When Luxury meets Vision and a View: Sustainable Excellence at the Birkenhof***** Spa & Genussresort

The hotel industry is facing the challenge of meeting rising social expectations regarding environmental and social standards. These include the responsible use of resources, such as energy and water, the reduction of waste and CO₂ emissions, the use of environmentally friendly products, fair working conditions, and respect for human rights throughout the supply chain. To meet the demands of guests, employees, and political actors, hotels must adapt their processes, invest in sustainable technologies, and develop credible strategies—a process that requires considerable financial and organizational effort.

Is it possible to enjoy a climate-friendly vacation at a five-star level this way? The Birkenhof***** Spa & Genussresort provides convincing answers. With an overall concept that goes far beyond isolated eco-initiatives, the resort combines regional energy production, technological innovation, and social commitment. This press newsletter provides an in-depth look at the resort's commitment to the environment. It highlights the technical developments behind the scenes, the attitude of the staff, and positive guest feedback.

EnergyCube: The Core of the Transformation

At the heart of the climate-friendly strategy sits the “EnergyCube,” an intelligently designed, self-sufficient energy solution. This in-house developed energy concept combines three key components: a wood gasifier with an attached combined heat and power (CHP) unit, two powerful wood chip boilers with a heating capacity of 600 kW each, and a 180 kWp photovoltaic system. The wood gasifier from Spanner converts wood chips into combustible wood gas, which the CHP unit uses to generate electricity and heat. The process produces 69 kW of electrical energy and 144 kW of thermal energy. Enough to cover the hotel's basic energy needs. The system is supplemented by two additional heating stoves with a total output of 1,200 kW that supply the hotel with efficient, virtually emission-free heat.

Consciously strengthening Local Value Chains

All of the wood used comes exclusively from local forestry operations. "This keeps the added value in the region, circulates money locally, and strengthens the sense of community," emphasizes Lukas Obendorfer, the hotel co-owner and driving force behind the change.

The hotel is also breaking new ground in composting: its modern facility uses bacteria, heat, and targeted mixing to transform organic kitchen waste into nutrient-rich humus in just one week. After a brief post-processing period, the compost is sieved and applied directly to the hotel garden, eliminating the need for additional transportation or disposal. In the process, valuable soil is created that supports the hotel's garden maintenance.

Sustainability in the Wellness Area — Thought out down to the Last Detail

The hotel has also implemented targeted measures in the particularly energy-intensive wellness area: The three outdoor pools are covered with roller blinds at night to prevent heat loss, reduce electricity consumption, and minimize chemical use. One of the pools also gets lowered by two centimeters. The resulting air cushion ensures significant energy savings. Additionally, the pumps run in economy mode at night to save electricity and minimize heat loss through evaporation. In the morning, the system starts automatically and circulates the water completely within five minutes.

Guest feedback is clear: many are interested in the energy concept and inquire about the technology center or lobby monitor. Trade visitors, including engineers, have come to see the system in person to help them plan their projects.

Responsibility toward People and the Community

However, the five-star hotel is setting an example not only in terms of energy efficiency but also in terms of social responsibility. Its employee development program goes far beyond traditional measures: language courses, administrative assistance, internal mobility solutions, and company-owned accommodations are all part of the standard offering. "We do not see sustainability as just a question of kilowatt hours or carbon footprints. It is an attitude toward nature and our team," says Lukas Obendorfer.

GreenSign with 95 Percent Compliance — a rare Award

In 2023, this commitment was recognized with the highest level of GreenSign certification available at the time. Level 5. Only about 20 hotels in Germany have achieved this distinction. Making the Birkenhof one of a select group of true pioneers. Recently, the hotel renewed and improved upon this achievement. In June 2025, it received a 95 percent compliance rating during its recertification—the highest rating of nearly 900 GreenSign-certified establishments.

The certificate confirms the hotel's above-average performance in areas such as environmental management, resource use, social responsibility, and economic sustainability. Particularly noted were the smart energy concept, consistent employee involvement, and conscious selection of regional suppliers.

Future Projects with Substance

The Birkenhof is pursuing ambitious new initiatives that go beyond existing solutions. These initiatives focus on expanding self-sufficiency further, including through additional photovoltaic systems that are already in the planning stage. One notable initiative is the bee project, which began with two colonies and produced the hotel's first harvest of honey. This harvest symbolizes regionality and biodiversity. In the future, the grounds are set to accommodate up to ten colonies and offer beekeeping training to guests and team members.

Sustainability as a Means, not an End

"For us, sustainability is not a trend, but a fundamental principle," says Obendorfer, summarizing the Birkenhof's aspirations. It is not a label but a continuous journey. The team continuously reviews existing processes, carefully introduces changes, and remains true to its principles. Whether through technical developments, new supply partnerships, fair working conditions, or well-thought-out waste management, the team is committed to its principles.

However, this transition is not without its challenges. "The wood gasifier was operational for a year, but feeding it into the grid was difficult. There were no clear guidelines from the operators," Obendorfer reports in an interview with Green Pearls®. Despite bureaucratic and other hurdles, Birkenhof remains on course – as a place of relaxation and a model for responsible, forward-thinking business practices in luxury tourism.

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