Sustainable & Future-Oriented with GreenSign
With GreenSign, we have found a certification system that not only considers environmental aspects but also social and business aspects, meets international requirements, and enjoys the highest acceptance in the industry and among our customers. Thus, we have created optimal conditions to make our hotels even more sustainable and future-oriented.
Certification Process
To obtain the GreenSign certification, our hotels first fill out the comprehensive criteria catalog. This is followed by an official on-site audit in the respective establishments, during which relevant documents and evidence are reviewed. In total, more than 100 criteria are examined in eight areas:
- Management and communication
- Environment (energy, water and waste)
- Biodiversity & cultural heritage
- Purchasing
- Regionalism & mobility
- Quality management & sustainable development
- Social responsibility
- Economic responsibility
This is based on internationally recognized guidelines and recommendations for sustainability, including the GSTC criteria (Global Sustainable Tourism Council), the international environmental management standard ISO 14001 and ISO 26000, a guideline on social responsibility.
A score is awarded for each criterion and thus the sustainability performance in the various areas is determined. These scores are then used to determine a level of compliance, which reflects the percentage of GreenSign criteria met.
Our entire portfolio achieves an impressive compliance rate of 77% - a result that clearly stands out from the industry average of 69% and can be proudly presented.
After completing a successful audit, however, we are not satisfied with the status quo. With our site-specific action plans, we are constantly striving to become more and more sustainable and to develop further.
Welcome Hotel Neckarsulm
Our hotel in Neckarsulm has been awarded GreenSign certification with a score of 87% for its sustainability. To reduce its ecological footprint, the hotel is optimizing its energy efficiency, for example, and taking measures such as:
- Energy efficient new building from 2019:
Building with 100% LED lighting and motion sensors in all areas. - Combined heat and power plant:
This will allow the hotel to generate its own electricity and heat. - Hotel's own herb garden:
Supplies the hotel kitchen with fresh herbs on a daily basis.
Welcome Hotel
Bad Arolsen
The wellness hotel in northern Hesse has also been able to call itself a GreenSign Hotel since summer 2023. Measures such as these have led to a compliance rate of 81%:
- Two combined heat and power plants:
This enables the hotel to generate its own electricity and heat. - The hotel's own meadow orchard:
Very popular with our guests is the self-pressed apple juice - directly from our North Hessian apple trees. - Zero-Waste Breakfast:
At the morning breakfast buffet, unnecessary packaging is avoided * (*exception: allergy/specialty products).
Welcome Hotel Meschede
Idyllically situated in the natural paradise of Sauerland, our 78% certified Seehotel in Meschede takes responsibility for people and the environment:
- Pure nature at the Hennesee:
Our hotel not only has extensive gardens but also impresses with its direct location around the shores of the idyllic Hennesee. - High Sauerland regionality:
We source all our food and drinks from the Sauerland region (< 100 km) and almost all our staff come directly from Meschede. - Bicycle instead of car:
Perfect conditions for cyclists and hikers - hotel-owned bicycles, rental of e-bikes via a cooperation partner, bicycle repair station, 16 km circular trail around the Hennesse and much more.
Welcome Hotel Paderborn
The Welcome Hotel Paderborn can also call itself a GreenSign hotel with a compliance rate of 78%. The hotel was certified due to its strong connection to the region, zero-waste breakfast and many other measures:
- Zero-Waste Breakfast:
At the morning breakfast buffet, unnecessary packaging is avoided * (*exception: allergy/specialty products). - Hotel's own herb garden:
Supplies the hotel kitchen with fresh herbs daily. - Paderborn regionality:
Almost all suppliers are located in the region (< 100km) and most of our employees come directly from Paderborn (< 10 km).
Welcome Hotel Darmstadt City Center
The Welcome Hotel Darmstadt has also taken a significant step towards greater sustainability. The 78% certified hotel impresses with:
- Fair & equitable:
Our employees are particularly close to our hearts, which is why they receive not only extensive social benefits but also pay above the standard pay scale. - Intelligent lighting concept:
With a modern twilight control system and motion detectors in all public areas, the hotel can save a lot of energy. - Efficient energy supply:
We obtain our energy in part through resource-saving district heating from waste incineration.
