Corporate Social Responsibility — REPORT 2023
Dear Reader,
It is with great pleasure that we present to you the Hotel Schweizerhof Bern & Spa Sustainability Report - an embodiment of our commitment to harmonising opulence and responsibility At a time when environmental awareness and ethical considerations are paramount, the Hotel Schweizerhof Bern & Spa has developed a compelling vision for sustainable luxury This report is a testament to our unwavering commitment to minimising our environmental footprint, promoting social well-being and contributing to a more sustainable and equitable future
As a renowned luxury hotel, we recognise the unique responsibility we have in redefining hospitality standards
In addition to providing unrivalled experiences, we aim to cultivate a culture of sustainability that not only preserves the natural beauty of our property’s surroundings, bus also enriches the lives of our guests, employees and the communities we interact with This report summarises the innovative initiatives, progressive practices and tangible results we have achieved over the past year as we move towards a more sustainable and conscientious future
A special thank you to all those who are part of this journey - whether as employees, partners or valued guests Your support is what motivates us to continue finding innovative ways to integrate sustainable practices into all areas of our business
Thank you for your support, interest and trust
With sustainable greetings,
Maximilian von Reden General Manager
Portrait
The Hotel Schweizerhof Bern & Spa is a historic five-star hotel in the heart of Bern, Switzerland Since opening in 1859, we have welcomed numerous guests and famous personalities The hotel has undergone several renovations over the years, including a complete refurbishment in 2011
It now offers 99 luxurious rooms and suites, a spa, the famous Jack's Brasserie, the Sky Terrace, the Cigar Lounge and the Lobby Lounge Bar With its prime location and long history, the Hotel Schweizerhof Bern & Spa is the first choice for discerning travellers visiting Bern
FACTS & FIGURES
5 Star Superior Boutique Hotel in the heart of Bern
12 signature cocktails in the Lobby Lounge Bar
14 GaultMillau points for the legendary Jack's Brasserie
40 nationalities among our employees
45 different type of cigars in the Cigar Lounge
99 rooms and suites
165 employees
360 degrees panoramic view from the Sky Terrace
365 days a year, the Spa area is open
800 m2 'Bel Etage' with the ballroom
Salon Trianon
History & Heritage
— Our luxury hotel, the first of its kind in Bern, opened its doors in 1859 Now with over 165 years of history, it is equally popular and appreciated by the people of Bern and the international clientele
The railway station in Bern has not yet been built and the Swiss constitution has only been in place for 11 years The Federal Palace is still under construction, but the Hotel Schweizerhof already stands on the same site as it does today Founded as the Hotel Fetzer, it was given its current name by Daniel Vogel, who bought it in 1859 and merged it with the neighbouring Zähringerhof to form the 'Schweizerhof' The Hotel Schweizerhof Bern is born on July 1st, 1859
The hotel belongs to the Hauser brothers, who came from a well-known hotelier family in Wädenswil (ZH)
After the demolition of the old Hotel Schweizerhof Bern in 1911, the new hotel opens with a brand new restaurant, now known as the Jack’s Brasserie, and the iconic Salon Trianon on the Bel Etage
The hotel is taken over by the Gauer Family Now glorious times begin for the Schweizerhof Jack Gauer, whose name is still immortalised in the Jack's Brasserie, turns the hotel into a first-class establishment of international renown
In the early 1950s, the first celebrities begin to reside here, such as Peter Ustinov, Sophia Loren and Liz Taylor
The Hotel Schweizerhof Bern celebrates its 100th anniversary and Jack Gauer promotes the hotel internationally with sales trips to Asia, South and North America
A new story begins: Jean-Jacques, Jack Gauer’s son, takes over the hotel
Jazz is the music in vogue: the Jaylin’s, an elegant jazz club, opens its doors It quickly becomes a well-known venue for live jazz
The Gauer family departs the scene: after more than 60 years of ownership by the Gauer family, the hotel is sold to the Richemond Héritage Group
The hotel is closed for extensive renovation work
Katara Hospitality bought the hotel A comprehensive 2-year renovation began in the following year
After renovations, the hotel reopens on June 24th in 2011, ready to start another successful chapter as a Bernese landmark and accomodate guests from all over the world
Opening of the only Hotel Spa in Bern, as well as the rooftop bar and restaurant Sky Terrace
Maximilian von Reden and his team are ready to lead the hotel into the future
Affiliations & Memberships
— The Hotel Schweizerhof Bern & Spa is part of The Bürgenstock Collection, one of the largest luxury hotel groups in Switzerland
The Collection operates extremely elegant hotels and residences which, with a total of 678 guest rooms and 67 residence suites, more than fulfil the demands of the upper luxury class The Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne, the Hotel Schweizerhof Bern & Spa and the Royal Savoy Hotel & Spa Lausanne delight guests from all over the world with their rich heritage, elegant yet contemporary design, leading spas and excellent culinary offerings At the same time, they remain true to the timeless Swiss traditions of hospitality, service and discretion down to the last detail
The hotel is also a member of the global alliance of luxury hotels The Leading Hotels of the World and Swiss Deluxe Hotels, the association of leading Swiss five-star hotels
AWARDS 2023
Swiss Location Award 9 1 Points
Jack's Brasserie 14 Points
Switzerland's Leading Business Hotel 2023
Most beautiful hotels in german-speaking countries 93 / 100 Points
Jack's Brasserie Best Organic Wine List in Europe
Karl Wild Hotelrating Switzerland 100 best hotels Switzerland, 13th place in the urban hotel category
Corporate Philosophy
Best place to be — and to work!
