For most of us vegan foodies, planning a trip usually revolves around one central question: "Where are we going to eat?" We build our itineraries around must-visit restaurants and cafes, while the hotel is often just a place to sleep.
Let's be honest, finding a hotel that understands vegans is rare. And a 'vegan hotel' is usually impossible. But Thailand is different.
Here, the dream of staying at a completely vegan hotel for each city you visit is a reality. Imagine you wake up, roll out of bed, and visit the hotel restaurant where you can eat everything at the vegan buffet breakfast.
In this guide, I'll walk you through all the amazing vegan hotels and resorts I stayed in and visited during my Thailand trip.
Chiang Mai
Away Chiang Mai Thapae Resort
Located just a short walk from the famous Tha Phae Gate in Chiang Mai's Old Town, Away Chiang Mai is a fully vegan resort-style hotel that combines a relaxing stay with a fully-vegan onsite restaurant. The atmosphere is peaceful, from the pool in the middle of the hotel to the rooms with big beds and modern Thai-style decorations. Some rooms even have direct access to the pool or their own jacuzzi.
For me, the absolute highlight of staying here was the breakfast. After years of not being able to eat anything at a hotel breakfast at the onsite restaurant - Moreganic. Having a fully vegan buffet breakfast is such a vegan foodie dream. You'll find everything from savoury Thai dishes like stir-fried noodles to Western classics like croissants, waffles, a salad bar, fresh-pressed juice, and more. The same restaurant also serves a wide range of delicious vegan dishes throughout the day.
Green Tiger House
If you prefer to stay right inside the Old Town, Green Tiger House is another great choice. It's another fully vegan hotel in Chiang Mai is tucked away in the northern part of Old Town. It has more of a leafy garden atmosphere and a more social, guesthouse feel compared to the resort vibe of Away. From the rooftop terrace, you can look out over the nearby temples and even see the Doi Suthep mountain range in the distance, which is especially beautiful around sunset.
It is home to the vegan cafe Reform Kafé. Their menu has a large range of authentic Thai dishes like Khao Soi and Pad Thai, and Western comfort food like burgers and smoothie bowls.
Planning a trip to Thailand?
While these hotels have incredible food, you are just steps away from some of the best eats in the country. My book - Vegan Foodie Guide to Thailand - maps out the exact locations of the best Khao Soi, vegan pizzas, and temples near these hotels so you can eat the best vegan food on your trip.
Bangkok
Na Vayla PaPlern
Bangkok is a busy, chaotic city, but tucked away in a charming, non-touristy part of town called Bang Khun Non, Na Vayla PaPlern offers a completely different experience. It is an intimate, quiet guesthouse with a "slow living" vibe right next to the canal. Even though the location may not be the most central, being just a 5-minute walk from an MRT station still means a good level of convenience.
The guesthouse requires you to take your shoes off before heading upstairs, making it feel like a true home away from home. One of the biggest surprises here was the food. The ground-floor cafe is 100% vegan and serves an impressively large international menu. I decided to try their Japanese tonkatsu ramen, and the broth was rich, creamy, and restaurant-quality.
Phuket
Soul Villas by The Beach
If your idea of a perfect getaway involves waking up to the sound of ocean waves in a beautiful, secluded villa, then Soul Villas in Phuket may just be your perfect choice. The property has only six luxurious villas. The one I stayed at was only 30-seconds away from the beach, and has a super spacious room and a private pool.
The on-site cafe serves everything from breakfast to dinner, but one of the most memorable experience I had was upgrading to a "floating breakfast", where they built a basket full of dishes and fresh fruits, and brought it to my private pool. For the complementary breakfast, you'll find everything from vegan omelettes and all-day breakfast, to waffles and smoothie bowls. The cafe also serves tasty dishes throughout the day, which means you don't have to leave the villa at all for a good vegan meal.
Koh Samui
Kapuhala
For those seeking a wellness escape on the islands, Kapuhala in Koh Samui is a destination designed for physical and mental wellbeing. Positioned as an upscale, eco-conscious resort, it offers a vegan experience with luxury accommodations like tented villas and seaview farmhouses. Here you'll find an infinity pool with sea views, a fitness studio, and a farm-to-table vegan restaurant called Halapua, which showcases seasonal ingredients often sourced from their own garden.
Want the Full Foodie Guide on Bangkok, Chiang Mai & Phuket?
This guide is just a taste of what Thailand has to offer. In my full book - The Vegan Foodie Guide to Thailand - I cover over 110 best vegan restaurants across Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket, including additional information on vegan hotels, the famous Vegetarian Festival, shopping guides, vegan travel tips and more. There's also a free sample if you are not sure whether this book is a good fit:
Get your copy of The Vegan Foodie Guide to Thailand here
