Day after day, our eco-hotels show how perfectly travel and sustainability can be combined. This is made possible by the people behind them, who put their heart and soul into creating a greener world. 

And that’s exactly who we want to introduce to you in our new series. Today we take you to the Rhön in the triangular region where Hessen, Bavaria, and Thuringia all meet. Here, in the middle of Germany lies the Biohotel Sturm, the first Biohotel in the Rhön Biosphere Reserve. Outdoor enthusiasts who want to explore the mountains on mountain bikes or in hiking boots are attracted there just as much as the wellness fans who appreciate the extensive spa area with indoor and outdoor saunas, natural swimming pool in the garden and much more.

Matthias Schulze Dieckhoff has been the manager of Hotel Sturm since 1987. In 1996 he and his wife became independent hoteliers at the Hotel Sturm and in 2011 they had the hotel certified as the Biohotel Sturm.

WHAT SUSTAINABILITY MEANS FOR ME…

To ensure that existing buildings are used in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner. We have done this with our property; for example, anyone can tear it down, but thinking about how to create something new and sustainable from what already exists requires creativity and perseverance.

I am particularly proud of this green project at Biohotel Sturm:

The transformation of the Hotel Sturm into the Biohotel Sturm in 2011 – and thus on a 100% organic promise for our guests. I am also very proud of the creation of the natural swimming pool in 2004: purely ecological, no chemicals, no filters – just nature, and it works perfectly! The creation of the Snack Garden 2012 was also important for me: it covers an area of more than 5,000 square meters and includes a herb garden, many delicious berries, and fruit trees, we have created a tasty oasis for our guests. At the same time, it is a great source for our organic cuisine! Another milestone: we are climate-neutral since December 2019!

This is what makes the Biohotel Sturm so special…

We are a bio-paradise on 30,000 sqm with a natural swimming pool, snack garden, wellness area with Rhön garden sauna and the house of silence, organic kitchen, and the Green Room (our lounge) with a huge terrace – in summer, everybody can dine outside. We have created a place where guests can simply switch off and relax.

This is what we plan for the future…

We want to fill even more of our rooms with the organic “good spirit”. For example, the rooms will be retrofitted or converted with clay ceiling heating and more retreat areas are planned for reading and relaxing. And, of course, we plan to renovate again and again and stay on the ball – for the benefit of the guests!

If you want to know more about the Biohotel Sturm, take a look here at greenpearls.com. Here you can find all the articles of the series “Hoteliers up close“.

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