MISSION
We live the culture and let you experience it For bon vivants, businesss travellers and globetrotters from Bern, Switzerland and all over the world
CORPORATE VALUES
Inspiring — We go about our tasks every day with great motivation and pleasure We know our guests and surprise them anew at every stay with attention, with friendliness, helpfulness and a smile
Aspirational — We are not satisfied with 90 per cent We exceed our guests' expectations We live our service standards and always give our very best
Passionate — We enjoy our work and put our heart and soul into it We want our guests to feel our passion for the hospitality industry and to be enthusiastic about our commitment
Entrepreneurial — We are open to change and continue to develop We do not make adjustments only when they have become inevitable, but we plan for the long term We think along, support each other across departments and act in a cost- and environmentally-conscious way
ORGANISATIONAL CHART
General Manager
Quality & Duty Manager
Cluster Director Sales
Cluster Revenue Manager
IT Manager
Head of Engineering SIBE
Marketing Manager
Finance Manager
HR Manager
Front Office Manager
Spa Manager
Housekeeping Manager
F&B Manager
Executive Chef
Our Guests
STATISTICS
— In 2023, we welcomed a total of 31'102 guests coming from all around the world Covering overall 106 different countries, our guests mainly come from Switzerland (34 6%), North America (21 6%) and the European Union (12 2%)
Since the Coronavirus crisis, we noticed a shift in our guest statistics We used to be a mainly business hotel with single travellers Now, we observe that leisure guests do not wait for the weekend anymore to stay with us, and about 60% of our guests travel to us in couples or small groups
GUEST SATISFACTION
— Guest satisfaction plays a decisive role in our vision "Best place to be - and to work!" In addition to personal discussions and direct feedback via our guest satisfaction survey, online rating and booking platforms are important media for measuring and analysing the satisfaction of our guests
The TrustScore is the world’s first international single score for a hotel or business that represents all online opinions of consumers around the world Computed by TrustYou, an independent provider of hotel reputation scores and reviews, it rates the hotels and highlight excellence in specific areas based on online reviews Our TrustScore is currently an excellent 4.6 to 5.
Our guests mainly praise our very central location in Bern, the comfort of our rooms and beds, our Spa in the heart of the city, and our team’s professional service
Of course, we are not resting on our laurels, but are constantly striving to improve
31,102
Corporate Social Responsibility
Corporate Social Responsibility is the social responsibility of a company It involves responsible behaviour towards employees, numerous stakeholders, the local community and the environment Good CSR management should not only comply with legal requirements but also go beyond them
CSR is a company's concrete contribution to sustainable development.
AT THE HOTEL SCHWEIZERHOF BERN & SPA, ALL THREE DIMENSIONS ARE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT:
— As an exemplary employer, we invest significantly in the satisfaction, development, safety and health of our employees
— We fulfill our social responsibility in the market and are committed to the well-being of our fellow human beings
— We are actively committed to global climate protection and invest in internal resource and energy efficiency
Stakeholders
CITY OF BERN
— The city is strongly committed to sustainable development and is realising various projects together with the people of Bern
INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION HOTELLERIESUISSE
— The association HotellerieSuisse is a co-signatory of the Sustainability Charter of Swiss Tourism and therefore attaches great importance to the topic In this complex situation, HotellerieSuisse has drawn up an overview of sustainability from the perspective of the hotel industry The Sustainability Compass highlights economic, social and ecological aspects from the perspective of the hotel industry
OUR OWNER
— Since 2008, the Hotel Schweizerhof Bern is owned by Katara Hospitality. Our owners enable and promote our sustainable development and provide the financial resources
OUR PARTNERS & SUPPLIERS
— The Hotel Schweizerhof Bern maintains a very close and open exchange with its suppliers and has maintained partnerships for many years They have a very high value for the sustainable development of the hotel
OUR EMPLOYEES
— Our employees appreciate our efforts and continue to develop our CSR management on a daily basis In recruitment interviews, as well as in the anonymous employee survey, our social commitment is positively highlighted
OUR GUESTS
— It is not only resource or material efficiency potentials that speak for our CSR commitment, but also the growing need and demand from our guests for sustainable tourism services
CSR at the Hotel Schweizerhof Bern & Spa
A CONVERSATION WITH CAROLINE JULMY, QUALITY MANAGER & HEAD OF SUSTAINABILITY
— You are Quality Manager and Head of Sustainability at the Hotel Schweizerhof Bern & Spa. How are the two areas connected?
The two roles were initially not connected, my interest for sustainability made me join the Green Busters upon my arrival in the company In the end of 2022, as sustainability gained importance in the Bürgenstock Collection with the wish to get all three hotels certified by Green Globe in 2023, I was asked to lead the project for Bern and with it I took on the role as Head of Sustainability
Quality and Sustainability are closely connected; not every guest has the same level of interest and readiness for sustainability, and none is ready to settle for a greener but lower quality Which leads us to find the right balance: how can we be more sustainable as a luxury business without lowering the expected quality of our products and services? In this context, being in charge of both brings an interesting perspective and dynamic My direct contact with our guests provides valuable insights for Sustainability decisions, of which the impact can then be measured in our guests’ feedback Monitoring both side by side makes us much more reactive
— What do you see as the main challenges of sustainability in the luxury hotel industry?
