Previously under the banner of the Kempinski Group, the most luxurious hotel in the emirate, built in the early 2000s, now features rooms where “absolutely nothing is made using animal-based products or materials.”

Claimed to be the first ever offer of dedicated vegan rooms in the Arabian Gulf, the prestigious five-star address makes the beds up with eco-responsible linens while bathrobes are made of bamboo-based fibre.

For toiletries, the Votary brand’s plant-based products are available, while in the mini-bar, guests will find only vegan products including vegan wine. The reception basket features fruit.

These renovations are part of a larger trend of hotels looking to attract travelers who aren’t about to put their convictions about not exploiting animals on hold for their getaways.

In 2020, a Greek hotel on the island of Mykonos proclaimed itself the first vegan hotel in Greece.

The boutique hotel Koukoumi, whose name in the Myconian dialect refers to a warm place nestled away from the wind, has equipped beds with coconut fibre mattresses while water used both in guest bathrooms and in the pool is heated with solar energy.

Amenities include soy candles and bamboo toothbrushes and of course none of the products have been tested on animals.

“Hotels that adopt sustainable and cruelty-free practices can enhance their reputation and differentiate themselves from their competitors. A positive reputation for sustainability and animal welfare can help hotels attract and retain customers and increase brand loyalty,” Rica Jain, co-founder of vegan beauty brand Kimirica, explained in the Indian publication Financial Express earlier this month.

In an analysis relayed by various titles in the Indian press, such as the Times of India, the executive stressed that “the hospitality industry has a critical role to play in promoting sustainability.

The hospitality industry needs to make sustainability a commitment and not just a marketing strategy.”