Organic hotels: How to find sustainable accommodation
Our sustainable holiday starts with the planning. We consider how to leave the smallest ecological footprint when we travel, write our zero waste travel kit checklist and go in search of climate-friendly accommodation. In the process, one term keeps catching our eye: organic hotel.
Since more and more people are travelling with their growing environmental awareness, the number of eco-hotels is increasing - in Germany, as well as worldwide. But what exactly is an organic hotel? What can we expect there? We tell you how to recognise sustainable accommodation and what makes your stay special. Plus, of course, we've picked out a few of our favourites.
But before we start thinking about organic holidays, let's start at the beginning. Namely with the word itself.
Organic hotel - what does that actually mean?
When we go shopping and reach for an organic apple, we know why it is organic. It has been grown organically, has seen no artificial fertilisers or pesticides and has not been genetically modified. In the food industry, organic is a protected term.
For hotels, this official seal does not exist. Therefore, it is worthwhile to check the websites of ecological accommodations more closely and find out in which points they claim to be organic.
Organic - that is first of all the abbreviation of "biological". It is about natural resources, not using chemicals, being in harmony with our planet. In organic hotels, it is important to apply this philosophy to your stay - from the buffet to the cosmetics to the bed you sleep in. What does that mean exactly? We'll explain it to you here:
5 characteristics by which you can recognise an organic hotel
Organic cuisine
Back to the organic apple. If you're on holiday in an eco-hotel, you're likely to find one or two of these at the breakfast buffet. Sustainable accommodation is committed to using only organic food. This means that they are organically grown and naturally treated. Perhaps fruit and vegetables even come from the hotel's own garden.
Either way, your food should not have travelled long distances. Organic hotels will try to source their food regionally. They cook fresh, seasonal and without artificial additives. In addition, they rely on species-appropriate animal husbandry and untreated feed.
In the meantime, there are also hotels that serve exclusively vegan dishes. This is about saving on CO2 in a pleasurable way. Only last year it was found that we could reduce our current CO2 emissions by 68% by 2100 if the whole world went vegan.
Interior design
A bed made of local wood. Eco-certified pillows. Curtains made of natural fibres. At the latest when you enter your room, you should feel the "organic factor" of the hotel. Sustainable accommodations are ecologically furnished, some are even completely built organically. In addition, the rooms are cleaned with biodegradable cleaning agents.
Cosmetics
The bathroom is just as organic as the bedroom. Soap, shampoo and shower gel should be natural cosmetics. In certified natural cosmetics, many problematic substances for the environment and health are banned. These include, for example: microplastics, preservatives and mineral oils. In addition, the products are free of hormones and animal testing.
This also applies to cosmetics in the spa sector. But more on that later.
Green electricity
Green electricity from the socket. Charging points for electric cars. Warm shower water thanks to solar panels on the roof. Bio-hotels rely on renewable energies. This is a point that really should not be underestimated. After all, "the energy sector causes about two thirds of all climate-damaging greenhouse gases" (source: Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development). Sustainably produced electricity from wind, sun and biomass reduces our carbon footprint. Only electricity that is not consumed in the first place is better. You can recognise organic hotels by the fact that not all rooms are brightly lit at night and unnecessary "energy vampires" like the drinks fridge at reception are avoided.
Zero Waste
The zero waste movement is primarily about avoiding waste. Eco-hotels pursue the same goal: your toothbrush mug is made of a natural material, the soaps are not packed in plastic, no food is wasted in the kitchen. Here, too, the impact is: CO2 is saved.
Want the full Zero Waste programme on your holiday? In this blog post about Zero Waste we tell you how to avoid as much waste as possible while travelling.
Your advantages of an organic hotel
When you go on holiday in an organic hotel, it's not just the environment that benefits. Of course, you also benefit. You can be especially happy about the following points:
- A good conscience: Your time out is also a breather for our climate. Your stay in an eco-hotel saves energy, reduces waste and cuts CO2 emissions.
- Natural relaxation: Many organic hotels lure you out into the green idyll. Whether by the sea or in the mountains - you are invited to relax from everyday stress in the middle of nature.
- Modern rooms: Since organic hotels have only emerged in recent years, most of the accommodation is still relatively new and modern. In addition, the operators are always keen to question their concept and incorporate the latest climate protection methods. So there is always a breath of fresh air in the rooms.
