The Best Vegan Hotels & Restaurants in the US

The World Vegan Month and the Traveler’s Guide to the Best Vegan Hotels and Restaurants in the United States of America

The World Vegan Month is ushered by World Vegan Day on 1^st November. Vegans across the globe celebrate and promote the benefits of this popular diet. So, what’s a Vegan diet?

A vegan diet is a vegetarian diet that emphasizes eating plant-based foods such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, seeds, and nuts. Vegans exclude animals foods and food products from their menus. Veganism is a popular lifestyle, thanks to its benefits which include:

• Health benefits

Animal fat and protein consumption have been linked to many lifestyle-related diseases such as heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, cancers such as colon and lung cancer. There’s growing evidence that plant-based diets can be protective against and potentially curative for several chronic diseases.

• Concern for the environment

United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation(FAO) haa linked animal agriculture to environmental problems such as topsoil erosion on farmlands, pollution of water and soil by manure, pesticides, fertilizers. Breeding livestock also takes up many farmlands that would otherwise be used to plant crops, trees.

• Saving the animals

Animals such as cows and chickens are not only bred for their eggs and milk but also slaughtered for meat. The animals are constantly subjected to the cruelty of living in cages and being mutilated as well.

Starting and maintaining a Vegan lifestyle.

Eeating a varied and balanced vegan die provides almost all the nutrients the body needs. Taking fortified foods or supplements is recommended for essential nutrients such as Vitamin B12, calcium, and iron which are not found in vegan foods in sufficient quantities. For starting and maintaining a healthy Vegan lifestyle :

• Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Vegetables are naturally low in fat and calories and have no cholesterol. Fruits and vegetables provide essential nutrients such as potassium, dietary fiber, folic acid, and vitamins such as Vitamin A and C, all required for healthy living. Fruits also have antioxidant properties. 5-10 servings per day of fruits and vegetables are recommended. Choosing whole fruits over fruit juices will ensure you get the most benefits like dietary fiber.
• Eat grains. Whole grains are recommended because of the complex carbohydrates, dietary fiber, several B vitamins (Thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, and folate), and minerals(iron, magnesium, selenium) which are vital for the health and maintenance of our bodies. 4-6+ servings of grains per day are recommended. 
• Eat nuts. High in monosaturated and polyunsaturated fats known as ‘good fat,’ nuts should play an integral part in your daily diet because they are healthy for the heart. Nuts lower the bad cholesterol, known as Low-density lipoprotein (LDL), while increasing the  High-density lipoprotein (HDL) known as good cholesterol. They are also rich in phytochemicals that act as antioxidants. 4+ servings of nuts are recommended per day. 
• Eat plenty of seeds and legumes. Sources are rich in healthy fats, dietary fiber, and minerals. Alpha-Linolenic Acid (ALA) is one of the primary forms of the Omega 3 fatty acids found in seeds. Legumes are also nutrient-dense and provide plant protein as well. 
• Drink plenty of water. 6-8 cups or glasses a day is recommended for a healthy lifestyle.

Top 5 Luxury Vegan Hotels and Restaurants in the USA

Food is an essential part of travel. Plenty of plant-based or vegan cuisines are available for travelers who want luxury and still want a delicious and healthy plant-based meal. In the USA, a traveler does not necessarily have to go to an exclusively vegan hotel, restaurant to cater to their diet needs because exclusively vegan hotels can be far away from each other.

1. The Bel Air Treehouse

Located in the city of Los Angeles, California, this hotel is the perfect retreat for vegans. It is tucked amongst the trees off of a busy residential Bel-Air neighborhood. The famous Blue room itself has a personal balcony nestled under the treetops. A cozy chair, sturdy hammock, and a sitting area are also there for the guest. Gorgeous elephant tapestry also awaits guests with a bathroom overlooking the green hillside.

Guests are served food from organic farms that specialize in growing diverse crops. The hotel itself offers custom-made vegan meals, alternative kinds of milk, and biodynamic breakfasts.

2. The Gray Barn

Located in High Falls, New York, the Gray Barn is a non-profit vegan inn supporting an animal sanctuary. The inn has only five guest rooms—and was designed to be minimalist yet serene. All meals and products served are vegan. Breakfast includes vegan seasonal fruit crisps, breakfast quiche, tofu scramble sandwiches, chocolate strawberry muffins, and cucumber lavender lemonade.

3. Wynn and Encore Las Vegas

Las Vegas is a vegan-friendly city in the USA. Wynn and Encore restaurants are not 100% vegan bur it offers a variety of vegan and vegetarian menus. To create a delicious flavor combination, they source the highest quality seasonal produce, and their chefs use innovative ingredients that are meat-free and dairy-free. An assortment of vegan foods such as the Vegan Chicken & Waffles, Vegan French Toast, Vegan Spanish Omelette is available on their menu.

4. Edgewood Tahoe

Located in South Lake Tahoe, California, the hotel is luxurious. Delicious vegan meals such as the Vegan Burger are topped with housemade vegan cashew ketchup and other fixings on a fresh-baked bun. It is all found in the Brook’s Bar & Deck. There’s also a hearty Vegan Cauliflower Steak.

5. Dreamers Welcome

This vegan hotel is located in Wilmington, North Carolina. It has a minimalistic design, and there’s a vegan kitchen that offers a vegan menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Boutique inn where a fully vegan breakfast is included.