Sustainability

Specific measures to promote a more mindful use of resources

Enjoy responsibly

In addition to profitability, the corporate success of the Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Starnberg is geared towards the long-term existence of the company. To achieve this, we regularly review and optimise our processes and ensure that we use our resources responsibly and efficiently.

To ensure future success, the company’s processes and the use of resources are constantly scrutinized and optimized. A measurable target is defined for each department at least once a year and the actual improvement per department is presented at the end of the financial year and then documented in writing. Every employee is aware of the purpose and objectives of the Certified Green Hotel® certification.

 

Certified Green Hotel®

Whether you are an event planner, business or individual traveler: Our certification provides you with clear guidance to help you make your decision. To this end, we undergo certification every three years. The strict audit covers 95 individual criteria from the areas of energy, water, waste, F&B, travel & transport, CSR, information & management. The voluntary audit remains valid for a maximum of three years and has been passed with above-average results. During the certification process in 2026, 4.773 out of a possible 6.690 points were achieved, resulting in the ‘very good’ rating being awarded.

A few examples should illustrate the sustainable management and work at the Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Starnberg.

Find out more about Certified here.

Our commitment

Salate, lunch sunday's best

Environmental

Energy | Water | Waste | Regional Sourcing | Climate Protection

Herzliche Begrüßung

Social

Employees | Guests | Social Engagement

Meetingraum

Economy

Certification | Goals | Management | Transparency

Environment and Climate

In the area of sustainability, we focus on topics such as energy efficiency, resource conservation and regional value creation.

Energy Efficiency & Climate Protection

  • 100% of the electricity we purchase comes from renewable energy sources.
  • The air conditioning system is cooled using groundwater from our own well.
  • Guests are encouraged to travel by train, and public transport tickets are available for purchase.
  • Three paid EV charging stations are available.
  • Bicycle rental, including e-bikes.
  • A “Green Card” is placed on the guest’s bedside table, allowing guests to decide whether they would like their bed linen to be changed during the next room cleaning.

 

Water Conservation

  • Installation of water-saving aerators and stop buttons on toilet flushes.
  • Implementation of the “towel policy”: towels are only changed at the guest’s request.
  • Through Wingscoin, guests can opt out of room cleaning.

 

Resource Conservation & Waste Reduction

  • We help prevent excess food and waste by using smaller quantities at the buffet and preparing meals directly at the live-cooking station upon request.
  • Staff, hotel guests and event attendees are encouraged to follow waste separation guidelines.
  • Where operationally feasible, we replace single-use portion packaging with reusable packaging and larger bulk containers.

 

Regional Value Creation

  • Whenever available, we prioritize regional and seasonal food options.
  • We work together with suppliers and partners from the local region

You can find an overview of our local partners here:

People & Society

We take responsibility towards our guests and employees and are committed to supporting our local community.

Responsibility Towards Our Guests

  • Transparent information about our sustainability initiatives.
  • Actively involving guests through the Green Card, Plant-for-the-Planet and Wingscoin.
  • Providing information about public transport connections and offering EV charging facilities in the underground car park.

 

Responsibility Towards Our Employees

  • Annual sustainability targets across all departments.
  • Regular training sessions and meetings.
  • Sustainability aspects are incorporated into selected internal processes and training programs.

 

Social Engagement

  • Cooperation with Plant-for-the-Planet.
  • Supporting social projects through Wingscoin.
  • Supporting the Tabaluga Children’s Foundation.
  • Regular Social Days at Starnberger Tafel.

Sustainable Corporate Management

We take responsibility through a systematic approach.

Sustainability aspects are integrated into our corporate strategy. Our goal is to operate a successful hotel business over the long term, ensuring economic stability while incorporating environmental and social responsibility into our decision-making.

Measurable Goals & Continuous Improvement

  • Sustainability targets defined annually for each department.
  • Documentation and evaluation of the results achieved.
  • Regular review and optimization of processes and resource use.

Certified Quality

As a Certified Green Hotel, we have our performance regularly reviewed by an independent organization. The certification covers areas including energy, water, waste management, mobility, CSR and management. In the 2026 certification, the hotel received a “Very Good” rating.

You can make a difference

During your stay, you have the opportunity to decide for yourself how you would like to support our sustainability efforts.

Ladestation in der Tiefgarage des Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Starnberg

Arrival

Our Recommendation

Travel comfortably by public transport – the “Starnberg Nord” S-Bahn station is just a few minutes’ walk from the hotel.

You can also reach Starnberg by regional train via the “Starnberg” station by the lake. From there, a regular bus service to “Starnberg Nord” makes it easy to continue your journey.

Are you arriving by electric car? You can conveniently charge your vehicle during your stay in our paid underground car park.

Für die Gäste unsere Hausmappe mit allen Infos rund ums Haus

Wingscoin

Declining Housekeeping Service

Since March 2025, our guests have had the option to decline housekeeping on any day that is not their departure day. This helps reduce water and energy consumption while supporting social projects. For every room where housekeeping is declined, we donate a contribution to these initiatives.

As a thank-you, each guest receives a drink at our Hemingway Bar. In September 2026, more than 258 guests had already taken advantage of this option. As a result, housekeeping services—and therefore water, energy, and cleaning products—were saved during these stays. Thank you very much for your commitment!

Wings Coin shows how small decisions can make a big difference. We are delighted to be part of this movement and would like to thank Marc Helwing, the founder of Wings Coin, for this inspiring idea.

wings coin logo

Zwei Spender für Duschgel und Shampoo und die Greencard hängen an der Wand

Green Card

Resource conservation in the room 

 

“TOWEL on the floor” means: Please replace the towel!
“TOWEL on the hook” means: No replacement needed—the towel will remain available for further use!

Please help us SAVE WATER by turning off the water while soaping up or brushing your teeth.

Please use the AIR CONDITIONING only while you are in the room. When leaving the room, please remove your key card to avoid unnecessary electricity consumption.

You can help us support WASTE SEPARATION AND RECYCLING by disposing of your waste separately: Please put residual waste in the bathroom bin, use the wastepaper basket in your room for paper, and place glass bottles next to the bins.

Please also take note of our GREEN CARD next to the bed for your BED LINEN CHANGE. You decide when you would like your bed linen to be changed! GREEN CARD ON THE BED means: Please change the bed linen during the next room cleaning.

Plant for the Planet, pflanzt Bäume

Plant-for-the-Planet

Book a room and plant a tree

Plant-for-the-Planet is committed to motivating young people and organizations around the world to take action for climate justice.

According to the organization, it pursues this goal through initiatives including educating young people, restoring ecosystems, conducting reforestation research, and providing free software tools and consulting for ecosystem restoration.

When booking a room through our website, you can choose to support a tree-planting project by Plant-for-the-Planet. By making this selection, you support the initiative described above.

Find out more here.

 

Our feel-good rooms