Sustainability is a very trendy topic at the moment, as it should be For many industries, being sustainable is a mandatory criteria to getting business In the luxury hotel industry tough, for many guests the ecological impact of their stay is not a main criteria when selecting a hotel, and they are not necessarily interested to think about it Thus, when hotels want to improve their sustainable footprint, they have to find ways to do it without impacting their guests’ experience Hence the challenge, it comes back to a Quality-Sustainability balance And even then, how to communicate about our sustainable engagement? Who wants to hear about it and how?
— What makes the Hotel Schweizerhof Bern & Spa particularly strong when it comes to sustainability?
I believe that the Hotel Schweizerhof Bern & Spa’s greatest asset when it comes to sustainability is its daring attitude The Green Busters started in 2017 already and received full support from the Board of Direction The Hotel Schweizerhof was never scared to try and change things which brings it to a leading position in the Bernese and Swiss hospitality market
— What are you looking forward to in the near future?
The creation of the Sustainability movement within the Bürgenstock Collection is very exciting and promising for even greater actions and a global culture of change I am very proud to be part of it
Caroline Julmy
Our Team
People behind the brand.
This field of action deals with all aspects of our employees They are our most important asset, indeed the soul of the hotel We believe in equal opportunity and fair treatment We are committed to helping all employees find healthy work-life balance, and we want to create a working environment in which our employees can develop, feel comfortable, are encouraged, and stay healthy and happy
Best place to be — and to work!
— Our vision deliberately refers not only to our guests, but equally to our valued employees Our goal is to be one of the best employers in the hotel industry!
56 %
19 %
EMPLOYEES
37 %
UNDER 30 YEARS OLD
38 %
SWISS CITIZENS
40 WOMEN AT THE COMPANY FOR OVER 5 YEARS
NATIONALITIES
People behind the brand
LISA WÄLTI, FRONT OFFICE & RESERVATIONS AGENT, TALKS ABOUT HER JOB
— How it started. Since secondary school already, I was very interested in the hospitality industry, so I completed a first short placement at the Hotel Schweizerhof Bern & Spa during this time It quickly became clear to me that I wanted to immerse myself in the exciting and varied world of hotels, especially as I had travelled to many countries with my family and had therefore already experienced a lot of this industry At that time, admission to a hotel management school was only possible from the age of 20, so I decided to complete a three-year aprenticeship as a Hotel Gastro Tourism Management Assistant at the prestigious Hotel Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa in Interlaken I obtained my HGT diploma in July 2022 The experience I gained there in seven different departments, combined with my commitment, definitely paid off and motivated me to continue working in the hotel industry This path led me back to my beautiful hometown of Bern
— My everyday life at the Hotel Schweizerhof Bern & Spa. What I particularly appreciate about my day-to-day work is the variety between two departments that are so closely linked It often happens that I can accompany our guests from the reservation enquiry to the check-out This is also often emphasised and appreciated by the guests To make our guests’ stay as pleasant and unforgettable as possible, I like to go the extra mile and show my passion for the profession I can also use my good language skills in my everyday work and get to know and appreciate different cultures As a 'Bärnermeitschi', I particularly enjoy working in a luxury hotel in Bern, representing the beautiful city of Bern and passing on recommendations
— My role as an apprectice tutor. Since the Summer of 2023, my responsibilities also include the role of tutor for our apprentices It is very important to me to accompany the apprentices on their way to success with helpful and empathetic manner, and to realise their professional dreams through good cooperation
— Prospects. As of April 1st, 2024, I will be taking on my new role as Front Office & Reservations Supervisor I am very much looking foward to this new challenge
Lisa Wälti
Employee Satisfaction
ON-BOARDING
— At the monthly orientation days, various topics relating to working at the Hotel Schweizerhof Bern & Spa, such as sustainability, safety training and HR-related matters, are presented to all new starters In addition to administrative information, the focus is set on getting to know current and new employees The induction day is completed with a lunch together in the Jack’s Brasserie and a tour of the hotel
COMMUNICATION
— Internal communication is managed via Beekeeper Beekeeper is an App that all employees have access to and where they can post news Thanks to this app, internal communication has been significantly improved A rewarding improvement process was initiated via Beekeeper Employees have the opportunity to communicate with management and their teams to share ideas and feedback Valuable information for daily operations is also shared via the feed to ensure that everyone is informed and our guests receive the best possible service
Since 2023, the Townhall Meeting is being held quarterly This event serves as an employee information session where the most important and current topics are discussed There is a review of the past months as well as an outlook for the coming months Employees have the opportunity to submit questions to the Management anonymously in advance, these are then answered during the meeting
A 'Great Place to Work' is a place where you trust the people you work for, you are proud of what you do and enjoy working with others.
MEET OUR PARTNER
Beekeeper is a team communication App that provides real-time communication to all employees, even without PC workstation Internal teams benefit from secure messaging, content management, chatbots, employee engagement analytics, employee survey, etc Work processes become simpler, more efficient and more digital
EMPLOYEE SATISFACTION SURVEY
— Once a year, we conduct an employee satisfaction survey This is conducted through "Great Place to Work From the annual results, various measures for improvement are taken in each department Following the survey in 2023, we were officially certified as a Great Place to Work!
