Heated Outdoor Pools – Climate Killer or Sustainable Comfort?
The demands on modern wellness areas are high: Finnish sauna, bio sauna, steam bath, massage and cosmetic treatment rooms, plunge pool, indoor and outdoor pool landscape, waterfall, and Kneipp basin – wellness and luxury hotels have to offer their guests a lot.
Competition and Sustainability Philosophy
For many travelers, a warm outdoor pool is one of the highlights of a relaxing vacation, especially in the winter. Relaxing in warm water while the air is cold or even frosty and the view glides over a snow-covered landscape has a special appeal. In many cases, not having these amenities is a competitive disadvantage.
At the same time, these facilities use a lot of energy and water. So how do you provide the comfort of a heated pool without unnecessarily harming the environment?
Sustainability as an Economic Success Factor
At first glance, it may seem impossible to reconcile such an offering with the principles of sustainability. But the challenge is also an opportunity. More and more travelers prefer accommodations that combine comfort and environmental awareness. Therefore, a well-thought-out, sustainable approach can bring not only environmental but also economic benefits to hotels. Companies that manage to combine climate protection with a high-quality guest experience appeal to an affluent target group that is willing to pay a little more for quality and a sense of responsibility. In addition, weather-independent offerings, such as modern spa facilities, provide an opportunity to achieve high occupancy rates outside of the high season.
Challenges and Solutions for Heated Outdoor Pools
Integrating sustainable technologies into heated pools is not without its challenges. Especially in regions with strict environmental regulations or limited resources, designing a pool with low energy consumption is a demanding task. However, innovative solutions such as heat recovery, energy-efficient pumps, and the use of solar energy show that these challenges can be overcome.
The Balancing Act: Comfort meets Responsibility
One of the pioneers in this field is the Naturhotel Outside in Matrei, East Tyrol. Nestled in the mountains of the Hohe Tauern National Park, the Outside is an ideal place for relaxation, hiking, and wellness. The family-run business has developed a spa concept that balances modern comfort with sustainable innovation. As part of a three-million-euro investment, the wellness facilities were extensively expanded with a focus on energy efficiency and resource conservation.
A highlight is the new heated outdoor pool, which features a clever energy solution. Outside of operating hours, the pool's hot water is stored in an insulated tank under the pool basin, reducing heat loss to virtually zero. The hotel's photovoltaic system will be doubled to approximately 80 kW peak to cover up to 25% of the total energy demand.
Heated Outdoor Pools as Part of a Sustainable Spa Concept
Other partner hotels in the Green Pearls® network also demonstrate that heated outdoor pools do not have to be at odds with sustainable behavior. On the contrary, through creative solutions, they can become pioneers of a new generation of tourism businesses.
The Hotel Das Rübezahl uses a sophisticated heat recovery system: waste heat from the cold storage is used to heat the outdoor pool and whirlpool. With a photovoltaic system and a modern combined heat and power plant, the hotel also covers 85% of its own energy needs. The pools (30-32°C) offer guests luxurious comfort with a view of the Alps and are also an example of responsible use of resources.
Innovative energy concepts also characterize the HUBERTUS Mountain Refugio Allgäu. A collector field ensures that the heat and cold of the water surfaces are used for other areas of the hotel. In winter, the plunge pool remains ice-free without additional heat consumption, while in summer the system cools the floors in the sauna areas.
The 1,500-square-meter Artemacur Spa at the Klosterhof - Alpine Hideaway & Spa in Bayerisch Gmain offers not only an indoor and heated outdoor pool but also a Finnish sauna, a bio sauna, and a hammam. In addition to generating heat and electricity through a combined heat and power plant and the consistent use of heat recovery systems, the hotel relies on the latest technologies to conserve resources. For example, water consumption is minimized through the use of flow restrictors, efficient swimming pool technology, and the conscious use of high-quality drinking water from Reichenhall.
The Hygna Chalets in Reith im Alpbachtal are equipped with an innovative, water-saving whirlpool system: at the touch of a button, the water is filled and heated to a pleasant temperature of 36 degrees Celsius within 10 to 15 minutes. After 90 minutes, the water is automatically drained and filtered, leaving it clean and fresh for the next session. This system ensures that the water does not need to be maintained at a constant temperature and that energy is only consumed when the whirlpool is actually being used. In addition, the large pool in the former barn is closed in the evening and the water is lowered slightly to minimize heat loss and further increase energy efficiency.
The Birkenhof***** Spa & Genuss Resort also uses this system. Lowering the water level overnight also reduces water circulation, which not only reduces energy consumption but also minimizes the use of chemicals.
The OLM Nature Escape in South Tyrol is characterized by its self-sufficient energy supply. A geothermal heating system, independent of natural gas, provides heat, while a photovoltaic system supplies clean electricity. The hotel also relies on its own water supply: an artesian spring provides the complex with high-quality drinking water drawn directly from nature, for the benefit of guests and all operational applications.
At STURM, the idea of a heated outdoor pool has been rethought. Instead of a heated pool, guests can enjoy ice bathing in the natural bathing pond in winter. The biotope is not chemically cleaned; instead, integrated plants do some of the cleaning. When temperatures drop below freezing, the hotel makes sure to leave a hole in the ice cover to allow for ice bathing. Guests love this unique experience – it is seen as a little vacation challenge and perfectly complements the hotel's sustainable concept.
Heated Outdoor Pools as a Symbol of Modern and Sustainable Tourism?
Guest expectations of hotels and spas have changed significantly in recent years. Where luxury and comfort were once the focus, sustainability is now playing an increasingly important role in their choice of accommodation. However, amenities and comfort remain the most important criteria for a spa hotel, meaning that sustainable accommodations that don't offer heated outdoor pools risk losing guests to competitors.
A heated outdoor pool is not only a place to relax, it is also a powerful symbol. It represents the promise of a special guest experience, regardless of the weather. Especially for spa hotels that specialize in holistic relaxation, the pool is a central element of the guest experience.
However, the above examples also show that sustainability and comfort do not have to be mutually exclusive. With a sustainable philosophy and environmentally friendly technologies, these tourism concepts can even become lighthouse projects that send a strong signal for responsible tourism.
For more information, requests for cooperations and press trips as well as further images of the individual hotels and accommodations, please contact us directly at press@greenpearls.com.