Voices: How Philipp Estermann is Shaping a Sustainable Future at Valsana Hotel
When Philipp Estermann stepped into his role as General Manager of Valsana Hotel in 2024, he brought with him a clear and focused vision: to elevate the property into a leading destination for conscious luxury in the Swiss Alps.
Nestled in the heart of Arosa, Switzerland, Valsana Hotel already stood out for its pioneering sustainability efforts and refined design. Phillipp Estermann’s mission has been to build on that foundation—strengthening its international presence while deepening its identity as a place where wellbeing, nature, and innovation seamlessly intersect. Phillipp Estermann is committed to elevating the guest experience through thoughtful enhancements.
At the core of this evolution is the hotel’s science-based “Moving Mountains” program, a holistic concept designed to restore balance through five pillars: Play, Move, Nourish, Rest, and Give. Under Estermann’s leadership, this philosophy is not just a guest offering but a guiding principle that shapes every aspect of the experience. By combining advanced environmental technologies—such as the hotel’s fossil-free energy systems—with a strong emphasis on human connection and personalized service, Valsana is redefining what forward-thinking hospitality looks like today.
In an era where luxury is increasingly defined by meaning rather than material, Phillipp Estermann’s approach reflects a broader shift in the industry. His vision positions Valsana Hotel not just as a place to stay, but as a destination for an “alpine reset”—one that leaves a lasting impact long after guests return home, guided by Phillipp Estermann’s innovative strategies.
You took over leadership of Valsana Hotel in 2024—what was your immediate vision when stepping into this role?
My vision has always been to further establish the Valsana as a leading destination in Arosa, with a clear focus on quality, exceptional guest service, and our science-based Moving Mountains program. This holistic lifestyle program is built around five pillars — Play, Move, Nourish, Rest, and Give — and is designed to restore vitality, deepen the connection with nature, and create a genuine sense of joy. At the same time, we have strengthened the Valsana’s position in the international market through its partnership with Small Luxury Hotels.
How do you balance preserving the hotel’s identity with bringing your own leadership style and innovations?
That’s relatively easy, since the hotel also meets my personal preferences in many areas. It feels like a natural feel-good environment to me. We have a fantastic product, a laid back but professional atmosphere and strive for highest quality. These are also the characteristics I am looking for when hiring new team members.
When it comes to leadership, I am fair but firm and I try to convey to the staff the direct link between their performance and the hotel’s success and guest satisfaction.
What does “forward-thinking hospitality” mean to you in today’s luxury landscape?
I think it still comes down to empathy, kindness and personalized service. We are blessed with a fantastic infrastructure at the Valsana – which obviously is important – but the real memories are made of humans. The “forward-thinking hospitality” combines the two worlds of technical and digital progress for more efficiency, but the result should be that we can spend more time with our guests.
Valsana operates without fossil fuels—how do you translate this technical achievement into a meaningful guest experience?
We could go into great technical detail, but what truly matters is experiencing it firsthand, that is also the message we share with our guests. As part of our provided activities, we offer a “Green Tour,” where we take guests behind the scenes, including a visit to our ice battery system.
For those with limited time or who are unable to join the scheduled tour, we are happy to arrange a short or private visit. Our aim is to bridge the gap between technical innovation and its tangible impact on society, the environment, and, of course, the overall guest experience at the hotel.
Can you tell us more about the ice battery system and how it shapes daily operations behind the scenes?
The three hotel buildings are heated using the hotel’s own heat recovery system and geothermal probes, which feed into a large latent heat storage unit. Heat pumps draw their energy directly from this unit, which looks a bit like a large water tank. The tank houses a 400 m register of pipes that are 1.5 m high; a water-glycol mixture flows through these pipes, which are in turn connected to the heat pump circuit. When the heat pumps extract a large amount of energy, the water in the pipes freezes to form an ice block. The waste heat from all heat recovery systems is fed back into the water tank to thaw the ice. If more waste heat is generated than energy withdrawn, the ice is melted and the water heats up to 15°C. The water can then be cooled again, and the heat can be used.
