”Updated for 2026: Meson Mudejar Vegan Hotel no longer appears to be operating as a vegan hotel or restaurant. We are keeping this episode as a snapshot of a special vegan travel project in southern Spain.”
What happens when two people leave city life behind and follow a dream to rural Spain?
In this episode of The World Vegan Travel Podcast, Brighde chats with David and Kinga, the couple behind Meson Mudejar Vegan Hotel in Árchez, a small white village in the hills of Andalusia.
At the time of this conversation, Meson Mudejar Vegan Hotel was a fully vegan hotel and restaurant. It was located in one of the most beautiful parts of southern Spain, close to Málaga, Granada, Nerja, Cómpeta, and the Sierra Tejeda, Almijara y Alhama Natural Park.
This is no longer a current hotel recommendation. Instead, this episode is a lovely look back at a vegan hospitality project that once welcomed travelers to a quieter, slower side of Spain.
Meet David and Kinga
David and Kinga are originally from Poland and have lived and traveled in many parts of the world.
Like many people, they dreamed of leaving behind the stress of the nine-to-five lifestyle. One day, they decided to take the leap.
They packed up, moved to southern Spain, and began building a very different life.
Their journey eventually led them to Meson Mudejar Vegan Hotel, a small vegan hotel and restaurant in Árchez.
Where Was Meson Mudejar Vegan Hotel?
Meson Mudejar Vegan Hotel was located in Árchez, a small village in the province of Málaga.
Árchez sits in the Axarquía region of Andalusia, an area known for:
- Whitewashed villages
- Mountain views
- Olive, fig, avocado, and vine-covered hills
- Walking trails
- Traditional architecture
- Easy access to the Mediterranean Sea
The village is close to Canillas de Albaida and Cómpeta, and about one hour from Málaga Airport.
It is also within reach of Granada, Nerja, Córdoba, and Seville, making it a peaceful base for exploring southern Spain.
A Vegan Hotel in a Traditional Spanish Village
At the time of the episode, Meson Mudejar Vegan Hotel was based in an old building with lots of character.
The property had been renovated in a traditional Mudejar style and offered five individually decorated rooms.
The idea was simple but special: create a welcoming vegan space in a beautiful Spanish village.
Guests could enjoy plant-based food, peaceful surroundings, and access to hiking, cycling, walking, and village life.
What Made the Area Special?
Árchez is surrounded by dramatic scenery.
The River Turvilla runs through the village, and local paths lead into the hills and nearby villages.
The wider area is ideal for travelers who enjoy:
- Hiking
- Cycling
- Running
- Slow travel
- Local food culture
- Architecture
- Quiet village stays
The Mediterranean Sea is also nearby, so travelers could combine a mountain stay with a beach day.
Food, Fruit, and Local Produce
One of the joys of this part of Spain is the local produce.
David spoke about the tropical fruits grown in the nearby Costa Tropical region, including bananas, passion fruit, papaya, guava, dragon fruit, and more.
The surrounding hills also produce olives, figs, avocados, and grapes.
For a vegan hotel, this made the location especially exciting. Local ingredients could become part of creative plant-based meals for guests.
Things to Do Near Árchez
In the episode, David and Kinga talk about several places close to the hotel.
These include:
- Málaga
- Granada
- Nerja
- Cómpeta
- Canillas de Albaida
- Sierra Tejeda, Almijara y Alhama Natural Park
- Sierra Nevada
The area is well suited to travelers who want a slower stay, with nature, small villages, and cultural day trips.
Why This Episode Still Matters
Even though Meson Mudejar Vegan Hotel is no longer operating as a vegan hotel, the story is still worth keeping.
It captures a moment in vegan travel history when more people were beginning to imagine what vegan hospitality could look like.
It also shows the courage it takes to build something different.
David and Kinga created a place where vegan travelers could relax, eat well, and feel understood.
That kind of project helped inspire the growing interest in vegan hotels, vegan retreats, and vegan-friendly accommodation around the world.
Final Thoughts
This episode is no longer a current guide to where to stay in Árchez.
Instead, it is a story about taking a chance, creating a vegan business, and bringing plant-based hospitality to a beautiful corner of southern Spain.
For anyone dreaming of opening a vegan guesthouse, hotel, or retreat one day, David and Kinga’s story remains inspiring.
Update on Meson Mudejar Vegan Hotel
Meson Mudejar Vegan Hotel no longer appears to be operating as the vegan hotel and restaurant featured in this episode.
Because of this, we have removed old booking links and no longer recommend it as a current vegan accommodation option.
This post remains available as part of the World Vegan Travel Podcast archive and as a record of a unique vegan hospitality project in Spain.
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Learn more about what we talk about
- Árchez, Málaga
- Cómpeta
- Nerja
- Granada
- Sierra Tejeda, Almijara y Alhama Natural Park
- Sierra Nevada
- Mudejar architecture in southern Spain
Other World Vegan Travel Content Connected With This Episode
- #20 | Valencia for Vegans | Natacha Parmantier
- # 13 | Being a Vegan in Madrid and Spain | Diana Esteban
- # 2 | Vegan Retreats for the Mind Body and Soul | Cristina Azárate
- #12 | Vegan Resorts and Retreats in Thailand and Sicily | Stefano from Kapurthala
- # 10 | Luxury Vegan Hotels in Italy | Josh Thomas