We are delighted to have been recognised as a Great Place to Work for 2024 Through targeted measures, we continuously strive to increase the satisfaction of our employees In the survey, topics such as diversity and inclusion were rated particularly highly We are proud to offer our employees a working environment in which diversity is not only recognised, but actively embraced Our employees feel listened to, respected and supported regardless of their background, experience or identity
The Great Place to Work methodology consists of two parts: the Trust-Index and the Culture-Audit The Trust Index is a questionnaire on the experienced quality and attractiveness of the workplace culture with 66 questions, which all employees answer anonymously The questions determine how employees experience the dimensions of credibility, respect, fairness, team spirit and pride The Culture Audit, on the other hand, takes demographic personnel data as well as general information about the company
MEET OUR PARTNER
Great Place to Work evaluates companies on the criteria of credibility, respect, fairness, pride and camaraderie The companies that meet the criteria of a Great Place to Work are then certified This helps to identify strengths and weaknesses as an employer, and to attract and retain talents in the job market
Let's Celebrate
— Special occasions are written in capital letters for us
BIRTHDAY DINNER
— Once a month, we organise a dinner for all employees celebrating their birthday that month The employees and their accompanying guest are treated to a 3-course meal including beverages and enjoy the evening together with the General Manager and some of the hotel's management staff Our apprentices take over the kitchen and service for the evening
WORK ANNIVERSARY
— As a thank you for the valuable cooperation and loyalty, we reward permanent employment of more than 5 years with a personalised gift After 10 years, the employee also receives a week's holiday
CHRISTMAS APÉRO
— Since December 2022, we toast the end of the year together at Christmas time During the peak season, this aperitif is an ideal event to take a deep breath and recharge our batteries for the final sprint
SUMMER PARTY
—The annual staff party takes place in the Summer We celebrate our team with delicious food and drinks, good mood and in an relaxed atmosphere Our raffle is a favourite, with many winners; from hotel vouchers to exquisite Bulgari-sets, there are a variety of great prizes to be won The Summer Party is not only an opportunity to have fun, but also to strengthen the bond within the team and create shared memories
Benefits & Discounts
— Employees are entitled to the following benefits and privileges:
FOR EVERY NEW EMPLOYEE
EMPLOYEE DISCOUNT ON SPA AND F&B in all Bürgenstock Collection Hotels
A CUSTOMISABLE BENEFITS PLATFORM THAT GIVES EMPLOYEES PREFERENTIAL CONDITIONS
u. a.including permanent discounts with 150 Top-Partners
16 Weeks Bern City Employee Card
VARIOUS DISCOUNTS AND SPECIAL CONDITIONS IN 90+ SHOPS, BARS AND RESTAURANTS IN BERN
1 Overnight Stay
IN HOTEL SCHWEIZERHOF BERN & SPA UPON STARTING IN THE TEAM IN ALL SWISS DELUXE HOTELS
MATERNITY LEAVE
Development
EDUCATION & TRAINING
— Internal and external training courses such as safety, fire protection, leadership and CSR are regularly organised for all employees Department-specific training and development programmes are also offered The company also contributes financially to further training courses requested by employees and makes these possible through customised duty scheduling
The topic of further education and training is very important Every year, a certain amount is budgeted for this in all departments Support is provided for everything from one-day courses and language schools to entire degree programmes It is possible to take up a part-time or sharing position in any area and function In 2023, 79% of our employees worked full-time and 21% part-time
TALENT MANAGEMENT
— Our focus is on the recruitment, retention and development of employees to ensure excellent service and an outstanding guest experience This includes identifying talented individuals for various positions within the hotel, implementing development programs to continuously improve employees’ skills and competencies, and creating a positive working environment that promotes employee retention and motivation
APPRENTICESHIPS
— In 2023, eight apprentices were trained in the following professions:
· Restaurateur EFZ Cook EFZ
· Hotel Management Specialist EFZ
Hotel and Communication Specialist EFZ
· EFZ Hotel-Gastro-Tourism Management Specialist (HGT)
EXPERIENCE CIRCLE
— There is one Experience Circle meeting per department within Swiss Deluxe Hotels (SDH) These take place in an SDH-Hotel and are aimed at the relevant department heads At these meetings, current topics are discussed and, as the name aptly indicate it, experiences exchanged We not only allow our employees to participate, but also assume the entire costs for each employee
Giulia Chirico, Hotel Management Specialist Apprentice
Health & Safety
CORPORATE HEALTH MANAGEMENT
— Corporate Health Management covers all measures taken by employers and employees to improve health and well-being in the workplace At the Hotel Schweizerhof Bern & Spa, we attach great importance to raising awareness on hygiene, safety and security, as well as accident prevention Various positions are also offered on a part-time basis, and working hours have been organised in such way that our managers can guarantee our employees sufficient rest when planing their schedules In the event of an extended absence, the HR team supports the employee in all matters and actively assists them in returning to work so that a positive return can be guaranteed
WORK SAFETY
— The work safety is a high priority All employees receive a full safety training on their on-boarding day, during which various scenarios and according suitable measures are discussed and learnt Once a year, an evacuation drill is carried out throughout the building
In addition, our safety officer organises several training courses each year on various topics such as safety in the workplace, first aid, health protection, ergonomics in the workplace, and the safe handling of chemicals Based on their role and department, the employees are assigned to attend these training throughout the year
Environment
'The world is changed by your example, not by your opinion.'
