Vegan resorts are becoming more popular as the interest in plant-based cuisine becomes more commonplace. We’ll share 8 vegan resorts for your next foodie vacation.
These days, traveling as a vegan is a lot easier than it was in the past, as many restaurants and hotels offer vegan food options. Apart from food, what else makes a resort vegan? Things to consider include whether bedding and furniture are cruelty-free (no feathers or leather), as well as whether cleaning products and toiletries have been tested on animals. It’s also worth noting whether excursions or trips offered by the resort exploit animals and if guests are educated on how to interact with wildlife, for example, by not touching coral and fish if going snorkeling or swimming in the sea.
There is currently no specific certification for a resort or hotel to be officially classed as vegan, so it’s important to check the credentials of the accommodation to ensure it meets your requirements, one way to do this is to check that both products on the menu and toiletries are labeled certified vegan. Alternatively, we’ve done the hard work for you so read on to find out more about eight vegan resorts for your next foodie holiday.
1. Vegan Resorts: Stanford Inn by the Sea
Located in Mendocino, California, Stanford Inn by the Sea has sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and boasts a 100% vegan restaurant, The Ravens, where everything on the menu is suitable for vegans and some organic ingredients are sourced from their own gardens or locally. Guests at Stanford Inn by the Sea receive a complimentary breakfast and can purchase lunch, drinks, and fine dining dinner at the restaurant for an extra cost, all food waste is composted and paper, cardboard, and glass are recycled.
The rooms have balconies with an ocean view and cozy fireplaces for the cool months. There are multiple outdoor activities available for guests such as cycling free bikes along the river, wildlife watching, canoeing, and mushroom foraging, as well as cooking and gardening classes. This vegan resort also has relaxation amenities such as a sauna, hot tub, and spa, which offers a unique “massage in the forest”. Kids and dogs are welcome and dogs will receive treats and other amenities in the room.
At Stanford Inn by the Sea, there are places available to charge electric vehicles and the resort itself uses bio-diesel-fueled trucks, boosting the eco-friendliness of this resort. The resort is accessible by road and the nearest airport, San Francisco (SFO) International airport, is located 155 miles away.
2. Volcano Eco Retreat
Hawaii’s first vegan hotel, Volcano Eco Retreat, provides hearty 100% plant-based breakfasts to guests, which are sourced as locally as possible, there is a greenhouse and permaculture garden in the retreat grounds and all waste is composted or recycled where possible. The vegan resort has been designed with sustainability in mind, as villas are built from bamboo and are designed to be cool inside — therefore not needing to be cooled with air conditioning. All water used onsite is filtered rainwater, all cleaning products are biodegradable and there are no single-use plastics at the retreat.
Volcano Eco Retreat is pet friendly and for adults only. It’s located on four acres of Hawaiian tropical forest and is near waterfalls and secluded beaches where turtles can be seen — the retreat only works with tour operators who share the same environmental values. Visitors can also visit a nearby National Park, where there is an active volcano in which red-hot lava can be seen glowing from its crater.
The resort also contributes to the local community by donating a percentage of its profits to local foundations and working closely with a local food bank. The closest airport to Volcano Eco Retreat is Hilo airport which is 15.5 miles away. Unless you live in Hawaii, the carbon footprint when traveling to this retreat will be somewhat higher than taking a vacation in the mainland USA.
3. St. Julien Hotel and Spa
St. Julien Hotel and Spa has a fantastic view of the Rocky Mountains and is therefore a great base for those who love outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, climbing, yoga, trail running, stargazing, and climbing, these can be done independently or on a tour with a local guide. The spa is equipped with a hot tub, swimming pool, sauna, steam room, and fitness center.
Its restaurant, Jill’s Restaurant & Bistro is vegan-friendly, with locally sourced, organic ingredients used, including herbs from their own herb garden. At the time of writing, there is a vegan buffet lunch at the restaurant on the first Friday of every month. St. Julien Hotel and Spa also has a green committee that aims to reduce the hotel’s environmental footprint and assist the hotel in producing zero waste. The nearest airport to the resort is Denver airport which is 40 miles away.
