After nearly two years of social distancing, Thanksgiving offers a much-needed opportunity to reconnect with loved ones and share our gratitude for what we still have. A good option for those stuck in their homes recently is to celebrate over a sumptuous spread at a hotel. There, top chefs take on the hard work in the kitchen and give you more of the quality time with friends and family you may have missed.
Properties from Atlanta to Anguilla are roasting plump turkeys and baking up delectable pumpkin pies to help you mark the holiday. Whether you choose a reunion trip to a faraway destination or stick closer to home, these hotels will craft a memorable meal.
Come for brunch to sample everything from waffles and omelets to turkey and truffle mashed potatoes. At night, Bar Margot will have a three-course Southern repast with three-cheese macaroni and cheese and green bean casserole. Or bring the celebration home with dinner for six to go that includes a 14- to 16-pound turkey and the trimmings.
Bishop’s Lodge, Auberge Resorts Collection, Santa Fe
This Southwestern celebration includes a “three sisters” — the term Native Americans used for their staple foods: corn, beans and squash — lunch (Nov. 23), an indigenous artists pop-up shop (Nov. 24), a holiday meal that gives thanks to the land (Nov. 25) and a gratitude hike and wreath-making workshop (both Nov. 27).
The food-centric revelry will include a pumpkin-cookie-decorating class and Chocolate and Churros (an evening of sweets and music). Save room for Mezcal’s Mexican-influenced tasting menu or Marea’s family-style feast on Thanksgiving. Nov. 26 to 27, the talented Christopher Kostow (chef of Napa’s lauded Restaurant at Meadowood) will create special dinners of wood-fired fare paired with Grounded Wine Co. pours.
La Samanna, A Belmond Hotel, St Martin
The culinary fun doesn’t end with the garlic-hash-browns-stuffed turkey breast at this sun-splashed spot. Thanksgiving is an appetizer to La Cave Under the Stars, a Veuve Clicquot-themed weekend that includes a champagne kit; dinner paired with La Grande Dame; a Veuve picnic and brunch; and a tasting.
Condado Vanderbilt Hotel, Puerto Rico
Treat yourself to a Spicy & Sweet Pumpkin Body Treatment and Pumpkin Delight Facial (the vegetable is chock-full of vitamins and antioxidants). Then head to 1919 restaurant for Puerto Rican twists on Thanksgiving dinner. Throughout the weekend, the resort will host delicious pop-ups, including a candy apple station, beachside s’mores and poolside barbecues.
The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee, Greensboro, Georgia
The season will commence Nov. 24 with the opening of the Winter Forest, a 5,000-square-foot ice rink, and the annual Lighting at the Lake, when Santa illuminates hundreds of thousands of lights around the resort. The next day, give thanks over bourbon-glazed turkey.
The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua, Maui
Choose a holiday meal at this Hawaiian haven: a breakfast buffet with a mimosa bar or a four-course dinner at the Ulana Terrace, four courses at Banyan Tree with entertainment or a Thanksgiving on a Bun burger with a pumpkin pie milkshake at Burger Shack.
Malliouhana, Auberge Resorts Collection, Anguilla
While Thanksgiving in paradise will feature a four-course, family-style dinner, it also will include an inner gratitude morning meditation, a sunrise yoga session, concerts, a poolside holiday happy hour, a beach bonfire with s’mores, a moonlight paddleboard and more.
Solage, Auberge Resorts Collection, Napa
Wine country makes a beautiful backdrop for Thanksgiving dinner (though you can order parkerhouse rolls, sausage stuffing and more to go). Afterward, work off the gravy with a self-guided turkey trot through the vineyards. The following evening, cozy up under blankets for an outdoor screening of The Nightmare Before Christmas.
Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal
Start the festivities Nov. 24 with libations, fireworks and live entertainment. Then enjoy a tasting of agave-based spirits, like tequila, sotol and comiteco, before a holiday dinner Nov. 25. The next day, join a chef’s table experience pairing tacos with wine, mezcal and cocktails.
Start a new tradition with the inaugural Thanksgiving tea. You’ll sip pumpkin spiced tea while listening to a harpist. Or stick to a family-style dinner at Belvedere with free-flowing bubbly and live jazz. The luxury hotel also provides takeaway options.
