During a year when you’ve probably cooked more than ever, leave the laborious Thanksgiving kitchen duties to the professionals. Hotels from Deer Valley to the Dominican Republic have come up with numerous ways to enjoy a holiday feast, including preparing socially distant meals in their restaurants, elaborate takeaway dinners and private dining in your hotel room or own dedicated event space.
Whether you choose to embark on a holiday getaway or simply pick up a ready-made meal in your hometown, you’ll be grateful that you won’t have to spend hours cooking up these mouthwatering meals.
Element 47 will serve a gourmet three-course dinner, and the more casual Ajax Tavern will trot out two traditional courses with sides. But we have our eye on the Thanksgiving Le Creuset Kit, the hotel’s to-go meal that comes in a new Le Creuset seven-quart enameled cast-iron roaster.
Even if you are in Hong Kong, you can still get a traditional meal. The Mandarin Cake Shop will have U.S. turkeys, U.K. hams and trimmings for pick-up or delivery. Just don’t forget the salted butter pecan pie.
Eden Roc Cap Cana, Dominican Republic
The beach oasis will observe Thanksgiving week with everything from guided meditations and thankful yoga on the sand to private pumpkin pie and turkey cooking classes for the family. It all culminates with a family-style meal on the big day.
Lacroix at The Rittenhouse’s takeaway menu features locally sourced, seasonal ingredients. Nosh on herbs de Provence roasted turkey breast, maple-glazed turkey thighs, Meyer-lemon-scented gravy and caramelized Brussels sprouts with pancetta. Then add indulgences like foie gras torchon or osetra caviar.
Let the hotel do the culinary heavy lifting as it packs a 15-pound turkey, plentiful sides (like whipped potatoes and green bean casserole) and pumpkin and pecan pies to enjoy at home. Or stay at the hotel and get a plate sent to your room.
The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee, Greensboro, Georgia
About 1.5 hours outside of Atlanta, this lakeside retreat offers three Thanksgiving options: Georgia’s buffet of Southern favorites (like cornbread and collard stuffing), Linger Longer Steakhouse’s traditional roast turkey meal, or Gaby’s by the Lake’s family-style dinner.
Rosewood Miramar Beach, Montecito
Enjoy your turkey from the confines of your bright room overlooking the beach or the resort lawn at this SoCal hotel. And Caruso’s also will serve a four-course menu of holiday classics infused with Southern Italian flavors.
When it comes to dining, choose your preferred festivities: an elaborate buffet of favorites in the harvest-themed ballroom, an extensive buffet spread in The Circle among frescoed ceilings and muraled walls, or a three-course turkey fete at the handsome Flagler Steakhouse.
The holiday weekend ushers in a flurry of fun, including football viewings, the annual Turkey Shoot (a turkey-themed archery lesson), a Thanksgiving Holiday Bazaar and a tree lighting. Apex will host a family-style feast, but you also could take a grab-and-go turkey dinner.
The Phoenician, A Luxury Collection Resort and The Canyon Suites
At the Scottsdale getaway and its hotel-within-a-hotel Canyon Suites, sit down to traditional fare at Mowry & Cotton (green apple salad, green beans with almonds), The Phoenician Tavern (garlic and sage turkey, caramelized onion and Gruyère stuffing) and J&G Steakhouse (butternut squash soup, kabocha pumpkin cheesecake).
A new addition is the family private dining option, where a group can reserve a banquet room and choose a family-style or plated menu.
Feast on a brunch buffet with appetizers, seafood, carved meats and lavish desserts. Or dig into the plated menu’s rich lobster, truffle and caviar Benedict or brioche French toast with candied pecans and winter citrus. If you prefer to brunch at home, order charcuterie, an heirloom turkey or herb strip loin, pies and truffles to go.
Sink into brined herb maple-glazed turkey breast, cheddar rosemary whipped potatoes and more at Miel Brasserie or pick them up to bring home. If you dine at Miel, there are turkey alternatives such as wild mushroom ravioli and maple-pecan-crusted salmon.
