What is really at the heart of this “special love story”?

As you walk up Schloss Lerchenhof’s impressive, historic staircase, you can sense the building’s rich history. High ceilings. Biedermeier style. The thick walls date back to the 19th century. According to the website, the castle became the property of the Steinwender family due to a “special love story.” What exactly does that mean?

We wanted to know, so we asked the Steinwender family. And what Johann Steinwender told us has never been recorded in such detail anywhere else. So, you are among the first to get the full story.

1848: A castle for a wedding

The house’s origins date back to 1848. Julius Emanuel Wodley, a young industrialist, had the castle built as a summer residence for his upcoming wedding to his fiancée, Susanne, also known as Susi. He operated the hammer mills behind the castle in Gösseringgraben, and the Steinwenders’ farm was next door. Lerchenhof Castle was intended to be the young couple’s shared home.

However, before it was completed, the unexpected happened: Wodley died in an accident in the surrounding mountains. Young, full of plans, and never having seen the castle in all its splendor or having moved in with his bride.

An extraordinary inheritance

On his deathbed, he bequeathed the castle to his future wife. This was unusual, if not scandalous, at the time! In the mid-19th century, it was neither customary nor desirable for an unmarried woman to be an heiress or to own anything.

But there’s more. Susanne was pregnant. While it is not certain, it is likely that the young Julius knew this and wanted to bequeath the castle to both his love and his child.

Susanne’s daughter, also named Susi, married a Steinwender in 1880. Through a combination of love, courage, and social transgression, the Lerchenhof came into the possession of the family that still owns the castle and farm today.

Two brothers, one stable—and no differences

The castle initially became part of the Steinwender family’s ancestral farm. In 1928, it was divided between the family’s two sons.:

• One brother kept the family farm
• The other brother continued Lerchenhof Castle independently with its own farm.

Here, too, the family tells a story that reveals a lot about their attitude. The two brothers got along so well that they simply met in the barn and divided the cows between themselves amicably and without argument. Everything was settled within a single night.

Hans Steinwender took over the Lerchenhof. He farmed with his wife, Frieda, bred horses, and was publicly involved in the region.

Listed building status for the castle, as well as the opening of an inn

In 1939, the property was listed as a historic monument and officially recognized as Schloss Lerchenhof. Gradually, the agricultural estate was transformed into a hospitality venue. In 1959, the next generation, Hans Steinwender and his wife Gertrude, took over and opened an inn.

In 1996, the property’s development continued as the parents of the current hosts, Hans and Gernhild Steinwender, began running the castle as a four-star hotel with comfortable rooms and a wellness area. The former estate had finally become a boutique hotel with a historical core and modern amenities.

In 2025, Johann Steinwender and his wife, Karin, officially took over the castle from Johann’s parents, Hans and Gerhild. They had already been running the business on a leasehold basis for two years during a transitional phase, gradually growing into their new responsibilities. “An exemplary and, in my opinion, exceptionally successful process,” says Johann, looking back. It was entirely in keeping with the Steinwender family tradition of placing great value on peaceful coexistence.

Johann Steinwender: History as a responsibility

When Johann Steinwender talks about his family history, it’s clear how deeply connected he is to his roots. He speaks with obvious pride and enthusiasm. He and Karin personally manage the boutique hotel, which has just 20 rooms, in a warm and welcoming manner. As hosts, they are always on hand to help.

Vacation in a castle – between history and the future

When you arrive at Schloss Lerchenhof, you will enter a living house, not a museum. You can climb the historic staircase, retreat to one of the individually designed rooms, read in the library, or simply enjoy the silence in the corridors. Outside, you will find a 14-hectare nature reserve comprising meadows, forests and fields.

An energy-self-sufficient hideaway with a “power place” and a slow food philosophy

The kitchen’s philosophy is clear: slow food, zero-kilometer products, an agriculture system based on ecological principles, seasonal natural cuisine, and artisanal quality. Everything that ends up on the plate has provenance and character, and most of it comes fresh from the hotel’s own fields.

At the same time, the hotel is energy self-sufficient. A small hydroelectric power plant and biomass plant supply the historic building with electricity and heat in a sustainable and resource-efficient manner via the hotel’s own energy management system.

A Biedermeier castle that generates its own energy—that is progress in the spirit of responsibility.

If you (like me) have a soft spot for family histories and want to see how a Biedermeier castle built in 1848 is sustainably and energy-efficiently operated today, then the Hotel Schloss Lerchenhof could be the ideal place for your next vacation. Or, if you’re a bon vivant who wants to experience the Carinthia region through its cuisine, you’ve come to the right place. Along the way, you will become part of the hotel’s special history.

Some places tell stories. Some places are stories themselves.