PAULO COELHO, AUTHOR
This field of action deals with ecologically responsible action Energy and resource efficiency, recycling and climate protection are just a few aspects of this extremely broad topic Economic value creation always entails ecological damage at the same time Therefore, it is indispensable to always take the environmental factor into account in one's engagement
The Green Busters
— In order to further develop environmental management and continuously introduce and implement new ideas, an internal environmental group called 'The Green Busters' was created in January 2017 All employees who are interested in environmental management and are willing to actively participate in the implementation of ecological projects can take part It is important that the team is made up of a rich mix of employees from different departments and different hierarchical levels
The Green Busters meet every 4-6 weeks and discuss together the current projects, the latest figures (CO2-Balance, Food Waste evaluation, etc ) They also discuss other ideas that will be added to the idea pool for future implementation All information, deadline and goals are recorded in a protocol
GREEN MONDAY
— Since January 2023, the Green Busters started their 'Green Monday' campaign: every Monday morning, a new post on Sustainability is shared with all employees on Beekeeper These posts are very diverse and go from facts or tips about ecology or sustainability in the hotel or at home, to creative recycling ideas and team challenges The 'Green Monday' post is also the opportunity for the Green Busters to share latest successes and results, as well as new projects The Green Busters believe that everyone has his own level of readiness for change when it comes to the environment, thus a regular friendly communication is more powerful and efficient than an official training
With this action, they aim to encourage everyone to embark on our sustainable journey So far, the Green Monday action has received great response from all employees
Our Beehives
50 TO 85 KG HONEY PER YEAR
— Since April 2015, three bee colonies with over 150 000 bees have been living on our roof By spreading urban bee colonies, we draw attention to the problem of bee mortality and at the same time promote ecological balance
Depending on the weather, our bees produce between 50 and 85 kilograms of honey annually Our guests can enjoy the honey at the breakfast buffet, in delicious dishes or even thanks to the fascia honey massage in our Spa
Kontrolle der Bienenvölker auf unserem Hoteldach.
Certifications
GREEN GLOBE CERTIFICATION
— The desire to consistently implement sustainability in the Bürgenstock Collection came from various parties in 2022: the Vice President of the Board of Directors of the Collection, all three General Managers and the Group Purchasing Director were all of the opinion that sustainability was a topic of growing importance and that a joint approach would benefit the Collection
After thorough research into the various certifications available for Sustainability in the hotel industry, it was decided in November 2022 that all three hotels would work towards a Green Globe certification in 2023
The reasons for choosing Green Globe were varied and numerous but above all, it is its international implementation and recognition that convinced us
In 2023, a person was selected in each hotel as Green Leader, responsible to lead the project in their house
The Group Purchasing Director, who had previously worked with Green Globe, was assigned to coordinate the process and took care of the various tasks at Group level Together and with the support of their management teams, the Green Leaders achieved their goal; the Hotel Schweizerhof Bern & Spa was Green Globe certified in August 2023.
THE STORY CONTINUES
— Sustainability is not a destination, but a journey, and the journey continues Since the certification, the green Leaders work together to improve the sustainability of all three hotels in accordance with the Green Globe standards This includes, among other things, drawing up an annual Sustainability Plan and overseeing its implementation in the hotels
This is to certify that
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With over 30 years experience, Green Globe has grown to become the world's leading certification for sustainable operations and management of travel and tourism worldwide Green Globe certifies hotels, resorts, conference centers and attractions around the world
Expiration Date: 5 September 2024 has met the requirements of the Green Globe Standard 1.7.
Switzerland
Hotel Schweizerhof Bern & Spa
Certificate Number
EU01361H-2023 Auditor Sarah Jenny
Birte Pelayo, CEO
Category - Hotel & Resort
greenglobe.com
Swisstainable Level distribution of all 2'581 partners
— When the Hotel Schweizerhof Bern & Spa joined the Swisstainable program in 2021, we were very proud to already meet the criteria for a 'Level II - engaged' certificate In the following years, we continued to work on our footprint and expanded our commitment to sustainability In 2023, we achieved a new 'Level III - leading' certificate from Swisstainable thanks to our Green Globe certification Out of 2'581 companies participating in the Swisstainable program, only 284 have reached Level III yet, and we are proud to be among the 110 hotels listed in the highest category
Of course, this does not mean that we will stop here Swisstainable still has so much more to offer; from conferences to interesting partnerships between members, we are very much looking forward to being part of the sustainable change in Swiss tourism
Swisstainable Level distribution per industry
MEET OUR PARTNER
Swisstainable is a Swiss Sustainability program from the tourism industry for the tourism industry
The focus is on the sustainable development of Switzerland as a tourist destination
The program is divided into three levels, which take into consideration the different requirements and the degree of sustainable commitment
CO2 Compensation
MYCLIMATE AWARD
— Since 2017, we have been working with the MyClimate organisation and are committed to climate protection On March 7, 2019, we were honored by MyClimate at the international tourism trade fair in Berlin with the MyClimate Award as 'Pioneer holistic sustainability in hotel operations'. With this award, MyClimate annually recognizes sustainable, yet economically successful offers in tourism
CLIMATE NEUTRAL ROOMS
— As part of our partnership with MyClimate, since spring 2018, our guests have the opportunity to book their overnight stays fully climate neutral Per overnight stay at the Hotel Schweizerhof Bern & Spa, approximately 47 kg CO2 are emitted This corresponds approximately to the emissions of a car journey from Bern to Ulm (370km) In order to neutralise these emissions, the MyClimate carbon offset project in Madagascar is supported with CHF 4 when booking a climate-neutral overnight stay
