As veganism continues to grow exponentially worldwide, we can now enjoy a vegan luxury travel experience at some of the finest hotels and resorts. When it comes to vegan friendly luxury in Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam, the following selection including city hotels and an island resort have got you covered. Each of them have either a veggie menu featuring vegan options, or vegan options clearly marked on their menus. Check in and enjoy creative, delicious and nutritious plant-based food at one of these vegan friendly luxury hotels and resorts.
Private island vegan luxury, at Six Senses Krabey Island in Cambodia
Check in at Six Senses Krabey Island and you will be staying on a private island surrounded by the clear blue ocean and amongst the ancient trees that tower above you. This is a tropical paradise island like no other with the eco focus that Six Senses are renowned for and plenty of luxury touches to guarantee a memorable stay. Sumptious spa treatments, memorable experiences and plenty of plant based food will make it tough to leave, that’s for sure!
‘Eat With Six Senses’ is all about eating healthy whislt on vacation and this culinary concept is available at all Six Senses Resorts. At Six Senses Krabey Island we enjoyed vegan versions of local food including ‘Nom banh chok’ which is a noodle dish and a Khmer staple. Rice noodles and vegetables with a creamy coconut soup made with ‘kreung’ curry paste and garnished with fresh herbs and leaves. Chef Mark also prepared a super charged salad for lunch which he prepared right in front of us, packed with goodness and nutrition it was one of the best salads we have ever eaten, a perfect way to demonstrate the ‘Eat With Six Senses’ concept.
Bangkok riverside vegan luxury, at The Peninsula Bangkok in Thailand
The Peninsula Bangkok is elegant and exquisitely stylish, with an enviable riverside location in one of the most exciting cities in the world. What’s not to love about this luxury hotel from one of the world’s leading luxury hotel brands? Enjoy unrivalled views of the Chao Praya River, the true heartbeat of Bangkok, a swim in the 88m pool or a treatment at the two floor spa and wellness centre before dining at one of their celebrated restaurants.
Breakfast at River Cafe & Terrace is a veritable vegan feast, whilst lunch at The Lobby or dinner at Thiptara present diners with a number of plant based menu options, as is the same throughout the hotel. This includes Mei Jiang, regarded as one of the finest Cantonese restaurants in Bangkok where diners can enjoy a refined meal in elegant surrroundings. The tofu flower in our double-boiled soup was crafted using extraordinary ‘dao yi’ (knife skills) and looked exquisite, a picture perfect bowl of Cantonese goodness. The ground breaking ‘future food’, OmniMeat featured with finely chopped vegetables in another dish. Contained within pumpkin and served in a creamy pumpkin sauce, this beautifully presented bowl was vibrant and extremely pleasing on the eye. Dining at Mei Jiang was a memorable journey through Cantonese plant based cuisine that will leave you amazed.
City centre vegan luxury, at Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi in Vietnam
This multiple award-winning luxury hotel oozes colonial charm. Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi has welcomed esteemed guests including playwrights, actors, film stars, musicians, heads of state and ambassadors since opening in more than 100 years ago. Recognised by many as one of the finest hotels in Southeast Asia and often referred to as one of ‘The Grand Dames’, those that choose to stay here are certainly guests that enjoy the finer things in life. Becoming the first ‘Sofitel Legend’ hotel in 2009 it has since been joined by a unique collection of hotels and palaces around the world.
Our vegan breakfast at Spices Garden consisted of a selection of adapted dishes from the a la carte menu, combined with the vegan friendly options from the extensive buffet. But it was our vegan fine dining experience at Le Beaulieu which truly impressed. The four course set menu was adapted from the existing vegetarian menu with just a few changes being made to ensure that our meal was 100% plant based. The staff team at Le Beaulieu were friendly and helpful, whilst being gracefully efficient and professional, no more than you would expect from a hotel with such high standards. The ingredients for each dish were explained upon service, whilst the dishes were personally finished by Chef, with a twist of pepper or a drizzle of olive oil where required. The stand out dish featured a seasonal mushrooms fricassee, pomme de terre paillasson, polenta, parsley jus and topped with fried garlic, a subtle blend of textures and flavours that was truly memorable. Finishing our meal with a platter of marinated red fruit with mint, orange gel, cacao nibs, a crunchy biscuity mille feuille, mixed berries sauce and mango sorbet was a light and refreshing ending to an excellent meal.
We hope that our trio of vegan friendly luxury options in Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam give you some (vegan) food for thought whilst helping you plan your next vegan travel adventure to Southeast Asia. Please feel free to reach out for further information about any of the hotels or resorts featured, or indeed to tell us about a luxury hotel or resort in Southast Asia that you think we should add to our bucket list for when the borders open.
By Paul Eyers