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Since 2014, Daniel Wolf has helped couples plan their big day. With empathy, experience, and a keen sense of authenticity, he ensures that every celebration is unique, relaxed, personal, and memorable. In an interview with the Green Travel Blog, Daniel explains why sometimes less is more, how ideas turn into unforgettable days, and why winter weddings in Seefeld are particularly magical.

From winter magic to Leberkästorte : an interview with Daniel Wolf

Green Travel Blog (GTB): Daniel, how would you describe a typical wedding at Klosterbräu? What kind of people get married there?

Daniel Wolf: Our weddings are relaxed, authentic, and emotional. Most of them are not “princess weddings,” but rather, celebrations with character—individual, unpretentious, and full of emotion. Our couples love the building’s history and the authentic atmosphere between the monastery walls and modern joie de vivre. Many are between 25 and 40, cosmopolitan, nature-loving, and enjoy good food, wine, and, of course, a legendary party at our nightclub, Kännchen. By the way, winter weddings are becoming increasingly popular—they simply have that special magic.

GTB: I thought everyone wanted to get married in the summer.

Daniel: Yes, early and late summer are definitely the favorites: June, July, and September. The mountains are green, the evenings long, and the atmosphere lighthearted. However, winter weddings are magical—snow, candlelight, mulled wine .. definitely my favorite!
 

GTB: How far in advance should interested parties make their reservations?

Daniel: If you have a set date, you should inquire about it a year in advance. We don’t typically reserve weddings much earlier than that—and we deliberately only host two weddings per season so that we can give each couple our full attention and maintain the usual rhythm of our establishment.

GTB: What is the average size of weddings at your venue—and what is the ideal number of guests, in your opinion?

Daniel: Most celebrations have between 60 and 80 guests—so intimate but still festive. This is ideal because people can mingle and enjoy the atmosphere at the same time. For smaller celebrations of up to 20 people, we have special venues such as the wine and brewery cellars—very intimate and unique.

“Weddings are the most beautiful type of event.”

GTB: You’re the wedding planner. What exactly is your role?

Daniel: I’m there from start to finish—from the first conversation about menu selections to the last dance. Some couples come with clear ideas, while others start from scratch. Both approaches are perfectly fine. I’m their guiding thread throughout the entire process and a calming influence when emotions run high. At least, hopefully 😉

GTB: How did you get into wedding planning in the first place?

Daniel: The hostess, Agnes Seyrling, used to do it. I always enjoyed helping her until one day she said, “Why don’t you do it—your empathy would be a perfect fit.” And suddenly, I planned my first wedding with 150 guests from Los Angeles! Since then, I’ve been infected with wedding fever. To me, weddings are the most beautiful kind of event.

What I particularly like is that every couple starting a marriage is embarking on a journey. You get to know each other very well over a period of about one and a half years. And best of all, many couples come back every year for their anniversary.

Personality over Pinterest trends

GTB: You once told me that many couples are “Pinterest-infected.”

Daniel: That’s a bit of an exaggeration. But yes, my tip is: less Pinterest and more personality. Better to have three highlights that suit you than to copy 20 trends. And don’t try to do everything yourself. Trust your service providers—we know what works!

GTB: What other challenges arise during the planning process?

Daniel: Many people underestimate how much time is required—especially for small details, such as seating plans, flowers, and music. The next thing to consider is the timeline. A “healthy” timeline is essential. From my experience attending many weddings myself, I know: three hours of aperitifs without music or food? The mood will take a dive.

Sustainable inspired weddings at Hotel Klosterbräu in Tyrol

GTB: Sustainability is a major topic for us and our readers. How can weddings at the Hotel Klosterbräu be made as environmentally friendly as possible?

Daniel: We are located in a historic building, use green electricity, work with local producers, and brew our own beer. Our vegetables and herbs come from the garden. We avoid disposable items and plastic gimmicks entirely—this way, the celebration is both sustainable and stylish.

Of course, it will never be perfect. Flowers are simply part of the experience. However, when guests take the flowers home with them at the end of the event, that’s another sustainable idea.

GTB: Food is at the heart of every celebration. How do you strike a balance between festive and sustainable?

Daniel: Food is emotion—with plenty of amoré, of course! We cook with love and care, using only the freshest regional ingredients. Vegetarian and vegan options are standard for us and are often so creative that even meat lovers are delighted.

GTB: What about the cake?

Daniel:Anything goes! It can be classic, modern, multi-tiered, or a dessert variation. The important thing is that it tells your story. We’ve seen it all, even a cheese cake (made of cheese, not cake) and on made out of Leberkäs. You just have to be creative.

GTB: Sounds great! Thank you, Daniel, for talking to us and for sharing your wonderful behind-the-scenes insights.

