Sustainable Accommodation in Tirol

The "Angerer Alpine Suiten und Familienappartements" is a family-friendly accommodation in the Alpbachtal Valley run by the Hechenblaikner family. Attractions such as sports facilities, a swimming lake, ski pistes and hiking trails are just a short walk away. The hotel itself has several playrooms for children and teenagers. Pellets and solar panels are used for heating.

Sustainability begins before you even set foot in the Appartements Hubenhof in Ellmau – holidaymakers arriving on public transport receive a discount. At the hotel itself, green electricity and biogas feature prominently. Efforts are made to reduce washing and wastewater to a minimum. The ingredients used in the kitchen are sourced from the local area. There is also a charging point for electric cars. All in all a beautiful and environmentally friendly base from which to explore the Wilder Kaiser Mountains.

A traditional wooden facade outside paired with lots of exposed wood inside make the Fürstenhäusl a popular address in the Alpbachtal Valley for guests who appreciate stylish surroundings on holiday. It is run by  Eva and Harald Lederer, whose attention to detail extends to things like regional and seasonal produce for the breakfast buffet, energy-efficient devices, pellets heating and good insulation. Cleaning products are biologically degradable, while towels are only changed on request – another good way to minimise wastewater.

Traditional alpine decor and environmental sustainability go hand in hand at the Gästehaus Larch. Its location on the edge of the village gives guests quick and easy access to the hiking and mountain biking trails, meaning there is no need for cars or public transport. In winter the ski bus stops nearby and takes wintersports enthusiasts to the nearby ski resort. The Gästehaus Larch has a number of apartments sleeping up to eight people. Solar energy, photovoltaic systems, pellet heating and rainwater collection for the WC are just some of the hotel's green credentials, plus regional produce, furniture made from local wood and minimal waste.

From skiing and snowboarding in winter to hiking, mountain biking and rock climbing in summer, the Alpbachtal Valley is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. It is run by the Margreiter family and provides an excellent basecamp for all those keen to explore the local region. Sustainability is an important part of the philosophy at the Gästehaus Leirerhäusl, from solar panels and pellet-burning heaters to regional produce and minimal waste.

Haus Sonnwend in Alpbach is a small family-friendly three-star B&B with all the basics and nothing more. Your hosts, the Gschösser family, serve a healthy and hearty breakfast with regional milk, fair trade coffee and organic eggs. Mineral water is simply clean mountain water bubbled up using a Soda Stream – no plastic or glass bottles. There are also no buffets served in order to minimise the amount of food thrown away.

This sustainable holiday location in Fügen im Zillertal combines a campsite with modern holiday apartments. The owners of Natürlich Hell Camping & Aparthotel are keen to offer their guests a peaceful and mindful experience. Highlights include a photovoltaic system, solar panels, wooden pellets for heating and a heat-recovery system.

With holiday apartments bearing the names Marigold, Coneflower, Ivy and Golden Balm, it will come as no surprise that the Appartmenthaus Residenz Theresa is committed to preserving the wonderful biodiversity of the Tirolean Alps. These charming holiday homes located in the village of Söll practises recycling and sources furniture and decorative materials from local producers. The apartments are heated using environmentally friendly district heating as well as solar panels. Guests can buy regional food from the farm shop next door.

The six modern lofts which make up the Kaiser Moments holiday complex in Going combine style and sustainability. Electricity from renewable sources, natural cosmetics from Tirol, recycled toilet paper and a smart heating system are just some of their environmentally friendly credentials. Honey and fresh bread come from regional producers, while there is also a discount on offer for guests who travel to Tirol by train. Plans are already underway for even more sustainability initiatives and projects.

Named after one of the most famous flowers in the Alps, the Landhaus Edelweiss is a family-run business near the Pitztal Glacier which is proud to do things differently. It has set out on a journey to implement all the steps required to receive the Austrian Environmental Seal. These include the use of environmentally friendly products, economical use of resources, minimal food transport by working with regional producers, and keeping waste to a minimum. There is a free bus transfer from the railway station to the accommodation as well as a special souvenir from the Pitztal Valley for guests who choose to travel by train.

Sustainability is nothing new at the Bio- und Seminarhotel Pointner. Already decades ago, long before the current green trend, it committed itself to being as energy efficient and environmentally friendly as possible. Since 2017 the hotel has been climate neutral. Green electricity, solar panels, pellets heating and many more such ideas have made this ambition a reality. The kitchen has specialised in vegetarian cuisine in recent years, using seasonal produce from the local area – including lots of delicious ingredients from the hotel's own farm. Activities on offer include yoga.