The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes
Work up an appetite in the spa’s Gobbler 5k charity run and then replenish at new restaurant Knife & Spoon with a three-course family-style spread — choices include risotto with pepitas and sage, beet salad with charred grapefruit and mascarpone, and turkey with all the trimmings. There’s a to-go menu, too.
Balboa Bay Resort, Newport Beach, California
Take the festivities outside with a meal overlooking the bay. Start with a roasted pumpkin and honeynut squash bisque and then move onto a free-range turkey,Chilean seabass or a 35-day dry-aged ribeye. Finish with a mini pecan tart with bourbon and caramel or pumpkin pie.
Leave the cooking to the Austin hotel so that you can relax with loved ones. The culinary team will whip up butternut squash soup, roasted carrots with honey and the requisite turkey, alongside bourbon pecan pie and classic pumpkin pie.
Embark on a holiday getaway or staycation that helps the community. The Thankfully Boston package includes fireplace-equipped accommodations, a $100credit toward dinner from Mooo steakhouse to be enjoyed within your studio or suite and a $50 donation made on your behalf to the Greater Boston Food Bank.
The Henderson, A Salamander Beach & Spa Resort, Destin, Florida
Thanksgiving weekend is brimming with activities, including a beach walk, cooking decorating and hot holiday cocktails on the new rooftop. But the main event is the five-course feast with everything from poached Gulf shrimp and glazed ham to butternut squash rigatoni and bourbon sweet potato puree. There’s also a takeaway turkey menu.
Escape to the mountains for Thanksgiving. After skiing, tuck into a turkey, 14-hour braised short rib or spot prawns and diver scallops at Powder. Or order the new in-suite Chef’s Basket Experience, a basket of quality ingredients, and make the meal in your room.
The Ritz-Carlton, Naples and The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples, Florida
Instead of their usual grand Thanksgiving buffets, these sister properties will do intimate family gatherings and takeaway options. The golf resort will provide décor and private dining, including charcuterie, butter-basted turkey, buttermilk mashed potatoes and peach cobbler.
The Ritz-Carlton, Naples will have its own private menu, while also throwing in family portraits and entertainment. It also will pack up 18- to 20-pound turkeys and sides for you to celebrate at home.
At this extravagant enclave, enjoy out-of-the-ordinary meals. Argentine grill Los Fuegos By Francis Mallmann will fire up slow-cooked Patagonia lamb and turkey Pamplona for its four-course dinner. Pao by Paul Qui’s three courses will include fried turkey adobo and Japanese sweet potato puree.
Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi, Santa Fe
Get a taste of Santa Fe flavors this holiday with the hotel’s smoked butternut squash soup, organic free-range turkey with green chile sausage stuffing and pecan pie with cinnamon ice cream. The same delectable dishes also grace the to-go menu.
Star chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten will craft a dinner that you can enjoy in a hotel suite, indoors or outdoors at the restaurant, via takeout or through Caviar delivery. So you have every chance to savor Maine lobster with Meyer lemon risotto or roasted turkey with foie gras and chestnut stuffing.
Immerse yourself in nature at this lakefront resort among the Salmon River Mountains. It’s a scenic backdrop for three courses of Turkey Day favorites or à la carte offerings like gorgonzola-encrusted beef filet or prime rib with roasted garlic mash and butternut squash. There’s a prix fixe takeaway menu as well.
Usher in the holiday in high style in the Ocean Ballroom. There’s a champagne toast upon arrival, followed by five courses, a complimentary open bar and tableside wine service. The hotel’s restaurants also will cook up some meals: Angle will dole out four courses, while Temple Orange will offer three. For a private option, try a five-course cabana dinner.
