Proper Hotels Says So Long to Seed Oils

By Kelsie Ponder on 07.08.25

When it comes to setting the pace in modern hospitality, Proper has a way of commanding attention. Their collection of 13 design-forward, culturally rooted hotels is sure to spark the imagination of any stylish traveler, but it’s a recent epicurean announcement that’s got the industry abuzz.

In May, the company announced that it would remove seed oils from all its kitchens, making it the first global hospitality group to do so. These oils, such as canola, sunflower, and soybean, have been widely criticized for their potential negative health effects as well as their costly environmental tolls, due in part to extensive land use and chemical-reliant refining process.

The co-founder and president, Brian De Lowe, first spoke to Forbes about the change, calling it “an AHA moment.” Being seed-oil free himself for years and “obsessed with all things wellness,” De Lowe wants Proper’s hotels to reflect how he lives at home, and eliminating seed-oil fryers “just felt right for our guests.”

But what is the alternative?

To start, we need to dig into the seed-oil alternative. Proper partnered with Zero Acre Farms, a company that produces oil made from high-yield sugarcane plants. Sugarcane is a perennial crop that Zero Acre harvests responsibly in Brazil from areas with no associated deforestation. The production process uses 99% less water than olive oil and 87% less land than canola oil.

And what about the flavor?

While the absence of seed oils might change the way food tastes, it’s a change for the better. Sugarcane oil has a neutral taste and tons of healthy fats. Proper Hotels’ chefs have found that the switch results in dishes that are lighter, cleaner, and more vibrant. Flavors become more pronounced, and meals leave you feeling satisfied without heaviness.

This values-driven decision supports the brand’s deeper sourcing philosophy. Menus at onsite restaurants are designed around seasonal, local produce and wild-caught seafood. Add in regenerative grains, gut-friendly ingredients, and low-temperature cooking methods, and you’ve got food that doesn’t just leave you fed, but nourished.

Proper has long championed future-forward initiatives, and this move further expands their focus on wellness. Five guiding pillars inform their approach: movement, recovery, nourishment, rest, and connection. Dining spans many of these. It’s a natural time to slow down, savor, and support the body with thoughtful ingredients.

Beyond the kitchen, wellness is fully baked into Proper’s brand identity. In Austin, that means a 20,000-square-foot gym. In Santa Monica, it’s rooftop yoga and cold plunges. At The Shelborne in Miami Beach, it all comes together with fitness classes, beach days, and in-room spa treatments. The newly launched Proper Club ties it all together, offering members access to on-site rituals, monthly classes at partner studios, and preferred pricing and perks across properties.

From ditching seed oils in favor of regenerative sugarcane to designing future-forward menus, Proper is proving that wellness and sustainability aren’t just sides, they’re the main course.

Learn more on properhotel.com and check out our full review of San Francisco Proper.
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