Built in 2017 to strict Minergie efficiency standards, the hotel was designed from the outset to operate without fossil fuels. At the centre of this system is a pioneering IceBattery thermal energy storage system, supported by geothermal probes and an advanced heat recovery network.

This technology stores thermal energy in a large underground water tank, allowing heat and cold to be captured, stored and reused throughout the building. As temperatures fluctuate, the system freezes and melts water to balance heating and cooling demands across the hotel, dramatically reducing energy consumption while maintaining a high level of guest comfort.

All electricity used by the hotel is sourced from 100 per cent certified European hydropower, ensuring that the building’s energy supply is entirely renewable. 

Sustainability extends beyond the main building as well: staff accommodation in Arosa is equipped with solar panels and pellet heating systems, replacing fossil fuel alternatives and strengthening the hotel’s commitment to clean energy across its wider operations.

Energy performance is closely monitored, with the IceBattery system tracked monthly and annually to optimise efficiency and ensure continuous improvement. The hotel also shares this innovation with guests, staff and students through regular Valsana Green Tours, offering insight into how renewable energy technologies can be applied in real-world hospitality settings.

Through the integration of renewable electricity, geothermal energy and intelligent thermal storage, the Valsana Hotel provides a compelling example of how luxury hospitality can transition towards a future powered entirely by clean energy.

At the Valsana Hotel, luxury is synonymous with responsibility. Guests are encouraged to opt for the “Green Option,” reducing daily room cleaning and thereby conserving water, electricity, and detergents. 

Sustainability extends to the dining experience through the Moving Mountains Nourish Programme, which sees world-class chefs collaborating with nutritionist Rhaya Jordan to create plant-based, nutrient-rich menus rooted in the Swiss alpine sense of place. 

Ingredients are carefully selected to be free from processed flours and sugars, and the menus highlight superfoods, fresh juices, teas, and regionally sourced produce. This approach not only offers a nourishing and delicious culinary experience but also actively supports local producers, reduces food miles, and lowers packaging waste.

Even hydration has been reimagined. Guests enjoy fresh mountain spring water, eliminating the need for transported bottled water and the associated environmental impact. 

Beyond the kitchen, the hotel has implemented recycling schemes and circular initiatives for decorative items, while staff and guests are regularly engaged in sustainability education, reinforcing the hotel’s commitment to responsible consumption and production throughout its operations.

Climate responsibility sits at the heart of the Valsana Hotel’s philosophy. Since opening, the property has operated with a CO₂-neutral building infrastructure, dramatically reducing its operational carbon footprint through careful design and long-term environmental planning. The hotel’s innovative energy systems enable it to operate without fossil fuels, allowing the property to maintain carbon-neutral operations while delivering the high standards expected of a modern alpine resort.

Beyond its own operations, the hotel actively engages guests in climate action. Through participation in MyClimate’s “Cause We Care” programme, visitors are invited to offset the carbon footprint of their travel. Funds generated through this initiative contribute to climate protection projects, including the Community Saving Project in Kenya, extending the hotel’s environmental impact far beyond the Swiss Alps.

Low-carbon mobility is also encouraged. Arosa is easily accessible by public transport via the scenic Rhaetian Railway from Chur, widely regarded as one of Switzerland’s most spectacular train journeys. Once in the destination, guests benefit from free public buses, reducing reliance on private vehicles and lowering transport-related emissions within the region.

Education plays a vital role in the hotel’s climate strategy. Through Green Tours and the broader Moving Mountains programme, guests, staff and visiting students are introduced to the environmental challenges facing mountain destinations and the practical solutions being implemented to address them. These initiatives aim not only to reduce emissions within the hotel itself, but also to inspire more climate-conscious behaviour among travellers.

By combining carbon-neutral operations with guest engagement, climate education and support for global offset projects, the Valsana Hotel demonstrates how hospitality can play a meaningful role in addressing the climate crisis while encouraging visitors to become part of the solution.