At the Hospitality Summit, the Swiss sustainability label ibex fairstay presents the "Best of ibex fairstay" sustainability award to member establishments that have distinguished themselves through particularly sustainable performance. All establishments that have been successfully (re-)certified in the past twelve months are evaluated.
The winners receive an ibex made of Swiss stone pine wood and a voucher from a valuable partner in the sustainable hotel industry from ibex fairstay President Roland Zegg and Managing Director Anita Gschwind. "Sustainability and environmental awareness have fundamentally changed our economy and our society. Sustainability is the future, and we are delighted that more and more accommodation providers are focusing on sustainability," said Roland Zegg. The ibex fairstay management tool supports businesses with a clear assessment of their position and a pool of ideas for concrete and practical measures.
Awards
Best regional roots
The companies that can demonstrate the best regional roots receive this recognition.
Best overall ranking
This award goes to the company that receives the highest total number of points in the certification process.
Best performance
Companies that are able to improve their sustainability performance the most between certifications are rewarded with this prize.
Special awards
Exceptional achievements that do not fit into the above categories will be honored with a special prize.
The 2025 award winners
Best overall performance: Boutique Hotel Seidenhof Zurich
The Hotel Seidenhof near Bahnhofstrasse Zurich was awarded ibex fairstay platinum at the very first certification. And with a total number of points that no other establishment has achieved in the 2024/2025 certification year. Matthias Ramer, Managing Director of Boutique Hotel Seidenhof, cites the excellent cooperation between the departments as an important reason for the successful implementation of the sustainability goals. "We all pull together," adds Ramer and acknowledges the good, motivating team spirit in everyday life and in the constructive meetings. The "Best of ibex fairstay" ibex is also a compliment for this great commitment.
Best performance: Hotel Continental Lausanne
The Hotel Continental in Lausanne belongs to the Swiss hotel group Manz Privacy Hotels Switzerland. The hotel, which was awarded ibex fairstay silver for the first time in 2022, recently celebrated its 60th anniversary. The examination of everyday operations formed the basis for intensive reflection and an opportunity to continuously improve by implementing concrete measures. A positive effect is particularly evident in the area of ecology. For example, purchases have been reviewed to reduce environmental impact such as transport routes, packaging and production, and 100% of the electricity now comes from local and renewable sources. The hotel also voluntarily contributes to the financing of climate protection projects to offset some of its CO2 emissions. The overall improvement in performance has led to the hotel being upgraded to ibex fairstay gold in 2025 and at the same time being awarded the "Best of ibex fairstay 2025" award.
Best regional anchoring: Engelberg Youth Hostel
Engelberg Youth Hostel proves that a traditional mountain lodge in typical Swiss style can also be successful with sustainability certification. It is a ten-minute walk from the town center and is the ideal starting point for families and individual travelers in the middle of a varied skiing and hiking area. Guests are treated to culinary delights with an above-average proportion of products from the region, as well as a selection of drinks. The particularly natural garden is an inviting place to relax or play. In its communication, the youth hostel draws attention to its proximity to the railroad station, thus ensuring that a large proportion of guests arrive by public transport. The wide range of external and internal events allows guests to experience the town and its culture even more consciously. Thanks to its warmth and hospitality, the youth hostel has become an important service provider in the Engelberg tourist region and is proud to accept the "Best of ibex fairstay" award.
Best social commitment: Grischa - DAS Hotel Davos
The four-star superior Hotel Grischa is located directly at Davos Platz train station. First awarded in 2023, it was successfully recertified with ibex fairstay gold this spring. The hotel particularly stood out in the area of social responsibility, even beyond the hotel walls. For example, Hotel Director Cyrill Ackermann and his team and partners organize an annual Christmas party for marginalized people, serve dishes made from surplus food in the "Food Save Restaurant" during the World Economic Forum WEF and donate 50% of the proceeds from the sale of Davos water to charitable projects. Local associations also benefit: "It is important to us to support the important volunteer work in Davos Klosters and to offer a space for social meetings and discussions," says Ackermann. The results of their efforts have motivated the team to continue their commitment to (social) sustainability. This has been rewarded with the "Best of ibex fairstay 2025" award.