Daniel: Gladly! And, of course, I’m delighted to welcome any couple who would like to celebrate at Klosterbräu in Seefeld.

At the Hotel Klosterbräu, every wedding is a labor of love—small, elegant, and emotional. With rustic walls, mountain views, and Tyrolean hospitality, the hotel creates celebrations that bring people together with style, soul, and sustainability.

Visit the hotel’s website for more information.

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Driven by nostalgia, I inquired among our Green Pearls® partner hotels and found many like-minded individuals passionate about wood and craftsmanship. Some hotels even have their own forests from which they source wood for furniture. Others use traditional materials, such as Swiss pine, applewood, and moon wood. Some hotels furnish their rooms with lovingly restored family heirlooms, while others are rethinking furniture design based on the principle of the circular economy.

A hotel made of applewood: The Klosterhof — Alpine Hideaway & Spa

Dr. Andreas Färber, the owner of the Klosterhof – Alpine Hideaway & Spa in Bayerisch Gmain, is one of the hoteliers who shares my enthusiasm for solid wood furniture. When he and his wife took over the hotel, they made an unusual decision: the Klosterhof would become one of the world’s few “apple hotels.”.

About 90 percent of the custom-made furniture in the house is made of applewood. However, the wood did not come from various locations; it comes from a single apple orchard. This creates a sense of unity in design and content throughout the entire house, something that can be felt in every room and detail.

The concept was implemented in collaboration with longstanding partners at Philipp Haas + Söhne, a master workshop in nearby Bad Reichenhall. The workshop’s latest project was its involvement in the “Spa Glow-Up” 2025.

Masterful craftsmanship with a regional flair

Like the Klosterhof, many of our Green Pearls® partner hotels use handmade furniture crafted by local carpenters.

At the Naturresort Gerbehof on Lake Constance, all the furniture is made from wood sourced directly from the resort itself. They primarily used spruce, which was processed directly on the farm. The furniture reflects the character of this living material, telling the story of the nature that produced it. The spa area’s whirlpool is unique as well; it was designed with stones from the nearby Rhine estuary.

The Hotel Klosterbräu in Seefeld, Tyrol, has adopted a similar concept. Almost all of the materials used for the 28 newly built nature rooms came from the region. Ninety-five percent of the materials come from the Alpine region, and the wood comes from the hotel’s own forest. One interesting architectural feature is the bed’s placement under a round arch in the wall. This creates a cozy, almost fairy-tale atmosphere. The bedside lamps with hay-flower lampshades provide the perfect finishing touch.

“”Sometimes, an inner satisfaction makes you want to reach out and touch the piece, to stroke it. God bless the craftsmen who can inspire such feelings in their fellow human beings with just a few pieces of wood!” —From the book So Grün War Mein Tal (My Valley Was So Green) by Richard Llewellyn

At the Naturhotel Outside in East Tyrol, the connection to nature is evident throughout the entire interior design concept: the rooms feature larch wood walls and beds, and the tables are made from regional oak by a Pinzgau carpenter in Salzburg. The newly designed nature spa also incorporates wooden elements from the same workshop.

Wood art in South Tyrol

Individuality and regionality are also emphasized at the Hotel Weihrerhof in Ritten, South Tyrol. For many years, it has worked with the Eisath und Lintner carpentry firm, which manufactures furniture on site from local wood with great attention to detail.

The OLM Nature Escape in the Ahrntal Valley offers a holistic experience. Its ApartSuites are almost entirely clad in larch wood, from floor to ceiling. There are no ornate decorations or Alpine carvings. Instead, the clear, straightforward, modern design creates a natural sense of space, complemented by spruce in the saunas and maple in the restaurant area. The interior design was created by South Tyrolean master craftsmen from Plana Ladina in Val Badia.

Honeycomb design

Lastly, there is the Apipura hotel rinner in South Tyrol. Here, a local carpenter crafted all the furniture in the rooms. The hotel has its own organic beekeeping operation, so the carpenter chose honeycombs as a recurring design element.

Custom work from the Green City: Handcrafted ash furniture at the Hotel Vauban

The Vauban district of Freiburg is known throughout Europe as a model of environmentally friendly urban development. Right in the heart of the district lies the Green City Hotel Vauban, which carries this philosophy through to every detail, including the furniture.

The entire interior was custom-made by Werkhalle 53, a Freiburg-based collective of three master carpenters. They used solid ash wood from nearby Umkirch, a wood that impresses with its fine grain and high durability. The modern, timeless, and clear-designed furniture can be found throughout the hotel, including in the rooms, lobby, and conference rooms.

Another advantage is that the furniture can easily be added to or restored as needed. This approach is sustainable and creates long-term design continuity, which is perfectly in keeping with the neighborhood’s reputation for thoughtful interplay of ecology, architecture, and community.

