When Luxury Meets Responsibility

Sustainable Renovation Becomes a Statement of Climate Action

Climate action, redefined in luxury hospitality: The iconic Grand Hotel des Bains Kempinski St.Moritz, one of the Alps’ most prestigious five-star resorts, is turning renovation into responsibility. As part of its recent refurbishment, the hotel launched a thoughtful reuse initiative, giving high-end furniture and décor a second life instead of discarding them. The proceeds from these sales, now totaling CHF 10,000, are being donated to MortaLive, a pioneering organization dedicated to protecting one of the region’s most threatened natural wonders: the Morteratsch Glacier.

How a Luxury Hotel’s Renovation Turned Discarded Décor into Climate Impact

As part of its ongoing renovation, the Grand Hotel des Bains Kempinski St. Moritz turned sustainability into tangible action. Instead of discarding premium furnishings, ranging from solid wood furniture to designer lighting and elegant décor, the hotel offered them for sale to guests, employees, and local residents at attractive prices. The result: CHF 14,894 in proceeds. A quarter of this amount was donated directly to MortaLive, the organization dedicated to preserving the Morteratsch Glacier. Topped up with additional support from Kempinski’s global CSR initiative BE Health, the final donation reached an impressive CHF 10,000, proof that luxury and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand.

At the Foot of a Melting Giant: A Symbolic Donation Marks a Step Toward Environmental Action

On 17 June 2025, the management team of Grand Hotel des Bains Kempinski St. Moritz presented a CHF 10,000 donation to Dr. Felix Keller, founder and director of MortaLive, in a symbolic ceremony held at the foot of the Morteratsch Glacier, one of the most breathtaking yet threatened glaciers in the Alps. The funds will help advance pioneering climate protection technologies, including energy- free snowmaking, a forward-thinking solution that slows glacier melt and offers real hope in the face of accelerating climate change.

From Luxury Stay to Lasting Impact: The BE Health Initiative Turns Travel into Purpose

Since 2023, Grand Hotel des Bains Kempinski St. Moritz has empowered its guests to become active participants in its sustainability journey through the BE Health program. With a simple voluntary donation of CHF 1 per night, guests contribute directly to handpicked environmental and health projects, every franc going exactly where it’s needed most. In the 2024/25 winter season alone, the initiative raised several thousand francs, underscoring the growing commitment of a global clientele that values purpose-driven travel. 

“Luxury and sustainability are not opposites, they enrich one another when responsibility is rooted in a brand’s identity,” says Hotel Manager Alexej Jaritschin. “We are thankful to every guest who joins us on this path and invite others to be part of this movement - for our region, our planet, and a brighter future for generations to come.”

A Glacier in Retreat: How Morteratsch Became a Symbol of Climate Urgency in the Alps

The Morteratsch Glacier stands as one of the most breathtaking sights in the Engadine region and one of the clearest warnings of the changing climate. In just a few decades, it has retreated more than three kilometers, a dramatic sign of the environmental balance we are at risk of losing. MortaLive is responding with urgency and innovation, bringing together scientists, engineers, and local partners to pioneer sustainable, scalable solutions with global relevance. Everyone has a role to play, because preserving the beauty of today means taking action for tomorrow.