THE CARBON OFFS ET PROJECT FOR MADAGASCAR: 'BACK TO THE GREEN ISLAND WITH ENERGY SAVING AND SOLAR STOVES'
— In order to reduce CO2 and stop the rapid deforestation on Madagascar, the project supports the production and distribution of efficient stoves and climate-friendly solar cookers These sensibilisation of school classes with regard to environmental protection and climate-friendly cooking, as well as the reforestation of two trees per stove sold, are additional features of this project
MEET OUR PARTNER
Through consulting, education and carbon offset projects, the international non-profit organisation MyClimate is a partner for effective climate protection, globally and locally Since its founding in 2002, MyClimate has developed and supported 197 carbon offset projects in 45 countries around the world
Hotel Schweizerhof Bern & THE SPA myclimate Award 2019
Vorreiter ganzheitliche Nachhaltigkeit im Hotelbetrieb
District Heating & Cooling & LED Lighting
— The Hotel Schweizerhof Bern & Spa does not require fossil fuels or gas for its cooling and heating, but utilises district heating and cooling
District Heating means that the heat is not generated directly at the point of consumption, but is produced in a centralised plant and supplied via a pipeline network District heating is usually surplus process heat from waste incineration or waste heat from combined heat and power plants District Cooling is the environmentally friendly and innovative alternative to conventional air conditioning To produce the cooling, pure waste heat is converted in absorption chillers
LED LIGHTING
— In the past 5 years, we completely updated our lighting system with sustainability in mind Starting with the back-of-house corridors, offices and storage spaces and then moving to guests’ areas and rooms, our Maintenance Team reviewed our entire lighting concept As they ran out, the light bulbs were replaced by LED, motion detectors were installed in the corridors and storages, and timers for automatic switch-off were programmed The process was completed in 2023 The Hotel Schweizerhof Bern & Spa is now 100% LED-lighted, to reduce energy consumption and contribute to a greener lighting
Waste & Recycling
— At the Hotel Schweizerhof Bern & Spa, we work according to a strict waste concept that the Green Busters have developed and implemented All waste such as paper, glass, porcelain, aluminium, PET, printer cartridges, cooking fats, wet waste, batteries, electrical waste, light bulbs etc is separated and recycled individually Of course, even better than waste separating is not having to throw away at all With this in mind, we also try to recycle and reuse as much as possible Here is a selection of the measures taken by the Hotel Schweizerhof Bern & Spa with regard to waste reduction and recycling
WEEKLY MENU
— Our menus in Jack's Brasserie and in the Lobby Lounge Bar change regularly with the seasons, but also with food seasons such as asparagus, wild garlic or truffles As every dish is available until the last day of a menu, our kitchen always has a certain amount of stock from the previous menu when it changes Our chef attaches great importance to avoiding food waste and of course does not throw away these perfect preparations Instead, these are either transformed into dishes of the day and offered on our weekly lunch menu or cooked as staff catering
CORK
— Cork is a lightweight natural product with various properties that make it a highly recyclable material At the Hotel Schweizerhof Bern & Spa, we collect our cork cones and, in collaboration with the SAG Foundation's specialist centre, they are shredded into granulate, which is then delivered to an organic building materials dealer, where the granulate is processed into insulation material
RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES
— With so many keyboards, TV remote controls and other electronic devices, we use a lot of batteries On the initiative of our technical team, we have started to replace these with rechargeable batteries This now works via an exchange system; employees come back with their empty batteries and receive full ones in return
WATER DISPENSER
— To reduce the numerous plastic bottles that were used by our team while at work, we installed water dispenser, directly connected to our water network, not only in the canteen but in various staff areas such as offices and kitchens Every employee receives as an on-boarding gift a branded water bottle, to encourage him drinking water and using his refillable bottle rather than PET-bottles
SOAP
— Since 2017, we are partners of SapoCycle and contribute to the 'Bubbles Saving Lives' program by donating our soaps to be recycled and distributed to people in need Over the years, we have collected and donated a total of 481 kg of soaps, which is equivalent to 1074 kg CO2 saved In 2023, we donated 43 kg of soaps, these were reprocessed into 430 new soaps
MEET OUR PARTNER
SapoCycle is a non-profit organisation that collects discarded soaps in European hotels, reprocesses them and distributes the recycled soaps to improve sanitary conditions of children and families in need
CRO Û TONS
— Our guests are spoilt with a selection of bread at mealtimes After the service, there are leftover bread rolls These are then set aside, cut into thin slices and, when they are dry and crispy, used as coûtons for various dishes such as our Ceasar salad or our aperitif platter in the Lobby Lounge Bar
PAPER CONSUMPTION
— To reduce paper consumption, we decided in 2018 to implement a Document Management System, which enables the digitalisation of numerous processes and contributes to reducing paper use The implementation of the system was completed in 2019 and is since then continuously upgraded and adapted to new needs from all departments
CANDLE WAX RESIDUE
—In 2023, we started collecting left over candles from the restaurant and together with Calide Candle & Art we gave them a second life, creating the 'Schweizerhof Candle', which is made of recycled wax and available in two sizes: the large one for our guests to purchase, and the small version as a gift from our side
MEET OUR PARTNER
CALIDE Art & Design stands for 'candles, lights & decoration' and is the expression of the conviction that art and design can contribute to creating an inviting atmosphere In addition to candles, CALIDE offers a variety of other products such as lamps made from champagne and gin bottles The products are not only decorative, but also help to reduce waste and recycle resources
Sustainable Purchasing
