1st place for DAS GERSTL Alpine Retreat

“And the winner is …” echoed once again on 6 May 2024, marking the 21st edition of the Wellness Aphrodite awards ceremony at Grand Resort Bad Ragaz in Switzerland: The prestigious award, given out by Freizeit Verlag – the company behind the travel portal “meintophotel.de” and the “Mein Tophotel” hotel guide – honours the best wellness hotels in the German-speaking region.

The Wellness Aphrodite 2024 was awarded in ten categories: Wellness Cuisine, Fitness & Sport, Beauty & Treatments, Spa Design, Signature Treatment, Accommodation, Spa Personality, Ecology/Sustainability, Overall Concept, and Exceptional – jury prize for tradition & vision.

The winners of the Wellness Aphrodite were determined by a panel of experts, which included the publishing management, the editorial teams of “Tophotel” magazine and the “meintophotel.de” travel portal, as well as respected journalists and renowned industry insiders.

The Bernhard Simon Hall at the Grand Resort Bad Ragaz in Switzerland provided the perfect setting for the award ceremony honouring the best wellness hotels in the German-speaking region. Hosted by Dr. Klaus Tschütscher, the event welcomed approx. 120 guests from the hotel industry, suppliers, industry groups, and the press. Jacqueline Schaffrath from Freizeit Verlag highlighted what an honour it was to host the award ceremony at such a historically significant venue. Afterwards, she presented the coveted trophies to the thrilled winners.

We were excited to see one of the Belvita Leading Wellnesshotel Südtirol win big: DAS GERSTL Alpine Retreat secured the 1st place in the Ecology/Sustainability category!

The panel of experts explained their decision by pointing out that the sustainability concept of the family-owned DAS GERSTL Alpine Retreat in Mals is deeply ingrained in the company’s philosophy. This unique resort attaches great important to social, local, and environmental responsibility in its water, energy, construction, and waste management practices, ensuring that nature will be preserved for generations to come. The jury was particularly impressed by the “r30 Dahoam Guarantee”, which ensures that all products bearing the “r30 seal” originate from within a 30-kilometer radius in Val Venosta/Vinschgau, just like the products of the “r30 Cosmetics Line” at Venosta Spa. Additionally, the entire hotel renovation was done using eco-friendly construction methods and natural insulation. The Gerstl family also set up a state-of-the-art wastewater treatment system that purifies and recycles pool water.

Following the award ceremony, a gala dinner prepared by star chef Sebastian Titz, head chef at “verve by sven” in the Grand Resort Bad Ragaz, crowned the event. Then, guests got ready to head to the after party.