SUSTAINABLE IDEAS AND THE SPECIAL FEATURES OF THE HOTEL
A GOOD PIECE OF SWITZERLAND
The Steinenschanze city hotel is centrally located in Basel, an important plus point for all city visitors. What many do not know:
The house at Steinengraben 69 also implements - in addition to its function as a feel-good address and individual
three-star Swiss boutique hotel - many sustainable ideas. Our non-profit approach should also inspire
many hotels in Switzerland (and beyond its borders) and generally serve an individual and responsible coexistence:
Basically, our Hotel Steinenschanze is a private hotel that is run according to economic premises. It is owned
by the association “COMPAGNA moves people”, Basel Stadt section - a charitable association that was founded
around 125 years ago - first under the name “Friends of Young Girls” and deals with various social and integrative
projects in the city of Basel takes care. In a long tradition, the hotel was previously run as a girls' pension
and was only used by the association. Over the past 40 years it has gradually been converted into a hotel and,
through extensive renovation work, transformed into the modern and charming city hotel that we know today.
Our hotel business is geared towards ensuring the work of this association and its social commitment. In addition
to donations and membership fees, the hotel industry ensures the maintenance of the COMPAGNA projects,
the associated expenses as well as operating costs and employee wages. Today the association maintains three
social works in Basel:
- SOS station assistance in the SBB station
The association is organized and managed by 8 board members, all of whom work exclusively on a voluntary basis.
Our hospitality is characterized by the fact that we “(...) offer every guest, regardless of their nationality,
a place on the way to their destination where they can feel safe (...)”
We achieve this by all of our employees agreeing to our mission statement and being able to act accordingly.
The mission statement is the qualitative benchmark for everything we want to achieve together - and it is also the
common denominator for everyone who works for the hotel: from temporary workers to management.
“ibex fairstay” in Standard “gold”
Ibex fairstay supports and certifies accommodation businesses on their journey towards sustainable management. The comprehensive support covers the five dimensions : management, ecology, regionality, social aspects, and finances. Practical improvements are identified based on a catalog of measures, as well as supported calculations and analyses.
- Quality of Management
Sustainability must be consciously embedded in management. Internal structures and processes are adapted accordingly: employee management, internal organization, controlling, guest orientation, and innovation. - Ecology – Careful Use of Resources
We care deeply about the careful use of resources. Therefore, we focus on environmental compatibility and potential savings in energy, water, waste, purchasing, furnishing, and surroundings. - Regional Anchoring
The value creation should remain in the region as much as possible and strengthen it. This way, we create jobs, support local customs, reduce transport distances, and promote regional specialties and unique features. - Social Balance
Guests and employees should feel comfortable. We ensure that the conditions are appropriate for everyone: consideration of guest preferences, fair and supportive working conditions for employees, involvement of suppliers, harmony with the local population, and accessibility. - Finances and Performance
Only an economically healthy business can operate sustainably and secure jobs. Therefore, we place strong emphasis on revenue, performance, cost control, investments, risk management, as well as guest and employee satisfaction.
Over 100 hotels, hostels, and clinics across Switzerland proudly carry the ibex fairstay label. They have been audited by accredited auditors and evaluated by an independent certification committee. Depending on their sustainability performance, businesses are awarded ibex fairstay bronze, silver, gold, or platinum.
Social Engagement with a History
Our Steinenschanze Hotel is fundamentally a privately-run hotel, operated with economic principles in mind. It is owned by the association "COMPAGNA bewegt Menschen," Basel City Chapter—a charitable organization founded approximately 125 years ago under the name "Freundinnen junger Mädchen." The association is dedicated to various social and integrative projects in the city of Basel. Traditionally, the hotel was run as a girls' boarding house and used exclusively by the association. Over the past 40 years, it has gradually been transformed into a modern and charming city hotel through extensive renovations, evolving into what we know today.
Eco-Friendly Hotel in Switzerland
Our hotel operations are designed to support the work of the association and its social commitment. Besides donations and membership fees, the hotel industry ensures the maintenance of COMPAGNA’s projects, covering associated expenses, operational costs, and employee salaries. The association currently manages social work in Basel, including:
- SOS Train Station Assistance
The association is organized and managed by 8 board members who work on a purely voluntary basis.
Sustainable and Ecological Hotel with Vision – Our Guiding Principles
Our hospitality is characterized by our commitment to offering every guest, regardless of nationality, a place where they can feel secure on their way to their destination. We achieve this by ensuring that all our staff adhere to and act according to our vision of a sustainable hotel in Switzerland. This vision serves as the qualitative benchmark for everything we aim to achieve together and is the common denominator for everyone working at the hotel—from temporary staff to management.
Organic Matters to Us in Basel Regional Focus
The terms Organic Hotel Switzerland or Eco-Hotel Switzerland represent high benchmarks for sustainably operating gastronomic businesses—according to the quality standards here. And that’s a good thing! We make considerable efforts to operate sustainably and pursue ecologically valuable ideas and approaches. Here’s what is integral to our daily operations:
- We support and maintain relationships with our regional partners, such as craftsmen and suppliers. Regional thinking also extends beyond borders: In neighboring Germany, we work closely with ecologically focused partners from the Markgräfler Land. Our linen and mattress supplies come from Bern.
- We minimize long transport routes for food by predominantly using Swiss products.
- In our cleaning practices, we use products that are environmentally friendly whenever possible.
- We are meticulous about our waste separation.