— Sustainable products are those that benefit the society, the environment and the economy over their entire life cycle - from raw material extraction to disposal - while protecting human health and the environment Up until now, the Hotel Schweizerhof Bern & Spa has focussed on sustainable products, particularly in the kitchen In 2023, this focus was expanded; changes at collection level were introduced in various directions and in all departments
HOUSEKEEPING - CLEANING & WASHING PRODUCTS
— After testing various lines of sustainable cleaning products with their team, the Collection's Housekeeping Managers decided in favour of the Maya Line from Steinfels Swiss, and so our entire range of cleaning and laundry products was converted With Maya products, Steinfels Swiss ensures professional cleanliness and hygiene - and at the same time takes care of the environment: they ensure that water, soil and air remain intact and that people, animals and plants are not harmed
The Swiss ecological standard goes further than any EU standard, which is why all Maya products undergo the 'OECD Test 302 B extended' test procedure It is crucial for making statements about biodegradability and non-toxicity to sewage sludge bacteria All Maya products are readily biodegradable, free of environmentally critical ingredients and VOC-free steinfels-swiss.ch
CERTIFIED COFFEE
— Following the same train of thought, a change of coffee beans was initiated in 2023 and finalised for the new year Together with our coffee supplier Rast Kaffee, which produces our own Bürgenstock Collection coffee beans, our Group Purchasing Director looked for a more sustainable option This led to the project to have the Bürgenstock coffees certified by the Rainforest Alliance. This project was completed at the end of the year and the coffee at the Hotel Schweizerhof Bern & Spa has been Rainforest Alliance-certified since January 2024
The Rainforest Alliance certification seal means that the product has been produced by farmers, foresters and/or companies that work together to create a world in which people and nature thrive in harmony
rainforest-alliance.org
EAT LOCAL — BE LOCAL
— The Jack's Brasserie with its history and tradition is a Bernese landmark; a renowned and celebrated restaurant in the region Our head chef Wolfgang Schmidt celebrates the Bern region with the same spirit, placing local products at the centre of his culinary creations
Cooking with local products does not only mean guaranteeing freshness and shortening the transport route of the food, it is also an opportunity to meet the producers in person and see how and where the products are grown, share a common passion and create new flavours together
JUMI KÄSE
Family-run cheese dairy, 10 km from the hotel
ÄNGELIBECK BROT
Biological bakery, Bern
LETTUCE from a farm in Bremblens
Bern is a canton with a beautiful landscape and people who still appreciate this nature and its delicious products When Wolfgang Schmidt talks about the various products and people he works with, it is with enthusiasm and great knowledge He enjoys regularly meeting the father and son who supply the meat, for example, or the farmer who grows the herb salad in the area
Celebrating local producers also means supporting smaller businesses, like our beloved organic baker Ängelibeck around the corner; Kurt Sahli works exclusively with organically grown ingredients and celebrates the traditional craft of baking Such partnerships not only open up numerous possibilities for personalised products, but also offer more flexibility, which is always appreciated in the spontaneous world of gastronomy
BERNER FRIES from Langenthal HONEY from our rooftop
Wolfgang Schmidt, Chef of Jack's Brasserie
Food Save Banquet
— Together with around 30 organisations that are committed to the careful handling of food, we organise the annual Food Save Banquet
A delicious menu made from food waste is served at a 60-metre long table on Bahnhofplatz Bern In advance, 800kg of food is collected from the agricultural sector that does not conform to the norm or has been collected from farms after harvesting The menu is prepared by a chef and various volunteers and then served to over 1000 people on the station square In order to sensibilise the population of Bern to the large amount of food waste, the quantities of food waste generated by each actor were represented by towers of crates in 2023 These were then hung with posters explaining who was responsible and the amount of food waste
28% of the 2 8 million tonnes of food waste generated in Switzerland each year comes from private households, making them the second largest source of food waste The gastronomy sector, on the other hand, accounts for only 7%, making it the sector that generates the least food waste
foodsave-bankette.ch/de/bern
Society & Market
This area of activity includes maintaining relationships with our external stakeholders Topics such as social engagement, donations, corporate volunteering and cooperations in the Bern market are part of this commitment
Social Engagement
RONALD MCDONALD HAUS, BERN
— For over 20 years, families of sick children have found a temporary home at the Ronald McDonald House Bern near the paediatric clinic of the Inselspital in Bern Once a year, since 2016 already, the Hotel Schweizerhof Bern & Spa hosts the Kids Party: a fun day with musicians and artists on our Bel Etage In 2023, we welcomed Andrew Bond for a concert with a guest appearance from the Zollikofen School for the Blind We are very proud that the Hotel Schweizerhof Bern & Spa is part of this charity event
SWISS PARALYMPIC
— Swiss Paralympic is the national committee for elite sport for people with a physical or visual disability The foundation selects top Swiss athletes for the Paralympics, World and European Championships The Hotel Schweizerhof Bern & Spa is a partner of Swiss Paralympic and hosts the annual Swiss Paralympic Night, where the most successful para-athletes of the year are honoured for their medals and achievements
LADIES' LUNCH
— Since 2022, the Ladies Lunch has been held at the Hotel Schweizerhof Bern & Spa in aid of a charitable organisation In 2023, donations were collected for the Make-A-Wish Switzerland organisation for sick children to make their dreams come true In November, 150 women from various industries came together and enjoyed the socialising, the three-course meal and the lively conversations Thanks to sponsors, a remarkable sum was raised The event series will continue in 2024
PRO NATURA MEMBERSHIP
— The hotel has been a Plus member of Pro Natura Bern since 2023 As a supporting member, we contribute to the maintenance of nature reserves and the protection of Switzerland's most beautiful landscapes Thanks to our membership, we receive the ProNatura magazine every quarter, which is then available for everyone to read in the staff canteen Our employees visit both ProNatura centres free of charge and enjoy various benefits on site