Living in harmony with nature – that is very much the idea behind Der Stern, a family-friendly hotel in the village of Obsteig on the Mieming Plateau near Innsbruck. The rooms are decorated with wood from local forests, while the hotel also offers a pick-up service for guests arriving by train. Electric cars can be charged on-site. Don't forget to check out the herb garden. Seasonal and regional produce are used in the kitchen – and there is even an energy-efficient, environmentally friendly swimming pool.

Boasting its own mountain hut in the nearby Pinnistal Valley, a large deer enclosure, a herb garden and a swimming lake with water from an alpine spring, Forster’s Naturresort is, as the name suggests, all about nature. The resort is located in the Stubai Valley and offers a range of activities such as guided walks, herb hikes and breadmaking workshops. There is a large spa where you can relax.

Fine food, relaxation and sustainability are three of the key elements here at the Gartenhotel Magdalena, a four-star accommodation in Ried im Zillertal where dogs are very much welcome. When it comes to the environment, the owners make a conscious effort to use as much regional produce as possible and to minimise the use of energy, wastewater and cleaning products. Staff are trained in how to reduce use of resources as much as they can throughout the hotel.

The Lumberger Hof in Grän, a small village in the Tannheimer Tal Valley, is aimed at active holidaymakers who enjoy spending as much time as possible out and about in the mountains. The hotel offers guided hikes into the Allgäu Alps throughout the year. Rock climbing is also available under the watchful eye of trained guides. When it comes to sustainability, renewable energy is used wherever possible, regional produce is served throughout the day, and waste is ketp to a minimum.

The Hotel Alphof enjoys a wonderful location in Alpbach im Alpbachtal. The owners are committed to supporting the local community, for example using prouce and ingredients from regional farms. Recycling and environmentally friendly electricity are also a key part of the hotel's sustainable philosphy. A solar-energy system helps provide hot water, while throughout the hotel you will only find energy-efficient or LED lightbulbs.

The Hotel Penzinghof combines a little luxury with plenty of sustainability. It is a four-star hotel in Oberndorf in Tirol, not far from the Kitzbüheler Horn mountain. The hotel has its own farm including a dairy, which delivers much of the produce used in the kitchen. Major efforts have been made to make the hotel as energy efficient and carbon neutral as possible.

Located in the village of Thiersee near Kufstein, this four-star superior hotel is committed to "slow tourism". It is aimed at adults and has a large spa area. Guests who travel to the hotel by bike or train are rewarded with discounts, for example on spa treatments. Most of the produce used in the kitchen is sourced from the local region and bears the "AMA-Gastrosiegel" stamp of approval awarded by the Austrian government. The rooms use lots of local wood.

Der Alpbacherhof is a nature and spa resort that takes pride in its regional, seasonal produce, natural cosmetics products and commitment to recycling. The rooms are full of natural pine and oak. Your hosts, the Margreiter family, will be happy to pick you up from the railway station in Brixlegg or Jenbach if you are staying for at least three nights.

Local produce, lots of vegetarian options on the menu and a large garden just outside make the Naturhotel Outside in Matrei in East Tirol a great place for all those keen to enjoy the wonderful landscape of the Hohe Tauern National Park in an environmentally friendly way. The bread serves at breakfast uses local flour, while the pinewood schnapps at the bar is distilled just around the corner. Craftsmen from the region played a major role in building the hotel, from carpenters to electricians. The mountain views from the large windows are majestic.

Lots of wood, lots of greenery and curvy contours instead of sharp lines – the luxurious Naturhotel Waldklause in Längenfeld is an architectural highlight in its own right. It has been made from environmentally sustainable materials such as local sheepswool, which is used for insulation. Heat comes from the local biomass incineration plant in Längenfeld.

The Romantikhotel Böglerhof in Alpbach is the perfect address for families keen to enjoy an active, environmentally friendly holiday in Tirol. Courses and outdoor activities are offered throughout the year. Highlights include guided hikes, cooking courses, kids' activities and yoga. The hotel has a large garden with a chicken coop, an orchard and a herb garden, the produce of which is used in the kitchen.

Perched on wooden mountains slopes at the end of the Tannheimer Tal Valley is the Ruhehotel und Naturresort Rehbach, a hotel and nature resort reserved for adults only. The wood used to heat the hotel comes from the hotel's own forest. Further green credentials include a biologically friendly wastewater treatment system which produces humus and clean water which can be used again.

Der Bichlhof is a sport and spa hotel in the world-famous wintersport resort of Kitzbühel. An excellent base for skiing in winter and hiking in summer, it has its own swimming pool and tennis court. The Bichlhof has been awarded the Austrian Environment Certificate in recognition of its use of regional produce such as fish from its own fish pond as well as honey sourced from local beekeepers. The water comes from a private spring within the hotel's grounds.

