Resources
When you book a stay at Le Bouveret, you can do so with peace of mind. It is important to us that future generations will also find a world that is intact and worth living in.
We want to do our part to achieve this, and we give a lot of thought to how we can align our house and our actions with this goal.
Not because it’s “trendy” right now, but out of conviction. Things may not be perfect, but we’re on the right track and are implementing what we believe makes sense and is within our power.
We’ve summarized what that looks like in practice on this page.
For a future worth living
Environmental issues
Building
Our building was completely renovated from the ground up between 2020 and 2022 in accordance with the latest standards. We rely on renewable energy sources, including solar power and a wood pellet heating system. Our building has a KfW efficiency rating of 80.
- The building is insulated with wood-fiber insulation from Steico. This provides heat protection in the summer and cold protection in the winter. We have deliberately chosen not to install air conditioning systems.
- We generate electricity using a solar panel system on our roof. It covers nearly all of our electricity needs.
- We heat our home with wood pellets and make sure to choose high-quality pellets when we buy them. We get our pellets from Biomassehof Allgäu in Kempten.
- Our windows are triple-glazed. This provides protection against heat and cold, thereby helping to save energy. They also provide sound insulation.
- We use energy-saving light bulbs for lighting. The lighting in the stairwell is controlled by motion sensors and a timer.
- The toilets in the building are water-saving.
Amenities and Furnishings
As a master carpenter, I have a soft spot for wood and other fine materials. I love old furniture with history and character. This is reflected in the high-quality finishes of the apartments.
The hardwood floors in the building were, of course, hand-laid by me, and the modern bathrooms feature beautiful terrazzo flooring and concrete tiles.
I enjoy searching online for well-preserved pieces of furniture that others no longer have a use for. Time and again, people also offer me antique pieces. I then restore them and look for a new home for them. Some of my collection has found a new place in our apartments. My heart beats for durable products, repair, proper care, and recycling—whenever it’s possible and makes sense. As a craftsman, I naturally have the advantage of being able to do a lot myself. I take a critical view of our widespread throwaway culture.
Waste Separation and Recycling
Wherever possible, we try to avoid waste. We largely avoid using plastic and single-use packaging. Naturally, we sort our rubbish and provide bins for local waste sorting in the holiday flats. Furthermore, we try to repair and recycle as much as possible.
Mobility
Support for regional nature conversation projects for those travelling without a car
Since March 2025, we have been rewarding guests who arrive by train or bicycle with a 5 percent discount on the room rate. We donate an additional 5 percent to a selected environmental project of the Nagelfluhkette Nature Park Center. To qualify, the reservation must be made directly through us via email with a reference to the bonus, and proof of travel must be provided upon arrival in the form of a valid train ticket.
With the donations from 2025, we will fund the purchase of several young sycamore maple trees for the Nature Park Center, along with protection against wildlife and grazing animals, in a planned stepping-stone habitat in Balderschwang. We will provide updates on the project’s progress on our blog.
- Our house is located in the center of Oberstaufen, just 400 meters from the train station, making it perfect for guests who wish to travel by train.
- We have two charging stations for electric cars and e-bikes, which we also make available to our guests. I myself drive an electric vehicle and enjoy traveling by train, and when taking long-distance trips, I take advantage of CO2 offsetting options.
- During your stay, you can easily leave your car behind. Public transportation in Oberstaufen is well-organized and tailored to the needs of vacationers. With the Mobil Pass Allgäu, which is included in your Oberstaufen PLUS guest pass, you can ride buses and trains for free from the mountains all the way to Lake Constance.
- With Oberstaufen PLUS and the Allgäu-Walser Pass, our guests can rent e-bikes for free.
Planting and Rooftop Garden
We plant our balconies and have created flower beds around the house and yard. Lavender grows on the roof of our new building. Not only does it look pretty, but it also attracts bees and other insects.
We’ve created a rooftop garden on our garage. There, we grow vegetables and herbs for our own use.
For watering, we use rainwater collected in a 4,000-liter cistern. The fountains in the rooftop garden and in the yard are also fed by this water.
