Booking.com Presents Seven Down to Earth Vegan Stays for World Vegan Day
Veganism has taken the world by storm in recent years, with more people choosing to ditch animal products and opting for more sustainable ways of eating. To promote the benefits of veganism for health, animals and the natural environment, World Vegan Day is celebrated annually across the globe on November 1.
Today, nearly two thirds (69%) of US travelers want to be more conscious about their food consumption when traveling* – whether choosing vegan or vegetarian options or eating more organic and locally sourced foods. To celebrate World Vegan Day, Booking.com has delved into its more than 28 million properties in over 159,000 destinations across the globe to present seven incredible vegan stays. From Greece’s first vegan hotel to a holistic retreat in the Philippines, each showcases how adopting a vegan lifestyle goes beyond food and involves making small, conscious changes in day-to-day life, from products used to the places travelers choose to visit.
Ano Mera is a small, quiet inland village in the heart of Mykonos. It’s also home to Greece’s first and only vegan hotel, the Koukoumi Vegan Boutique Hotel. This hotel’s mantra is to provide guests with a peaceful sanctuary, and it holds a Booking.com Travel Sustainable badge thanks to its holistic efforts in incorporating sustainability into every pocket of the hotel. The suites, which replicate the traditional Greek design of sleek, white minimalist décor throughout, are decked out with mattresses made from coconut fiber and seaweed and the hotel uses solar water heaters. The relaxing spa and fitness center features premium certified organic cosmetics which are 100% vegan and cruelty free and offers consultations with a certified personal trainer and nutrition advisor. The sustainable philosophy is also present in the hotel’s vegan restaurant, where guests can enjoy a delicious plant-based feast combining Mediterranean and Japanese flavors that will excite the senses. Travelers can venture out to discover more of this beautiful island by booking a Guided Tour of Mykonos Island, where they will visit the island’s beaches and explore its plentiful countryside.
Willka T'ika in Urubamba, Peru
Willka T'ika is a wellness retreat in Peru's Sacred Valley, situated between the heritage site of Machu Picchu and the Incan capital of Cusco. The property is traditionally decorated with sustainability top of mind, with the adobe buildings constructed using naturally sourced materials such as clay and straw from the Sacred Valley. Travelers can kick start their day with a yoga or meditation session, followed by a wholesome vegan breakfast bursting with Peruvian flavours and made from organic produce grown onsite, including fresh fruits, homemade muesli using kiwicha and other popular Andean grains. Rooms are designed with feng shui principles and guests can enjoy incredible views of the emerald-green gardens and Andean mountains. Book a Sacred Valley, Pisac and Ollantaytambo Tour to discover the true wonders of this beautiful country. Travelers will visit the archaeological parks of Chinchero, Moray and Salineras and explore fascinating landmarks in the villages of Pisac and Ollantaytambo followed by a Peruvian lunch.
Bangalore is the capital city of India's southern Karnataka state. It’s known for its flavorful foods bursting with spices, and dishes made from cashews and chickpeas, including vegan-friendly chaats (a popular savory snack) and dahl (a popular soup dish). For travelers looking for a sustainable stay in the heart of the city, bed down at the BE ANIMAL Hostel, India’s first vegan backpacker hostel which champions sustainability. This Booking.com Travel Sustainable certified property is decorated with upcycled furniture, has a compost pit to give waste a lease of new life and is powered by solar energy. It also boasts co-working spaces for guests to work in, a shared lounge, two terraces to enjoy the sunset in the evening and a garden. Check out the onsite Happiness Café which serves up delicious vegan food, including an all-day vegan breakfast and specialty coffees made using fresh coconut. For those who crave something sweet there’s the choice of an artisanal cashew dessert called Pudducakes (a hostel specialty) or an orange drizzle cake made free from refined sugars. Get to know more of the local dishes on a Bangalore Food Walking Tour, where travelers can discover Indian culinary culture with a local guide whilst exploring the old town.
Located south of the capital city of Manila, Lipa is thriving with unique architectural buildings such as the magnificent San Sebastian Cathedral, and is surrounded by the stunning Malepunyo Mountain Range and Mount Macolod. Travelers looking for a luxurious yet conscious stay should check into The Farm at San Benito, a medical wellness resort that offers a rejuvenating experience and taps into all corners of wellness from food to body and mind. The hotel features a swimming pool as well as a pretty garden area where guests can partake in a host of wellness activities from yoga and Tai Chi to functional fitness classes. The onsite restaurant, Alive!, serves raw food and vegan cuisine to complement the holistic health journey, such as delicious sweet potato spring rolls, buckwheat noodles with stir-fry vegetables and chana masala (a spiced blend of chickpea, tomato and onion gravy.) For those foodies who want to enhance their vegan experience, the kitchen hosts lively bespoke cooking classes for guests to learn recipes they can bring back home with them.