Windsor Court Hotel, New Orleans
Sit down to a four-course Thanksgiving lunch or dinner at The Grill Room and savor New Orleans-influenced plates like crispy quail, spicy molasses and cheddar grits; seafood gumbo with charred okra; and redfish with crawfish and orzo jambalaya.
Savor the Stilton and poached pear salad, herb-roasted prime rib and more while overlooking pristine Payette Lake. Whatever you choose from the à la carte menu, be sure to end with the pumpkin pie with salted caramel and maple Chantilly.
The Pearl Hotel, Rosemary Beach, Florida
The three-course main event at Havana Beach restaurant will tempt you with butter-roasted turkey, short rib, Gulf red snapper or a spaghetti squash medley. Dessert will be a harder choice: pumpkin or pecan pies, molten chocolate cake or sweet potato cheesecake.
Ojai Valley Inn, California
Feast on a grand buffet including green and white asparagus salad with mimosa dressing; a caviar station; a display of shrimp, crab claws and oysters; shrimp and grits; and a sweets area with everything from chocolate chip pumpkin doughnuts to cranberry pear tarts.
Castle Hill Inn, Newport, Rhode Island
While reservations for the grand inn’s Thanksgiving feast are quickly filling up, you can still enjoy turkey slathered with sage gravy; savory apple fennel and sausage stuffing; and fresh haricots vert with roasted garlic and rosemary with the to-go menu.
The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, South Carolina
Whether you select a lavish ballroom buffet, a Lowcountry-inspired buffet at Jasmine Porch or an epicurean meal at The Ocean Room, follow it up with the sand-sculpting competition, craft workshops and turkey trot. The feast continues Nov. 26 with the Lowcountry Oyster Roast and Barbecue at Mingo Point.
The Beverly Hilton, Beverly Hills
Go conventional (turkey, smoked prime rib) or unconventional (eggs Benedict, sushi) at Mercato’s Thanksgiving brunch. Then at dinner, nosh on comforting seasonal dishes like butternut squash bisque, citrus-brined turkey and cornbread stuffing.
Visit The Mark Restaurant by Jean-Georges for a three-course meal starring turkey with foie gras and chestnut stuffing. Stay overnight with the Thanksgiving package and you’ll get that dinner for two plus breakfast, and The Mark will provide 20 meals to the community via Rethink Food.
This boutique hotel will turn out three epicurean courses: butternut squash velouté with seared scallop, turkey with potato gratin and mushroom stuffing, and the showstopper: red kuri pumpkin pie with gingerbread, maple caviar, orange reduction and cinnamon ice cream.
Zadún, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Los Cabos
Tuck into mesquite-roasted turkey, corn cake with blueberry compote cider and vanilla sauce, and more at this gem. Then offset your gluttony with Zadún’s Wellness & Gratitude Retreat (Nov. 25-27), an event that will enhance wellbeing, reduce stress and teach mindfulness.
Aspen and Snowmass ski areas open Nov. 25, so hit the slopes and then head to this hotel at the base of Aspen Mountain. Refuel with a three-course gourmet dinner at Element 47 or a turkey with accompaniments at Ajax Tavern.
Gabrielle restaurant will serve holiday favorites alongside turkey alternatives like braised short rib, snapper and risotto. The three-course menu includes desserts like butternut squash crème brûlée. Or order an apple or pecan pie from the onsite bakery to go.
The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island
Visit the ballroom for an elaborate buffet, including turkey, rum-glazed ham and citrus-poached shrimp. Salt Restaurant will present four courses, including almond soup with lightly cured salmon and smoked trout roe, and capon breast with roulade and parsnip puree.
Terranea Resort, Rancho Palos Verdes, California
At this scenic coastal escape, choose a champagne brunch in the ballroom, classic dishes at Mar’sel, buffets at Catalina Kitchen or casual fare at Nelson’s. Or opt for cider-brined turkey; brioche, pear and sausage stuffing; and other fixings to go.
The Inn & Club at Harbour Town, Hilton Head
Commemorate the occasion with a prix fixe meal of apple cider and sage turkey at Links or a buffet with she-crab soup, beef pot pie and more in the ballroom. Or take your slow-smoked turkey to go.
