A Festive Boca Raton Resort & Club. Credit: Boca Raton Resort & Club
Thanksgiving at your house starts with good intentions — family, friends and a bit of football. For some reason, though, it generally ends with a kitchen in disarray and foreign marks on the living room furniture. And while we’re sure your little niece had no malicious intent with her yam-covered hands, that fact does little to ease your stress.
If you’re looking for a way to keep your sanity while still holding on to some holiday traditions this year, check out what these high-end hotels have cooked up for November 23. Whether you’re in the mood for a feast in New England or an impressive spread in the middle of the desert, these properties deliver. And the best part about these elegant meals is that you won’t have to lift a finger to clean up when you’re all finished.
Boca Raton Resort & Club, A Waldorf Astoria Resort and Boca Beach Club
Flee the cold this Thanksgiving for sunny climes. At Boca Raton Resort & Club, which includes Boca Beach Club, partake in the buffet’s turkey and Virginia ham with all of the trimmings. After sampling the cobblers and pies, visit the Beach Club for a bonfire with s’mores, hot chocolate, apple cider, coffee and live music.
The next day, usher in the holiday season with a tree-lighting ceremony in the front courtyard. As a cappella group VoicePlay performs, sip hot chocolate or eggnog and nibble on cookies as you wait for Santa to drop by.
Biltmore Estate. Credit: The Biltmore Company
Inn on Biltmore Estate
This Asheville institution finds reasons to celebrate throughout the year, but it really struts its feathers around Turkey Day. From November 22 to 24, the 8,000-acre estate’s Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Inn offers the Thanksgiving Package, a deal stuffed with overnight accommodations, daily breakfast, a holiday buffet, an audio guide and much more. As if that weren’t filling enough, jolly ol’ St. Nick will make his first appearance at the property on November 25.
Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. Credit: Paul Hiffmeyer
Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
Anaheim’s Disneyland may not immediately come to mind when you think about Thanksgiving. But after seeing what is being prepared at the Grand Californian’s signature restaurant, Napa Rose, that might change. Though Mickey and Minnie hadn’t worked out exact menu details by press time, we’re certain the four-course Wine Country feast will only continue chef Andrew Sutton’s mission of spotlighting the best of California’s local flavor.
The Historic Gold Room. Credit: Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort
Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort
Thanksgiving dinner is all about choices, and this Phoenix gem provides a host of tasty options: a breakfast buffet and Thanksgiving dinner at Frank & Albert’s; an impressive afternoon spread in the Historic Gold Room; and a refined four-course menu at Wright’s at the Biltmore.
Trust us, no one will look at you funny for requesting seconds of roasted beef tenderloin, either, because you would have earned every bite having ran the Turkey Burner 5K at the property earlier that morning.
Conrad Chicago’s Holiday Treats. Credit: Conrad Chicago
Conrad Chicago
After you watch Chicago’s Thanksgiving parade tromp down State Street, retreat to this chic downtown hotel for a mouthwatering brunch buffet. Along with 20th-floor views at Baptiste & Bottle restaurant, enjoy marinated Jonah crab claws, roasted heritage turkey, black-garlic-crusted prime rib, three different varieties of mac and cheese (truffle, loaded or three cheese) and much more. And if you stay in Conrad Chicago between November 19 and 25, you’ll receive two places at brunch for free.
Jedediah Hawkins Inn. Credit: Jedediah Hawkins Inn
Jedediah Hawkins Inn
Escape to this six-room inn for a cozy holiday in the North Fork, Long Island’s underrated wine country. Sip local pours and settle in for a classic three-course Thanksgiving dinner with options like butternut squash soup with crème fraîche and pumpkin seeds, oven-roasted turkey and prime rib with Yorkshire pudding.
Stay the weekend for Jedediah Hawkins Inn Barn Gallery’s November 25 opening of “Lyrical Light” by artist Max Moran. His impressionist oil paintings (which also dot the inn’s public spaces) capture the North Fork landscape and reveal why this area is so special.
White Elephant’s Turkey Plunge. Credit: Nantucket Island Resorts
White Elephant and White Elephant Village
You will work for your Thanksgiving meal in Nantucket. Race in the annual Turkey Trot, which takes off in front of the Four-Star White Elephant at 9 a.m. Then join the hundreds of swimmers at the Children’s Beach behind the hotel for the 10 a.m. Turkey Plunge.
When you emerge from the frigid waters, a buffet with a raw bar, carving stations, salads, charcuterie, cheeses, desserts and more awaits at the hotel’s cheery Brant Point Grill.
The St. Regis Princeville Resort’s Kaua’i Grill. Credit: Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide Inc
The St. Regis Princeville Resort
Enjoy a tropical holiday when you dine at this Four-Star Kauai stunner. Indulge in a bountiful buffet with a Hawaiian twist (Thanksgiving sushi, anyone?) at the Makana Terrace or an elegant five-course family-style feast at Forbes Travel Guide Recommended Kaua’i Grill. Either way, you can’t go wrong with a heaping helping of sunset views of Hanalei Bay.
Skylofts Suite. Credit: MGM Resorts International
Skylofts at MGM Grand
If the traditional homey holiday vibe isn’t your style, then book a Sin City suite for you and yours at this Five-Star boutique-hotel-within-a-hotel. Between a personal butler, private bar service, 24-hour large party entertainment menu, a Bang and Olufsen sound system and access to more than 20 dining outlets, you can keep your Vegas Thanksgiving raging into the wee hours of Black Friday.
The Peninsula Beverly Hills. Credit: Peninsula Hotels
The Peninsula Beverly Hills
Debuting a fresh look just in time for the holidays, Four-Star restaurant The Belvedere is showing off its new modern interior and refreshed kitchen with a family-style Thanksgiving feast. Executive chef David Codney puts an L.A. spin on classic dishes like fall harvest beets with almond-crusted goat cheese fritters and free-range turkey with pinot noir cranberry relish. Families are welcome, but only grown-ups can enjoy the free-flowing Nicolas Feuillatte champagne.
The Townsend Hotel’s Rugby Grille. Credit: The Townsend Hotel
The Townsend Hotel
Avoid the holiday hustle and bustle of the city with a stay at this charming Four-Star spot, just 40 minutes outside of Detroit. The pet-friendly hotel ensures that the whole family can be together. Unfortunately, Fido will have to excuse himself during Thanksgiving dinner at Forbes Travel Guide Recommended The Rugby Grille, where fall favorites like pumpkin bisque with cognac, cider-brined turkey and sweet potato cheesecake will be served.
Elements. Credit: Sanctuary On Camelback Mountain Resort & Spa
Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain Resort & Spa
Beau MacMillan is the personal chef for hockey legend Wayne Gretzky. Since you probably won’t get invited to Gretzky’s holiday get-together, the talented toque is extending an invitation to join him at this Four-Star Scottsdale resort instead. Go with the more formal arrangement at Elements (butternut squash dumplings, grilled swordfish) or the traditional buffet at Views (roasted corn, organic turkey) and ensure yourself of an evening nearly as delicious as the Great One’s.
Trump International Hotel & Tower New York, Photo Credit: Trump International Hotel & Tower New York
Trump International Hotel & Tower New York
There’s really nowhere like New York for the holidays, and this Five-Star Manhattan monolith ensures that you and your family have a memorable one. Book the Central Park property’s Ultimate NYC Thanksgiving Day package and receive Jean Georges hot chocolate topped with housemade marshmallows upon arrival, in-room breakfast on Turkey Day and a front-row seat to the famous Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade later that morning.
