Portrait
Swiss Youth
Hostels
We are a politically and denominationally neutral organisation and as such are active in all areas of the country. We are aware that the local population and the natural environment in the areas in which we operate are crucially important both to us and to our guests. We wish to take the interests of the local population into account as far as possible, as well as respecting their independence and culture, and to make every effort to minimise our impact on the environment. We strive for our youth hostels and leisure activities to be environmentally friendly and compatible with nature and the countryside.
Bern Youth Hostel
Who we are
The Swiss Youth Hostels are a politically and denominationally neutral non-profit organisation with the legal form of a non-profit association.
The Swiss Youth Hostels Association is responsible for operating the youth hostels in Switzerland and in the Principality of Liechtenstein, with the aim of establishing a comprehensive network of youth hostels in attractive tourist regions and destinations in all parts of Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein.
The Swiss Youth Hostels are represented by two further independent partner organisations in addition to the Swiss Youth Hostels Association:
- The Swiss Foundation for Social Tourism is the proprietor of the youth hostels (properties) or leases these for use by the Swiss Youth Hostels Association.
- The Foundation for Youth Hostels in Switzerland provides financial support in the form of long-term loans for the construction of youth hostels.
Network Map of the Swiss Youth Hostels
Status April 2022
Schaan-Vaduz Youth Hostel reopened on 1 April 2021 after a construction period of 18 months. Rapperswil-Jona Youth Hostel was modernised during the winter and made barrier-free. It opened on 30 April 2021. The new Saignelégier Youth Hostel opened its doors to new guests as a new franchise hostel on 1 April 2022.
Klosters Youth Hostel closed at the end of the 2021 winter season, the owner, the Municipality of Wallisellen, plans to sell the property. Zofingen Youth Hostel closed after 35 years at the end of October 2021, as the owner will use the property for other purposes.
Sils im Domleschg Youth Hostel
Sils im Domleschg Youth Hostel
What we want
The Swiss Youth Hostels want
- to promote quality-oriented, socially responsible and environmentally compatible tourism for young people and families;
- to focus on human relations;
- to live up to the idea of partnership at all levels;
- to strengthen our image and standing as the most important tourist organisation for young people and families;
- to achieve appropriate business results in order to ensure the ongoing existence of our organisation.
Awards
Because future opportunities in our fast-moving world can only be seized through new ideas, it is our goal to consciously promote innovative thought and action at all levels within our organisation. We support practice-oriented, critical research into tourism, which we view as an important means of providing information that enables us to formulate an integrated and forward-looking policy for our association.
2021 | ICOMOS Special Prize│Burgdorf Castle Youth Hostel, distinction “Special Award Historic Hotel of the Year 2022” |
2021 | Atuprix Audience Award│Burgdorf Castle with Youth Hostel, distinction for Bernese architectural culture |
2021 | Best of ibex fairstay│Pontresina Youth Hostel and Zurich Youth Hostel |
2020 | Best of ibex fairstay│St. Moritz Youth Hostel |
2020 | Switzerland’s Best Employer 2021│2nd place in the categories Gastronomy, Tourism, Accommodation, Entertainment and Leisure |
2019 | ICOMOS Switzerland | “Bella Lui” Youth Hostel in Crans-Montana nominated for Historical Hotel of the Year |
2017 | Hostelling International | “The most Sustainable National Association” |
2016 | Swiss Environmental Prize | Special award for long-standing commitment and a valuable contribution to
environmental and climate protection |
2016 | myclimate Award | Distinction as a “Pioneer for integrated climate protection in the hotel industry” |
2016 | Global Youth Travel Awards | Second place in the “Green Accommodation Initiative” area |
2015 | Watt d’Or | wellnessHostel4000 and Aqua Allalin Saas-Fee, Gstaad Saanenland Youth Hostel – winners in the
“Buildings and Space” category |