Relish Thanksgiving standbys, like roasted turkey breast, cranberries dotted with candied orange and pumpkin pie at Harvest. They all get elevated by the farm-to-table restaurant, which plucks fresh herbs and produce from its own half-acre biodynamic garden.
Cap Juluca, A Belmond Hotel, Anguilla
For an Anguillan spin on the holiday, fish with a local, who can point you to the island’s best spots. The hotel chefs will cook your catch for lunch. Later, pick a three-course or an à la carte dinner and cap off the evening with live entertainment.
Eden Roc Cap Cana, Dominican Republic
Thanksgiving will stretch across five days with a treasure hunt, arts and crafts, cooking classes, a 5K turkey trot and thankful sunset yoga. Plus, there will be festive eats, including a turkey meal, a beach barbecue and an Italian family-style dinner.
Stay in and watch the Macy’s parade and enjoy breakfast in bed with pull-apart bread, hash casserole and chocolate chip pancakes. Otherwise, visit the hotel’s Fuego y Mar for a buffet with seafood and caviar, or take your turkey meal to go.
Find authentic and unconventional meals here. TLC’s Cake Boss, Buddy Valastro, will serve Thanksgiving favorites and a maple-glazed pumpkin bundt cake at Buddy V’s. Majordōmo Meat and Fish by David Chang will inject Asian flair into chateaubriand with grilled porcini-tamari, rose vinegar and foie gras bordelaise. Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer will top a turkey burger with trimmings and load a milkshake with a pumpkin pie slice and a turkey marzipan lollipop.
If you want to spend Thanksgiving at home, let this resort handle the cooking. It will prepare a repast for eight that includes herb-roasted turkey, whipped potatoes, roasted acorn squash, candied sweet potatoes, chocolate truffle cake and double-crust apple pie.
Celebrate the holiday Italian style in the City of Brotherly Love. The luxury hotel’s Scarpetta will serve a prix fixe menu for lunch and dinner that includes mouthwatering selections, such as tagliatelle Bolognese, pancetta-wrapped heritage turkey and pumpkin cheesecake.
Have a Thanksgiving Day fête in the French Quarter. The elegant getaway will trot out a four-course menu with a seafood starter, a dessert station and unlimited champagne. Of course, since it’s a New Orleans party there will be entertainment, too.
While Travelle will prepare a proper Green Circle turkey, it also will offer a fun take on the holiday protein: guajillo chile turkey carnitas. The Fallen Leaves dessert will taste like autumn with maple ganache, cinnamon tuile and salted caramel ice cream. Even the to-go package gets a twist: select the jerk-seasoned turkey.
Jean-Georges Beverly Hills will serve decadent holiday favorites, but you can opt for peppercorn-crusted Wagyu beef, roasted Maine lobster or Parmesan risotto for the main course. The Rooftop by JG will offer its usual menu along with a Thanksgiving plate that includes roasted turkey with truffle chestnut stuffing, cranberry sauce and mashed potatoes.
Primland, Auberge Resorts Collection, Meadows of Dan, Virginia
This rustic retreat will set its tables with an Appalachian holiday spread. Take in the foliage-filled surroundings with a painting class with the Blue Ridge Mountains as your subject or a turkey trot that winds through the woods and over the golf course.
Indulge in special breakfasts, lunches and dinners; a bottomless bloody mary and Ketel One Botanical bar; and a champagne/Manhattan bar Nov 24. to 28. On Thanksgiving, La Coquille will pull out all the stops with an à la carte menu.
WaterColor Inn, Santa Rosa Beach, Florida
Visit LakeHouse’s brunch buffet for butternut squash ravioli and snapper or go à la carte at FOOW with sweet potato and turkey hash or “The No More Turkey” biscuit with ham. FOOW will serve a traditional dinner, and a takeout turkey is available.
Esperanza, Auberge Resorts Collection, Los Cabos
This respite observes the holiday with a taco class (Nov. 22), an alfresco dinner (Nov. 23) and a fiesta with mariachi, fireworks and Mexican fare (Nov. 24). On Thanksgiving, hike three miles for a sea view and then unwind with a pumpkin spice body scrub. Finally, enjoy dinner on a promontory amid waves.