Volcano Eco Retreat by Heart Core Hotels in Hawaii, United States
For travelers seeking an off-the-beaten-track experience, the adults-only Volcano Eco Retreat by Heart Core Hotels is a great vegan and vegetarian-friendly choice. Located halfway between Hilo town and the Volcanoes National Park on a secluded mountain top, guests will hear the wonderful sounds of wildlife at night, and may even spot a frog or two. The hotel holds a Booking.com Travel Sustainable badge for the sustainable steps it has taken that reach every corner of the accommodation and in preserving the surrounding environment. From the bamboo construction of the villas to the use of pure Hawaiian rainwater, which is recycled and filtered onsite, this hotel is the perfect place for the 73%* of US travelers who seek accommodation that has a good sustainability accreditation. Guests can enjoy a hearty plant-based breakfast in the outdoor dining gazebo, with ingredients sourced from the hotel’s greenhouse or nearby farmers’ markets, washed down with a freshly-pressed Kona blend coffee using beans from local growers to minimize transportation. For a spot of exploring, the hotel is aptly located near key attractions including one of Hawaii’s most sacred volcanos, Mauna Kea, and the black sandy beaches where travelers can spot native green turtles and hawksbill turtles.
The small mountain town of Minca overlooking Santa Marta and the Caribbean Sea, is a secluded yet incredible destination, worth the detour from the usual Colombian haunts. For a peaceful escape, bed down at the wooden hilltop property Hostal Casa Loma Minca nestled in the Colombian jungle. The guest house has stunning views overlooking Minca, Santa Marta, the mountains of Sierra Nevada as well as the bright turquoise Caribbean Sea. Guests can enjoy sumptuous vegan and vegetarian meals such as gooey lasagna made using local fresh produce at the onsite Soul Kitchen whilst watching the spectacular sunsets the region is renowned for. The property holds a Booking.com Travel Sustainable badge, thanks to its commitment to protecting the surrounding community and environment. Take a hike to bask in all its beauty, before heading back to enjoy the nightlife at the guest house with a resident DJ playing at the weekend, and live music during the week.
Tucked away on a small hill in San Gimignano in Tuscany is the historic farmhouse hotel, Agriturismo I Pini. This recently renovated adults-only hotel is nestled in pretty vineyards and embodies sustainable luxury throughout. Rooms are decorated to a high quality with handmade items such as local terracotta tiles as well as refurbished vintage furniture. This sustainable ethos permeates the vegan farm kitchen, which serves wholesome plant-based cuisine from traditional Italian wood-fired pizza to handmade squash ravioli. Dishes are made using organic ingredients sourced from the hotel’s farm for a true seed to table experience. No meal in Tuscany is complete without a wine pairing, and guests can explore an extensive list of organic, vegan wines made without chemical additives. For those looking for local experiences, book a Winery Visit with Tastings and Vegetarian Food tour to taste more wines as well as olive oils and regional delicacies at a family-run vineyard. A hike in the Tuscan hills is a must, or mosey along the cobblestoned streets of San Gimignano soaking up its medieval streetscapes in this enchanting rural setting.
For those travelers looking for a vegan stay, Booking.com is sharing Late Escape Deals to make it easier for them to tick another destination off their 2022 wishlist. Discounts start at 15 percent at participating properties indicated by the “Late Escape Deals” badge, and are valid for stays with check-out on or before 3 January 2023. In addition, Booking.com is giving travelers around the world the keys to unlock a new level of additional perks with the introduction of a third tier to its Genius loyalty program. Designed to make every trip a better experience, Booking.com’s loyalty program is completely free, easily accessible and membership lasts a lifetime – travelers simply need to create an account to achieve Genius status for life. As Genius members unlock new levels, they get access to larger discounts and more travel rewards that never expire. All travelers have to do is sign into their Booking.com account and look for the Genius logo to identify benefits, discounts and perks.
*Research commissioned by Booking.com and independently conducted among a sample of 30,314 respondents across 32 countries and territories (1,000 from USA, 958 from Canada, 1,009 from Mexico, 1,001 from Colombia, 1,003 from Brazil, 1,017 from Argentina, 1,000 from Australia, 486 from New Zealand, 998 from Spain, 1,003 from Italy, 996 from France, 495 from Switzerland, 980 from the UK, 998 from Germany, 1,014 from the Netherlands, 991 from Belgium, 985 from Denmark, 984 from Sweden, 964 from Croatia, 976 from Russia, 1,008 from Israel, 1,002 from India, 1,004 from China, 925 from Hong Kong, 1,006 from Thailand, 988 from Singapore, 1,002 from Taiwan, 1,004 from Vietnam, 1,004 from South Korea, 1,003 from Japan, 1,006 from South Africa and 504 from Kenya ). In order to participate in this survey, respondents had to be 18 years of age or older, had to have traveled at least once in the past 12 months and must be planning to travel in 2022, and be either the primary decision maker or involved in the decision making of their travel. The survey was taken online and took place in February 2022.