Free Beer for Environmental Protection
A Family-run Theme Hotel on the Danube
At the Best Western Plus BierKulturHotel Schwanen in Ehingen, everything revolves around beer. Fittingly, the four-star hotel has launched the project "Free beer for environmental protection". Guests can forego daily room cleaning during their stay and thus contribute to lower water, detergent, and electricity consumption. In doing so, they not only earn two free beers from the hotel's own brewery, but also 500 points in the Best Western Rewards bonus program. Furthermore, a range of technical implementations have been made that contribute to environmentally friendly hotel operations as well.
Sustainability Meets Beer Culture
The Best Western Plus BierKulturHotel Schwanen – which literally translates as “Beer Culture Hotel” – is situated in the small town of Ehingen right on the Danube. The whole town has a longstanding brewing tradition and has declared the local beers and many privately owned breweries one of the highlights for visitors. The Best Western Plus BierKulturHotel Schwanen with its attached brewery and traditional restaurant is very much committed to modern, sustainable hotel management. With installations such as a combined heat and power plant or details as environmentally friendly cleaning agents, the family-run hotel pays attention to a more sustainable use of natural resources.
In addition, the four-star hotel has launched the "Free beer for environmental protection" initiative. This gives guests the opportunity to waive daily room cleaning during their stay and thus contribute to reduced consumption of water, cleaning agents and electricity. Participation is rewarded with a minimum of two free beers per room and 500 bonus points for Best Western Rewards members, the loyalty program of Best Western Hotels & Resorts. "We are pleased that the idea has been so well received by our guests. We think it is great that we can contribute with our measures to make our everyday life at the hotel a little bit greener. The motto lent itself to the beer theme that runs through our entire hotel, and we love making a difference together with our guests," explains Michael Miller, Owner of the Best Western Plus BierKulturHotel Schwanen.
„We are pleased that the idea has been so well received by our guests. We think it is great that we can contribute with our measures to make our everyday life at the hotel a little bit greener. The motto lent itself to the beer theme that runs through our entire hotel, and we love making a difference together with our guests.“
Michael Miller Owner Best Western Plus BierKulturHotel Schwanen
Family Business with a Sustainable Strategy
Since its opening in 2012, the family-run hotel has relied on an environmentally friendly concept. Among other things, the 50-room hotel has its own combined heat and power plant that delivers 30 percent of the required electricity. The remaining demand is covered by climate-neutral electricity from Meistro Energie GmbH, based in Ingolstadt. Water savers for the showers as well as the washbasins can also reduce water consumption by around 15 percent, while motion detectors in the public areas as well as energy-saving light bulbs and electricity cards in the guest rooms ensure lower electricity consumption. To be able to continue optimizing demand, energy consumption is comprehensively documented on an ongoing basis. In addition, waste separation and the use of environmentally friendly cleaning agents are part of everyday life, as is the use of reusable packaging. The overall engagement of the hotel has been honored with several awards already.
The Fact Check
Sustainability in Ehingen
The Best Western Plus BierKulturHotel Schwanen relies on 100 percent green electricity as well as 100 percent climate-neutral gas.
Energy-optimized power and heat produced by a combined heat and power plant.
Optimal insulation guarantees that the heat stays where it belongs: in the hotel room.
Motion detectors are efficient power savers and are used in all public areas.
There are power switches in each room that can be used to turn off all devices at once - so nothing is forgotten.