From time to time, we all need a well-earned vacation. From the daily work grind to dealing with a global pandemic for the past two years, it’s about time I took a week at a resort!
Don’t get me wrong, I’ve traveled all around the U.S., visiting vegan-friendly cities like San Diego and Portland, but a vegan-friendly resort is something that’s completely different.
The nice thing about a resort is that once you’re there, you usually don’t have to worry about anything else. Everything you could possibly need is either inside the resort or located within a short walking distance of the resort.
If you’ve been searching for the best vegan resorts, then you’re in the right place!
In today’s post, I’m going to show you some of the best vegan resorts in the U.S. as well as some of the best vegan resorts in Europe and around the world.
Whether you’re planning a trip for the whole family or just need a weekend getaway for yourself, I guarantee you’ll find the perfect spot below!
What Exactly Is A Vegan Resort?
Simply put, a vegan resort is a hotel that’s designed for vegan travelers. Unlike your typical business-oriented hotels, a resort is a place where you can truly kick back and relax.
Most resorts typically feature in-hotel vegan restaurants, vegan-friendly spas, and health-conscious activities.
Many vegan resorts also have an eco-friendly approach to accommodations as well. They typically use sustainable, eco-friendly materials in the rooms and have energy-saving policies that reduce the carbon footprint of the hotel.
This allows visitors to enjoy the duration of their stay, completely guilt-free!
The Best Vegan Resorts & Vegan-Friendly Hotels In The U.S.
Since most of my readers are based in the U.S., I figured that I’d start by listing some of the top vegan resorts and vegan-friendly hotels in the United States.
Although some of these locations aren’t vegan-specific, they’re all very vegan-friendly, offer vegan menus and eco-friendly accommodations, and make a conscious effort to cater to plant-based lifestyles.
1) The Wynn
- Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
I’ll start off with a vegan-friendly resort that I recently got the chance to travel to a year ago! The Wynn in Las Vegas is one of the largest buildings on the Vegas strip and is easily identifiable by its large bronze-tinted windows.
Compared to its neighboring hotels, The Wynn is known for being one of the most luxurious hotels and casinos in Vegas.
When you pull up, you’re met with immediate valet service. The bottom floor of The Wynn features one of the best casinos in vegas and several restaurants, which all offer vegan-friendly meals.
Although the restaurants in The Wynn aren’t vegan-only, they are all overseen by the guidance of The Wynn’s in-house vegan chef, Tal Ronnen.
He works alongside the chefs at each restaurant to help them create delicious plant-based meals which match the unique cuisine that each of The Wynn’s restaurants has to offer.
When I went, my favorite restaurant in The Wynn was Mizumi. This beautiful Japanese restaurant is set in a luxurious corner of the hotel and the seats are surrounded by beautiful waterfalls, stone, and natural plants.
I had some of the best vegan sushi that I’ve ever had in my life there!
If you’re down for a party, the rooftop doubles as a complete nightclub, complete with swimming pools, and several bars, and often features headlining DJs and performing artists. I could live in The Wynn for a week and still not get bored of it.
2) Four Seasons Hotel, Los Angeles
- Location: Beverly Hills, California
With locations all over the world, the Four Seasons Hotel is one of the most renowned chains of resorts in the world.
Just recently, in 2018, Four Seasons in Beverly Hills launched their first all-vegan menu to cater to the growing number of plant-based eaters in LA.
Four Seasons worked directly with vegan celebrity chef Mathew Kinney, who’s known for owning some of the top-rated vegan restaurants in the U.S. In fact, just recently, I had the pleasure of trying his latest upscale vegan pizzeria, Double Zero, located in Boston.
His project in Four Seasons is called “Folia,” which translates to “leaves.”
In addition to an all-vegan restaurant, the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills also offers an “all-vegan luxury resort package.”
This all-inclusive package allows you to stay in eco-conscious rooms while being served cold-pressed juices, and fresh vegan meals, and also includes one of the most luxurious vegan spa experiences in the country!
