Today’s diners want more than just a meal; they want dishes that fuel their bodies, align with their values and help the planet. People are becoming more mindful about what they eat, and it doesn’t stop when they’re on vacation. While the hospitality industry continues to adapt to this shift in culinary consciousness, a few properties stand out for their wellness-focused approach. And no, we’re not talking about fad diets like nixing carbs and ultra-extreme juice cleanses. Instead, think of hotels and resorts that are leading the way with eco-minded ingredients and unique foodie-friendly experiences. Feeling hungry yet? Let’s dig in.
Feel Good Fare
It’s hard to dispute the supremacy of fresh, homemade cooking; it just tastes better. Iberostar Group understands this, which is why the brand is championing “Honest Food,” the hotelier’s take on curated menus made with natural, environmentally conscious and ethically sourced ingredients to “tell a story of sustainability, wellness and cultural diversity,” according to a press release. Iberostar describes Honest Food as homemade dishes with no artificial coloring or refined sugars. These meals are always low in salt and are cooked to preserve ingredients’ nutritional value — think steaming, grilling or using specialized equipment like a wok. But the brand can’t do it alone. Behind this culinary magic is Iberostar’s partnership with local producers from whom it procures seasonal seafood, meats, fruits and veggies that taste better with every tantalizing bite. Now that’s a match made in culinary heaven.
Why We Love It:
Honest Food helps travelers support local communities by eating regional products that are responsibly grown.
Plant-Based Nomz
Imagine visiting a restaurant and finding nearly nothing on the menu you can eat. Unfortunately, for our vegetarian and vegan friends, this is a scenario they’re all too familiar with. In fact, there’s even a phrase for it: “the sad vegetarian/vegan meal.” Alas, on the sunny shores of the Yucatan Peninsula, one resort has said “enough,” stopping the dietary debacle for non-meat-eating travelers in its tracks — if only for a few days. We’re talking, of course, about Mexico’s Palmaïa, The House of AïA. The resort boasts full plant-based menus at its four restaurants, onsite health cafe and 24-hour room service. And, before cautious carnivores turn up their noses, “no meat” doesn’t have to equate to “no way.” Instead, the folks at The House of AïA insist its exquisite array of hand-crafted dishes will “surprise and delight” the palate of every traveler. Still can’t get on board? Fresh, non-vegan items are available as optional add-ons … “Not that you’ll notice the difference,” quips the resort on its website.
Why We Love It:
In the case of food, more choices are always better; especially when they’re paired with select spices and herbs grown in Chef Eugenio’s greenhouse.
Get Cookin’
Have you ever wanted to take a piece — or should we say a taste — of vacation home? At Miraval Resorts and Spas, visitors can do just that when they tap into their inner chef through exclusive Life in Balance Culinary Kitchen experiences. In these hands-on workshops, guests cook alongside experts like resident nutritionists, beekeepers, farmers and mycologists to craft delicious, quality meals with locally sourced ingredients. Each session has a special focus on wellness, and participants will learn how to bring mindfulness into the kitchen as they practice adding flavor and texture to their dishes without compromising nutrition. A few favorite Miraval recipes guests can look forward to preparing include BBQ chicken bowls, breakfast egg muffins, brussel wings, Texas shrimp & artichoke and chocolate avocado cookies for dessert.
Why We Love It:
With the skills participants garner, these interactive cooking classes are the gift that keeps on giving.
Mindful Mixers
As more people swap colorful cocktails and hoppy brews for their non-alcoholic counterparts, the hospitality industry has adapted to deliver delicious mocktails and other booze-free concoctions. A prime example of this is Loews Hotels & Co as the U.S.-based hotelier recently launched Free Spirited by Loews Hotels, the brand’s exclusive program dedicated to slinging handcrafted, non-alcoholic and low-alcohol beverages at its properties across the nation. Each mixologist-approved beverage on the new menu is made using locally sourced ingredients and allows guests to treat their tastebuds to unique flavor combinations including the programming’s inaugural libations Coronado Cobbler, a mix of Amontillado Sherry, citrus and a touch of sweetness; Okiru Martini, which includes sake, cucumber and honey; Boulevard of Broken Dreams, a fresh take on the classic Boulevardier with interesting flavors and no alcohol, and Pineapple-Matcha-Jito, the fan-favorite green tea served with a tropical twist.
Why We Love It:
This new wave of non-alcoholic cocktails proves you don’t need booze to have fun.
Not a Phase
New moon, waxing crescent, first quarter, waxing gibbous, full moon, waning gibbous, third quarter and waning crescent; for all recorded history, the moon’s captivating cycle has intrigued and inspired, encouraging people to look not only up, but within. The moon is Earth’s constant companion, and, as far as wellness goes, its ever-changing nature is believed to aid growth and manifestation and provoke feelings of transformation and renewal. In Santa Cruz, California, travelers can experience the wonder of the moon as never before with Chaminade Resort & Spa’s Moon Dinner Series, a collection of multi-course, chef-curated meals and wine pairings led by astronomy and astrophysics experts. According to the property, the lunar-themed mealtimes are a way to “celebrate the beauty and scientific wonder of supermoons,” and we feel confident participants will be whisked away by a magical evening as they dine and sip beneath the stars.
Why We Love It:
Travelers don’t need to subscribe to the idea of the moon’s mystical properties to enjoy this intimate open-air dinner.
Farm-To-Fork
Blackberry Farm, a Relais & Châteaux resort, has mastered the tricky amalgam of wellness, culinary, outdoor adventures and hospitality. Pair this with its coveted location, 4,200 acres in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, and it’s safe to say the property has all the makings of a memorable retreat. And, whether they spend their days melting the tension away at the spa or moving their body with organized activities like yoga and cycling, fueling all the fun is Foothills Cuisine, wholesome dishes served at Blackberry Farm’s three award-winning restaurants. At the heart of the resort’s acclaimed cuisine, which toes the line of refined and rugged, are quality ingredients sourced from the property’s land, onsite garden and the greater Great Smoky Mountain region. Imagine buttermilk biscuits and gravy for breakfast, a farm-fresh salad for lunch and a multi-course extravaganza for dinner. Finally, to wash it all down, Blackberry Farm offers a curated beverage menu that complements its culinary philosophy with local ingredients that honor the land.
Why We Love It:
Unbeatable views and local ingredients give travelers a new reason to adore the Great Smoky Mountains.
Originally appeared in the Fall 2024 issue of The Compass magazine
About the Author
comments