Commodore Perry Estate, Auberge Resorts Collection, Austin
This newly opened Austin hotel will break bread family-style. Husband-and-wife culinary team Bradley Nicholson and Susana Querejazu will turn out parkerhouse rolls, baked brie and a smoked local turkey. For dessert, go for the apple pie à la mode with Texas cheddar.
The Beverly Hilton, Los Angeles
Pick up dinner at this Beverly Hills icon so that you can eat turkey breast with citrus brine and herb butter, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, cornbread stuffing and butternut squash and Brussels sprout hash at your own dining room table.
Fairmont Mayakoba, Riviera Maya
Thanksgiving gets an Italian twist at El Puerto. Sample Tuscan roasted turkey and risotto Milanese while gazing at canals and mangroves. Over at Brisas Coastal Grill & Bar, choose family-style plates of fried turkey, roast beef, baked fish and a pie-tasting flight. Or retreat to your room for a turkey meal and mini pumpkin pie delivery from El Puerto.
The Houstonian Hotel, Club and Spa, Houston
Thanksgiving brunch is a tradition at the hotel’s Tribute restaurant. Come for smoked blue crab claws, wood-grilled turkey and bourbon-whipped sweet potatoes and candied pecans. Tribute also is offering to-go meals covering everything from honey-butter yeast rolls to the chocolate icebox pie.
L’Auberge Carmel, Carmel, California
If you aren’t lucky enough to land a reservation at Five-Star Aubergine at L’Auberge Carmel, which will serve Maine lobster with shaved white truffle risotto, wild Dover sole and slow-roasted Pennsylvanian Dutch country turkey, peruse the to-go menu.
Spending the holiday at home is a snap with the Dallas hotel’s takeout dinner. It feeds 10 with dishes like whole-roasted turkey, sage sausage and Granny Smith apple brioche stuffing, buttery whipped mashed potatoes and bourbon chocolate chunk pecan pie.
Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel
The Thanksgiving bounty at Uliveto Restaurant includes live stations with oysters, lime and brown bread and pumpkin pie. For the main course, select roasted young turkey or baked salmon with sour cream and chervil sauce. We suggest adding on the pumpkin ravioli with butter and sage.
Daniel Boulud’s Cafe Boulud pop-up will extend through Thanksgiving, so you have another place to taste his exquisite cuisine, including tender Berkshire turkey or juicy filet mignon. You won’t be able to resist the pumpkin pie with maple ice cream, apple tarte tatin or pecan crème brûlée.
Spend Thanksgiving in paradise. In your Montage Kapalua Bay residence, have a private dinner of slow-roasted turkey, local snapper or baked acorn squash. Or visit Cane & Canoe for a three-course meal that’s capped off with a trio of pumpkin pie, pecan pie and Earl Grey pot de crème.
Sit down at Rowes Wharf Sea Grille for a three-course meal that includes cider-basted Vermont turkey and bourbon pecan pie with roasted pumpkin ice cream and salted caramel. For a more socially distant experience, enjoy a family-style dinner with loved ones in a private dining room or take your 18-pound turkey and some custom magnum wine selections to go.
Trump International Beach Resort Miami
Indulge in slow-roasted turkey, Guinness beef bourguignon, Basque seafood stew, orange-roasted pork loin and unlimited mimosas (for an extra fee) at the brunch buffet at Neomi’s Grill. The indoor-outdoor poolside restaurant also will feature live music.
Gurney’s Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa
Book a cottage or residence on Thanksgiving and you can have dinner of staples (whole roasted turkey, cranberries and sweet potatoes) prepared by a chef and served in your accommodations. Plus, kids can join holiday activities such as arts and crafts and a scavenger hunt.
Mayflower Inn and Spa, Auberge Resorts Collection, Washington, Connecticut
This New England hideaway puts you in the country. For Thanksgiving, noted chef-in-residence April Bloomfield will create a three-course dinner that includes roasted venison sausage, radicchio stuffed with carnaroli rice and red wine sauce, and stuffed turkey leg with brown buttered pumpkin.
