Sustainability
For over 30 years
Sustainable family holidays
The careful use of natural resources and animal welfare are very important to us. We largely avoid the use of plastic and rely on ecologically sound alternatives. Energy-efficient construction, large-scale photovoltaic systems, our own wood chip heating system and a climate-friendly hotel kitchen make our holidays more sustainable.
Corporate Social Responsibility
Sustainable development and social commitment are jointly supported and lived by the management and employees. Therefore, the ULRICHSHOF has participated in a value process and has written down the values in order to make the actions more sustainable. We have defined corporate responsibility for ourselves and support/promote social projects in the region, e.g. we are sponsor of the children’s traffic coloring book “Mit Justus sicher im Straßenverkehr” (“With Justus safe in traffic”) at the kindergarten “Arche Noah Sonnenschein” in Bad Kötzting, which is successfully used there for traffic education.
We are a sponsor of our local football club SV Thenried Damen und Mädchen. We also have a sponsoring partnership with SSV Jahn Regensburg and are involved in the Jahn Kinderwelt.
The ULRICHSHOF offers various program points from the area of nature and wilderness education within the framework of child care. We teach and monitor rules for the careful handling of animals and plants. In addition, we involve our guests in vegetable and herb cultivation and train them pedagogically in this way.
Animal Welfare
We treat our guests to modern and creative nose-to-tail cuisine: out of respect for the animal and the valuable resources that have gone into keeping it, we buy whole cattle and utilize them completely.
Animal Husbandry & Conservation
The ULRICHSHOF is committed to keeping its animals in a species-appropriate manner (according to the guidelines of the ministries of agriculture). We always put animal welfare above the wishes of our guests. Furthermore, we actively educate our guests about the handling/keeping of animals. We use fallow land and convert it into orchards or flower meadows (bees). In addition, we try to do completely without chemical sprays. We provide active insect protection (e.g. with our insect hotel and appropriate planting). In addition, we pay attention to regional, long-term growing plant varieties when planting.
Luxury meets sustainability - our bathing slippers
To provide you with a luxurious experience while acting responsibly with resources, we now offer our exclusive and durable slippers for adults upon request. With this decision, we are replacing more single-use products with sustainable alternatives, contributing to environmental protection.
Why this change is important to us:
1. Comfort that inspires: Our new slippers, made from high-quality materials, offer exceptional comfort and reflect our commitment to providing you with a stay full of well-being and exclusivity. Thoughtful details like these make your visit truly special.
2. Sustainability in focus: By offering slippers only upon request, we reduce the use of single-use products and promote a more conscious approach to resources. Feel free to bring your own slippers or reuse ULRICHSHOF slippers from a previous stay. This simple yet effective measure helps us collectively minimize our environmental footprint and support sustainable practices.
Our contribution to the environment: for every pair of slippers we save, we regularly donate 1 euro to everwave. This organization uses the donations to remove 1 kilogram of waste from oceans and rivers per euro. In this way, we are making a positive contribution together and proving once again that luxury and environmental protection can go hand in hand.
Thanks to your support, we were able to hand over 1,734 euros to everwave in the fourth quarter of 2024 (see certificate) and a further 1,248 euros in the first quarter of 2025. This means that together we have removed 2,982 kilograms of waste from rivers and oceans – an impressive figure that shows what is possible when many small decisions make a big difference. Thank you for being part of our sustainable vision and for joining us on this journey.
Surface maintenance
The ULRICHSHOF maintains the tree population with professional help and avoids unnecessary tree felling. We plan the garden design from the point of view of water conservation and engage in active water management (e.g. use of rainwater for the toilets). In addition, we refrain from using chemical fertilizers when maintaining the areas.
Architecture
The ULRICHSHOF was renovated in an energy-efficient natural construction method. Local building materials and craftsmen are used in the construction of new accommodation
Plastic
We largely avoid the use of plastic and rely on ecologically sound alternatives, without compromising on quality. One example: Our drinking straws in the bars and restaurants are made of bamboo and our ice cream spoons are even edible.
Heating
With our wood chip heating system we provide waste disposal in an ecological way: Because for wood chips, extra trees do not have to be felled and processed, but residual wood from domestic forests as well as the “leftovers” of the wood-processing industry are used and a CO2-neutral disposal is ensured.
Cool heads with responsibility
Our air conditioning systems are deliberately only used above a certain outside temperature.
Why?
Because we not only care about your well-being, but also about our environment. Operating air conditioning systems consumes a lot of energy – which is why we make sure to use it sensibly and in a resource-saving manner.
In this way, together we are making a small contribution to a great cause: protecting our climate and the next generation.
Thank you for your understanding – and for being part of this sustainable journey.
Electricity
Responsible use of resources is important to us. That’s why we build on modern energy management, be it through lighting purely with LEDs, the use of motion detectors, timers or twilight.
