Sustainability at Hotel HUBERTUS

Anyone who, like us, grew up in the Allgäu Mountains knows from personal experience what it means to respect the environment.
Because 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) relatively intact.

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 19, 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 elixir 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 placed an explicit focus on nature and our environment. At the same time, however, we’ve 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.

Below are some measures we have implemented to benefit the environment—and, by extension, ourselves:

- Solar system: 2 .6 MWh over the past three months, which amounts to over 10 MWh when extrapolated to a full year. By way of comparison, in 2019 we consumed approximately 520 MWh for the entire year.

- 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.

- Mountain Spring: We need about 5,000 liters of fresh water for our pool every day . Extrapolated over an entire year, that would amount to over 1,800 m² of drinking water. Although the resulting wastewater is still directed to 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 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 ice-free, 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 HUBERTUS—in other words, within “walking distance.”

- Over 20,000 kilometers are traveled each year to transport guests and employees using a fully electric car

- We purchase our electricity from Vorarlberger Kraftwerke. It is generated 100% from hydropower.

- We use our own spring water for garden irrigation and 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.

But it wasn’t just construction projects that shaped our new direction. As part of our culinary Mountain Experience, we’ve also further strengthened our collaboration with regional producers and suppliers to set an example in terms of shorter supply chains and support for local businesses.

Nature matters.
In every respect. And every action contributes to life. Whether on a small scale—through our daily awareness and consideration—through structural measures, or by rethinking our personal habits.

Let’s all incorporate environmental awareness into our daily routines.
Because only together are we strong.

We are delighted—and proud that our efforts are being recognized and respected: Since January, we have been officially certified and awarded the Bioland Partner designation.

This, of course, encourages us to continue on this path.
So that we can welcome you here with the utmost care and dedication!

Sincerely, Marc Traubel