite the public commitment to sustainability and climate protection, there are often still bureaucratic obstacles that can impede innovative projects. To overcome these challenges, it is essential to facilitate increased dialogue between hotels, local authorities, and sustainability experts. Platforms such as Green Pearls® can play an important role in this by disseminating best practices and acting as intermediaries between diverse stakeholders.
Sustainable renovations in hotels are not only an environmental necessity but also offer significant economic and image benefits. The presented examples demonstrate that innovative approaches are already being successfully implemented in practice.
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