The Wellness-Hotels & Resorts’ cooperation has been the number one choice for wellness hotels since 1997. The quality seal, which depicts the wellness tree, has gained huge trust amongst affluent guests because only hotels fulfilling certain quality standards receive the seal.

We have developed mandatory criteria, which all the hotels must fulfil to be able to receive the desired brand name. The wellness tree guarantees tranquil, natural surroundings, at least a four-star rating, an attractive and well looked after wellness area, competent staff, sustainable environmental management and wellness-vitality cuisine. Our specific wellness criteria sets standards for the entire wellness industry to the extent that the largest German hotel and restaurant association (DEHOGA) and the German International Hotel Association (IHA) have adapted the classification to set the wellness tree standards as an official benchmark for all wellness hotels in Germany.

The wellness tree quality seal

The following criteria are regularly reviewed by TÜV Rheinland, an international body for safety and quality certification. Wellness hotels displaying the wellness tree quality seal will guarantee:

• 4 and 5-star rating
• Outstanding service with a focus on guests’ individual needs
• Attractive, well cared for and spacious spa and wellness area with pool, saunas, beauty treatment area, sports and relaxation facilities
• Extensively qualified, friendly staff in all areas of the hotel
• Wellness-vitality cuisine                                      
• Attractions and activities
• Environmentally aware hotel management
• Contractual obligation by the hotel to carry out continuous quality and quality assurance checks in all areas
• Non-smoking rooms

Our quality standards in detail can be downloaded als a PDF here and are listed below:

Wellness hotels bearing the wellness tree quality seal are at least four-star standard

All hotels have a minimum of a four star rating – according to DEHOGA, the German hotel and restaurant association 

Situated close to natural surroundings

Hotels must have one of the following criteria

• The hotel is situated in the countryside
• The hotel stands in or close to a park/garden (such as a spa garden)
• The hotel has access to natural surroundings or a park - no further than a five minute walk away
• Environmentally conscious management
• The hotel has implemented an environment and resource management system
• Guests are given suggestions on how to be more environmentally friendly
• Staff training on environmentally friendly practice
• Use of eco-friendly washing powders, household cleaners and polishes
• Water and energy-saving measures

Waste Management

• Measures to reduce waste
• Composting/recycling
• Recycling bins (at least in the kitchen)
• Measures to minimise pollution
• Measures to conserve raw and recyclable materials

Emission free zones  

• Fixed quota of non-smoking rooms
• Quiet areas to relax
• Odour-free areas

Wellness-vitality cuisine  

• A minimum of one whole food meal on offer
• A minimum of one low-fat meal on offer
• A minimum of one vegetarian meal on the menu (containing no meat, fish or poultry)
• Mainly fresh fruit and vegetables are used
• Wherever possible, produce will be from organic or free-range sources
• Guests’ individual dietary wishes are catered for

Wellness centre with facilities for exercise, relaxation, regeneration, beauty and body-care

General

• Continuous adherence to hygiene standards
• Regular care and maintenance of the centre
• Natural light and fresh air
• Access to spa and leisure areas without having to cross conference or restaurant areas
• Drinking water and fresh fruit freely available
• Spa bistros in some hotels
• Changing area/s (if also used by non-resident day guests)
• Separate showers and toilets for ladies and gentlemen 
• Lockers
• Seating areas
• Wash basins with hair dryer and dressing-table mirror
• Shelves for bags, towels etc.

Pool area

• Open daily from 11am to 9pm
• Overall impression of the hotel (interior design, visual impression, noise level, air quality etc.)

Sauna area

• Sauna ceremonies and rituals (e.g. pouring water on the rocks)
• Daily opening hours 9am to 7pm (for at least one sauna type)
• At least two indoor saunas
• Note:  Providing a variety of saunas – including a Finnish sauna (hot/dry), a tepidarium sauna (warm/moist) or a steam bath (warm/very damp). A hamam is not recognised as a type of sauna.
• All saunas accommodate at least 8 people. One additional sauna place is available for every ten rooms

Fitness, sports and stress management 

• Work-out areas with professional fitness machines (back and strength)
• Daylight and fresh air in the fitness area
• Qualified expert advice
• Introduction given by qualified instructors  
• Fitness and activity programmes (e.g. personal training, cardio, back training, Nordic walking, outdoor activities and gymnastics)
• Area for gymnastics
• Organised group activites and events - either in the hotel or outdoors

Treatments

• Available for at least 8 hours per day
• Where possible all treatment rooms have daylight and fresh air
• All treatment rooms are at least 10m² and have wash basins and shower
• Beauty treatments (e.g. facials, manicures, pedicures, scrubs, relaxation massages)
• Body treatments carried out by a physiotherapist (such as lymph drainage, reflexology massage, shiatsu, full body massage)

If available:

• Full body treatments (e.g. baths, Kneipp, Felke, mud-baths, hamam)
• Health care (such as Traditional Chinese Medicine, acupuncture, health checks)

Advice and supervision

• Services carried out by qualified staff
• Advance booking and advice service
• Guests are provided with valuable wellbeing and health tips
• Detailed information material with the wellness A-Z
• Individual consultations
• Supervision and advice service in the wellness area

Additional services and advice

• Package price includes additional towels and bathrobes for wellness guests for the duration of the stay
• Exclusive use of saunas and pool for wellness guests
•  Information about offers available for children and teenagers can be found in the hotel brochure and/or online
• Information about admission for non-resident guests can be found in the hotel brochure and/or online 

Quality assurance

• The hotels are regularly checked by TÜV Rheinland, an international body for safety and quality certification. Any shortcomings need to be rectified within six months of receiving the evaluation.