If you get tired of staying indoors, the Four Seasons Hotel is located in the heart of Beverly Hills. Simply walk down the street and you’ll find some of the best vegan shopping, spas, and wellness activities in California.
3) Rosewood Miramar Beach Hotel
- Location: Santa Barbara, California
Located in sunny Santa Barbara in Southern California, the Rosewood Miramar Beach Hotel provides some of the best oceanic views on the West Coast combined with plenty of vegan-friendly spa experiences and upscale vegan cuisine.
Although the resort isn’t all-vegan, they offer plenty of vegan options. Their premier restaurant, Caruso’s, offers a four-course vegan meal, served in high-end fashion.
Throughout the meal, you’ll be served vintage vegan wines and some of the freshest garden-to-table foods you’ve ever had.
The surrounding city is quaint and very vegan-friendly, offering plant-based eateries, eco-conscious shopping, and a wonderful view of the Pacific ocean.
Compared to LA, Santa Barbara is quiet and has a very relaxed vibe, making it the perfect getaway for those who want to leave the busy city behind and enjoy a calm, relaxed week by the beach!
4) The Bel Air Tree House
- Location: Los Angeles, California
The Tree House is a vegan stay like no other. Compared to most of the large hotels and resorts on this list, The Tree House is calm, quiet, and feels more like a home away from home than anything else.
This small Bel-Air property is home to several villa-style apartments that are constructed in an eco-friendly manner and offer a truly creative space. My boyfriend and I recently got the chance to spend a weekend here, and treated our stay as a kind of “reset.”
I had been struggling with a bit of writer’s block and needed to get back to my creative roots and come up with some new content to blog about.
When you walk into your “treehouse,” you’re met with lots of natural colors and intuitively recycled furniture.
The beds are incredibly comfy, there’s an ergonomic desk setup (so you can get some creative work done), and a tea table so you can sit down and enjoy a cup of herbal tea in the bohemian-style living room.
My favorite part of the Bel Air Tree House was the back porch, though. Each villa features a private porch with an old-fashioned clay oven, chopped wood, and lounge chairs.
During the cool evenings, we would stay out there star-gazing by the fire and brainstorming through ideas.
The bathrooms are complete with some of the best vegan shampoo, soap, and moisturizers I’ve ever tried manufactured by a local vegan cosmetics company as well!
If you’re looking for an affordable vegan retreat in the heart of LA, then I definitely recommend booking a few nights here.
5) Stanford Inn By The Sea
- Location: Mendocino, California
The Stanford Inn By The Sea is located in beautiful Mendocino, California. Unlike some of the other vegan-friendly hotels and resorts in California, The Stanford Inn By The Sea is very quiet.
The surrounding city is more of a small town than anything else, so most of your time will likely be spent in the resort or on the outdoor grounds.
Outside of the hotel, you’ll find some amazing natural gardens that are perfect for meditation or a morning walk. They offer plenty of vegan-friendly dining options and classify themselves as an eco-friendly resort stay. This means that they use energy-efficient appliances and limit waste.
The real reason why The Stanford Inn By The Sea is one of the top-rated vegan resorts in the U.S. is that they offer vegan-specific retreats and programs. Whether you’re curious about becoming a vegan or you’re already a steady vegan, you’ll enjoy this thought-provoking stay.
You’ll get to sit down and eat some delicious vegan meals prepared by the hotel’s in-house vegan chef and work side-by-side with plant-based coaches.
The coaches will help you form new habits, educate you on the environmental and ethical issues regarding veganism, and will teach you how to cook your own delicious vegan food, so you can take the lifestyle home with you.
Think of it as a workshop/resort stay centered around vegan living!
The Best Vegan Resorts In Europe
Now that you’ve had a chance to learn about some of the best vegan resorts in the U.S., it’s time to take a look at some of the best vegan resorts in Europe!
6) Naturhotel Forsthofgut
- Location: Leogang, Austria
Austria is known for its beautiful scenic vistas and rich cultural history. Naturhotel Forsthofgut (yeah, it’s a bit hard to pronounce) is the ultimate combination of a five-star resort, nature, and vegan-friendly food and activities.
