The goat yoga phenomenon has now taken a whole new level. By staying at a Goatel, you can unwind in the heart of nature with goats serenading you with comfort and love. 

The Goatel Vacation Rentals were founded by Lainey Morse, who also founded Original Goat Yoga. Morse had always had a love for goats, but when local yoga instructor Heather Davis asked to host a yoga class on Morse’s farm, that sparked the idea for Original Goat Yoga. Since 2016, Original Goat Yoga has expanded to over 10 locations across the U.S., helping people alleviate from their stressors and has earned Morse over six figures. 

However, as the Covid-19 pandemic placed everything on hold, Morse wasn’t sure how Original Goat Yoga was going to come back. Because people couldn’t afford classes, Morse hosted her Goat Happy Hours  (where guests interact with goats and tour their environment) for free from time to time while practicing social distancing. Yet, she discovered that after the pandemic subsided, people would want to have a getaway in nature after being locked down, which inspired the Goatel Vacation Rentals. 

“I thought after this, people are really going to need some place to go where they can also experience goats and their healing ability that they have for humans,” Morse says. “My whole life is goat themed, so why not the Goatel and make it a goat-themed vacation getaway?”

The Goatels are a perfect place to stay for anyone who wants to bond with animals and recharge. They are the ideal locations for bachelorette parties, friends’ reunions, family getaways or anyone who is an animal lover wanting to experience nature.

Currently, there are two Goatel Vacation Rentals available to stay at: one located in the San Francisco Bay Area (Watsonville,CA) and another at the Chocolate Bayou in Alvin, Texas. The location in Watsonville is a yurt situated at the top of Mount Madonna facing the Pacific Ocean. The yurt provides 360-degree views of cloudscapes, mountains and the Redwood Forest and its surrounding communities of Pinnacles, Monterey Bay and Mount Carmel. 

Staying at the Goatel in Mount Madonna gives clients the ultimate nature experience with activities such as hiking and taking a day trip to the local beach. The yurt sleeps up to five people and starts at $275 per night. There is also an RV next to the yurt, which sleeps three. 

The Goatel at the Chocolate Bayou in Alvin, Texas allows guests to unwind in front of a waterfront oasis. All ages are welcome and infants aren’t included in the total guest count. The goat-themed loft apartment is located above a goat barn and sleeps up to four. There is also a waterfront yurt that sleeps up to six.

Even though the retreat is located in a rural area, guests have access to Wi-Fi and TV. The Chocolate Bayou’s main amenities are peace and quiet, but it is just a 10-minute drive from everything you might need. A stay at this location starts at $181 per night.  

Each stay also includes a goat happy hour therapy with the option to upgrade to goat yoga. 

“The great thing about goats is that whenever you bring strangers in, they don't look at them as strangers,” Morse says. “They just welcome them into their herd and they'll walk right up to you and want love.”

Staying at a Goatel and bonding with goats can calm symptoms of anxiety and depression. That’s exactly what happened for Morse when starting Original Goat Yoga. At the time, Morse was going through a divorce and was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, which brought on depression.

Interacting with goats had been her escape and once starting the goat yoga visits, she noticed how others saw their problems dissipate also. Through animal therapy and agrotourism, the Goatel enhances the goat yoga experience by getting out in nature and interacting with animals. 

Nature is known for its benefits in decreasing feelings of depression and anxiety. One study noted that spending at least two hours per week in nature is associated with good health and well-being. On top of that goats are social animals and provide affection for humans, which is necessary now more than ever after being in isolation during the pandemic. Through locking eyes, vocalizing and asking to be petted, a connection is drawn. 

Through her goat yoga business, Morse shared how interacting with goats and being in nature have transformed people’s lives. With the Covid-19 pandemic, people were feeling angst and anger. One client was angry that their friend died from Covid-19, but said in the reviews how bonding with the animals helped release her anger. 

A mother and daughter who booked a trip also were coming from difficult circumstances. The father was diagnosed with cancer and the mother was his caregiver, so she thought of canceling her tickets for goat yoga. However, they both went and the mother said it was the first time she smiled in months. Others had similar experiences.

“We've had a lot of people who've been through chemo treatments who wait until they're all done,” says Morse. “And then they come with their support system of friends and they all do goat yoga together. And it's just neat.”

You can book your stay at a Goatel on Airbnb and Hipcamp. For more information about the Goatels, visit their website and follow them on Instagram at @thegoatel

Holly is a college broadcast and print journalism major at DePaul University. She is originally from New York City, but has lived in Chicago and is now based in Los Angeles. Currently, Holly works as an Editorial Intern at The Argonaut, where she serves its communities by writing articles on business features, special events, health and wellness, food spotlights, amongst other topics. She’s also a Staff Writer at her university’s newspaper, The DePaulia, and served as a news director at their award-winning radio station, Radio DePaul. Holly has written on a plethora of topics but her favorites are global events, travel, and health & wellness. When she’s not writing, she enjoys swimming, hiking, exploring, and reading. She’s also fluent in French. Follow her on Instagram @holly_jenvey