By Alice Tegg, Editorial and Marketing Assistant
Great food is, for many, a major motive to travel the world, and going plant-based doesn’t have to change that. It’s not always easy to find authentic and innovative dishes sin carne, but these veggie and vegan hotels are making green cuisine a centrepiece, rather than an afterthought.
1 Eco-lodge Villa Epicurea, Portugal
Sustainability is ingrained in every inch of Eco-lodge Villa Epicurea, so it’s no surprise that they’ve shirked meat completely to provide a fully vegetarian menu. At this hotel driven by well-being, you’re encouraged to disconnect from tech and re-tune to nature, spending days surfing, hiking and practicing your yoga flows. Once you’re back at the lodge and ready to refuel, there’s an imaginative European menu that’s nourishing and indulgent in equal measure. There are also several vegetarian and vegan restaurants nearby, so you’ll be spoilt for choice.
We love: the total immersion in calming pine forests within touching distance of the ocean.
2 Rukgala Retreat, Sri Lanka
The laid-back Rukgala Retreat sits at the foot of the Knuckle Mountains, beside the glistening Victoria Lake. All meals are included in the room price, and the traditional Sri Lankan dishes (with some Western twists) are mostly meat-free, so plant-based folk can fully relax at this vegan-friendly hotel. Take your meals by yourself on the deck to gaze out at the rugged surroundings, or join the shared table to get to know your fellow guests.
We love: the array of activities and communal atmosphere that turns strangers into friends in no time – perfect for solo travellers!
3 Ylang Ylang Beach Resort, Costa Rica
Named after the star-shaped flower that soothes anxiety and relaxes the body from head to toe, Ylang Ylang Beach Resort has a calming ethos. The lapping of the sea and jungle murmurings will be the soundtrack to your stay here on the tip of the Nicoya Peninsula. The open-sided restaurant is buzzing with good vibes and cooled by sea breezes. Most of the menu can be made vegan with simple swaps, while raw food and gluten-free diets are also easily catered for. There is no red meat or pork here, and almost all the produce is organic. A plant-based paradise!
We love: the quirky beachfront bungalows and the kidney-shaped pool shrouded in the jungle.
4 Hotel Balatura, Croatia
Croatia is a tough destination for meat-free people. Outside of the cities, your options tend to be reduced to pomodoro pasta or margherita pizza. But Hotel Balatura is challenging this; the family-run boho boutique is committed to providing top-notch food that is 100% vegetarian. The small menu changes daily, with dishes that are elevated and seasonal, showcasing the country’s underrated fresh produce. If you need it to be adjusted to a vegan diet, no problem! You won’t be compromising on style or substance by skipping dairy here.
We love: the quiet, rural setting that hides one of our favourite veggie and vegan hotels in Europe.
5 Middleton Lodge, UK
A classic country estate on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales, Middleton Lodge is the perfect place for sophisticated foodies who want to keep all diets happy. Two restaurants deliver modern British cuisine in mouthwatering flavour combinations. Coach House is the more casual of the two, still serving a high standard of fare from a menu separated by ‘Garden’ (veggie and vegan) and ‘Land & Sea’. Forge offers an unmissable fine-dining experience, where the seasonal tasting menu comes in vegan, veggie, pescatarian and meat-eater variations.
We love: that they’ve thought of everyone in their pursuit of great food, proving that gourmet can also be green.
6 Ekaa Villa, India
Veggie and vegan hotels don’t have to be yoga retreats and wellness hubs. They can also be sophisticated boutique city stays, like Ekaa Villa in the heart of Agra. The menu is totally vegetarian, and vegans are easily catered for; delicious home-cooked dahls, pickles and rotis are served in traditional clay pots and piled on handmade leaf plates, making dining in a special experience. But if you did want to head out, dinner won’t be hard to come by: India is the most vegetarian country in the world, so you’re in great company.
We love: that this stylish hotel puts you in walking distance of the iconic Taj Mahal.
7 Laguna Lodge, Guatemala
Clinging to the cliff face of a volcano, on the edge of the stunning Lake Atitlán is the totally unique Laguna Lodge. Set up by eco-tourism pioneers, this hideaway gets our vote for nature lovers, who can while away hours watching rare birds in the wildlife-packed private reserve, and explore hidden coves in the crater by kayak. When tummies rumble, head to the gourmet plant-based restaurant for drool-worthy dinners served in an otherworldly setting. Guilt-free fine-dining with volcanic views? It’s hard to top that.
We love: that the vegetables are grown mostly in the hotel gardens, or otherwise sourced from local producers.
8 Vigilius Mountain Resort, Italy
Take a cable car up the side of the South Tyrolean slopes to Vigilius Mountain Resort, where two restaurants clash the classic Alpine cabin aesthetic with contemporary, clean lines. Restaurant 1500 looks out across pine forests and snow-dusted peaks and offers a few daily menus of fine European cuisine that overflow with flavour. By choosing the vegetarian/vegan menu (Vita) you won’t be feeling hard done by compared to your meat-eating companions.
We love: the huge panoramic windows that bring the outdoors in, from the spa to the restaurant and the bedrooms.
9 Revivo Wellness Resort, Bali
Detox at this serene spa and well-being retreat in Nusa Dua, a quiet corner of Bali. Ingredients at Revivo Wellness Resort are fresh, as local as possible, and their health benefits are at the forefront. For meat-eaters there are still carnivorous choices, but plant-based people will thrive on the diverse dishes available. From ramen to falafel and fresh pesto pasta, the menu may vary but the quality and freshness never stray from superb. This is feel-good food that fills you up without slowing you down.
We love: the total tranquility – come here for a full-body reset.
10 Salt of Palmar, Mauritius
More than just a beach resort, Salt of Palmar is deeply committed to its eco responsibilities. It’s proudly part of the slow food movement, sourcing organic ingredients from local producers, and shaking the menu up every season. Much of the food is vegetarian, and most dishes can be made dairy free. Coconut and papaya ceviche, beet tacos, plus soups, salads and curries are all tantalising choices to see you through the sunny Mauritian days. Though not strictly a vegan hotel, their extensive plant-based menu along with their green ethos is sure to keep vegan visitors happy.
We love: that this romantic island escape is doing good for its local community.