Cleaning and Laundry
When cleaning the apartments and doing the laundry, we use cleaning and laundry detergents that are as environmentally friendly as possible.
Upon arrival, our guests will find the beds freshly made. We also provide hand towels, bath towels, and dish towels. As a guest, you decide for yourself if and when you need fresh linens.
Allergy-friendly
We take great care to maintain a clean environment in our well-maintained building. All apartments feature hardwood floors and a comfortable indoor climate. We have made a conscious decision not to have houseplants in the apartments, but we are happy to welcome our guests with fresh cut flowers. Out of consideration for our guests, pets are not allowed. Upon request, we will replace the down comforters with synthetic microfiber blankets.
If you have any special needs or questions, please feel free to contact us.
Social Issues
Job Creation
As part of our rental operations, I need assistance and am hiring someone to perform facility management and cleaning duties. This is a permanent, part-time position subject to social security contributions, with exceptionally flexible working hours and pay that is significantly above the minimum wage.
Creating Housing
Our property has a total of ten residential units—a healthy mix of vacation rentals, furnished apartments for short-term rent, and apartments for long-term tenants. People from seven different countries, ranging in age from 18 to over 80, live here under one roof.
Support for Families with Children
We are always delighted to welcome guests with children. We are happy to provide a crib and a high chair at no extra charge upon request. Children up to their seventh birthday stay with us free of charge. Through this offer—and as a partner of Oberstaufen PLUS—we aim to help our guests, especially families, save money on their vacations.
Economic issues
Investing in the Future
The acquisition, renovation, new construction, and maintenance of my property involve significant investments. A large portion of these funds flows into Oberstaufen and the surrounding area, thereby strengthening the regional economy.
I personally view the property’s location in the heart of Oberstaufen as a special obligation to contribute to the town’s positive development. That’s why, during the renovation, it was important to me that the building blend seamlessly into the historic ensemble on Lindauer Straße. With the new construction on Hugo-von-Königsegg-Straße, on the other hand, we are adding a modern touch that subtly enhances the town center.
The income generated from renting out vacation apartments, residential units, and commercial spaces results in tax payments that benefit the town of Oberstaufen.
Collaboration with Local Craft Businesses
Whenever possible and appropriate, we work with local tradespeople and businesses. This ensures that the money we earn from our apartments stays in the region. Whenever tradespeople are working for us, we make sure they have a good work environment. In addition to fair pay, this includes providing them with drinks, cooking lunch for them, and offering coffee and cake in the afternoon.
Shopping at Local Businesses
One of my Friday rituals is shopping at the farmers’ and weekly market on Marienplatz, which is practically right on our doorstep. Here in our building, we place a high value on fresh, locally produced goods—especially fruits, vegetables, meat, and dairy products. It goes without saying that we ourselves are regular customers of Gemüseküche, which is housed in our building as a commercial tenant.
Commercial Tenants
Our new building houses the WohnRaumWerkstatt of the Demmler Carpentry Shop. This is where craftsmanship is brought to life, just as I understand it: custom-made, unique, and special. What I also like: The Demmlers are a family-run business. Two generations work here hand in hand. And the atmosphere is very family-oriented and down-to-earth in every other way, too. With its headquarters in Willofs near Obergünzburg, the company has deep roots in the (Eastern) Allgäu region. By training a high number of apprentices, the family takes responsibility for the next generation of craftsmen and is focused on the future.
On the ground floor of Lindauer Straße 3, Gemüseküche Oberstaufen offers delicious vegan and vegetarian dishes—including bowls, muesli, and beverages—that perfectly complement the existing dining options. In doing so, Gemüseküche meets the standards of sustainability. Sustainability is a top priority here, alongside regional sourcing, flavor, and health—all values that we, too, cherish and uphold in our own business.
The Ecological Footprint of Travel
Traveling in a Climate-Friendly and Sustainable Way
If you want to travel in a climate-friendly and sustainable way, you can find out the estimated ecological footprint of your vacation in advance while planning your trip. Graz University of Technology provides a calculator for this purpose that determines the ecological footprint of your trip. It asks for information about your arrival and departure, accommodations and meals, as well as local transportation and activities. The result is an overall assessment of your trip’s environmental impact.