It can be hard to feel thankful around Thanksgiving when there’s a mountain of dishes to do, a dry turkey in the oven or a third trip to the grocery store on your to-do list. That’s why we’re looking forward to letting these 10 luxury hotels host all the foodie fun this year.
From Chicago’s Michigan Mile to Montana’s Big Sky country, we’ve curated a selection of celebrations that promises to handle the big details on November 27 so you can savor even the smallest moments.
Green O, Greenough, Montana
Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Green O, Paws Up Montana’s adults-only hideaway in the woods, has all the ingredients for a quintessential Thanksgiving weekend: exhilarating football games on a large-screen television; s’mores roasting on the crackling fire; a leisurely breakfast accompanied by the iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade; a grand turkey dinner at Pomp, the resort’s chef-driven dining destination.
Beyond the above treats, Green O’s holiday package also includes a $300 resort credit, use of the in-house Lexus SUV, complimentary airport transfers and more.
L’Auberge de Sedona
Thanksgiving is a full-day event at the serene, Four-Star Sedona retreat and its renowned Four-Star restaurant, Cress on Oak Creek. A lavish offering in the afternoon or evening, this meal will consist of a sumptuous selection of traditional favorites infused with the unique flavors of the high desert. Guests can nosh on chorizo-stuffed, oven-roasted turkey accompanied by rich giblet gravy, creamy juniper-smoked potato purée and dreamy creekside vistas.
Park Hyatt Chicago
Take Thanksgiving dinner to new heights at Park Hyatt Chicago’s Forbes Travel Guide Recommended NoMI Kitchen. Take in views of Chicago’s iconic Water Tower and Michigan Avenue with a helping of equally elevated fare. Start with a generous raw bar featuring Maine lobster, jumbo shrimp, East and West Coast oysters and snow crab claws. For the main course, enjoy truffle-sage brined turkey and buttery bone-in ham. To finish, delight in a cornucopia of cookies, tarts and truffles.
But even before things start slicing on Turkey Day, the restaurant welcomes you on November 22 for a front-row seat to the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival that’s accompanied by kid-friendly activities, a bottomless hot chocolate bar and a lavish buffet to toast the season.
Mandarin Oriental, New York
Reserve a table at the Five-Star hotel’s MO Bar for a bountiful buffet with a raw bar, featuring dishes like ceviche and East Coast oysters; proteins like roasted heritage turkey and Faroe Island salmon Wellington; and “fan favorites” like mac and cheese and truffle deviled eggs. In the afternoon, the spread also includes brunch classics, such as quiche and pancakes, while dinner comes with tableside pasta with winter truffle cream sauce or lamb bolognese.
However, the star attraction is the view — the bar’s windows give an aerial perspective of the floats during the Thanksgiving Day Parade. Afterward, keep the festivities going in the Silk Road-inspired speakeasy, The Bar.
The Resort at Pelican Hill, Newport, California
If you’re dreaming of a holiday meal delivered right to your door without having to lift a finger, look no further than Five-Star The Resort at Pelican Hill. From the comfort of your Tuscan-inspired, amenity-filled villa, the property’s team will deliver a whole-roasted turkey topped with sage gravy, along with pancetta-roasted Brussels sprouts and whipped potatoes for up to six guests. You can even tailor the menu to your taste and add extras, such as a heavenly housemade pumpkin pie.
Of course, if you prefer to celebrate in a communal setting, the Newport resort also invites guests to join in at Mar Vista for a splendid spread, including turkey, prime rib and salmon carving stations; Pelican Hill’s signature pumpkin risotto; and a special kids buffet.
Pendry Chicago
Give thanks and give back at Forbes Travel Guide Recommended Pendry Chicago’s third annual Chefsgiving. The evening begins with cocktails in the hotel’s cozy library and continues in Venteux’s atmospheric dining room. There, executive chef Marcel Heiduk will be joined by some of the Windy City’s top culinary talent to craft a multi-course meal where a portion of every ticket will be donated to a Chicago food bank.
If you’re looking to start the celebration early, join the Pendry on the evening of November 26 for a Friendsgiving, an all-night happy hour of oysters, baked Brie and bottomless rosé. Additionally, you’ll find complimentary apple cider in the lobby on November 29 and a boozy, fall twist on Sunday tea on November 30.
Ko’a Kea Resort on Po’ipu Beach, Kauai
Celebrate Thanksgiving with a touch of aloha at this Forbes Travel Guide Recommended resort along Kauai’s southern shore. The hotel’s ocean-view restaurant, Red Salt, will provide a thoughtfully crafted, three-course prix fixe menu. Highlights include a Kauai arancini made with locally sourced mushrooms, truffled parsnip and herbed risotto, as well as turkey leg confit paired with Portuguese sausage stuffing.
As the sun sets, raise a glass to the stunning scenery with Red Salt’s festive Happy Huladays, a cocktail that features Kuleana Nanea rum, cranberry, ginger, lemon and prosecco.
The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain, Marana, Arizona
This Five-Star Sonoran Desert escape has a feast of options. There’s the Four-Star CORE Kitchen & Wine Bar’s four-course dinner, with an elevated take on November classics; the inviting warmth of Cayton’s Restaurant’s specials, served with a beautiful view of the Tortolita Mountains; or brunch at CORE Kitchen, for those who want to enjoy their mashed potatoes mid-day.
And if you think that sounds delicious, just wait until you hear about the holiday activations going on around the property during Thanksgiving week. From sugar cookie decorating class (November 26 and 28) to s’mores-making fun (November 28 and 29), Dove Mountain guests will have plenty to be excited about.
Hotel Washington, D.C.
If you happen to be in the nation’s capital on November 27, Hotel Washington may get our vote for being the best setting for savoring turkey and all the sides. From the rooftop terrace of this Beaux-Arts landmark building, you can partake in a lavish seafood spread, carving stations and a dessert medley — all while overlooking the White House and National Mall.
Should you need more convincing than the wondrous food choices and endless flow of Moët & Chandon champagne, a live DJ set should solidify the festive mood.
Pier Sixty-Six, Fort Lauderdale
America’s strength lies in the sharing of culture and customs. You’ll find that spirit at this sunny oasis in Fort Lauderdale. For Thanksgiving, Garni will combine French flair with classic fall flavors for an all-day bistro-style brunch that will be accompanied by live music and a carefully curated array of French wines.
At Sotogrande, Mediterranean flavors will blend in an afternoon and evening dinner that promises to deliver dishes such as butternut squash avgolemono (a fragrant Greek chicken soup) and Basque cheesecake with pumpkin.
Lastly, at Calusso, the Riviera meets South Florida flavor in a seasonal smorgasbord, most notably a whole-roasted heritage chicken for two, carved tableside.
