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More and more companies are making sure that their conferences, workshops and seminars are planned and held in an environmentally conscious and sustainable manner. Which is a very good thing, because events cause emissions and consume plenty of resources. But what makes hotels and their conference venues sustainable? It’s a mix of many factors. At the top of this list is the carbon footprint. Many hotels have managed to become completely climate-neutral in recent years. Through renewable energy sources, the use of organic, regional and seasonal food and the conscious use of resources. Fair cooperation with staff and service providers or possibilities to travel in a climate-friendly way also play a large part.
In this newsletter, we will present a number of sustainable conference hotels in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy.
Wartegg Castle: following in the footsteps of royalty on Lake Constance
The perfect combination of tradition, culture and modern architectural design awaits you at Wartegg Castle, the first Swiss Historic Hotel in Eastern Switzerland. The three seminar rooms of up to 60 m2 as well as the large 110 m2 concert hall are well suited for larger meetings, conferences, workshops, training or retreats. The impressive castle and spacious grounds provide an inspiring atmosphere. The seminar rooms are equipped with breathable, natural materials, warm light and low-radiation seminar technology and – like the operation of the entire hotel – are sustainable and ecologically oriented. For example, from pencils to toilet paper, all products are Ecolabelled and the electricity is 100% green, partly from the hotel’s own small river power plant.
Landgut Stober: Conferences in the greenest hotel in Europe
Landgut Stober (the Stober Estate) is located about 20 kilometres west of Berlin, and is one of the industry leaders for sustainable conferences, workshops and initiatives. Up to 750 people can be accommodated in the 14 conference rooms in the lodge, the former stables, a distillery and the granary dating from 1875. Rooms with a unique charm, combined with a thoroughly sustainable hotel concept and an exclusive location on Lake Groß Behnitz. The Biohotel has its own access to the lake and a large park – the best prerequisites for relaxing and regaining energy during a break in the conference or after the programme. For its conference concept, the bio-certified and CO2-neutral Landgut Stober was named the greenest hotel in Europe only last year.
Hotel Milano Scala: Downtown Milan
Milan’s first carbon-neutral hotel, the Milano Scala is located in the centre of the metropolis just a few steps from Montenapoleone, Duomo and Piazza della Scala. Housed in a historic Milanese palazzo, the hotel offers three different meeting rooms for a maximum capacity of 80 guests in the largest room. A stage can also be installed on request. Technical equipment includes a large retractable screen, a projector and an audio system with hand-held microphones. The Milano Scala has a sophisticated energy-saving system with water heat pumps for heating and air-conditioning, an automated system to regulate relative power consumption and magnetic room cards that stop the air-conditioning from running when the windows are opened. Eco-chic, classical music, organic green cooking and a terrace with herb garden overlooking the city: An experience that stimulates the senses around the conference agenda.
Green City Hotel Vauban: Green meetings in Breisgau
The Green City Hotel Vauban is a shining example of aesthetic inspiration and energy efficiency – right in the heart of the green city of Freiburg. What is special about this green city hotel is its integration concept. People with and without disabilities work together on an equal footing and with enthusiasm. Of course, the hotel also hosts a number of accessible rooms. For sustainable conferences and seminars, the hotel offers a meeting room equipped with the latest technology for up to 60 people with functional quality, responsible philosophy and green design. Complementing the normal conference equipment, the hotel has an induction loop for hearing-impaired guests. An added plus is the proximity to the city centre, the main railway station and the exhibition centre grounds.

SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA: Green conferences – Black Forest
Meetings in the SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA are “green” all around: from energy-saving event technology to conference materials from fair and resource-saving origins through to their recyclable materials. The conference service, which is available across eleven event rooms with a total area of 1,300 m2, includes plastic-free lunch packages for in-between, organic coffee and tea stations and healthy energising snacks. Each conference package includes a Yoga, Active or Selfness creative break to help participants gain new insights and fresh ideas with a clear head. Using the hotel’s CO2 calculator, organisers have the option of calculating the CO2 emissions caused by the arrival and departure of all participants. And then offset them by investing in a climate protection project on a pro-rata basis. A climate certificate for the carbon footprint is included.
Naturresort Schindelbruch: Sustainable, digital, intuitive
The Naturresort Schindelbruch in the southern Harz region offers five professionally equipped conference rooms for up to 100 people, optionally with their own terrace. All rooms of the ecological hotel provide daylight and can be completely darkened. The meeting point in the heart of Central Germany also scores for conference guests with versatile leisure possibilities like restaurants, a wine bar, the hotel bar androht to forget the 2,500 m2 spa area.)
Naturhotel Aufatmen and Okelmann’s: Cosy conference retreats
Sometimes, a smaller venue with an exclusive and personal atmosphere is what’s best for a seminar or workshop. Look no further than the Naturhotel Aufatmen in Leutasch for the option of studying and teaching against the magnificent backdrop of the Alps. Spaces include the 70 m2 yoga room and the winter garden. During the break, a refreshing dip in the organic bathing pond and a healthy snack is the best way for participants to refill their energy stores.
Okelmann’s in Warpe, Lower Saxony, also offers a friendly and inspiring conference setting. For workshops, yoga retreats or family celebrations, there is a large function room (180 m2), a yoga room (80 m2), along with an outdoor terrace, the Okelmann’s restaurant and the Room of Silence (25 m2). A small, individual wellness area with a “tinySauna” and hot tub awaits guests in the hotel garden.
For events in the two family-run hotels, the same applies to the hotel business as a whole: wherever possible, the offer is sustainable and in harmony with nature.