It used to be that hotel restaurants weren’t much better than the food court at an airport — convenient but definitely not great. These days, there are many hotel restaurants that can hold a candle to even some of the world’s best, in fact more than a few are even Michelin-starred. A stay at any one of these properties will provide access to some of the best dishes served in the U.S.
The Harbor House Inn - Elk, California
One of the most unique dining experiences on the California coast can be found at the Harbor House Inn. Perched on a secluded bluff overlooking the ocean and spectacular rock arches less than 25 minutes from the Victorian village of Mendocino, its tasting menu-only restaurant was awarded a Michelin star under the help of talented Chef Matthew Kammerer. Guests can enjoy the full 8 to 12 tasting menu with all ingredients found within a 30-mile radius, often prepared using natural techniques like fermentation and wood-smoking. Fish, abalone, and sea vegetables are caught right from the inn’s cove.
The Bowery Hotel - New York City, New York
The restaurant in the Bowery Hotel not only has an impressive dining room, but during the warmer months the outdoor seating is the place to see and be seen while enjoying a wide variety of memorable dishes. A destination in its own right, GEMMA is the essential al fresco brunch spot in New York, but you can’t go wrong when it comes to any meal here. The Italian menu features everything from buffalo ricotta tortelli to summer truffles, pizzas, and baked eggplant, with heavenly desserts like the Calzone di Nutella. Rooms are impressive too with their huge factory-style windows bringing in plenty of natural light — and some of the best views in New York City.
Los Poblanos - Albuquerque, New Mexico
A landmark boutique inn that was originally a private residence on a sugarbeet and dairy farm back in the 1930s, Los Poblanos is an architectural treasure designed by renowned Pueblo Revival architect John Gaw Meem. It now serves as a working organic farm and country inn in the Rio Grande River Valley and has become a top agritourism vacation destination. The restaurant serves a menu featuring food from their own farm and their neighbors’ offerings for true farm-to-fork dining. It’s all seasonal, with dishes like Mole Amarillo, Seared Duck Breast, and Field Salad with Heart of the Desert pistachio, Mavis’ goat cheese, pickled beets and onions, and Monticello Balsamico.
La Cantera Resort & Spa - San Antonio, Texas
About a 30-minute drive from downtown San Antonio in Texas Hill Country, La Cantera is a sprawling resort with panoramic views from nearly everywhere on the property. It offers a long list of dining choices, but its fine dining Signature restaurant is what makes it a standout. A beautiful mix that combines the old and new, with antiques, an 18th-century French fireplace, and chandeliers custom-made for the space by local artisans, it has a Texas-inspired menu featuring venison from Broken Arrow Ranch and house-made charcuterie. The property is one of the best resorts in Texas and includes around a dozen pools and hot tubs, a lavish spa, and a fitness room, while the nearly 500 rooms are extra-spacious and include many high-end amenities.
Auberge du Soleil - Rutherford, California
Evoking the sophistication of South France, Auberge du Soleil has long been known as one of the most luxurious places to stay in the Napa Valley. One of the reasons for that is its celebrated destination restaurant. It boasts a Michelin-starred Mediterranean-inspired menu while wine director Kris Margerum curates an exceptional list of over 15,000 selections and even leads restaurant staff on advanced-level winery tours and tastings to ensure they create the perfect pairings. The property also includes a beautiful pool and a 7,000-square-foot luxury spa with rejuvenating water rituals and other treatments.
Faena - Miami Beach, Florida
A top luxury hotel in Miami and a true foodie destination hotel, Faena hosts Los Fuegos — the first North American restaurant by legendary Argentinean asado grill master, chef Francis Mallmann. Expect dishes with plenty of smoke flavors along with an over-the-top experience. The service is stellar throughout the property, which also includes the Tierra Santa Healing House spa, a theater hosting cabaret-style musical revues and concerts, a pool, beach service, and a gym with daily yoga and boot camp classes offered on the sand.