The resort is located in the heart of the mountain slopes and is close to several great skiing locations.
If you’re not into skiing, then you can enjoy one of the many health-conscious activities on the grounds, such as outdoor yoga, swimming in heated pools, or enjoying the well-equipped gym.
The entire resort is built with absolute respect for nature. Unlike most resorts that destroy the landscape around them, Naturhotel embraces the surrounding landscape and has constructed its resort around nature.
This gives you the feeling of being one with nature as you walk through the grounds or simply enjoy the views from your room.
As far as the food goes, they offer some of the best vegan cuisines I’ve ever had in my life. Their restaurant serves seasonal dishes that use freshly-harvested greens alongside timeless vegan protein sources.
It may look and taste non-vegan, but everything on the menu is as plant-based as it gets.
If you have children, this is also a great place, as they offer both childcare and plenty of family-friendly activities! It’s a great way to introduce your young ones to a plant-based lifestyle while enjoying a much-needed adult retreat as well.
7) Le Cheval Blanc (Établissement Vegan)
- Location: Saint-Antonin, France
Le Cheval Blanc is a vegan resort with a focus on cooking. They offer a quaint, luxurious bed and breakfast experience in a traditional French chateau, where you’ll be able to take advantage of top-notch amenities.
Throughout your stay, you’ll be able to participate in numerous workshops centered around the plant-based lifestyle. You can attend cooking classes with world-renowned vegan chefs, where you’ll learn how to use natural greens and plant protein to make your own delicious meals.
Or, if you’re feeling lazy, you can simply sit back and enjoy Le Cheval Blanc’s wonderful vegan menu.
If you want to get outdoors, the surrounding Saint-Antonin area provides a wealth of natural resources. Whether you want to go hiking, biking, walking, or simply explore the historic French village, there’s more than enough to keep you occupied throughout your stay!
I had the opportunity to attend a cooking workshop and stayed three nights there right before the pandemic hit, and it was one of the best times of my life.
When I went home, I was a far better chef than I’d ever been before and had a completely new appreciation for vegan cooking.
The Best Vegan Resorts In The World
Europe is nice and all, but here are a couple of the best vegan resorts located worldwide…
8) MEV – Mother Earth Vegan Hotel
- Location: Tamarindo, Costa Rica
Mother Earth Vegan Hotel, located in the heart of Costa Rica is one of the top-rated vegan resorts in the entire world.
Here, you’ll experience eco-conscious luxury at its finest, taste some of the best plant-based meals of your life, and get a chance to reconnect with nature.
The rooms feature organic shampoos and soaps, organic cotton sheets, and bamboo furniture. During your stay, you’ll have access to on-site amenities, including yoga and meditation classes and rooms, reiki healing, a saltwater pool, and healing massages.
All of the food offered here is 100% vegan as well! MEV offers raw vegan cuisine as well as traditional vegan cuisine with meat substitutes. They also have some incredible vegan pastries and desserts.
9) Azulik Resort
- Location: Tulum, Mexico
Azulik is one of the most beautiful natural resorts in the world and is located on the Eastern coast of Mexico in a small beachside city called Tulum.
The entire resort is constructed from natural rainforest materials, such as bamboo, and handmade clay, and is built around trees instead of over trees.
Here, you’ll be able to eat all of the delicious plant-based meals you ever wanted, walk through tunnels of wood, exercise with wooden dumbbells, and swim in crystal clear waters.
They offer healing workshops, meditation, on-site reiki healers, and natural living workshops.
The Verdict: What’s The Best All-Inclusive Vegan Resort?
The best all-inclusive vegan resort would have to be MEV – Mother Earth Vegan Resort in Costa Rica. Unlike most resorts, which are just vegan-friendly, MEV is 100% vegan and the entire concept is centered around plant-based living.
This makes it a Mecca for vegans around the globe. I promise it will change your entire concept of the vegan lifestyle!
As you travel through resorts, you’ll likely be presented with a lot of different options when it comes to wine.
Before you book your stay, be sure to read my post on vegan wine to make sure that you know what to ask for when you call in for room service!
