Sustainability
Our future has a past.
We take responsibility – for people and the planet
We strive for balance: While we aim to offer our guests an unforgettable hotel experience, we also seek to keep our environmental impact to a minimum. For us, sustainability means treating our employees with care and respect, promoting a conscientious use of environmental and social resources to help shape a sustainable future.
Strong team, strong performance
Our team is the cornerstone of our success. When our staff feel valued and supported, it reflects in the experience of our guests. As a responsible employer, we invest in our employees' satisfaction, development, safety, and well-being. Open communication and active exchange are especially close to our hearts.
Abuzz for the environment
We believe in action, not just words: for example, 150,000 bees live on our hotel’s rooftop. This initiative is not only our contribution to combating the decline of the bee populations, but one with a sweet side benefit: every year, we are able to harvest 85 kilos of sustainably produced honey – a delight at breakfast and a soothing element in our fascia massages in the spa.
Corporate Social Responsibility
The future is green – and we take it seriously. That’s why Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is an integral part of our corporate strategy.
Awards & certifications
We are proud to be recognized for our environmental efforts: Our Green Globe certification and participation in the Swisstainable program are two testaments to our commitment. And as one of the Leading Hotels of the World, we are proud to take a pioneering role in sustainability.
myclimate «Cause We Care»
Since 2017, we have partnered with the myclimate Foundation to actively contribute to climate protection. Our guests can choose to offset their CO₂ emissions when booking or checking in. With a donation of 4 Swiss francs per person per night, they can offset their entire stay, with the amount donated by guests being doubled by the hotel. Our particular focus is on protecting the forests of Madagascar, with our donations supporting solar cookers, reforestation programmes, and environmental education helping local communities learn to foster sustainable resource use.
The Green Busters
The Green Busters in action: Since 2017, this in-house environmental group has been initiating and implementing many inspiring projects in such areas as climate protection and resource efficiency. Weekly updates keep the entire team informed about ways to make everyday operations even more eco-friendly.
Recycle & reuse
Schweizerhof candles
Old becomes new: When candles burn down to mere stubs in Jack’s Brasserie, they are transformed into new Schweizerhof candles – a small but effective contribution to sustainability.
SapoCycle
For several years, we have supported the SapoCycle Foundation, which recycles used hotel soaps and gives them a new lease in life. In the social workshop "Wohnwerk," they are processed by hand and distributed via aid organizations to people in need.
Eat local - be local
We take responsibility – for our society, our region, and our partner businesses. When choosing suppliers, for example, we put great store in the highest quality, sustainable production, and personal collaboration. Our purchasing philosophy "Eat local – be local" stands for regional, seasonal, and responsible products.
Rag Chair
The unique Rag Chair by Tejo Remy, crafted from repurposed uniforms worn by staff members of the Bürgenstock Collection of hotels, combines sustainability and tradition in an inspired way. Guests can discover this piece, along with other iconic interior designs from the past seven decades, in the Timeless Design Studio on the sixth floor. Created in collaboration with Teo Jakob, it is a tribute to Swiss design culture and its iconic masterpieces.
Green Bern
After Vienna, Bern is Europe’s greenest capital. In 2019, the city was awarded the European Energy Award Gold for its exemplary commitment to a sustainable energy future. And since 2017, Bern has also proudly borne the emblem “Fair Trade Town” and continues to pursue its ambition of being a growing, creative, eco-conscious, open-minded, and socially responsible leader among Swiss cities.
Social engagement
Foodsave Banquet
In collaboration with around 30 organizations committed to food sustainability, we host the Foodsave Banquet. At a 60-metre-long table set up on Bern’s Bahnhofplatz, we serve a menu made entirely from rescued food – and invite the public to join us. The event’s goal is to raise awareness about food waste in private households.
Clean Up Days
Every year, our team participates in Clean Up Day. In the railway station district, we collect litter to take a stand against pollution and contribute to a cleaner Switzerland.
A sustainable collection
Sustainability – and particularly sustainable travel – are core values of the Bürgenstock Collection. Since the opening of our first hotel, ambitious environmental goals have taken centre stage. As early as 1888, we were pioneering innovations such as electric mountain railways and the use of hydropower up on the Bürgenstock plateau, 500 metres above Lake Lucerne. To this day, the snowcapped Alps remain a constant reminder of our responsibility to the planet.