After 8 years this system runs smooth as silk and requires very little maintenance. Therefore, it has little impact on our daily operations but if you look at the figures on how much energy we are saving compared to similar hotels with conventional or old infrastructure, this is where the real magic happens.
Sustainability is often seen as a trend—how do you ensure it remains a core philosophy rather than a marketing tool?
Sustainability has been part of our DNA since the opening of the hotel and is deeply embedded in the philosophy of The Tschuggen Collection. It is not something we treat as a passing trend, but as a long-term commitment that shapes how we operate every day. This is also reflected in our certification by internationally recognized standards such as Green Globe, which holds us accountable and ensures continuous progress.
Interestingly, many potential team members highlight sustainability as a key reason why they want to work with us, which shows how strongly it resonates beyond marketing. While it naturally plays a role in how we communicate our brand, it remains first and foremost a core philosophy. To truly live it, sustainability requires constant attention and active involvement — from both our guests and our team. From generating ideas to implementation and measuring results, it is an ongoing process that we shape together.
What are the biggest operational challenges when running a fully eco-conscious luxury hotel?
There are very little in fact. Sometimes we do have guests who would like to have a banana for breakfast or seafood on the menu but with the right explanation almost everyone understands what the Valsana is about.
How do modern travelers respond to sustainability initiatives—do they actively seek them or discover them during their stay?
Some guests actively look for sustainable concepts when choosing their destination, while others simply become part of it during their stay without consciously seeking it out. Our approach is deliberately subtle, we don’t communicate sustainability in a pushy way. Guests can fully embrace it if they are interested, but if someone simply wants to enjoy a few days of skiing, excellent cuisine, and genuine hospitality, we offer that experience just as naturally. In this way, sustainability becomes an added value rather than a requirement.
In your view, how is luxury evolving, particularly in destinations like Arosa?
In the future, snow itself may become a form of luxury, which makes destinations like Arosa all the more special, as we are fortunate to still have reliable conditions. More broadly, the definition of luxury is clearly shifting towards meaningful experiences: a deeper connection with nature, personalized outdoor activities, and the opportunity to truly recharge. Guests today are looking for balance, combining relaxation with being active in an authentic natural environment.
How do you create a sense of place that connects guests both to nature and to the local culture?
Arosa is a relatively small authentic Swiss Alpine village. Almost every local works in a field related to tourism and we are proud to share the “best of’s” with your guests. In the hotel, we offer the chance for our guests to participate in various activities which range from torch light walks in winter, to a visit of the local history museum or the preparation of a local dish, together with our head chef. Every week there are about 5 activities taking place related to the five pillars of our Moving Mountains Program; Move / Play / Nourish / Rest / Give
What initially drew you to hospitality, and how has your perspective evolved over time?
I think what attracted me the most at the beginning was the opportunity to explore the world and work abroad, which I did extensively in the past years. Along the way I realized that I find tremendous joy working in a team and delivering exceptional experiences to our guests. I had the privilege of working with some of the best hoteliers around the world and I still feel very much at the right place. Thankfully my wife and kids share the same passion for this industry and for exploring the world.
What inspires you personally when working in a destination surrounded by nature? How do you recharge outside of your professional responsibilities?
Nature sets the pace in a place like Arosa and that’s probably the biggest inspiration in a world where speed and efficiency are often on top of the list. Personally, I enjoy being outside, playing Golf or Tennis or just spent some time with the family. And of course, I love good food & wine.
What are your key priorities for Valsana Hotel over the next few years?
To make the Valsana Hotel a destination of its own when you look for an “alpine reset”. Yes, we are still a hotel, but we would like to create an experience or impact which lasts longer than the actual stay with us.
How do you envision the future of alpine hospitality in a changing climate
We are in the fortunate position of being at 1800m altitude which is a huge advantage compared to lower levelled ski resorts. I assume for the next 20 to 30 years we should still be safe when it comes to suitable ski conditions, also because of the ongoing investments in a modern infrastructure. Furthermore, we see a tendency for “coolcation” in Summer when it gets too hot in the cities. However, climate change is real and worrying therefore it is essential that we keep on working on a more environmentally friendly tourism whether it is in the Alps or on the beach.
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