Welcome Hotel Wesel
Sustainability is also part of the program in Wesel, and at all levels. The hotel is with 76% committed to social projects, is connected to nature in the Lower Rhine region and works closely with local providers:
- Authentic cuisine with products directly from Wesel:
We spoil our guests with delicacies from local suppliers -quality meat from the butcher Lemken, freshly baked rolls from the bakery Dams, asparagus from the asparagus farm Heinen, refreshing juices from the production Von Nahmen or the popular beer from the private brewery Walterbräu Büderich. - Idyllic location directly on the Rhine:
In addition to a large-scale green area, there are ideal conditions for cyclists, hikers and a leisurely walk or excursion due to the direct access to the Rhine with promenade and boat landing stage. - Social projects are close to our hearts:
Integration of people with disabilities in cooperation with Lebenshilfe Wesel (green space maintenance on the hotel grounds), support of local sports clubs and sports events (e.g. Badminton, soccer, soccer, pole vaulting) with a focus on children and young people, annual Christmas campaign with donations such as comforters and pillows for the Homeless & Socially Disadvantaged Help Wesel or easy access to the job market for the "Next Generation" (including cooperation with local schools - day trips with house tours, presentation of professions in the catering and hotel industry).
Welcome Kongresshotel Bamberg
Conserving resources and promoting diversity is the motto of the 75% certified Welcome Kongresshotel Bamberg. Another Welcome Hotel that strives to assume social responsibility and contribute to the preservation of the environment with measures such as:
- Hotel-owned bees:
The bees in the hotel's own hives regularly provide guests with delicious honey. - Pure diversity:
The hotel's motivated team consists of a total of 18 different nationalities. - Efficient energy supply:
We obtain our energy in part through resource-saving district heating from waste incineration.
Welcome Hotel Residenzschloss Bamberg
With a compliance rate of 74%, the Welcome Hotel Residenzschloss Bamberg focuses on regional hotel cuisine, social commitment and energy efficiency. The top 3 measures include:
- High-class Bamberg cuisine:
- We serve our guests Franconian specialties directly from the region, be it Franconian bratwurst, a hearty Schäufele, fresh pike perch from the Main River or the popular Bamberg smoked beer.
- Social projects are close to our hearts:
From the annual goose dinner for the needy in cooperation with the Bamberg Tafel to the charity event Ball der Köche (Ball of the Chefs) or the organization of regular blood donor events with the Bavarian Red Cross - we help where we can. - Efficient energy supply:
We obtain our energy partly through resource-saving district heating from waste incineration.
Best Western Plus Welcome Hotel Frankfurt
Our hotel in Frankfurt has achieved 74% GreenSign certification. The modern 4-star city hotel with 173 rooms has been increasingly committed to social and environmental measures in recent years, for example:
- Hotel-owned bees:
The bees from the hotel's own beehives regularly provide guests with delicious honey. - Zero-waste breakfast:
The morning breakfast buffet avoids unnecessary packaging (*exception: products for allergies/special needs). - Diversity at its best:
The motivated hotel team consists of a total of 34 different nationalities.
Welcome Parkhotel Euskirchen
The Welcome Parkhotel Euskirchen in the North Eifel region is also committed to social, ecological and economic sustainability. With a GreenSign certification of 74%, the hotel is committed to, among other things:
- Rhineland regionality: virtually all suppliers are located in the region (< 100km) and more than half of our employees come from Euskirchen or surrounding communities (< 15 km).
- Social projects are close to our hearts: Be it the participation in the SOLOCharity Ride 2023 of McDonald's Kinderhilfe, privately organized benefit concerts, the support of the Fluthilfe Euskirchen e.V., a cooperation with the IU International University or the annual acceptance of numerous student interns.
- Zero-Waste Breakfast: At the morning breakfast buffet, unnecessary packaging is avoided (exception: allergy/specialty products).
Welcome Parkhotel Bochum
Our hotel in Bochum has achieved a GreenSign certification rate of 73%. It impresses with the following aspects:
- Hotel-owned bees:
The bees from the hotel's own beehives regularly provide guests with delicious honey. - Zero-waste breakfast:
The morning breakfast buffet avoids unnecessary packaging (*exception: products for allergies/special needs). - Diversity at its best:
The motivated hotel team consists of a total of 34 different nationalities.
Welcome Hotel Marburg
The modern city & business hotel in the heart of Marburg is also thinking about the environment of tomorrow. The top 3 measures that have led to a 72% certification include:
- Zero-Waste Breakfast:
Unnecessary packaging is avoided at the morning breakfast buffet (exception: allergy/specialty products). - Regionality from Central Hesse:
Virtually all suppliers are located in the region (< 100km) and more than half of our employees come from Marburg or surrounding communities (< 15 km). - Efficient energy supply:
We obtain our local heating from the city of Marburg, and over 50% of this is produced from sustainable energy sources.
To meet our sustainable goals of taking social and economic responsibility and contributing to environmental conservation, we have set ourselves the target of certifying all of our Welcome Hotels.