such as air conditioning units. This heat energy is then channeled through a water tank and leaves the system through heat pumps, reducing the temperature inside the tank, forming an ice block. Combined effects of freezing and thawing recovers high amounts of energy. The hotel runs on 95% recycled energy using this smart technology.
Valsana Hotel & Apartments
Arosa, Switzerland
Valsana Hotel & Apartments
Arosa, Switzerland
‘A luxurious and beautifully designed eco-hotel with an outstanding spa. This is the best place to stay in Switzerland to feel closer to nature.’
Scroll down to discover our top tip OR click on the leaf tab to reveal this sustainable hotel’s efforts across Energy, Food, Waste, Community, and more…
Overview
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Highlights
From $210 USD per night includes breakfast
A paradise for hikers & bikers
Relaxing indoor pool & spa
Dog-friendly, pets are welcome
Running on 95% recycled energy
Free fitness & yoga classes
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Top Tip
‘Indulge at the Spa, with a herbal foot bath and aromatherapy sauna’
Disconnect To Reconnect
A guided e-bike mountain tour takes guests through striking mountains and past clear alpine streams and lakes
Creating new experiences, guests have the opportunity to plant a native tree or make a natural soap
With 60 km of perfectly groomed winter hiking trails and 30 kilometres of cross-country ski trails, there is plenty of exploring to do
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Rooms
Featuring 40 luxurious hotel rooms and nine apartments, all built to the highest environmental & energy standards. Each room features warm wooden decor with individually picked furniture.
Spacious balcony, mountain views
Relaxing rainforest shower
Aztec-print throws
Free mini bar with soft drinks
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Meet your Host
Meet Claudio, the General Manager of the Valsana Hotel, and your host.
‘The hotel runs on 98% recycled energy using ice battery technology, we are very proud of this. It is unique to us and you cannot find it as a source of heating in any other European hotel.’
Discover Michael’s (former general manager) Behind the Green interview here.
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Need to Know
There is a visitor tax in summer of CHF 7.80, but all gondolas are free. In winter gondolas are an additional cost, CHF 5.40.
There is no ski shuttle from the hotel, but the public bus comes in front of the hotel
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Location
Valsana is located in the Swiss Alps, which is conveniently located at the entrance to the village of Arosa. As with most ski resorts, the nearest airport is a significant descending drive away. The closest cable car is 10 minutes away on foot.
How To Get There
The nearest airport is Zurich International Airport. A private transfer from Zürich to Arosa will take 2.5 hours and cost approximately CHF 900. We recommend always taking the train. In total, the train right is 3.5 hours, but especially the last hour from chur to Arosa is absolutely stunning and is worth the trip.
Gallery
Leaf Rating
1-leaf status
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DesignThe building materials from the previous building were reused (which is called upcycling). These materials can be found in the lounges and the chairs.
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EnergyThe hotel is powered using an ice battery! Which significantly minimises carbon dioxide emissions. The ice battery is a recovery system which draws waste heat from the spa and everyday devices...
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WasteStrict waste separation is a high priority at Valsana. New employees are trained from the outset in order to prevent mistakes being made as a result of indifference or ignorance. Kitchen...Read More >>
waste is separated and passed on to biogas producers. Water is refilled into glass bottles for guests to avoid the need to buy plastic bottled water. When the hotel is running at a lower occupancy they serve à la carte breakfast as opposed to the buffet which produces more food waste. Toiletries (shampoo, soap) are offered in large dispensers as this refill approach makes it possible to reduce plastic waste. The hotel runs a paperless policy, if paper is used it is 100% recycled paper which has not been bleached with chlorine.
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CommunityThey're working on it...
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BiodiversityThe hotel's main focus is their "wetland" projects in which they are investing into the rewilding of two different wetlands in Switzerland. Which is great for locking up carbon and for biodiversity too!
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FoodWhen purchasing food and beverages, the hotel uses local producers and suppliers where possible, using primarily Swiss products and animal products from animal-friendly and certified...Read More >>
facilities only. The wine list consists exclusively of European wines.
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WaterThey use special tap aerators in the bathrooms which significantly reduces consumption by mixing air with water. In addition to this all toilets are equipped with 2-stage flush system which saves...Read More >>
enormous amount of water.
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HousekeepingHand and bath towels are only washed if requested by the guests. This enables to significantly reduce water, detergent and energy consumption. Biodegradable cleaning products are used.
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Engage GuestsTo engage guests, bikes are available free of charge in the summer months. They also offer four electric charging stations free of charge, and guests have the possibility to choose the “Green...Read More >>
Option” where they can request not to have their room cleaned. Valsana encourages planting trees in 3 ways; if people choose to book direct instead of through OTAs, they plant a tree; instead of birthday cakes for guests, they are given a wooden box with a small tree which they can plant; and, guests can participate in tree planting experiences where they are accompanied by community worker to Arosa Forest to plant a tree. Also upon arrival, each guest receives a welcome card containing tiny seeds which sprout into earth flowers to help the bees.
Reviews
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"Excellent five days"We thoroughly enjoyed our stay here. The hotel is beautifully designed and their emphasis on sustainability and minimal impact on the environment while still providing a wonderful place to stay is to be commended. The staff are friendly and well informed, the service is very good and the breakfasts great.
Peach, Tripadvisor
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"The example of impeccable service"
Grumpy people should avoid this place, as even they will have nothing to complain about and will be bored as a result :) Jokes aside, this place is absolutely awesome in many ways. Firstly, as a frequent skier, I was impressed by the spacious ski lockers with modernly designed ventilation. Room design is a wonderful example of tasteful understatement - the place is luxurious, but it does not scream at you.
Maria, TripAdvisor
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"Most friendly staff!"
Loved everything about the Valsana. Felt incredibly welcome and comfortable throughout. Loved the ambiance and the food was excellent.
Rebecca, Booking.com
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"Very difficult to fault"
It’s hard to conjure up things not to like about the Valsana. The staff are excellent and friendly, the spa and gym are perfect, the bedrooms and bathrooms beautifully appointed, but this hotel goes way above and beyond that. The pillow menu, dine around option and driver were small but valuable touches that added a great deal to our stay.
Sarah, TripAdvisor
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