Sustainability at Hohenwart has no start date. It has roots.
Some houses rise not only upwards, but are deeply rooted in their surroundings. Hohenwart, above Merano, is one of them. Since 1957 we have been making decisions with tomorrow in mind: for the people, for the landscape, for the culture that sustains us. In June 2025, this path received a visible sign: level 3 of the Sustainability Label South Tyrol, certified according to the globally recognised GSTC criteria. A milestone – and for us even more, the echo of decades of lived responsibility.
Why we do what we do
“We work with people – for people,” says Josef Mair. Not a framed motto, but a guiding principle. We want a place where nature and humans do each other good. Where guests can let go, and our team can proudly say: This is our house.
Our path to the certification
In 2023 we began making what we were already doing visible and verifiable. The CO₂ balance of our ongoing operations was the starting point; from it arose common goals – and level 1 as the first formal step. Junior manager Franz Mair coordinated the process, kept the connection with the destination, and oversaw the CO₂ calculation.
In Winter 2024/25 we set ourselves perhaps the most ambitious goal in the field of sustainability: the GSTC certification. What followed was collecting, structuring, refining: a package of measures was defined, and our guiding principles formulated. Laura from reception connected data and documents with everyday practice, set up the reporting, and prepared content so that it remained understandable and honest. Gabi ensured legal compliance, contracts, and documentation. At the start of the season, the entire Hohenwart team was brought on board. In April came level 2, in May the audit – and in June 2025, finally, level 3.
The big levers. And the people behind them
Energy, used wisely
Wenn morgens die Sonne hinter der Texelgruppe hervorkommt, passt sich das Haus an: Licht und Beschattung folgen dem Tag, Heizung und Kühlung werden zentral gesteuert. Drei Blockheizkraftwerke liefern zusammen 96 kW Wärme und Strom; auf den Dächern produziert Photovoltaik mit 87 kW-Peak. Was fehlt, beziehen wir als Südtiroler Grünstrom. Herr Mair schafft dafür die baulichen und technischen Grundlagen – leise, verlässlich, konsequent. Im täglichen Geschehen unterstützen ihn unsere Housekeeping-Team Giuseppe, Janos und Christian. Sie verlängern Produktlebensdauern, reparieren, statt zu ersetzen, stellen Bewässerung so ein, dass sie dann läuft, wenn Pflanzen es brauchen, und halten die Abfallkreisläufe sauber getrennt. Ihre Arbeit fällt selten auf, macht aber doch den Unterschied.
Cleanliness that thinks healthily
Heidi, our head housekeeper, works according to a simple principle: as little as possible, as much as necessary. Cleaning agents are precisely dosed, windows are cleaned with steam, rooms with dry steam. Mrs. Gerti, on the other hand, makes amenities more sustainable and organises purchasing with precision and efficiency, like a Swiss clock. Our bathrooms are equipped with large dispensers of certified body care and hygiene products.
Wellness that nurtures both body and soul
In the spa, Lisa relies on certified South Tyrolean cosmetics from PLIMA and TEAM DR JOSEPH, as well as the natural cosmetics of Dr Barbara Boos. Stefan, physiotherapist, complements the team and reminds us that relaxation begins in the body.
A garden that breathes
Early risers hear the blackbirds first. Later, the lavender hums. Mrs. Christine conceives the garden as a living organism. Together with gardeners Riccardo and Akhtar she cultivates native species, single-flowered roses, flowering hedges, and lavender. On sunny slopes grow rosemary, olives, and other drought-tolerant plants; flat roofs have become green islands, cool refuges for insects and birds. Fertiliser comes from the horse manure at the Sulfner riding stables. Cycles extend into the house: rose petals are dried for spa rituals, lavender scents little sachets, mint is used at the bar, herbs in the kitchen.
Cuisine that speaks honesty
In the kitchen, head chef Maurizio Pitscheider follows a clear, seasonal line. His cuisine is authentic, bringing landscape and tradition to the plate. Herbs come from the garden, syrups and chutneys are homemade. Sous-chef Csaba ensures full use from nose to tail.
Peter, our sommelier, curates a wine list that is around 70% South Tyrolean – with particular affection for young, committed wineries.
Mobility that makes the car unnecessary
Those who arrive without a car travel carefree. Direct busses from Munich to Schenna without changing, good rail connections from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Italy. We collect guests from Meran or Bozen; luggage can be sent ahead by courier. Locally, the South Tyrol Guest Pass, hiking shuttles, guided tours, and e-bikes make mobility gentle and easy. In the mountains, hiking guide Hubert shows how to walk without leaving traces.
Was 2025 neu gewachsen ist
Manches fällt sofort auf: wiederverwendbare Wasserflaschen zur Begrüßung, weil unser Quellwasser ein Schatz ist, die eindrucksvolle Kunstausstellung der Schenner Künstlerin, Judith Klotzner, die dieses Jahr im Hohenwart zu Gast ist und ein Hausfest an Dienstagen, wo traditionelle Südtiroler Musik und unsere jahrzehntelange Partnerschaft mit der familieneigenen Hausbrauerei Pfefferlechner mit Fassanstich gefeiert wird. Manches ist subtiler in unser Angebot eingeflochten: Frühstückseier vom Innerluferhof in Riffian, Passeirer Forelle und Gsteirer Lamm erhielten einen deutlicheren Platz in unserer Kulinarik. In unserem Housekeeping haben wir das Sortiment an EU-Ecolabel weiter ausgebaut und Einweg-Plastik endgültig verbannt. Sehr am Herzen liegt uns nicht nur eine präsente und authentische Kommunikation unserer Traditionen und kultureller Besonderheiten, sondern auch eine transparente und offene Kommunikation unseres Engagements, wofür wir unsere Gäste systematisch um ihre Wahrnehmung und Beurteilung bitten.
Ausblick
Die Auszeichnung bestätigt unseren Kurs. Wir gehen ihn weiter, aufmerksam und mit Freude. Unsere Nachhaltigkeitsstrategie lebt vom Miteinander. Gemeinsam mit Gästen, Mitarbeitern und Partnern gestalten wir einen Weg, der Genuss, Erholung, Verantwortung und Zukunftsfähigkeit verbindet – für ein Hotel, das weit über seine Mauern hinaus Wirkung entfaltet.