4. Dreamers: A Vegan Resort
Relaxation is the aim of a stay at this North Carolina boutique-style vegan resort which is designed to be luxurious and calming, including plants in every room and custom-made essential oils and soaps for every room. Dreamers offers a complimentary vegan breakfast for guests every morning, as well as yoga classes and in-room massage. Guests can also book excursions including boat tours to local islands, dolphin watching, paddle boarding, and camping.
Pets are welcome at Dreamers, as are children over twelve years old. The hotel is located close to beautiful beaches and the vegan kitchen can prepare other meals on request. Wilmington international airport is 3.7 miles away.
5. La Botanica Hotel and Wellness Center
La Botanica Hotel and Wellness Center is just a short walk from the beach and each guest receives a vegan breakfast with ingredients sourced from local farms. Coffees use a range of nut milk and honey or brown sugar as sweeteners, and herbal tea infusions are made using fresh herbs, spices, and even vegetables like carrots and beets. At the time of writing, there is a special vegan farm-to-table four-course dinner available on Friday evenings, hosted by specialist vegan chefs.
There are daily yoga classes and the wellness center offers a range of treatments such as flower baths, herbal body scrubs, massages, and detox plans. Dogs are welcome at La Botanica Hotel and Wellness Center but it is not suitable for children. The nearest airport to the resort is San Juan International, which is 3.7 miles away, but as Puerto Rico is an overseas territory the carbon footprint from the journey will be a lot higher than taking a vacation on the US mainland.
6. The Four Seasons Hotel, Beverly Hills
The Four Seasons Hotel, Beverly Hills has a variety of restaurants that have vegan and vegetarian options; back in 2018, vegan celebrity chef Mathew Kinney launched their first all-vegan menu. Each restaurant has local and seasonal options available and aims to produce as little waste as possible. The Four Seasons Hotel, Beverly Hills also has some sustainability practices in place such as water conservation measures and banning the use of single-use plastics, there are charging points for electric cars available and eco-friendly cleaning products are used in the hotel.
The vegan resort is located in the heart of Beverly Hills, within easy reach of shops, beaches, famous sights, and sports arenas hotel facilities include a spa with a fitness and steam room, a salon, and a Mediterranean-style swimming pool. The Four Seasons Hotel, Beverly Hills is involved in a few community initiatives such as donating old linen to local charities and encouraging staff to volunteer within the community such as on beach cleanup days. Children and pets are welcome and Los Angeles International airport is 15 miles away.
7. The Wynn, Las Vegas, NV
This huge casino hotel has multiple restaurants which have vegan-friendly options, including vegan sushi at their Japanese restaurant. There are a lot of activities to do at The Wynn, Las Vegas, including cooking classes, golf, and shopping, as well as a spa, three swimming pools, and a salon, plus evening entertainment — it is a family-friendly hotel.
The Wynn has initiated some sustainable practices to reduce the resort’s environmental impact, such as aiming to go net-zero by 2050 and using 50% renewable energy by 2030. Harry Reid International airport is 3.7 miles away.
8. Rosewood Miramar Beach Hotel, Santa Barbara, CA
Set in the American Riviera and providing beautiful ocean views, the Rosewood Miramar Beach Hotel, Santa Barbara has some vegan-friendly options on its six restaurant menus, which use locally sourced ingredients, including from their own garden. Caruso’s restaurant features a four-course vegan meal, including vegan wines, perfect for those who love fine dining.
Beach activities such as surfing, paddle boarding, and sailing can be enjoyed in front of the hotel, as well as yoga and kids’ art classes. There are adult and family swimming pools at Rosewood Miramar Beach Hotel, as well as a spa, fitness studio, and bicycle rental. Dogs are welcome and are treated to their own custom menu.
There are charging points for electric vehicles at this vegan resort and it also uses recyclable and reusable materials, as well as banning single-use plastics. Interestingly there is also a falconer onsite who uses birds of prey to control pests, reducing the need for harsh poisons and providing a fantastic viewing opportunity for guests. Santa Barbara Municipal airport is 11 miles away.
Read more:
- The Top 20 Sustainable Vegan Restaurants in Manhattan in 2022
- 7 Eco-Friendly Resorts for Sustainable Travelers
- New York Bucket List: 10 Eco-Friendly Activities
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