Our lake tales the blog
Tales and moments, mysticism and magic
History or stories? Dream or reality? The boundaries between reality and fiction blur almost imperceptibly. The cuckoo murmurs, the pine whispers, the little brook gurgles. And they all tell stories of their experiences and fantasies. Around the Wolfsgrubner Lake.
When Less Really Becomes More – Sustainability at the Weihrerhof
Sometimes sustainability begins with a very simple question: What do we actually need?
At the Weihrerhof on Lake Wolfsgrubener See on the Renon plateau, we have been asking ourselves exactly that over the past few years – when it comes to water consumption, room cleaning and also our kitchen. Not to offer less. But to use resources more consciously while creating a stay that remains just as comfortable and enjoyable for our guests.
The Weihrerhof sees itself as a sustainable hotel in South Tyrol, where nature, enjoyment and responsibility naturally come together in everyday hotel life.
KlausSustainability begins with the place
The Weihrerhof is located directly on Lake Wolfsgrubener See on the Renon plateau above Bolzano. Anyone who lives and works here quickly realizes that nature is not just scenery – it is part of everyday life.
Our host Klaus Pichler grew up here. He has known the lake, the forests and the meadows of the Renon plateau since his childhood. For him, sustainability was never an idea that came from outside, but something that grows naturally from this place.
Over the past few years we have therefore questioned many processes in the hotel:
What do we do simply out of habit – and what is really necessary?
From this question, many small changes have emerged. Not big gestures, but everyday decisions.
Since 2022 the Weihrerhof has been certified by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) and is among the first hotels in Italy to receive this international sustainability certification.
The Weihrerhof is located directly on Lake Wolfsgrubener See on the Renon plateau above Bolzano. Anyone who lives and works here quickly realizes that nature is not just scenery – it is part of everyday life.
Our host Klaus Pichler grew up here. He has known the lake, the forests and the meadows of the Renon plateau since his childhood. For him, sustainability was never an idea that came from outside, but something that grows naturally from this place.
Over the past few years we have therefore questioned many processes in the hotel:
What do we do simply out of habit – and what is really necessary?
From this question, many small changes have emerged. Not big gestures, but everyday decisions.
Since 2022 the Weihrerhof has been certified by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) and is among the first hotels in Italy to receive this international sustainability certification.
Water – a resource we value
The Renon plateau is one of the areas in South Tyrol with relatively limited water resources. Anyone who lives here naturally develops a different relationship with water.
For us at the Weihrerhof, water is therefore much more than a simple necessity. Klaus Pichler often says:
“Water is our blue gold.”
In the hotel we have implemented several measures:
An important step was taken in 2023, when we started supplying our indoor pool with water from our own natural spring. This allows us to save around 500,000 liters of drinking water every year.
For us at the Weihrerhof, water is therefore much more than a simple necessity. Klaus Pichler often says:
“Water is our blue gold.”
In the hotel we have implemented several measures:
- water-saving fittings in all rooms
- optimized toilet flushing systems
- conscious use of towels and bed linen
An important step was taken in 2023, when we started supplying our indoor pool with water from our own natural spring. This allows us to save around 500,000 liters of drinking water every year.
Rethinking room cleaning
In many hotels rooms are fully cleaned every day. We used to do the same.
Today we follow a slightly different approach.
Rooms are thoroughly cleaned every two days, with a light express cleaning in between. Guests who prefer daily cleaning can of course request it at any time.
Interestingly, many guests actually find this rhythm more pleasant: fewer interruptions and more calm in their room. At the same time, we save water, energy and cleaning products.
Today we follow a slightly different approach.
Rooms are thoroughly cleaned every two days, with a light express cleaning in between. Guests who prefer daily cleaning can of course request it at any time.
Interestingly, many guests actually find this rhythm more pleasant: fewer interruptions and more calm in their room. At the same time, we save water, energy and cleaning products.
Less choice – more quality
We have also simplified our concept in the kitchen.
In the evening our guests choose one starter and one main course from four dishes. The menu is complemented by an antipasti and salad buffet as well as dessert.
Two of the dishes are usually vegetarian, and we try to use ingredients that come as much as possible from South Tyrol or at least from Italy.
This concept helps us reduce food waste while maintaining high quality. Many guests appreciate this clarity – and knowing that what arrives on their plate is truly fresh.
In the evening our guests choose one starter and one main course from four dishes. The menu is complemented by an antipasti and salad buffet as well as dessert.
Two of the dishes are usually vegetarian, and we try to use ingredients that come as much as possible from South Tyrol or at least from Italy.
This concept helps us reduce food waste while maintaining high quality. Many guests appreciate this clarity – and knowing that what arrives on their plate is truly fresh.
Sustainability also means good working conditions
One small change has had a big impact:
Dinner at the Weihrerhof now begins at 6:00 pm.
For our guests, this means more time for a walk around Lake Wolfsgrubener See, a relaxing evening in the SeaSpa, or a final sauna session in the boathouse sauna directly by the lake.
For our kitchen team, it means going home one hour earlier.
For Klaus Pichler, this is also part of sustainability:
“Sustainability doesn’t end with water and energy. It begins with people.”
Or as he puts it himself:
“For us, sustainability is not about giving things up – it is a conscious decision for quality and simplicity.”
Dinner at the Weihrerhof now begins at 6:00 pm.
For our guests, this means more time for a walk around Lake Wolfsgrubener See, a relaxing evening in the SeaSpa, or a final sauna session in the boathouse sauna directly by the lake.
For our kitchen team, it means going home one hour earlier.
For Klaus Pichler, this is also part of sustainability:
“Sustainability doesn’t end with water and energy. It begins with people.”
Or as he puts it himself:
“For us, sustainability is not about giving things up – it is a conscious decision for quality and simplicity.”
Sustainability at the Weihrerhof – five facts
- water consumption of about 120 liters per guest per day
- 500,000 liters of drinking water saved every year thanks to our own spring
- room cleaning every two days
- a consciously reduced four-dish dinner menu
- GSTC-certified hotel (Global Sustainable Tourism Council)
Sustainable holidays on the Renon plateau
The Weihrerhof shows that sustainable tourism does not have to be complicated. Often it simply means questioning habits and using resources more consciously.
As a sustainable hotel in South Tyrol, we try to live this idea every day – in the way we run the hotel, in our kitchen, in our use of water and in the way we work together as a team.
Lake Wolfsgrubener See, the forests of the Renon plateau and the people who live and spend their holidays here are all part of this idea.
And perhaps this is where it becomes clear that sometimes less really can be more.
As a sustainable hotel in South Tyrol, we try to live this idea every day – in the way we run the hotel, in our kitchen, in our use of water and in the way we work together as a team.
Lake Wolfsgrubener See, the forests of the Renon plateau and the people who live and spend their holidays here are all part of this idea.
And perhaps this is where it becomes clear that sometimes less really can be more.