The power of the moon: Furniture made from moon wood at La Vimea

People deeply involved in traditional craftsmanship and sustainable processing know that not all wood is the same. Moon wood is a prime example: it is wood cut during a waning moon. This ancient practice is based on the knowledge that the moisture content of wood is lower during certain phases of the moon. The result is a highly resistant, durable, and dimensionally stable material — no chemical additives necessary.

At LA VIMEA, a purely vegan hotel in South Tyrol, moon wood plays a central role. Most of the furniture is made from locally sourced wood harvested during the waning moon. The wood is left untreated, making the rooms’ special energy and authenticity palpable.

LA VIMEA uses only natural, cruelty-free materials, such as wood, paper, jute, straw, and cork, for its decorations. Even the candles are made from eco-friendly rapeseed wax.

Furniture in a Cycle: Circular economy meets design

Furnishings don’t have to be new to look modern and high-quality. In a circular economy, everything can be reused. Two of our partner hotels have demonstrated this by incorporating it into their design concept. In addition to wood, other recycled and recyclable materials play a central role as well.

Circular Living at the SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA

In cooperation with the impact service providers RITTWEGER + TEAM and Fritz Schlecht GmbH, the SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA in the spa town of Bad Herrenalb developed room concepts such as “Freigeist” (free spirit), “Waldklang” (forest sound), and “Falkenstein” (falcon stone)—a stylish combination of nature and contemporary design. Highlights include oak parquet flooring with Cradle-to-Cradle Bronze certification, regional softwood side tables, and pendant lights made from PEFC-certified birch—ecologically sound and aesthetically pleasing.

The circular hotel room at Hotel Luise

The Hotel Luise in Erlangen is a pioneer among sustainable city hotels. Of particular note are the “circular hotel rooms,” which were designed according to the cradle-to-cradle principle. This means that everything in the room, from the floor to the ceiling, is either biodegradable or fully recyclable.

The hotel also features upcycled furniture and restored pieces, including an antique pharmacy cabinet from the Coburg court pharmacy. The cabinet was found by the owners in the local classifieds and was restored. Now, it houses the hotel’s “Tiny Shop.”

Furniture with history: restored, inherited, and preserved

Like the apothecary cabinet, many pieces of furniture carry memories of previous generations and nearly forgotten craft traditions. In some Green Pearls® hotels, this emotional connection is incorporated into the interior design. Rather than using mass-produced items, they focus on restoring unique pieces and preserving family heirlooms, complemented by custom-made furniture from sustainable production.

At the Ligurian Relais del Maro, you will stay in historic houses belonging to the host family — lovingly restored and scattered throughout the village of Borgomaro in the style of an Albergo Diffuso. Some of these houses contain furnishings that still belong to the family, while others were sourced from small antique markets on the nearby Côte d’Azur — with each piece telling its own story.

Old meets new at Hotel Okelmann’s in Lower Saxony, too. For example, the grandmother’s wedding cabinet has found a place of honor in the new Signature Suite. Adjacent to it are handcrafted furnishings from a carpentry workshop in the neighboring village. Other antique pieces have been refurbished and carefully incorporated into the design.

Individuality is a top priority at Gut Sonnenhausen in Bavaria. They have collected original farmhouse cabinets from all over Bavaria and lovingly restored them in the stables of the historic farmhouse. These cabinets form an exciting contrast to the modern art and contemporary design found throughout the hotel. And the beds were designed in-house and crafted by a local carpenter using regional wood. Each room is unique; no two rooms are alike.

“”Wood is proud of its age.” —From the book “So Green Was My Valley” von Richard Llewellyn

Immerse yourself in craftsmanship: Carved rooms that evoke a sense of well-being

In some hotels, you will find not only unique pieces of furniture but also rooms that are completely carved.

At the Hotel Bella Vista in Zermatt, the “Arvenstube” is the perfect place to relax. This entire relaxation room is furnished with fragrant Swiss stone pine wood, which is known for its restorative properties (read this blog article to learn more about the latest studies). Here, you can unwind on waterbeds after an active day exploring the mountains around the Matterhorn. According to Fabienne Anthamatten, the hostess, this is one of the guests’ favorite rooms. 🙂

The Hotel Klosterbräu in Seefeld showcases master craftsmanship with its unique, hand-carved “Herzerl-Sauna” (heart sauna). You won’t find another one like it anywhere on the planet.

Handcrafted rooms like this one combine craftsmanship, natural materials, and wellness in a special way.

Wood in all its facets: regional materials, sustainable partners, and natural construction methods

In addition to offering handmade furniture, our partner hotels are taking various approaches to providing a sustainable wood and nature experience, such as using regional materials, creating durable products, and employing innovative construction methods.

