Sustainability at EmiLu

EmiLu – the owner-managed design hotel in the heart of Stuttgart.
What was once an administrative building from the 1960s has been transformed over four years of careful renovation into an urban design oasis – full of personality, character, and soul.
90 individually designed rooms, 11 suites, three meeting rooms, a rooftop location with views over Stuttgart, a sauna and fitness area, and the lobby bar form the heart of our hotel. The offering is complemented by 25 underground parking spaces as well as comfortable bicycle parking for flexible and sustainable travel.

But EmiLu is more than a hotel – it is a temporary home, a place of connection, a piece of Stuttgart’s urban culture.

Our Philosophy

As a privately run hotel, we place great value on authenticity, regionality, and appreciation. We see hospitality as an active commitment – personal, attentive, and genuine. Our goal is for every guest to feel welcome, inspired, and at home with us. EmiLu aims to be your “home away from home.” Close cooperation with regional partners, restaurateurs, and suppliers shapes our daily actions. We want to be part of the city – right in the center of Stuttgart, connected with the people and ideas that make our region unique.

EmiLu as a place of connection

We see ourselves not only as a hotel, but as a place where people come together – a space for exchange, inspiration, and shared experiences. Beyond traditional hospitality, we strive to be a platform for art, culture, and community. In cooperation with cultural institutions, artists, and local initiatives, we create events that promote creativity, diversity, and togetherness. In this way, we bring culture closer to a wider audience.

At the same time, we want to contribute to making Stuttgart more visible and vibrant – even beyond city limits. Through a strong social media presence and innovative event formats, we aim to show that Stuttgart is just as inspiring, modern, and creative as cities like Munich or Hamburg.

Sustainability at EmiLu

Sustainability is not a trend for us, but a natural part of our corporate culture. As a design hotel with a sense of responsibility, we pay attention to maintaining an ecological, economic, and social balance.

Green Key is a globally established sustainability program for hotels and other tourism businesses. The certification confirms that we meet strict criteria in areas such as environmental management, energy and water conservation, waste reduction, sustainable purchasing, and social responsibility.

The Green Key award therefore stands for sustainability in practice, continuous improvement, and a clear commitment to responsible tourism.

Show certificate

Environmentally conscious action

We continuously work to reduce the environmental impact of our operations:

Use of LED lighting and intelligent building control technology (GLT) for energy optimization

Water-saving fixtures and awareness initiatives for guests (e.g., towel reuse program)

Consistent waste separation and avoidance of single-use plastic – especially in F&B

Regional and seasonal products in the kitchen and bar

Cooperation with sustainable suppliers from the Stuttgart region

EV charging stations in the underground garage and bicycle parking for guests and staff

Use of ECO label-certified cleaning products

Many departments already operate paperless

Targeted use of print media in the marketing area

In-house sustainability officer monitoring all internal processes

Financial support for employees who require public transport tickets

Participation in the Stuttgart Tourist program offering hotel stays + public transport ticket

Social responsibility – Corporate Social Responsibility

We want to make a positive difference in our city and take social responsibility seriously – with heart and conviction. This includes respect for human rights and fair working conditions, both internally and among our external partners. We reject any form of exploitation and ensure that our suppliers share these values.

Fair working conditions, equality, and a safe work environment are standard for us. We also place the highest importance on comprehensive hygiene standards based on WHO recommendations to ensure the health of guests, employees, and partners.

Our engagements and partnerships:

STELP e. V. (Stuttgart humanitarian organization)

Monetary donations, overnight stays for STELP guests

Events at the hotel such as “Together Days” in Lennarts Bar (proceeds donated to aid projects incl. Yemen)

Support of the annual STELP Gala through sponsorship and free accommodation for artists

FRITZ F&B – catering sponsorship for STELP events at Waranga

Valentine’s Day initiative “With Love Against Violence” – flower sale with Imperia, donation to the Stuttgart women’s shelter

