Sustainability and holidaying don’t have to rule each other out. Thanks to rising demand, more and more hotels and tour operators are offering eco-friendly alternatives to conventional travel. Whether meals, accommodation, or transport – nowadays, there are various environmental certificates for many things.
The Eco-label for resource-conserving and environmentally-friendly management
In Austria, hotels can gain the Umweltzeichen (Eco-Label), which the Ministry of Environment has been awarding since 1990. This distinguishes establishments that fulfil certain requirements for resource-conserving and environmentally-friendly operations.
Criteria include seasonal, regional, and organic food, as well as vegan and vegetarian offerings. Fair trade and renouncing any products from genetic engineering also play a role in the commendation. This is in addition to exemplary action with waste prevention and recycling, noise, air and water quality, and the use of sustainable materials in construction and maintaining facilities.
Which hotels in Vienna are certified eco-hotels?
There are currently eleven hotels in Vienna that have been awarded this special eco-label. These also include the Hotel Gallitzenberg in the countryside around Hütteldorf. Thanks to its location close to nature, it offers trips into the surrounding woods. The bus stop directly in front of the hotel also provides a good connection to the city if guests wish to explore more there.
The four-star Parkhotel Schönbrunn is located in the former guesthouse of Emperor Franz Joseph and allows guests to experience a very special imperial charm. At Hotel Park Royal Palace Vienna, guests also have an exclusive view over the Schönbrunn Palace Grounds, although its architecture is nevertheless a lot more modern than that of its royal neighbour.
It is clear as soon as you look at the façade that the Boutiquehotel Stadthalle carries the eco-label, as this is covered in greenery. The hotel has a zero-energy balance due to its own rooftop energy production. Eco-friendliness can therefore also be found in the heart of the city.
The Intercityhotel is situated near Mariahilferstraße, the most popular shopping street in Vienna, and right by Westbahnhof. The buffet breakfast features a separate organic section and public transport tickets are booked by the hotel together with the rooms. The Hotel Schani is found in Quartier Belvedere, right by the Hauptbahnhof, making it ideal for trips to the inner city. Its most captivating feature is its use of state-of-the-art technology for comfort and environmental protection.
The Hotel Savoyen is from the same group as the Parkhotel and the Park Royal Palace and is located in the centre of Vienna. It boasts exclusive suites and the largest hotel ballroom in all of Vienna. Also in the city centre, you can find the Steigenberger Hotel Herrenhof, which holds several eco-labels at once. It offsets greenhouse gas emissions from conferences and meetings and offers organic products.
The Harmonie Vienna is located slightly further north and has been awarded with four stars. Here, the entire hotel is designed according to the concept of “conscious living” and follows environmentally-friendly standards. At the Hotel Praterstern, the furnishings are especially eco-friendly. Guests too enjoy the wooden floor and hypo-allergenic bed linen. Finally, the Austria Trend Hotel Messe Prater Wien primarily accommodates guests on business trips. The particularly innovative design with environmentally-friendly façade of aluminium and glass is also a visual delight.