At My Arbor, for instance, furniture crafted from regional oak and sun-baked larch, both sourced from sustainable forestry, dominates. Entirely built high up in the treetops of the South Tyrolean spruce forest, the hotel offers unique views of the Plose from its rooms.

Sustainability is a recurring theme in the partnerships at the Lifestylehotel SAND (SAND Aspires Natural Design). The beds here are from CocoMat, a company whose mattresses are made exclusively from natural materials, such as coconut fibers. The sturdy, recycled teak bed headboards and matching tables in the breakfast and bar areas highlight the hotel’s commitment to sustainable interior design, focusing on quality and durability.

Vacation in a log cabin

The Summit Lodges in Pfunds are completely different but equally impressive. These vacation homes are traditional log cabins, built entirely from whole logs. This construction method boasts an excellent ecological balance, minimal resource consumption, and a particularly pleasant indoor climate thanks to natural Tyrolean sheep’s wool insulation and large windows that let in plenty of sunlight.

Wooden furniture inspiration for your home

Do you want to bring a piece of craftsmanship into your home? Here are a few ideas for finding furniture with history, character, and sustainability:

• Go treasure hunting: Antique and flea markets, as well as online classified ads, are full of special pieces with patina.
• Discover journeyman pieces: Many cities, including my hometown of Cologne, have chambers of crafts that exhibit journeyman and master pieces every year. You can find inspiration there and connect with young carpenters. Years later, these unique pieces sometimes end up in classified ads.
• Build it yourself using the right wood: Numerous DIY instructions for shelves, tables, and more can be found online. When buying wood, look for regional origin and the FSC seal, which is better than PEFC.
• Choose solid wood over chipboard: Furniture made of solid wood is more durable and better for the indoor climate because it doesn’t contain adhesives or formaldehyde. Veneered panels have their place, but opt for solid wood if possible.
• Consider custom work from a professional: Need a new piece of furniture? Ask your local carpenter. Custom-made pieces are more expensive, but not prohibitively so. They are also unique and high-quality.

This demonstrates the versatility of wood as a raw material used in sustainable hotels and homes. It is used not only for furniture, but also in a variety of other forms, always with the goal of blending nature, design, and responsibility.

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My connection to monasteries

At the beginning of my journalistic training, I had a pretty good connection with the Catholic News Agency (kna). You could join them without being Catholic. I used their services for seminars or press trips to the Vatican, for example. Journalists could stay in monasteries and enjoy their hospitality. But prayers? That had to be done in private, if at all.

Today I live in the Holy Land, and you would think that every order that respects itself would have a representative here. And they do. But where are the members? I have visited several Christian and Orthodox monasteries. They are tourist attractions. Sensational buildings with beautiful views and long histories – but the number of current residents is always less than 15, and most of them are very old.

The end of an era – what comes next?

In the Middle Ages, Christian monasteries flourished in many parts of Europe. They performed important functions, such as education and nursing, and represented the spirit of the times, which may sometimes seem strange to us today. It was a time when things like miracles, penance, prayer and resurrection played a central role in people’s lives.

Some argue that monasteries are simply no longer needed because many of their former functions have now been taken over by the state. In the Middle Ages, for example, almost all monks were literate, and they copied books and built libraries. Some orders also devoted themselves to caring for the sick. But the reason why more and more monasteries are being secularized and dissolved is much more substantial. The reference to God is missing.

“God is left out”

Father Suitbert of the Benedictine Abbey of Neuburg in Germany entered the monastery over 70 years ago. At its height, there were 36 monks here. Now there are only seven monks left, and like Father Suitbert, they are all elderly. “In today’s world, God is more and more excluded; God plays almost no role in public life,” he told Deutschlandfunk radio. “[In a monastery] those who feel called by God come together on this path, and if that doesn’t happen, then there is simply nothing left. Or hardly anything.”

There are hardly any novices left

In 2023, in a large, Christianized European country like Germany, there were only 21 novices (newcomers in their first five years in the monastery) (all male monastic orders combined). Today, the women’s orders still have significantly larger communities than the men’s, but over 84% of the nuns are over the age of 65. In 2023, there were 38 novices.

This is a very small number of people for a very large number of (and in some cases very large) monastery buildings. Another problem is that many of the buildings are listed, which means that the cost and effort to maintain and renovate them is very high.

What happens to monastery buildings that are no longer needed?

When a monastery is closed, it is “desecrated”. It is no longer a sacred space, but an ordinary building. However, the building should not be used in an “unworthy” way, as can be seen from various diocesan decrees.