2015 | Prix Lignum | wellnessHostel4000 Saas-Fee – 3rd place in the “Prix Lignum Wood Award 2015” in the Centre West region |
2014 | Milestone Schweiz | wellnessHostel4000 and Aqua Allalin Saas-Fee – 2nd place in the “Outstanding Projects” category |
2013 | “Good Buildings Award” by the cantons of Basel-City and Basel-Land | Basel Youth Hostel |
2013 | HI-5ives! Awards | Interlaken Youth Hostel “Best Hostel 2013” |
2013 | HI-5ives! Awards | Interlaken Youth Hostel “Most Comfortable Hostel 2013” |
2012 | Holzhandwerk | Award for woodworking; special award for the renovation and expansion of St. Moritz Youth Hostel |
2012 | The 50 best annual reports in Switzerland | Winner in the NPO category |
2011 | ZKB Sustainability Award for SMEs | Distinction for outstanding contribution in the field of sustainable development |
2011 | Swiss Solar Prize | Award in category A “Personalities / Institutions”, for comprehensive environmental management
and a pioneering role in environmentally compatible tourism |
2010 | Award Marketing + Architecture | Distinction for Scuol Youth Hostel, overall winner |
2010 | Award Marketing + Architecture | Distinction for Scuol Youth Hostel, special award “Green Technology” |
2010 | Award Marketing + Architecture | Distinction for Scuol Youth Hostel, winner of “Hotels, Restaurants” category |
2010 | myclimate Award | Distinction for best integration of CO2 compensation |
2008 | Hans E. Moppert Prize | Distinction for Scuol Youth Hostel for sustainable tourism in the Alps |
2008 | ICOMOS Award | Distinction for Zurich Youth Hostel for its sensitive renovation of a building from the 1960s |
2007 | Milestone. Swiss Tourism Award | Tourism award for sustainability strategy |
1999 | Event Master Award Switzerland | Winner in the “Public Events” category for the 75 events carried out as part of the
anniversary celebrations for “75 years of Swiss Youth Hostels” |
1994 | Goldene Reisekutsche Berlin | Bronze Medal for the basic campaign |
Sustainability
Promoting responsible and sustainable behaviour is an important objective for the Swiss Youth Hostels. Accordingly, in 1994 our mission statement already laid the foundations for a balanced approach regarding our economic, social and ecological activities.
We believe that sustainability means taking into account not only social and ethical issues, but also the sensible use of resources.
Social aspects
- Prices are set such that services remain affordable whilst nevertheless guaranteeing good quality and fair wages.
- Products and services are designed such that anyone can visit a youth hostel.
- During construction and operation, we not only take into consideration the needs of our guests, but also the consequences for our partners, our neighbours and the destinations.
Economy
- The Swiss Youth Hostels are a non-profit organisation. The services are designed such that sufficient income is generated to ensure continuity for employees and further development potential for the organisation.
Ecology
- Energy consumption and the resulting emissions are leading indicators in all activities of the Swiss Youth Hostels – be it in construction, operation or purchasing.
- We focus particularly on applying sustainability principles along the entire value chain.
All hostels are run using a comprehensive management and quality system and certified with the ibex fairstay label.
ibex fairstay certified hostels
2019 | 2020 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|
Platinum | 11 | 12 | 12 |
Gold | 23 | 22 | 22 |
Silver | 6 | 5 | 5 |
Bronze | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2020 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|
Platinum | 12 | 12 |
Gold | 22 | 22 |
Silver | 5 | 5 |
Bronze | 0 | 0 |
The label is recertified every three years. The hostels in Basel, Bern, Interlaken, Kreuzlingen, Lausanne, Locarno, Pontresina, wellnessHostel4000 Saas-Fee, Scuol, St. Moritz, Valbella and Zurich all achieved the highest rating, ibex fairstay Platinum.
The Zurich Youth Hostel and Pontresina Youth Hostel were awarded the “Best of ibex fairstay” prize in 2021. Zurich Youth Hostel reached the highest overall points score, Pontresina Youth Hostel had the best regional connection. All accommodation facilities which were recertified within 12 months by ibex fairstay were assessed.
Lausanne Youth Hostel
Lausanne Youth Hostel
