Sustainability at Kempinski

At Kempinski Palace Engelberg, true luxury lies in preserving the pristine nature that surrounds us. Nestled in the heart of the Central Swiss Alps, we believe that world-class hospitality must safeguard the environment for generations to come.

Behind our historic facade, resource-efficient technology quietly orchestrates our daily operations. Our palace is heated via sustainable district heating powered by local wood chips, while groundwater provides energy-efficient cooling and ventilation. For an emission-free journey into the mountains, 20 electric vehicle charging stations are available in our underground garage.

To ensure our efforts meet the highest global standards, we measure and independently verify our impact through EarthCheck. Please find out more about the EarthCheck and our measures below. 

For a quick overview of our measures, please refer to our: 

☞ Sustainability Flyer (PDF)

Our Commitment to Excellence: Certified by EarthCheck

Sustainability at Kempinski Palace Engelberg is not just a promise, it is a measurable responsibility. To validate our efforts, we partner with EarthCheck, the world’s leading scientific benchmarking, certification, and advisory group for sustainable travel and tourism.

We are proud to share that Kempinski Palace Engelberg has officially been awarded the EarthCheck Silver Certification following an independent third-party audit. 

For our valued guests, this partnership provides total transparency and the certainty that your stay aligns with the highest global ecological and social standards. We firmly believe that true luxury should always contribute to the well-being of our planet.

Our Measures & Future Milestones

True sustainability requires continuous innovation. Through cutting-edge engineering and a clear roadmap, we actively minimize our environmental footprint without compromising on 5-star luxury. All future milestones are tracked and subject to our annual independent EarthCheck audit.

Sustainable Infrastructure

• Underground Lake Cycle:
  A natural, closed-loop underground lake cooling system provides energy-efficient temperature control across the palace, significantly reducing water and electricity costs.
   
• Smart Building Technology: 
  Our software-controlled Building Management System (BMS) utilizes automated timers and motion sensors to adjust heating and lighting in real time.
   
• 100% LED Efficiency: 
  The entire property uses LED technology, delivering full illumination power while consuming only 10% of traditional energy.

2026 Strategic Roadmap

• 100% Green Hydroenergy: 
  Following a transition in January 2026, our facility is now proudly powered by 100% sustainable green hydroenergy.
   
• Expanded E-Mobility: 
  Our garage charging stations are now fully operational and compatible with 80% of European app providers.
   
• Conscious Plastic Reduction (Mid-April): 
  We are currently replacing single-use plastic amenities with premium, large-scale dispensers across all guest rooms, public areas, and the spa.
   
• Water Ionization Technology (July): 
  Implementing an ionization device to naturally mitigate limescale, reducing bathroom cleaning chemicals by 20% with further potential by July.
   
• Supplier Circular Economy (Q4): 
  Establishing a return system with our suppliers to recycle empty chemical containers instead of disposing of them in general waste.

Our Green Team: Driving Sustainable Action

Comprising ten members from various departments, our Green Team meets regularly to collaborate on current sustainability initiatives and track our progress within the EarthCheck certification process. Each team member focuses specifically on implementing resource efficiency and sustainable practices within their own department.

Stronger Together: Our Local Partners

For us, true luxury goes hand in hand with a deep responsibility toward our destination. We are proud to collaborate closely with established family businesses and local experts from Engelberg and Central Switzerland. These long-term partnerships not only guarantee short supply chains and the highest quality, but also sustainably support our local community. We deeply value the craftsmanship, passion, and reliability of our partners, who enrich our guests' experience every single day.

• Achermann Sport (Stans / Engelberg): 
  A local, family-owned business and our trusted partner for premium sports and outdoor equipment rentals.
• Skischule Engelberg, Prime Mountain Sports & Supreme Ski Engelberg: 
  Our local experts providing professional ski and mountain bike lessons, as well as guided mountain tours.
• Klosterschreinerei Engelberg: 
  Our local partner craftsmanship, providing bespoke carpentry and high-quality woodwork throughout our hotel.
• Alpkäserei Gerschnialp: 
  Our local supplier for authentic alpine cheese, showcasing regional products directly at our guest events, such as the Raclette evening at the Chalet.
• Fuchs Design AG (Stanstad): 
  Our regional partner for high-quality merchandise products and branded equipment for our hotel staff.
• Metzgerei Gabriel AG (Wolfenschiessen): 
  Our regional partner supplying our kitchens with premium, responsibly sourced meat products from the area.
• Engelberger Druck AG (Stans): 
  Our regional partner handling the high-quality and professional production of all our printed hotel collateral and marketing materials.

Learn more about Kempinski's global sustainability commitment here.