Deer Run on the Atlantic Wins First-Ever ‘Hospitality With Heart Award’ From PETA
For Immediate Release:
April 16, 2026
Contact:
Andrew Grant 202-483-7382
As travelers look ahead to summer getaways, PETA is spotlighting the nation’s most compassionate stays with its inaugural Hospitality with Heart Awards—and Big Pine Key’s own Deer Run on the Atlantic has made the list. Located within the National Key Deer Refuge, this serene, adults-only hideaway offers a one-of-a-kind oceanfront retreat for eco‑conscious guests. Its peaceful setting, thoughtful vegan touches, and commitment to protecting animals and the planet make it a dream destination for travelers seeking both relaxation and purpose.
A 100 percent vegan establishment—from cuisine, to furnishings, and all amenities—Deer Run on the Atlantic offers space to relax in the sun, launch a complimentary kayak or paddleboard, or simply watch the majestic, endangered Key deer go by. For its commitment to practices that conserve and protect Florida’s natural resources, it’s also one of only six lodging facilities to receive the state’s “4 Palm” designation—the highest rating in the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Green Lodging Program.
“Deer Run on the Atlantic is a peaceful escape in the heart of Florida’s oceanside wilderness and an ethical getaway where every detail is kind to animals and gentle on the planet,” says PETA Founder Ingrid Newkirk. “Every winner on PETA’s list proves how easy it is to travel kindly, leave animals in peace, and make humane, healthy choices along the way.”
Other winners on PETA’s list include (in no particular order) The White Pig in Schuyler, Virginia; Pebble Cove Farm Inn and Animal Sanctuary in Washington; The Cozy Cottage at Grateful Meadows in West Point, Virginia; The Gray Barn at Woodstock Farm Sanctuary in High Falls, New York; Farm Sanctuary in Watkins Glen, New York; and Rancho Vegano in Tucson, Arizona.
Each winner will receive a framed certificate from PETA along with bragging rights.
PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to eat, wear, or use for entertainment”—points out that Every Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits for people who need a lesson in kindness. PETA’s free vegan starter kit can help those looking to make the switch. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow PETA on X, Facebook, or Instagram.
