Over 60% Organic – With a Long Tradition

The Hotel zum Hirschen in Salzburg is a family business. At home, we buy mostly organic food. It was only logical for us to serve our guests the same quality, as we want to feel good about what we put on the table.

Over 60% Organic food & drinks

Since August 2025, we have been proud holders of the Bio-Austria Silver Certification. More than 60% of the food and beverages offered in our hotel now come from certified organic farming – meeting the highest standards of quality, animal welfare, and sustainability. You will find many organic products at the hotel breakfast and at the Hotel Bar, where we have specialised in organic wines from Austria. Furthermore, we farm our own flowers in the hotel garden and use those to decorate the hotel lobby and breakfast room.

What Organic means to us

For us, organic means: species-appropriate animal husbandry with sufficient space and access to the outdoors, agriculture without synthetic chemical pesticides, and healthy soils that remain a foundation of life for future generations. In this way, we not only contribute to an intact environment but also support producers who pursue their work with passion and conviction – a philosophy that suits us perfectly.

To us, organic is not about sacrifice but about gain: higher product quality, authentic flavors, and a conscious approach to food that is not determined solely by price or availability but by a holistic perspective on the interplay of environment, health, animal welfare, and regional value creation.

We are especially proud that organic has a long tradition at the Hirschen. As early as the 1990s, my parents offered a certified organic breakfast – at a time when taking on higher costs for premium products was far from common. Shortly afterward came Austria’s very first organic inn, located in the very space that today houses our hotel bar and reception. We are happy that we can step into the footsteps of our forefathers.

Why we care

As a family business with more than 200 years of history, we know how important it is to take responsibility and always keep the next generation in mind. For us, sustainability means not only caring for the environment but also running our hotel in a way that makes guests want to return – today, tomorrow, and for many years to come.