Partner for the prize giveaway
In addition to the exclusive Arvenholz Steinbock, all establishments awarded "Best of ibex fairstay" receive an additional prize in the form of a voucher from a valuable partner in the sustainable hotel industry.
Simon & Joseph
With the software solution from the innovative start-up Simon & Josef, hotel guests can customize room cleaning according to their individual needs. This ensures that all housekeeping resources are used as efficiently as possible.
MediCleanTec
MediCleanTec is the sustainable and environmentally friendly Green Cleaning Concept with micro dry steam. It offers hygienic cleaning completely without chemicals - using only heat and water.
The 2024 award winners
Best regional roots: Hotel an der Aare & Hotel Bären, Solothurn
The Hotel an der Aare and the Hotel Bären in Solothurn stand out due to their committed, regional roots. Roland Furrer, the long-standing hotel manager of both hotels, has used the ibex fairstay management tool over the past few months to examine the businesses and obtain an assessment of their position - also in comparison to other three-star hotels. "The result confirms our commitment and motivates us to make improvements," Furrer is happy to be quoted as saying. The hotels' connection to the region is particularly evident in the initial certification: inviting breakfast buffets with local delicacies, the consistent use of regional craftsmen for renovations and close cooperation with suppliers and producers from the region are just some of the many positive examples of implementation. They not only promote the connection to the region and the employees' attachment to the Solothurn region, but also the creation of value in the immediate vicinity. The team was proud to receive the "Best of ibex fairstay 2024 - Best regional anchoring" award for this commitment.
Best overall rating: Locarno Youth Hostel
In the centenary year of the Swiss Youth Hostels, Locarno Youth Hostel has been crowned "Best of ibex fairstay 2024". The hostel was first awarded ibex fairstay in 2007 and has continuously improved. With the recertification in February 2024, the new co-hostel manager Nadia Wildhaber proved that the hostel can bear fruit even after a handover of operations with the help of well-established processes, consistent adherence to the sustainability philosophy and an exemplary management role. With the help of the ibex fairstay management tool, she and her team were once again able to make verifiable improvements to their sustainability performance and achieved the best overall performance of all the businesses recertified and first-time certified in the last 12 months. This also included a significant improvement in waste management, halving residual waste and reducing water consumption by 16.5%. ibex fairstay congratulates them on receiving the "Best of ibex fairstay 2024 - Best Overall Score" award.
Best performance: Hotel Gasthof zum Ochsen, Arlesheim
The Hotel Gasthof zum Ochsen in the Basel suburb of Arlesheim was first certified with ibex fairstay gold in 2022. Since then, the enthusiasm for practising sustainability has become a tangible part of the business thanks to the exemplary role of the owner family Jenzer and the management team. "The sustainability philosophy is supported and actively shaped by all team members as a matter close to their hearts," says Sibylle Böhler, Managing Director of Gasthof zum Ochsen, proudly. This is no coincidence: "With personal discussions and internal workshops, in which new, practical and solution-oriented measures are constantly being developed, a rethink has taken place. Ideas for further measures are now also coming from the employees." This commitment is also reflected in the affiliated butcher's shop and the very close contact with producers and farmers from the region. The combination of butcher's shop and restaurant shows that sustainability is also possible with responsible meat consumption. On the menu, terms such as whole milk-fed veal and free-range sow illustrate this commitment and supposed waste products such as beef fat are reused for crispy Belgian fries. Gasthof zum Ochsen impressively demonstrates how the findings from initial certification can lead to a significant cultural change towards active thinking. The increase in performance deservedly leads to the "Best of ibex fairstay 2024 - Best Performance" award.
Partner for the prize giveaway
In addition to the exclusive Arvenholz Steinbock, all establishments awarded "Best of ibex fairstay" receive an additional prize in the form of a voucher from a valuable partner in the sustainable hotel industry.