Some time ago, the magazine “Christ in der Gegenwart” took a closer look at what happens to dissolved monasteries. It introduced several real estate companies that specialize in the “liquidation” of church buildings and also addressed the question of what use would be most desirable for the church. One scandal was the (almost) buyer of a convent where it was later discovered that the building was to become a swingers club.

Monastery hotels are the best choice

Housing projects, such as multi-generational housing or student housing, are popular. But of the various projects highlighted by the Christian weekly, hotels seemed to be the most successful. Especially those that draw on the monastic heritage and make that culture visible.

„To be a host. This is an old Christian theme.“ – Beate Hierold, Administrator of the Arenberg Abbey

Green PearlsⓇ Hotels in former monasteries

The Green PearlsⓇ network of sustainable hotels includes three hotels built on the site of former monasteries. From a sustainability perspective, this has several advantages:

• Using existing buildings is ecologically better than building from scratch.
• The cultural and architectural heritage of the region is preserved.
• Many historically valuable buildings can be saved in this way.

Interestingly, monasteries also have a kind of “magic effect” on people. At least that is what the church historian Joachim Schmiedl has observed. He said (also to “Christ der Gegenwart”) that the dying out of monasteries is accompanied by an increased interest among people in everything to do with monks, nuns and monasteries.

Hotel Klosterbräu: A place for guests – and home-brewed beer

The Hotel Klosterbräu in Seefeld in Tyrol is certainly a prime example of a hotel that continues to cultivate the cultural heritage of a monastery. An Augustinian monastery was founded in Seefeld in 1809. Pilgrims were accommodated here early on, and the monks served them home-brewed beer.

For the past 200 years, the former monastery has been owned by the Seyrling family, who have transformed it into a 5-star wellness hotel. They have kept the tradition of brewing beer.

Many other elements of the former monastery are still visible today. There are vaulted cellars and the former monastery bell hangs prominently above the outdoor pool.

• Here you can learn more about the hotel’s 500+ year history.

Klosterhof – Alpine Hideaway & Spa: a place to heal

The Klosterhof – Alpine Hideaway & Spa health and wellness hotel in Bavaria was also once an Augustinian monastery. Its history dates back to the 16th century.

Before becoming a hotelier, Dr. Andreas Färber worked as a doctor in development aid in Ecuador. “When I was in Ecuador, I became very involved with the culture there,” he says. “There are many monasteries there, and one or two had been converted into hotels, which I found very exciting at the time. (…) And that was perhaps the initial spark for what is now the Klosterhof.”

As a doctor, he has integrated a health center into the sustainable wellness hotel. This is a nice link to the roots of the Klosterhof, where the monks of the time also collected and applied knowledge about healing remedies.

• Read more about the history of Klosterhof – Alpine Hideaway & Spa.

Le Pavillon Hotel in Paris – Older than the Eiffel Tower

Paris became a metropolis in the Middle Ages. From the 15th century, church towers dominated the cityscape and there were numerous religious orders and monasteries. All schools, hospices and hospitals were run by monasteries, and even the Knights Templar had a house in Paris.

The Green Pearls® Hotel Le Pavilion in the 7th arrondissement of Paris was once a convent for nuns. It was built in the 19th century (probably a few years before the construction of the Eiffel Tower, which you can reach on foot from here).

Desecrated but not forgotten: monastic hotels carry on the legacy

I myself can say that although I am not a Christian at all, I initially found it somewhat regrettable when you see a monastery suddenly become a hotel. It looks like the worldly is taking over and the divine is disappearing. But when you look at it from a practical point of view, it turns out that hotels are perhaps the most worthy heirs at the moment. What do you think? Leave a comment and tell me what you think.

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This is the tenth in our series “Tips for a sustainable weekend getaway“. Every three weeks you can expect a new green idea on our blog!

Eco-friendly team weekend in the Black Forest

The Green PearlsⓇ Hotel SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA is considered a beacon in the green business events industry. The hotel has received numerous awards for its many green initiatives and can provide you with a certificate for your “carbon neutral business event”.

In the sustainably renovated building, owner Stephan Bode pays close attention to renewable energies, You and your team will find an ecologically inspiring environment that will make you think about things that are sometimes obvious and sometimes not, such as the snack garden with its many species conservation ideas.

Book eco-pioneer Stephan Bode as a speaker

As hotel owner Stephan Bode tells us in the interview, he is frequently booked as a speaker at business events.

The eco-pioneer and “self-made man” came to sustainability through “organic” and has many interesting and personal stories about how a company can become more sustainable.

Sustainability in business – what does it take?

As you probably know, larger companies (with more than 500 employees) in the EU are already required to produce a sustainability report (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive or CSRD).

For smaller companies, this is still voluntary, but in the future a CSRD report will be mandatory. If you want to establish this in your company now, it is best to follow the CSRD guidelines directly.