- Healthy food: The organic kitchen ensures that only fresh, natural food ends up on your plate. You will not find any preservatives here.
What kind of organic holiday do you fancy?
Not all organic holidays are the same. Every eco-hotel has a different charm and offers you different ways to spend your time away. From A for active to W for wellness - here are your options:
A for active: the organic active holiday
Do you like to be on the move during your holiday? An organic hotel in the mountains invites you to go hiking, one by the sea to go kite surfing and swimming. We are particularly fond of active holidays on the bike. Of course, the Tour de France feeling comes up especially when you have a few "mountain stages" with you. But we also like to let the surroundings have an effect on us while cycling in a relaxed way. At the organic Eggensberger Hotel in Allgäu, everyone gets a taste for it. First you rent a bike, then you get the best tour tips that suit your own fitness level, and finally you can set off in a completely climate-neutral way.
F for farm: eco-holidays between horse and tractor
You have certainly bought food from "demeter" at one time or another. Demeter is the oldest organic association in Germany and has been super famous for several decades. But what very few people know: You can spend your holiday on a Demeter farm. Here you can expect closeness to animals, home-grown food, recreation in beautiful nature, shopping in the farm shop and many workshops. For example, you can see how cheese is made from fresh milk.
Our favourite: "Hof Klostersee" on the Bay of Lübeck - only 2.5 kilometres from a natural sandy beach. With a farm shop, cheese dairy, bakery and lots of greenery.
W for wellness: the organic wellness hotels
If you just want to switch off, organic hotels with a spa area and a yoga or Ayurveda programme are the right choice for you. Only natural cosmetics are used for the massages, the organic dishes are seasoned traditionally and you will find lasting relaxation in your yoga shavasana.
Our tip: Harmonise body, mind and soul during a multi-day retreat. In October, Laura from BOOMBÄNGNAMASTE offers a "Tune In" retreat in the Allgäu. For four days it's yoga, soundbath, meditation. The aim is to recharge the batteries and find more inner balance. The food will be Ayurvedic and organic, the accommodation is an old farmhouse. The focus here will be on natural cosmetics and local food. The programme will be rounded off with evenings on the balcony, all facing the sunset.
Organic hotels: the most popular addresses
To ensure that your sustainable holiday does not start with the check-in at the reception of the organic hotel, you should consider beforehand how to get to your destination in the most CO2-saving way possible - or where it is located. In order to cause as few emissions as possible, it makes sense to choose an organic hotel in Germany.
Organic hotels in Germany
We have already told you that "organic" is only a protected term in the food industry. There is no official seal for hotels. However, the hotel association BIO HOTELS® has existed since 2001 and today more than 70 sustainable hotels belong to it. They guarantee: In all BIO HOTELS® you can expect the best certified organic quality. "This is checked at least twice a year by independent inspection bodies.
You can easily search for your organic hotel in Germany on the website. From the North Sea to the Allgäu, from Berlin to Munich - you will find your sustainable accommodation in every corner of Germany. Very popular with us: "Land Gut Höhne" in North Rhine-Westphalia, a castle-like hotel that convinces with live-cooking vitality cuisine and a unique ambience.
Organic hotels on the Baltic Sea
Why are we always drawn to the Baltic Sea? The sandy beach, the air, the sound of the sea, the woodlands. Schleswig-Holstein and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern are simply incredibly diverse in terms of landscape. A walk with a "fresh breeze" is always a blessing for body and soul. In addition, you have the perfect balance of active holiday and wellness here. Yesterday you were lazing on the beach, today you can already play beach volleyball and then get on your bike and ride along the promenade into the sunset. Our favourite: the "Biohotel Gut Nisdorf", which offers plenty of space for families with its spacious flats and is located directly on the Bodden coast. From here you can also take wonderful day trips to Stralsund, which is only 19 kilometres away.
Even more IMPACKT
Once you've chosen an eco-hotel, you're actually ready to experience nature. Before that, you just have to pack your suitcase.
While your apple has the organic label, our luggage has the PETA-Approved label. This means that our trolleys and bags are made from vegan materials. We even won the Vegan Travel Award for this last year. You can read more about it here.
And now: Have fun finding your eco-hotel.
