Sustainability in the Allgäu Region
Nature matters. More than ever.
Anyone who, like us, grew up in the Allgäu Mountains knows from personal experience what it means to respect the environment. After all, nature is our lifeblood. It demands absolute loyalty, especially at our alpine altitudes. But it gives back just as much—if not much more. A cycle that is (still) functioning relatively well.
Give. And take. That is the guiding principle of our way of thinking up here in the mountains. Because only through a healthy sense of community can everyone involved benefit.
On January 14, 2019, we experienced the power of nature firsthand. And this experience has only strengthened our resolve to be considerate, mindful, and to optimize our actions. To be at one with our source of life—our habitat: the Alps in our immediate, local surroundings, and our planet Earth as a whole.
Accordingly, during our renovation and new construction, we have explicitly focused on nature and our environment. At the same time, however, we have also undertaken many measures in our existing buildings. Our goal is to be completely self-sufficient— climate-neutral, as they say—so that we can continue on our path with a clear conscience.
Sustainable for the Future
THOSE WE HAVE IMPLEMENTED FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND, THEREFORE, FOR OURSELVES AS WELL:
- Solar power system: 25 MWh of electricity generated per year.
This covers approximately 8% of our annual electricity needs.
- Two combined heat and power plants, each with an electrical output of 49 kW and a thermal output of 100 kW. The thermal output covers approximately 50% of our current heating needs. Assuming that both units run together for about 30 hours per day, this would amount to approximately 530 MWh—which is actually our entire annual demand.
- BergQuelle: We need about 5,000 liters of fresh water for our pool every day. Extrapolated over a full year, that would amount to over 1,800 m³ of drinking water. Although the resulting wastewater is still discharged into the treatment plant in the valley, this no longer places a greater burden on our Balderschwanger spring.
- Automatic Shading: Based on certain parameters, the blinds in front of the hotel rooms and the spa building are lowered automatically. As a result, these rooms in the spa area require about 20–30% less cooling during the summer months, which in turn leads to more balanced energy efficiency.
- Floor cooling and plunge pool heating: Coolant flows through a collector field located beneath our natural swimming lake and plunge pool. The coolness of these bodies of water is used to cool the floor in the saunas, which otherwise could reach temperatures of up to 60° in some areas. In winter, conversely, this technology keeps the plunge pool free of ice, eliminating the need to heat it.
- Heat exchangers in all ventilation and cooling systems
- Thanks to a special permit, our underground parking garage can be operated even without complex ventilation systems.
- Over 70% of our employees live within a 2-kilometer radius of the hotel—within "walking distance."
- Over 20,000 kilometers are traveled each year using a fully electric car to transport guests and employees
- We purchase our electricity from Vorarlberger Kraftwerke. It is generated 100% from hydropower.
- We use our own spring water for garden irrigation and for the restrooms at the Mountain Spring Spa.
- There is no more heating oil at HUBERTUS. Heat is primarily generated by two new pellet boilers, which turn themselves on and off automatically in stages.
- Defective lighting is now replaced exclusively with LED lighting.
- Our rooms are thoroughly cleaned every other day using micro-steam cleaners that operate with water vapor, without the use of chemical cleaning agents.
- Upcycling our rooms at Mountain Nest:
New design pieces were created from high-quality recycled materials. And through minimalism and clean lines, an even greater sense of calm and relaxation has been achieved. All the details are here .
membership in the
For a Better Future
Change Maker Hotels—these are the visionaries and pioneers of sustainable hospitality in Germany, Austria, and South Tyrol.
These hotels and their owners offer vacation options for people who are increasingly concerned about the climate, nature, and people when they travel, and who want to travel sustainably and mindfully.
The movement was founded by Petra Percher-Kropf and Robert Kropf. The two have been working as journalists since the 1990s and founded the travel platforms
, www.insiderei.com, and www.a-list.at.
After traveling to 83 countries in the course of their work—and thereby generating an enormous carbon footprint—their ten-year-old son Oscar prompted them to rethink their approach and led to the founding of Change Maker Hotel.
Their motto is: The hotels ensure a better future and a vacation that leaves you feeling good and with a clear conscience.
Each Change Maker Hotel is thoroughly reviewed and continuously evaluated by the two experienced journalists based on an 11-criteria checklist.
Partner of the
For a Bright Future
Through the “Climate-Neutral Allgäu 2030” alliance, the region is becoming a pioneer in climate protection and sending a strong message. The participating companies, municipalities, and institutions have voluntarily committed to becoming climate-neutral by 2030 at the latest. The initial focus is on reducing their own CO2 emissions through greater energy efficiency and increased use of local renewable energy sources. Unavoidable residual emissions are offset by supporting high-quality CO2 reduction projects in the region as well as abroad. The international projects in developing and emerging economies are certified and meet the highest standards.