Of course, the opportunities to improve sustainability will vary depending on your company and product. If you want to use the team retreat as an opportunity to think about sustainability, consider the following:

• Energy and resource use
• Supply routes and suppliers
• Material use
• Communications (internal and external)
• Office space
• Catering
• Attitude
• Personnel (e.g. fairness, equal opportunities, etc.)

Even if you already covered the topic of sustainability, it is ALWAYS worthwhile. Because there is always something to improve and something is always changing (technical possibilities, available materials, means of transportation, etc.). You can also talk about things that have already been implemented. For example, has fair trade coffee worked? Or has it really been possible to reduce paper consumption through new technical solutions?  

New “Green Claims” rules against greenwashing

The new EU guidelines on green claims are also important. In the future, you will need to make sure that you can substantiate terms such as “eco-friendly,” “recyclable,” “sustainable,” etc. (We can only touch on this very important topic here, but you can read more about it soon on our blog!)

Sustainable team building opportunities in nature

Team building is about building cohesion. The members should get to know each other better, have fun together, learn to trust each other (even more) and develop a common vision for a goal (of the company).

For your team weekend in the Black Forest, we suggest a combination of:

 Team building in nature with a common activity

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Stay in a sustainable wellness hotel

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Team meeting / workshop on sustainability

Hiking is a classic team building activity

A group hike is an absolute classic that has worked for generations. Your grandfather may have gone on a hike with his colleagues, and modern companies still like to organize hikes for their departments (I know for a fact that Deutsche Telekom and Deutsche Bank do this, for example). It may not be as original as an escape room, but it has many advantages:

• Outdoor/natural exercise
• Works in any season and almost any weather (unlike other outdoor activities)
• Suitable for all ages and fitness levels
• Time for conversations and discussions that go beyond work issues, for which there is usually neither time nor space in everyday life
• Achieving a common goal (the end of the trail)
• Environmentally friendly and healthy

Hiking around the SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA

There are many hiking and adventure trails around the hotel, and the team will be happy to advise you on which ones to take. Highlights include

• Monastery ruins & monastery trail Bad Herrenalb
• Black Forest treetop walk
• Falkenstein rocks & Mount Mercury

Green Meetings at the SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA Campus

The hotel has 11 seminar and meeting rooms for your team meeting. All rooms are equipped with Wi-Fi and modern technology, including a projector, flipchart, screen, pin board and everything else you need for a successful meeting. You also have the opportunity to support a climate partner based on the CO2 emissions of the meeting (and travel).

Learn more on the hotel’s Green Meetings page.

Team building weekend in the Black Forest: What it could look like:

Friday (arrival)

We recommend taking the train for an environmentally friendly trip. The Bad Herrenalb train station is only 700 meters from the hotel and can be easily reached on foot.

At the hotel, everyone can check into their rooms (from 4 p.m.) and those who wish can explore the spa area with saunas and mineral pool.

In the evening you can meet for dinner at the hotel restaurant “La Vie” on the ground floor. Enjoy the fresh, organic cuisine, the panoramic views of the Black Forest, and the relaxed atmosphere.

Saturday (team building + meeting)

Saturday has two items on the agenda:

• Your Green Business Meeting and
• a team-building hike.

You will need to decide whether it makes more sense to have the meeting in the morning and the hike in the afternoon, or vice versa. You should also consider the weather forecast when making this decision 😉 In addition, the hotel owner, Stephan Bode, will show and explain the sustainable initiatives of the SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA and give you valuable ideas for your own sustainable development.

Sunday (departure)

Before heading home on your last day (check-out time is 10:30 a.m.), enjoy the Zero Waste Breakfast at the SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA. If you are used to pre-packaged meals in conventional hotels, you will be pleased to know that everything is served in small glass jars, which not only reduces waste but also looks much more appetizing.

Lots of small and large inspiration opportunities, a green atmosphere, and forward-thinking – we think you’ll find the best conditions for a team weekend here.

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After all, a party in the middle of nowhere may sound environmentally friendly, but calculations show that the ecological footprint is significantly smaller if you choose a sustainable venue (such as a Green PearlsⓇ accommodation) where all the necessary equipment is already available. What’s more, real professionals are there to help you plan. They will help you choose the food, drinks, music, photographer and organise the various activities.

Things to consider when planning a party

You probably already know what you want to celebrate. The next question is: how many people will you invite? We recommend that you leave the list of names open for a few days and discuss it with others. Don’t forget somebody special! (And if you invite X, you have to invite Y, and suddenly you have ten more people!)

So, as starting points, you now have

– the occasion

– the (approximate) number of guests (adults & children) and

– the date, or several possible dates.

Now come the next considerations.

How big should the venue for my event be?

