Responsible Luxury in the Heart of Switzerland: Mandarin Oriental Savoy, Zurich Achieves GSTC Certification
Mandarin Oriental Savoy, Zurich has officially become GSTC-Certified – the first hotel in Zurich and only the fourth in Switzerland to reach this highest level of independently verified sustainability performance. The certification follows an on-site assessment conducted by United Certification Systems Limited (UCSL), GSTC-Accredited Certification Body, confirming that the hotel aligns with the world’s most trusted benchmark for sustainable tourism, Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC®) Hotel Standard.
Mandarin Oriental Savoy, Zurich holds a unique position and is housed in the city’s oldest grand hotel. Its heritage building, exceptional craftsmanship, and refined redesign bring together tradition with the excellence and contemporary elegance for which the hotel group is known. The combination of sophistication, exceptional service, and iconic setting makes the property a point of reference for high-end hospitality in Switzerland.
Mandarin Oriental Savoy, Zurich holds a unique position and is housed in the city’s oldest grand hotel. Its heritage building, exceptional craftsmanship, and refined redesign bring together tradition with the excellence and contemporary elegance for which the hotel group is known. The combination of sophistication, exceptional service, and iconic setting makes the property a point of reference for high-end hospitality in Switzerland.
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GSTC Certification marks an important step in our sustainability journey and reflects the dedication of our colleagues. We remain committed to the values of integrity and excellence that guide Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group. We appreciate UCSL’s professionalism throughout the assessment.
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group’s broader sustainability strategy is evident in the hotel’s long-term efforts. For the group, hospitality begins with care – for guests, colleagues, the community, and the local environment. At Mandarin Oriental Savoy, Zurich, this culture is carried through structured initiatives that strengthen daily operations and contribute to the surrounding community. The GSTC Hotel Standard, aligned with the UN SDGs, is built around four pillars: sustainable management, social, cultural, and environmental performance. Mandarin Oriental Savoy, Zurich demonstrated consistent progress across all four. The practices below offer a glimpse into this work.
The hotel operates a heat-recovery system that reuses excess thermal energy from chillers to warm water, reducing overall consumption. LED lighting is installed across the entire property, and single-use plastic amenities have been removed from guest rooms. Public areas feature automatic taps to reduce unnecessary water use, while landscaped zones use drip irrigation to maintain greenery with minimal waste.
In its culinary and purchasing approach, Mandarin Oriental Savoy, Zurich selects products based on traceability and quality, integrates vegetarian and vegan options across menus, and strengthens material impact management through improved waste segregation and monitoring. Environmentally conscious procurement decisions across departments further supports long-term reductions in operational footprint.
The hotel operates a heat-recovery system that reuses excess thermal energy from chillers to warm water, reducing overall consumption. LED lighting is installed across the entire property, and single-use plastic amenities have been removed from guest rooms. Public areas feature automatic taps to reduce unnecessary water use, while landscaped zones use drip irrigation to maintain greenery with minimal waste.
In its culinary and purchasing approach, Mandarin Oriental Savoy, Zurich selects products based on traceability and quality, integrates vegetarian and vegan options across menus, and strengthens material impact management through improved waste segregation and monitoring. Environmentally conscious procurement decisions across departments further supports long-term reductions in operational footprint.
People are at the heart of the hotel’s approach to responsibility. The team is encouraged to participate in community initiatives, supported by a paid volunteer day each year, and the hotel’s partnership with Make-A-Wish Foundation Switzerland contributes to meaningful experiences for children living with critical illnesses. Strong internal policies on wellbeing, equal opportunity, and continuous learning reflect a management culture built on fairness, care, and long-term commitment to its colleagues.
These efforts form a foundation for a guest experience that feels contemporary, considered, and intuitively connected to Zurich. At Mandarin Oriental Savoy, Zurich, sustainability is not positioned as a separate layer but integrated into how the hotel operates every day – precise, thoughtful, and quietly intentional. The initiatives highlighted here represent only a part of Mandarin Oriental Savoy, Zurich’s sustainability work. To explore the hotel’s full sustainability journey, please visit its dedicated page.
These efforts form a foundation for a guest experience that feels contemporary, considered, and intuitively connected to Zurich. At Mandarin Oriental Savoy, Zurich, sustainability is not positioned as a separate layer but integrated into how the hotel operates every day – precise, thoughtful, and quietly intentional. The initiatives highlighted here represent only a part of Mandarin Oriental Savoy, Zurich’s sustainability work. To explore the hotel’s full sustainability journey, please visit its dedicated page.
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Mandarin Oriental Savoy, Zurich demonstrated a thoughtful and well-structured approach to sustainability, delivered with clarity and intention. This achievement reflects a long-term commitment to responsible practice, and we look forward to the hotel’s continued progress.
By achieving GSTC Certification, Mandarin Oriental Savoy, Zurich reinforces its leadership within Switzerland’s hospitality landscape and signals continued progress in shaping the future of responsible luxury through evidence-based performance and the pursuit of constant improvement.