Energy
We produce our own electricity with a photovoltaic system on a roof area of 8,401.86 m² and an output of 933.54 kWp, achieving a degree of self-sufficiency of 51%.
Cleaning
For cleaning and washing, we use eco-cleaning agents and organic cleaning products. In addition, we offer our guests the possibility to waive the daily room cleaning, so that cleaning agents, water, electricity, garbage bags, etc. are saved. In our laundry we use machines of the latest technologies to save water and energy.
Management
In hotel management, we work predominantly paperless. By digitizing our program of the week and introducing our digital vacation planner, we have not only simplified the booking process and optimized the guest experience, but also reduced carbon emissions.
Vehicle fleet
Our compact e-truck, the Goupil G5, is in daily use, for example for the maintenance of green areas, waste collection and control and delivery trips.
Pool water treatment
Ospa’s worldwide patented system generates a chlorozone solution from commercial salt and introduces it into the water circuit. In the bath water is thus odorless bound chlorine produced, which has the well-known hygienizing effect. Furthermore, this method has the side effect of producing a very pleasant, tingling “feel-good” water.
Detailed information: https://www.ospa-schwimmbadtechnik.de/vorteile/wohlfuehlwasser.html
Thorough cleaning with activated carbon
Disinfection based on common salt
No burning eyes
Constant and optimal water quality
Removal of all odors, colors and tastes thanks to activated carbon filters
Perfected filtration technology
No chlorine smell
Hygienic bathing pleasure
In the Natur-BAD we work with natural/pebble filters.
Kitchen
By building a completely ecologically and economically structured kitchen in 2020, we meet the highest standards in terms of energy efficiency in storage and refrigeration.
Drinking water
The drinking water in the ULRICHSHOF is treated with the special Grander technology and is suitable for the preparation of baby food without any restrictions.
Waste
Compared to 2020, an average of 25 percent of food waste is saved each month because less food waste is thrown away. This was achieved, among other things, by introducing a new way of presenting cheese and sausage at breakfast time using an etagere (available in the “OHM” menu restaurant).
Sun in the tank
You want to go on vacation with your electric car? No problem! We offer you a convenient charging option for your vehicle. There are ten charging points with regular type 2 connections in car park I. The special feature: The electricity you need comes directly from our hotel’s own photovoltaic system – for environmentally friendly charging during your stay.
Responsibility for the future
Sustainability is not a trend at ULRICHSHOF Nature – Family – Design, but a matter of course. It is deeply rooted in the company philosophy and is carried forward with every decision. ‘My father founded the ULRICHSHOF with a resource-conserving mindset that was fuelled by his agricultural experience. This awareness still characterises our actions today – and especially in the future,’ explains Nikolaus Brandl, part of the owner family.
Sustainability Strategy 2025
Sustainability will remain a central component of the ULRICHSHOF in 2025. The planned measures are far-reaching and set new standards in sustainable tourism.
More energy self-sufficiency thanks to a 2-megawatt ground-mounted system
ULRICHSHOF is further increasing its degree of self-sufficiency: ‘A 2-megawatt ground-mounted system will cover our energy requirements even more sustainably. We are deliberately utilising an area that is hardly suitable for agricultural purposes, but instead provides sustainable energy,’ says Brandl. At the same time, the area will be ecologically enhanced – with flower strips for insects and grazing by sheep.
Sustainable mobility for guests and employees
‘Another project is the expansion of sustainable mobility – both for our guests and for our team,’ reports Brandl. In addition to improved transfer and e-bike services, ULRICHSHOF is planning to purchase an employee e-car that can be used flexibly. Employees will also have the opportunity to charge their e-cars at cost price in order to actively support the switch to emission-free mobility.
Too Good to Go: Bringing sustainability to life in a playful way
Since the end of 2024, ULRICHSHOF has been pursuing the goal of passing on discarded but still usable items instead of disposing of them with the ‘Freude-Teilen-Markt’ (joy-sharing market) initiated by Michaela Lankes, member of the management team. Guests and employees can take items in good condition such as children’s clothing, toys or hotel equipment – the voluntary donations go directly to the EMALAMA & Pallottine project, which supports street children in India together with Father Dr Bala,’ explains Brandl. In 2025, the ‘Too Good to Go’ project will not only be expanded, but also integrated into the children’s programmes. ‘We want even the youngest children to learn through play how valuable it is to use resources responsibly.’
Responsibility for future generations
‘For us, sustainability means taking responsibility – for our guests, our region and future generations. And that is exactly what will continue to drive us in 2025,’ summarises Nikolaus Brandl. The ULRICHSHOF consistently focuses on sustainable innovations in order to combine the comfort of its guests with a responsible approach to the environment – a philosophy that will not only endure today, but also in the future.