Event planners and caterers have to comply with various regulations, such as how many people can be accommodated in how many square meters, how many emergency exits there must be, etc. When you book with a professional, this planning step is conveniently taken care of. If you are not sure how many guests you will have, many venues have several rooms available.

The Naturresort Schindelbruch in the southern Harz region of Saxony-Anhalt offers eight different rooms, two restaurants, an outdoor location in the forest (up to 100 people) and the Löschenberg Hut (up to 20 people).  According to the nature resort, there is always the right space for celebrations “between 4 and 100 people”.

Outdoors & indoors

When the weather is nice, people like to be outside – but the program items such as speeches, photo shows, cabaret are usually better realized indoors. A mix is best.

At Gut Sonnenhausen, south of Munich, for example, you can have dinner in the former stud farm, which is under a preservation order, and then dance outside in the curving driveway. “We get wonderful feedback from our guests,” says Gut Sonnenhausen. What makes them special, they say, is that they hold celebrations that are “not so mainstream, but very natural, kitsch-free and loving”.

Program and breaks

The balance between a fixed program and free organization is a tricky one. On the one hand, your guests will be happy to have something “offered” to them at your party, but on the other hand, people also want to use the time to talk.

Childcare

In our experience, it always goes down well if the children have their own room/area. You can put out coloring books and toys, and perhaps you can organize two capable teenagers from your circle of friends to look after them, or even book an extra activity such as a magician.

Media support

If you want to enjoy beautiful photos and maybe even a video afterward, you need to plan this beforehand. Either hire a professional or appoint someone who feels responsible for photographing all the guests and preparing the pictures accordingly (download link, Instagram story, photo book, etc.).

Here’s how to celebrate sustainably: 5 tips

#1 Sustainable travel

Send directions with the invitation and find out how your guests can get to and from the event by public transport.

#2 Sustainable invitation

Many people think that sending an email uses less carbon dioxide than sending an invitation by post. But this isn’t necessarily true. A standard domestic letter consumes around 20 grams of CO2. According to Carbon Literacy, a short email to a mobile phone or laptop uses only 0.03 grams BUT a more elaborate email uses 26 grams of CO2! Especially for weddings, we can understand if you don’t want to do without a nice, real card. But you can make sure you use recycled paper and choose an eco-friendly printer.

#3 Sustainable decor

It doesn’t always have to be garlands and balloons. At Keemala, a Thai villa resort in Phuket, for example, they go to great lengths to ensure that weddings and other celebrations are completely plastic-free. Instead, they decorate with local flowers. (Picking these is of course not really sustainable either, but at least free of plastic, pollutants and CO2 emissions compared to imported glitter garlands.)

#4 Sustainable tableware

As mentioned above, there are many environmental benefits to choosing a sustainable venue for your party. Dishes and cutlery are already provided. Not only will you avoid using disposable tableware, but it will also look much better.

At Landgut Stober, about 20 km west of Berlin, you “can meet, get married and celebrate sustainably”, true to the hotel’s motto. Landgut Stober is carbon-neutral and serves only certified organic food. However, you won’t notice any “eco-image” here. Everything is professional, elegant and chic! You can choose from a variety of rooms and there is also a competent service to help you with programs or live music.

#5 Avoid noise and light pollution

Gut Guntrams, near Vienna, says: “We make sure that the party is not too noisy and that there are no more lights on at night than necessary.” You may not be aware of it, but light pollution has other negative effects on nature besides energy consumption. For example, night-time lighting upsets the balance between diurnal, twilight and nocturnal animals.

At Gut Guntrams, the reflection on naturalness goes down well. “The rush of guests to celebrate weddings and birthdays at Gut Guntrams is great,” they report.

Sustainable weddings – romantic hideaways

Our Green PearlsⓇ partners cater for everything from reunions to theme parties. However, weddings are the most popular.

For intimate weddings, you can hire the hall and chefs at A’Cràpa Mangia in Italy. As the apartments are right by the sea, you’ll have a wonderful backdrop for beach wedding photos.

In Balderschwang, Germany, at 1,044 meters above sea level, is the HUBERTUS Mountain Refugio Allgäu. The spa and wellness hotel offers bridal couples individual advice. If you like, you can even get married here – under the 2,000-year-old yew tree with a view of the mountains.

Das Rübezahl – Romantic Hideaway & Boutique Spa in Schwangau, Germany, is another professional wedding venue. Not only does it have direct views of Neuschwanstein Castle, but it also has many romantic specials for bridal couples. These include a horse-drawn carriage ride and a private spa suite.

For an exotic wedding location in Bali, Thailand or the Seychelles, have a look at our blog post on extraordinary locations for your dream wedding:

I do! Extraordinary locations for a perfect green wedding

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