CLEAN-UP-DAY
— The annual national Clean-Up Day in September is part of World Cleanup Day Anyone can organise a waste collection action in their area or join an existing action In 2023, the Hotel Schweizerhof Bern & Spa organised its own clean-up action and a group of employees spent an hour collecting waste in the railway station district It is very important to us to take part in such activities in Bern and contribute to a clean city
Cooperations & Collaborations
— In all departments of the Hotel Schweizerhof Bern & Spa, we enjoy working with Bernese companies, and over the years we have established various cooperations Here are some examples of such collaborations that contribute to our unique identity
JACK'S BEER
— The idea was born in 2019 when Maximilian von Reden took over the management of the hotel and came up with the idea of serving our own beer, which would only be available in Jack's Brasserie In 2020, the project was realised in collaboration with the microbrewery Braukunst in Bern, and Jack's beer was born Served in a matching glass and also available as a gift set, it is now a must for almost every guest in the brasserie
BOW TIES & TIES
— In 2023, the uniforms were reviewed We decided to work with a Bern-based company for the ties and bow ties of our service staff We had already been working with Eniline since 2021 for our annual golf tournament, so it seemed like the right partner to collaborate with Eniline is a family-run men's shop in the old town and has created our bow ties and ties as unique pieces
WELCOME CARDS & POST CARDS
— When we decided to update our welcome cards, our marketing team wanted to switch from an image to a design that would convey the historic look and feel of the Hotel Schweizerhof Bern & Spa For the project, a collaboration was initiated with ArtFoxDesign, a one-man business that emerged from the hobby of a designer in Bern
Our unique square welcome card is now also available as a postcard in Bern and is sold together with other designs by ArtFoxDesign In addition, another postcard representing the legendary activity of the 'Aareböttle', floating down the river in an inflatable boat, has been personalised for us in a new version with our 'Aarebag'
TEO JAKOB
DESIGN STUDIO'
— For the next two years, the Hotel Schweizerhof Bern & Spa is giving one of its top-floor studios a new look with the name 'Timeless Design Studio' Here, the 70 years of teo jakob's work will be celebrated in the form of at least one design for each decade The space allows guests to experience the diversity of design from the past decades - with a strong connection to Switzerland
The backdrop for the collaboration is the 'Luxury Living Studio' 602, which is located on the 6th floor and radiates cosiness thanks to the sloping ceilings Unlike the rooms and suites, the studio has an open-plan design, connecting the living room with the bedroom, dining area and kitchenette over 48 square metres and showcasing teo jakob's interior classics to their best advantage
Among other things, the collaboration showcases impressive pieces in the form of a dress chair: the opportunity to have a unique chair for yourself This chair is made from 60 kilograms of uniform parts from employees of the Bürgenstock Collection and is thus a tribute to the employees from various departments The chair was made as a one-off by Tejo Remy
'TIMELESS
Perspectives
We would now like to look ahead and give you an outlook on our future initiatives and goals This report does not mark the end of our journey, but rather a milestone on our path to a more sustainable future
When we made our commitment to sustainability, we not only took on a responsibility, but also developed a vision for the years ahead Our future actions are guided by the conviction that sustainable business practices and social responsibility are not only compatible, but can strengthen each other
Sustainability Plan 2024
— At the end of the year, it's nice to look back and take a moment to reflect on all these great achievements With the new year comes new opportunities: Opportunities to change things; to do more, differently and better
With this in mind, the Green Leaders have drawn up a sustainability plan for the Bürgenstock Collection for the year 2024 This plan contains three main focal points.
FOOD WASTE REDUCTION
Combating food waste is not only a corporate duty, but also a moral responsibility towards our society and our planet In order to combat food waste effectively, it is essential to have precise knowledge of the causes and patterns In the coming years, we will intensify our efforts to create a transparent inventory of the entire food supply cycle in order to understand exactly where and why food is wasted in our country
IN-ROOM AMENITIES: REMOVE, REPLACE, RECYCLE.
Let's question our products: Where do they come from? What are they made of? Can they be recycled? Are they indispensable for our guests? 'Remove' means actively eliminating harmful influences on the environment and society We will focus intensively on identifying and eliminating potentially harmful elements in our value chain Our vision is to become a pioneer in recycling and the circular economy We will intensify our efforts to promote recyclable materials, expand recycling programmes and drive innovative solutions to ensure that products and packaging can be meaningfully recycled at the end of their life cycle
3
A CLEAR PATH TOWARDS CLIMATE NEUTRALITY
Here, we will review and improve internal processes and focus on compensating for unavoidable emissions through CO2 neutralisation projects We will also intensify our efforts to minimise CO2 emissions in our supply chain Through partnerships with suppliers who pursue similarly ambitious sustainability goals, we will ensure that our products and services are developed and provided with environmental aspects in mind
Epilogue
There is still a lot to do With a lot of heart and courage, we are moving forward into the future of the innovative, sustainable luxury hotel industry
In this spirit, I would like to thank our partners and our employees who helped with the CSR-Report of the Hotel Schweizerhof Bern & Spa
We look forward to welcoming you as our guest and inspire you
Sincerely,
Maximilian von Reden and the Schweizerhof Bern Team
Imprint
PUBLISHED BY Hotel Schweizerhof Bern AG Bahnhofplatz 11 3001 Bern, Switzerland T: +41 31 326 80 80 Schweizerhofbern com
QUESTIONS? DON'T BE SHY: Caroline Julmy Quality Manager & Head of Sustainability, Hotel Schweizerhof Bern & Spa qm@Schweizerhofbern com