Bio-Hotel Retreat

Holidays are a time for relaxing and enjoying oneself, for escaping the everyday grind and indulging in what you enjoy most, whether it's gastronomy, history, culture, reading a book in the sun or something more energetic. However, for the environmentally conscious traveller this can be a problem. We are told that in order to save the planet we have to be more careful. We have to watch what we use, look out for what we throw away, minimise carbon emissions and so on. With such restrictions, how can there be room for indulgence, relaxation and luxury? If we're honest, most holidays will weigh in on the negative side of the sustainability equation if we are to have any chance of enjoying ourselves. But it doesn't have to be this way.

55 European hotels including several across Austria have joined together to designate themselves as Bio-Hotels, offering their guests quality yet environmentally aware accommodation. This entails energy efficient construction of the buildings, organic cuisine, and environmentally sound waste management.

The Carinthian Bio-Hotel Gralhof in Weißensee is one such resort that has decided to adopt these guiding principles. It has a wood chip heating system, for example, and most of its organic produce comes from its own production or from the immediate area. Bio-Hotel Gralhof offers its guests use of their own boathouse, a pleasant and inviting meadow, and a sauna house directly on the lake. The Knaller family that operates the Gralhof has furthermore created somewhat of a culture centre at their hotel: “Jazz under the pear tree” is already an established musical event and there are also cabaret and readings that take place to keep guests entertained throughout the year.

To browse Bio-Hotels in Austria, please visit: www.biohotels.info
To book your holiday at Bio-Hotel Gralhof, go to: www.gralhof.at