Simon & Joseph
With the software solution from the innovative start-up Simon & Josef, hotel guests can customize room cleaning according to their individual needs. This ensures that all housekeeping resources are used as efficiently as possible.
MediCleanTec
MediCleanTec is the sustainable and environmentally friendly Green Cleaning Concept with micro dry steam. It offers hygienic cleaning completely without chemicals - using only heat and water.
The 2023 award winners
Best regional anchorage: Fafleralp - Hideaway Resort
The Hotel Fafleralp stands out in the initial certification process thanks to its committed, regional roots. Tatjana Jaggy and her team work with a few large suppliers who collect additional products from small producers within a radius of 100 km and transport them to the remote valley. "Everyone involved benefits from this service by arrangement," Jaggy is convinced. The producers of the excellent selection of wines also coordinate with each other so that transport distances can be reduced. "This is an important ecological and economic factor that enables us to offer a wide range of products and strengthens the future of local producers."
Best overall rating: wellnessHostel4000 Saas-Fee
The "Best of ibex fairstay 2023" award for the best overall rating went to wellnessHostel4000 in Saas-Fee. Chantal Anthamatten has been managing the flagship Swiss Youth Hostels since the beginning. The challenging task involves managing a hostel and wellness business with a public indoor pool and restaurant. By continuously pursuing sustainability goals, the team has managed to run the business in an exemplary manner for both guests and locals. An excellent example of how a tourism service provider can also be an added value for the local population.
Best performance: CERVO Mountain Resort Zermatt
The CERVO Mountain Resort in Zermatt used ibex fairstay's catalog of measures as a management tool to identify potential for improvement, define specific measures and implement them with great enthusiasm. For example, an increase of up to 40% was recorded in the purchase of regional food, which has a positive effect on value creation in the (mountain) region. The large selection of vegetarian and vegan menus and the active promotion and training of young talent also stand out. CERVO Mountain Resort has been able to significantly reduce its consumption of resources through construction measures, which also pays off financially for the business. To motivate those responsible internally, the implementation of the action plan is linked to a bonus system, turning employees into contributors.
Special prize for strong social commitment: DASBREITEHOTEL Basel
At DASBREITEHOTEL in Basel, the focus is on people. It offers people with disabilities a valuable workplace. The fact that society often associates sustainability only with ecology bothers the director, Philipp Roggensinger. He appreciates the fact that at ibex fairstay, in addition to social commitment and ecology, the dimensions of regionality, management and economy are also included and valued accordingly. "For the successful implementation of new measures, employees need comprehensible information, a clear timetable and a demonstration of the added value," says Martina Vögeli, Deputy Director. What has long been clear in theory is only gradually taking hold in the individual sections of the population. Reason enough to award DASBREITEHOTELwith the special prize for strong social commitment.
Partner for the prize giveaway
In addition to the exclusive Arvenholz Steinbock, all establishments awarded "Best of ibex fairstay" receive an additional prize in the form of a voucher from a valuable partner in the sustainable hotel industry.
Simon & Joseph
With the software solution from the innovative start-up Simon & Josef, hotel guests can customize room cleaning according to their individual needs. This ensures that all housekeeping resources are used as efficiently as possible.
MediCleanTec
MediCleanTec is the sustainable and environmentally friendly Green Cleaning Concept with micro dry steam. It offers hygienic cleaning completely without chemicals - using only heat and water.
The 2022 award winners
Best performance: Hotel Landgasthof Staila, Fuldera
The "Best of ibex fairstay 2022" award for the best performance went to the Hotel Landgasthof Staila, Fuldera. The family business in Val Müstair in Graubünden improved its performance by more points than any other ibex fairstay establishment and deservedly rose from bronze to silver in the recertification process. The Hohenegger family is the third generation to run the business and sustainability is not only a top priority in the former farmhouse, but is also practiced and implemented on a grand scale. The close connection to the region and the active contribution to value creation in the valley are particularly striking. By continuously pursuing sustainability goals and joining the Responsible Hotels of Switzerland, the hosts hope to further increase their ambitious goals in the future.