Pontchartrain Hotel - New Orleans, Louisiana
Set within an elegant 1920s building in the Garden District of New Orleans, Pontchartrain Hotel has an impressive past that includes former guests like Frank Sinatra and President Gerald Ford. Jack Rose was recognized as the country’s “No. 1 Best Hotel Restaurant” in USA Today’s “10 Best Readers’ Choice 2019.” Entrees range from comfort food dishes like Chicken Parmesan and sophisticated Redfish Amandine, while the lounge is one of the most-photographed places in the city. The signature Jack Rose drink is worth a try, mixing whiskey and apple brandy with egg white and fruit flavors. Rooms offer a mix of historic and modern, with extra-comfy beds and minibars with ingredients and barware for Mad Men-era cocktails.
Taj Campton Hotel - San Francisco, California
Just a block from Union Square, the Taj Campton offers a peaceful oasis of luxury and pampering service. The critically acclaimed Campton Place is its own institution, complete with two Michelin stars. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch menus feature a fantastic mix of Californian and Indian fare with distinct Asian, Mediterranean and French influences. Rooms at this top luxury hotel in San Francisco offer impressive details like fresh orchids and double-paned windows to keep any street noise out, plush, pillow-top beds, BoseWave radios, Nespresso makers, and flat-screen HDTVs with pay-per-view movies.
The Inn at Little Washington - Washington, Virginia
Chef/Owner Patrick O’Connell opened the Inn at Little Washington over 30 years ago. The boutique hotel set in a collection of Victorian buildings in the countryside has practically mythical status for its Blue Ridge Mountain views and its farm-sourced meals. Both the chef and the restaurant have received award after award, including being named the No. 1 hotel and restaurant in the country by Travel + Leisure. Today it’s a three Michelin-starred dining establishment while the hotel sits across 24 acres, accented by mountain views, a farm, and trails.
The Kennebunk Inn - Kennebunk, Maine
This historic bed-and-breakfast oozes charm and with innkeepers who are professional chefs, you know it’s going to be good. The menu features signature lobster dishes that have earned it national attention, spotlighted in many prestigious places from Travel + Leisure to the Food Network with favorites like lobster pot pie and lobster white-truffle pizza. Rooms are all unique and include plenty of historic character along with modern amenities like free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs with premium channels. Some have antique claw tubs and/or kitchenettes.
The Dunhill Hotel - Charlotte, North Carolina
Located in the Uptown neighborhood of Charlotte, the historic Dunhill Hotel blends Old World charm and modern amenities that include the contemporary restaurant, The Asbury. It serves modern takes on Southern fare with to-die-for sticky biscuits, a sweet-savory bite made with biscuit dough rolled with country ham and brown sugar and drizzled with goat cheese icing. All rooms come with turndown service that includes Ghiradelli chocolates, free bottled water, and Keurig coffeemakers. The Penthouse Suite comes with many luxuries along with a panoramic city view.
Four Seasons Seattle - Seattle, Washington
Four Seasons Seattle is one of the most luxurious hotels in the Emerald City. In fact, you’ll start your day with a cup of locally roasted Fonté Coffee that’s delivered right to your room by the coffee concierge. The Goldfinch Tavern is a standout with its seasonal menu of Pacific Northwestern cuisine like Dungeness crab salad, king salmon tartare, and wagyu eye of rib eye. There’s plenty of outstanding options nearby too, like foodie paradise Pike Place Market that is just a 5-minute walk away. You can even book the Market-to-Table tour to have the chef walk you through and visit his favorite vendors. The hotel is just a block from the waterfront and boasts spectacular views of the Great Wheel, Elliott Bay, Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains, along with an amazing rooftop pool.
The Rittenhouse - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The Rittenhouse not only offers room service to human guests, but a special room-service menu for pets. Lacroix, its signature restaurant, is helmed by Executive Chef Jon Cichon who offers a wide ranging menu that incudes unique options like foie gras s’mores along with a full raw bar that includes caviar. Some of the other perks of staying here include welcome champagne with chocolate-covered strawberries and access to the Rittenhouse Spa & Club. Bathrobes, slippers, and luxury toiletries are standard, and even the lowest category rooms have city or park views. Plus it’s close to everything and for everywhere else you want to go, the hotel’s Jaguar can take you there.
