Sustainability

Following a comprehensive sustainability audit, the city hotel operated by Implus Dresden gGmbH was awarded GreenSign Hotel Level 4 certification. In the capital of Saxony, seven hotels hold this high-level certification.

Dresden, June 25, 2024 – Even small city hotels can meet the GreenSign Institute’s high international standards. The Hotel am Schwanenhaus in Dresden has demonstrated this just a few weeks after opening. In the 5-level certification system, the hotel immediately achieved GreenSign Hotel Level 4. Hotel Director Mathias Terpe and his young team are delighted with this achievement. The concept is based on social responsibility and a comprehensive environmental and sustainability program. They proudly accepted the certificate in June. In the Saxon capital, seven hotels hold this certification at this high level.

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“This award is a great recognition of our team, our values, and our inclusive approach. We’ve shown that a small hotel like ours can meet a wide range of stringent requirements. We value transparency and corporate responsibility, and we’re very pleased to have our high sustainability standards certified,” says Hotel Director Mathias Terpe. For the experienced hotelier, the certification is just the beginning: “We bear responsibility not only for our employees and guests, but also for future generations, and we want to ensure that our future projects are sustainable as well.”

The Hotel am Schwanenhaus met 81.6 percent of the requirements assessed by GreenSign. The evaluation included over 100 criteria across eight core areas, which were reviewed during a final on-site audit. These include: Management & Communication, Environment (Energy, Water, and Waste), Biodiversity & Cultural Heritage, Procurement, Regionality & Mobility, Quality Management & Sustainable Development, and Social and Economic Responsibility.

The Hotel am Schwanenhaus achieved a top score of 97 percent in the “social responsibility” category. What sets it apart is its inclusive approach: Currently, 12 employees—both with and without disabilities—work together to ensure the well-being of guests. A social worker provides support to the two trainees with disabilities. “With this approach, we want to give everyone the opportunity to learn a trade and work in a variety of fields,” says Hotel Director Terpe. Guests with disabilities are also very welcome: Three accessible rooms are available for them in the barrier-free hotel.

Environmental responsibility is also a top priority: The hotel is constructed largely of wood, is heated exclusively with district heating, and is equipped with a smart, energy-saving lighting system. You won’t find minibars in the 26 rooms—they’ve been replaced by “maxi-bars” in the hotel hallways. “This saves on electricity costs and is more sustainable and economical than operating many minibars,” summarizes Mathias Terpe. The installation of aerators promotes water conservation in the bathrooms. The use of eco-friendly cleaning products protects the environment and is healthier for guests. The laundry facility is also certified to eco-standards. The bathrooms are stocked exclusively with natural cosmetic products from Saint Charles.

“Cultural Heritage”: The hotel is also actively involved in local environmental education: It is supporting the development of the “Um-WELT-Zentrum Bärenfels” in the Eastern Ore Mountains. In the future, school classes and children at summer camps will be able to experience nature in the “green classroom.” For every guest who opts out of room cleaning, the hotel donates 2 euros.

The Hotel am Schwanenhaus is located in Dresden’s Neustadt district, right on the Elbe Cycle Route: In terms of “regionality and mobility,” it offers guests eight rental bikes and bike parking spaces. For those arriving by car, two electric vehicle charging stations are available, as well as a handicapped-accessible parking space. Regional products handmade at the workshop for people with disabilities are available for guests to purchase.

Suzann Heinemann, founder and managing director of the GreenSign Institute, is enthusiastic about the certification: “By achieving GreenSign Level 4, the Hotel am Schwanenhaus impressively demonstrates how deeply sustainability is anchored at the core of its corporate philosophy. It’s inspiring to see how diligently the hotel is pursuing its ambitious path toward greater sustainability, and we’re convinced that this success will inspire many other businesses.”