Best regional anchoring: Ittingen Charterhouse, Warth
Ittingen Charterhouse in Warth was awarded the "Best of ibex fairstay 2022" prize in the best regional anchoring category. Dividing the initially huge mountain of the process into individual tranches not only brought the hotel in Thurgau joy and a regular sense of achievement, but also earned it the platinum award straight away. Thanks to the kitchen renovation, guests can look forward to even more food in line with the Kartause philosophy of "short distances" in future. In addition, the Charterhouse can now offer its chefs a 4-day week - an exemplary implementation of the social dimension and a forward-looking added value in view of the prevailing shortage of skilled workers.
Best overall rating: Holiday and Education Center Salecina, Maloja
The Salecina in the Upper Engadine was certified for the 8th time in summer 2021 and once again at the highest platinum level. Proof that a business can also improve in terms of sustainability - and more than enough reason to honor the Salecina with the "Best of ibex fairstay 2022" award for the best overall rating. The Salecina Foundation with its accommodation is a Swiss and international specialty with an effective, pioneering and long-established sustainability management system. The vacation and education center in Maloja impresses with its unique operating concept and the multiple award-winning result confirms the commitment of those involved in all dimensions examined by ibex fairstay: management, ecology, regional, social and economic.
The 2021 award winners
Best performance: Hauser Hotel Restaurant Confiserie St. Moritz
The Hotel Hauser in St. Moritz improved its performance by more points than any other establishment ever before and deservedly received the "Best Performance" award. The managers immediately incorporated the new knowledge from the initial certification three years ago into new measures and managed to sensitize the team to their added value. "It is clear proof that when everyone pulls together and the tasks are clearly defined, great things can be achieved," said a delighted President Zegg.
Highest overall score: Swiss Youth Hostel Zurich
Zurich Youth Hostel proved that even in 2020, with its special challenges, top performance is possible in a city business. Managing Director Nathnael Ashenafi and his team deservedly received the "Best of ibex fairstay" award for achieving the highest number of points of all the establishments that received awards in the last 12 months.
Best regional anchoring: Pontresina Swiss Youth Hostel
Pontresina Youth Hostel under Managing Director Tinu Künzli was able to achieve a top performance in terms of regional anchoring. The enthusiasm and appreciation of the region lead to a sensitization of the guests for the beautiful and special. The menu was largely based on local products and supplemented with produce from the restaurant's own raised beds at 1800 m above sea level.
Special Covid-19 prize: Seminarhotel Lihn Filzbach
The special prize for "Extraordinary social commitment" during the challenging months with Covid-19 went to the Seminarhotel Lihn in Filzbach. The socially committed company under director Urs Brotschi offered the apprentices with mental disabilities a varied program with a clear daily structure. Instead of sending them into disoriented short-time work, the young generation was integrated into everyday working life even during the lockdown and was given an insight into all departments of the hotel.
The 2020 award winners
Best regional anchoring, best overall rating and beste performance: St. Moritz Youth Hostel
At the first "Best of ibex fairstay" award ceremony, all three awards went to St. Moritz Youth Hostel.
At the Engadin Youth Hostel, a strong commitment to the interests of the tourist destination and harmony with the local population is noticeable: regionality and Swiss products are the order of the day when it comes to purchasing and the food on offer. The proactive recommendation to guests to travel by public transport is also commendable; the "Youth Hostel" bus station is conveniently located right on the doorstep. The success is also reflected in the low staff turnover rate of less than 6% for the sector. The employees at St. Moritz Youth Hostel feel at home. "We challenge and encourage our employees in equal measure. They contribute their ideas and can implement them. As a result, they feel that they are taken seriously, share responsibility and identify with the company," explains Pascal Fischer, Deputy Managing Director.