Four-star food, a luxury spa and a wonderful location make The Hotel“ in the resort of Ischgl a fine place for a memorable holiday. The hotel is to be found in the Paznauntal Valley, home to a huge network of ski pistes in winter and hiking trails in summer spanning the Silvretta and Samnaun Mountains. The green credentials of this hotel range from environmentally friendly electricity to regional produce used in the kitchen, including honey and cheese from the local farmers.

A little bit of luxury without a bad conscience – that is what guests can look forward to at the Walchseer Hof. This hotel in Walchsee was brought up to modern ecological standards in 2009 by its owner, Georg Kaltschmid, who had a heatpump installed as well as solar panels and a heat-recovery system. The food is regional and all hygiene products are organic, even soaps and shower gels.

Its central location in the heart of the provincial capital Innsbruck is one of the big plus points of the Austria Trend Hotel, making it easy for guests to make the most of their time in the region without a car. The hotel offers special packages for visitors who choose to arrive by train, while regional and seasonal food are a top priority in the kitchen. Recycling and measures to save paper, water and energy round off this hotel’s commitment to green living.

The five-star Biohotel Stanglwirt was once a traditional farmstead and has maintained this connection to the people and land of the region. Meat, sausages, fish, dairy products and bread are largely produced in-house, while the Stanglwirt operates its own biomass heating plant, receives electricity from certified renewable sources and draws water from its own spring. The hotel itself has been largely built and furnished with natural materials.
 

Harry's Home in Telfs is a modern hotel which in recent years has undertaken many improvements large and small in order to reduce its environmental footprint. These range from home-baked apple pies, homemade spreads and honey from the hotel's own bees to almost entirely eliminating food waste by passing on produce instead of throwing it away. Last but not least, Harry's Home makes it easy for guests travelling by train or electric car.

The Hotel & Wirtshaus Post is a four-star hotel and guesthouse with a firm commitment to nature and sustainability. The hotel is keen to spread this message to its guests through things like practical tips how to save water and electricity, how to get around using public transport, how to correctly recycle waste and how to minimise food waste. The hotel is always on the lookout for further savings and improvements when it comes to energy, water and paper and is committed to sourcing food and materials from regional producers.

As a member of the Sleep Green Hotels initiative, the Hotel Stadt Kufstein is committed to offering its guests an enjoyable stay in an environmentally sustainable setting. Keyless entry to the room, a digital guest folder, natural spring water from the Kaisertal Valley, high-quality regional products, priority for environmentally friendly travel and much more make this accommodation stand out from the crowd. The hotel has designed all processes from the arrival of guests to the laundry service to be resource-friendly and continues to work on measures to further increase its green credentials.

As a large four-star hotel, the Lebenberg Schlosshotel is in a position to make a major contribution to environmental protection while at the same time pampering guests with its spa and beauty area. In accordance with the Austrian Eco-Label, the hotel uses environmentally friendly, recycles waste and saves water wherever possible. A centrally controlled heating system ensures minimal consumption of energy for heating purposes, while all electricity at the hotel comes from renewable sources. Last but certainly not least, the kitchen team uses seasonal produce from regional suppliers. Guests who arrive by train receive a free shuttle from the railway station to the hotel.

The Zillertalerhof makes an impression on visitors not only with its impressive architecture but also with its firm commitment to environmental sustainability. Situated in the pretty village of Mayrhofen in the Zillertal Valley, it draws its energy from the hotel's own combined heat and power plant, which is supplemented by hydroelectric power from the valley and solar energy. Kitchen produce is mainly sourced from the region, with reusable packaging preferred wherever possible. The hotel also offers guests the chance to hire bicycles and e-bikes. Those arriving by rail get a free transfer from the train station to the hotel.

Der Berghof in Alpbach combines many of elements which make holidays in the Alpbachtal Valley such an enjoyable experience. It was renovated several years ago using lots of natural materials from the region and local craftsmen. Minimal energy use, recycling and a nearby charging station for electric cars are further pluspoints for environmentally conscious travellers.

The Gasthaus Jakober has long been part of the local community in Alpbach. Located right in the centre of the village, opposite the church, it is a family-run business offering a traditionally warm welcome and plenty of good green ideas. Most of the produce in the kitchen is locally sourced. Recycling is also a major priority throughout the hotel, which is almost zero plastic. Last but not least, most lights are powered by energy-friendly LEDs.

Alpbach is famous for its chocolate-box houses – and the Haus Gratlspitz is a fine example of this traditional style which continues to dominate here. There are a number of sustainable elements worth mentioning, including regional produce at breakfast and dinner. The owners also make a conscious effort to use as little packaging as possible.