CSD Stuttgart – catering sponsorship via FRITZ F&B

Support for the homeless – towel donations to Stuttgart’s homeless shelter

Coffee supplied by “Cafesito”, an inclusive coffee roastery from Ravensburg

Lost & found via “Faundit” – for every shipped lost item, a tree is planted

Laundry processing at the Rudolf-Sophien-Stift Stuttgart, a social enterprise

Clean & Meet

Group Picture at the Clean Up Day
Under the motto Clean & Meet, nearly 40 hoteliers and restaurateurs from the Stuttgart region came together to clean up the Schlossgarten. The initiative was about much more than just keeping the area tidy: it demonstrated our commitment as hosts to taking responsibility for our city and local environment, while also creating an opportunity to connect, network, and exchange ideas across the hospitality industry.
Women selecting trash in a green park
Afterwards, we rounded off the day with great conversations at the Sonja Merz Beer Garden. A big thank you to everyone who took part and supported this initiative—especially DEHOGA Baden-Württemberg, Marriott Business Councils South Germany, Le Méridien Stuttgart, Hotel Azenberg Stuttgart, Attimo, and Kronenhotel Stuttgart. Their commitment helped make this event a success and highlighted the strong sense of community within Stuttgart’s hospitality industry.
Group Picture
A special thank you also goes to our team at the EmiLu Design Hotel Stuttgart, who organized this initiative together with Le Méridien Stuttgart. Their dedication and teamwork played a key role in bringing the event to life and making it such a great success.

Team culture & staff development

A strong team is the heart of EmiLu. That’s why we place great importance on mutual support, knowledge-sharing, and continuous learning.

We promote cross-departmental training where team members share their expertise with colleagues – practical, open, and inspiring. This not only strengthens collaboration but also fosters understanding and joy at work.

Equally important to us is shared recreation: we regularly host team events, both athletic and social, such as group Pilates sessions, participation in the Stuttgart run, or other activities that support physical and mental well-being. These experiences create connection – they build trust, motivation, and the feeling of being part of something special.

Because true sustainability begins within: with a valued, healthy, and motivated team that brings EmiLu to life every day.

Team Emilu at 33rd Stuttgart-Lauf

Group Picture at the Stuttgart Lauf, the team is wearing white  EmiLu Shirts
A fully motivated group of seven runners from our team took part in the 33rd Stuttgart Run, competing across the 5 km, 10 km, and half marathon distances.
Group Picture of 3 people after they ran at the Stuttgart Lauf
Crossing the finish line inside the stadium was a very special moment for everyone and the perfect ending to a fantastic day. What made it even more memorable was that all of our runners reached the finish line and received enthusiastic support and encouragement along the course.
Group Picture at the Stuttgart Lauf, the team is wearing white  EmiLu Shirts
We are proud of our athletic team and are already looking forward to many more events and sporting challenges together in the future.

Team Summer Celebrations

Women in summer dresses at a rooftop bar
Every year, we celebrate our annual summer party together with the entire EmiLu, Fritz, and Qleaners team at LENNARTS Rooftop Lounge. With a live DJ, barbecue specialties, and a relaxed atmosphere, we enjoy a memorable evening above the rooftops of Stuttgart.
Group of People celebrating at the Rooftop Lounge
This event is our way of thanking our team for their dedication, passion, and hard work throughout the year. It is an opportunity to show our appreciation and celebrate our achievements together.
black and white picture of a group having drinks at the rooftop lounge
The summer party strengthens team spirit, creates lasting memories, and reflects what makes us special: a strong team and a shared commitment to excellence.

Employees & Guests

Sustainability is only possible together. Our team receives regular training and is actively involved in the ongoing development of our environmental management.
We also invite our guests to be part of this commitment – by using energy and resources responsibly during their stay.

Continuous improvement & transparency

We regularly review the effectiveness of our measures and continuously refine our environmental management. We value openness, dialogue, and an honest, authentic approach to sustainability.

For us, sustainability begins where hospitality meets awareness.

Faundit

Detail shot of someone tiping in their laptop in a bed
At EmiLu, we work with Faundit to use a digital lost-and-found system that simplifies processes and conserves resources.
Opened book on a bed
Lost and found reports are processed efficiently and without paperwork.
Detail shot of a plant
Our commitment is certified: thanks to Faundit, 83 trees have already been planted, making a real contribution to sustainability and responsibility.
Portrait of our Head of Sustainability Julia Feyhl

Head of Sustainability Julia Feyhl

Julia has been an integral part of our team for several years as Front Office Manager and also takes the lead as our Head of Sustainability.

At EmiLu Design Hotel Stuttgart, we are committed to mindful use of resources and continuously evolving our sustainable practices – for the benefit of our guests, partners, and the local community.

Julia oversees all sustainability initiatives and manages the full certification process. If you have any questions or suggestions, she is always happy to help. You can contact her via email j.feyhl@emilu-hotel.com