Our sustainable hotel in South Tyrol – a heartfelt conviction
South Tyrolean nature is a real paradise that we need to cherish and protect. That’s why we’ve always lived in harmony with nature here at Hotel Urthaler. We consciously prioritise quality, sustainability, and regionality. 20 years ago, during construction, we already attached great importance to resource preservation – and we’re overjoyed when our guests are also mindful of resources and contribute to environmental protection. Because together, we can achieve truly great things. Our priorities here in the South Tyrolean mountains are the idyllic landscape, clean water, and pure air – we preserve them by using a pellet heating system, by consistently separating waste, and by being aware of the importance of nature to us. Our sustainable hotel in South Tyrol understands that responsibility for the environment and hospitality are two sides of the same coin.
Our award-winning sustainability measures
We’ve been awarded the South Tyrolean sustainability label – level 1 for our sustainability measures and dedication to environmental protection. This is based on the criteria of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) and is awarded to businesses that uphold traditions and contribute to sustainable living in South Tyrol.
Level 1 means that we are following a concrete sustainability action plan and are reducing our environmental impact – for example through renewable energies and the avoidance of food waste. You can read more about the measures in place at our sustainable hotel in South Tyrol below.
Our hotel: love for the environment!
Did you know that our Hotel Urthaler is the first wooden design hotel in the Alps? We’re proud to say that real pioneering work was involved in its construction. Together with three Bolzano architects, we transformed our idea of a sustainable, timeless hotel into reality. It was built using the power of trees, by which we mean Erwin Thoma’s “Wood100” construction method. With natural materials from the surrounding area, together with local craftsmen and suppliers, with clear lines and no frills. Just like Mother Earth would make it. The result is a hotel that’s built entirely without glues or artificial preservatives and that gives our guests fresh, vital energy in a natural ambience.
We can rightly claim to be the warmest and most comfortable hotel in the Alps. The wood was harvested during a particular phase of the moon, so that it’s particularly resistant. We avoided using varnishes, paints, and other chemicals, and instead of metal nails, we used wooden dowels. We wanted to develop an extraordinary new hotel concept that reflects sustainability but also guarantees comfort and guest satisfaction. Today this is often described as pioneering work. This sustainable and eco-friendly building method also extends to smaller details, such as the use of classic room keys instead of magnetic cards. Hotel Urthaler: your sustainable hotel in South Tyrol.
Regionality in every detail at our nature hotel in South Tyrol
Of course, we’re all about sustainability in our kitchen, too. Our motto: eat and enjoy thoughtfully. Everything we serve at Seiser Alm Urthaler is selected with love and care, by which we mean that we focus on regionality and seasonality, on sustainability, on individual taste experiences, and on a refined presentation. Every day, our kitchen team prepares fresh, healthy dishes for our guests, starting with the breakfast buffet featuring all kinds of local delicacies, continuing with the afternoon snack with homemade cakes, and culminating in the choice of 5-course dinner in the evening. And when you enjoy an à-la-carte lunch in the Jägerstube restaurant, you’ll be spoilt with fresh, quality products and the finest wines from the region.
Experience South Tyrol without your car
You can easily reach Bolzano or Waidbruck station by train. From there, take the public bus to Seis am Schlern and then the Alpe di Siusi/Seiser Alm cable car up to Compatsch. Your arrival journey itself becomes the first chapter of your sustainable holiday: slower, more mindful, with your eyes on the scenery rather than the motorway. Once you’ve reached the top, the best part of a holiday in South Tyrol without your car reveals itself. Alpe di Siusi/Seiser Alm is traffic-calmed all year round, which means: no engine noise, no hunting for a parking space, just the vastness of the high Alpine pasture. Hiking trails start right on your doorstep, in winter, there are cross-country trails and ski slopes. Alpine buses connect the main starting points, cable cars take you up to the most beautiful peaks, and if you like, you can hop on an e-bike or take a horse-drawn carriage ride through the countryside. Trips to Bolzano, Brixen, or the vineyards of Bassa Atesina/Unterland are also easily possible without your own car thanks to the Südtirol Guest Pass – which you will receive from us at Hotel Urthaler, your sustainable hotel in South Tyrol.
How we live sustainability at our hotel
- Amenities from Team Dr. Joseph naturally refillable
- Water from our own spring – no bottles, no transport routes
- Charging station for electric cars and e-bikes
- In-house laundry with organic detergents, powered by solar energy
- In summer: hand-picked herbs from the Carlottenhof in Seis
- In autumn: hand-picked plums, pears, and apples from the Carlottenhof in Seis
- Water-saving toilet flush and shower heads
- Hand-knotted carpets with natural colours
- No slippers
- Saving electricity: interruption of the electric circuit when the key is removed
