Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa
Photo Courtesy of Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa
Thanksgiving may be known as Turkey Day but that doesn’t mean that you have to make the food-centric holiday a traditional meal. Whether you are simply looking to avoid a mess in your kitchen or prefer to make the holiday a week-long escape, we’ve rounded up five of our favorite luxury experiences at hotels across the country that will not be serving humdrum on their holiday menus.
Aubergine, the Restaurant at L’Auberge Carmel
Elevate Thanksgiving to a fine-dining affair at the Five-Star Aubergine, the Restaurant at L’Auberge Carmel, a gorgeous Four-Star inn. The multi-course meal ($150 per person, $260 with wine pairings) promises to approach the classics in interesting ways. But if you prefer a more casual ambience, the establishment is also offering its juniper-orange-spice-brined Willie Bird turkeys and sides like Brussels sprouts with cumin and onion and honey-glazed carrots in take-home sizes, perfect for supplementing (or replacing) the cooking in your kitchen on the big day.
The Anasazi Restaurant, Photo Courtesy of Rosewood Hotels and Resorts LLC
Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi
Rich flavors of the Southwest make Thanksgiving at Santa Fe’s The Anasazi Restaurant at Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi anything but ordinary. Start with smoky pumpkin bisque with Parmesan foam and bacon jam and then meander on to organic turkey with green chile stuffing. Finish things off with pecan pie topped with spiced Chantilly cream. Don’t want something so formal? On November 26, the bar will be open all day, serving everything from ahi tuna tacos to a buffalo burger with spicy chile fries. If you’d prefer to have dinner elsewhere, pre-order the prix-fixe, to-go spread and enjoy a 12- to 16-pound turkey plus sides and dessert.
The Cloister
You don’t have to use your passport to enjoy an Italian feast this Thanksgiving. Sure, you could always visit Sea Island’s Five-Star The Cloister and have an unforgettable holiday celebration at the Five-Star Georgian Room. But should you make a reservation at Tavola, you ensure yourself of a delicious detour that pays homage to Tavola’s rustic roots with an inspired à la carte menu. While enjoying a live jazz duo performance, bask in all the harmonizing that Maine lobster cocktail with cucumber aoli, fish and sweets like torta di ricotta e polenta and cheesecake with fig gelato and balsamic glaze do on your plate. Mangia, mangia.
Plume, Photo Courtesy of CAP Hotelier LLC
Plume
Play it presidential on Thanksgiving and dine at D.C.’s only Five-Star restaurant, Plume. While turkey is certainly an option at Four-Star The Jefferson, Washington D.C.’s signature eatery, it’s not a requirement. In fact, during this three-course feast, you’ll nosh on dishes like roasted rainbow beets with sour cherry vinaigrette and horseradish cream, seared wild Alaskan rockfish and masala chai panna cotta with caramelized banana bread. It’s easy to get to a bed to recuperate, too, when you have your final course of a hearty good night’s rest in a deluxe room or suite.
Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa
It’s all holiday fun in the sun at this Five-Star property situated in the canyon of Rancho Santa Fe, California. In addition to the signature restaurant Veladora’s Thanksgiving buffet that will be stuffed with timeless treats and a helping of live music, guests can borrow a Porsche from the resort to partake in a unique off-property excursion to the neighboring Del Mar Racetrack, which is running its second annual fall Bing Crosby season throughout November. On Thanksgiving Day, you can have brunch at a private table in the exclusive Turf Club at Del Mar overlooking the track. You can also spend an afternoon at the Craft Beer and Cider Festival on November 28 before retreating back to your casita at Rancho Valencia.