About Mandarin Oriental Savoy, Zurich
Nestled in the heart of Zurich, right on the famous Paradeplatz, Mandarin Oriental Savoy, Zurich is housed in the city’s oldest grand hotel and combines timeless elegance with modern sophistication and incredible service. Reimagined by interior designer Tristan Auer, this iconic landmark offers 80 elegantly appointed rooms and suites, each providing exceptional views and a seamless blend of locally crafted contemporary decor and historic detailing. With four exceptional restaurants and bars, and an unrivalled location close to historic landmarks and Lake Zurich, Mandarin Oriental Savoy, Zurich ensures an unforgettable and enriching experience for international travelers and local guests alike.
About Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group
Mandarin Oriental is the award-winning owner and operator of some of the world's most luxurious hotels, resorts and residences. Each outstanding property reflects the Group's dual Asian heritage, while proudly distilling the Essence of the Destination, reflected in every hotel's own fan - carefully crafted by local artisans. Driven by a passion for the exceptional, every day, everywhere, the Group's mission is to craft time-enriching experiences that transform the ordinary to the exceptional and guests to fans through its legendary service. The Group now operates 44 hotels, 12 residences and 26 exceptional homes in 27 countries and territories with many more projects under development. Mandarin Oriental continues to drive its reputation as an innovative leader in luxury hospitality, delivering sustainable growth over the long term.
About UCSL
United Certification Systems Limited (UCSL) is an independent certification body, headquartered in the EU and operating worldwide. Proud to be one of the first GSTC-Accredited certification bodies, we provide certification services that align with the highest standards in luxury hospitality, bringing unparalleled expertise to the forefront. Driven by a deep passion for sustainability, we transcend the traditional role of a certification body, emerging as pioneers in research and education, spearheading positive change within the tourism industry.
About GSTC Certification
GSTC Certification is the globally acknowledged mark of sustainable tourism, awarded to hotels, tour operators, and other businesses that meet the GSTC Standards – the world’s leading criteria for responsible travel. It confirms that a business has undergone a rigorous and impartial assessment by a certification body accredited by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), an international non-profit organization established through a strategic coalition including the United Nations Foundation, UN Environment Programme (UNEP), and UN Tourism.
Holding GSTC Certification demonstrates a business’s genuine commitment to sustainability through a process that is credible, transparent, and globally consistent. The term "GSTC Certification" specifically means certified by a Certification Body that is GSTC-Accredited, ensuring full alignment with the world’s highest standards for sustainable tourism.
Nestled in the heart of Zurich, right on the famous Paradeplatz, Mandarin Oriental Savoy, Zurich is housed in the city’s oldest grand hotel and combines timeless elegance with modern sophistication and incredible service. Reimagined by interior designer Tristan Auer, this iconic landmark offers 80 elegantly appointed rooms and suites, each providing exceptional views and a seamless blend of locally crafted contemporary decor and historic detailing. With four exceptional restaurants and bars, and an unrivalled location close to historic landmarks and Lake Zurich, Mandarin Oriental Savoy, Zurich ensures an unforgettable and enriching experience for international travelers and local guests alike.
About Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group
Mandarin Oriental is the award-winning owner and operator of some of the world's most luxurious hotels, resorts and residences. Each outstanding property reflects the Group's dual Asian heritage, while proudly distilling the Essence of the Destination, reflected in every hotel's own fan - carefully crafted by local artisans. Driven by a passion for the exceptional, every day, everywhere, the Group's mission is to craft time-enriching experiences that transform the ordinary to the exceptional and guests to fans through its legendary service. The Group now operates 44 hotels, 12 residences and 26 exceptional homes in 27 countries and territories with many more projects under development. Mandarin Oriental continues to drive its reputation as an innovative leader in luxury hospitality, delivering sustainable growth over the long term.
About UCSL
United Certification Systems Limited (UCSL) is an independent certification body, headquartered in the EU and operating worldwide. Proud to be one of the first GSTC-Accredited certification bodies, we provide certification services that align with the highest standards in luxury hospitality, bringing unparalleled expertise to the forefront. Driven by a deep passion for sustainability, we transcend the traditional role of a certification body, emerging as pioneers in research and education, spearheading positive change within the tourism industry.
About GSTC Certification
GSTC Certification is the globally acknowledged mark of sustainable tourism, awarded to hotels, tour operators, and other businesses that meet the GSTC Standards – the world’s leading criteria for responsible travel. It confirms that a business has undergone a rigorous and impartial assessment by a certification body accredited by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), an international non-profit organization established through a strategic coalition including the United Nations Foundation, UN Environment Programme (UNEP), and UN Tourism.
Holding GSTC Certification demonstrates a business’s genuine commitment to sustainability through a process that is credible, transparent, and globally consistent. The term "GSTC Certification" specifically means certified by a Certification Body that is GSTC-Accredited, ensuring full alignment with the world’s highest standards for sustainable tourism.
January 13, 2025