The best hotel restaurants bring unique moments to a trip and elevate a meal to a signature occasion. This is what we aimed to achieve with this list – a selection of exceptional hotels that offer distinctive dining options for connoisseurs who are looking for more than a comfortable bed for the night. 

We have unearthed some of the most unique and highly rated dining experiences found in hotels across the US. Read on to discover these great properties and their culinary gems. 

  • 1

    The Times Square EDITION

    New York, NY, USA

    The Times Square EDITION
    • Couples
    • Families
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Nightlife
    • Photo

    The Times Square EDITION occupies one of the most iconic locations in New York and is singlehandedly bringing cool back to this touristy epicentre. This impressive hotel really excels with its collection of restaurants, bars, and clubs. 701W is the flagship dining spot serving beautifully plated haute cuisine in a sophisticated dining room of marble and green velvet – it’s a regular haunt of celebrities and CEOs. Alternatively, the Terrace Restaurant and Outdoor Gardens has a selection of American dishes in a verdant space that’s overflowing with plant life.  

    For a more casual experience, the Lobby Bar offers a selection of artisanal cocktails and small plates in a chic setting. Ending the night in a high-energy atmosphere, Paradise Club is a neon-lit nightlife venue featuring cutting-edge cabaret vibes.


  • 2

    SLS South Beach

    Miami Beach, FL, USA

    SLS South Beach
    • Couples
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Photo

    SLS South Beach combines world-class dining, world-famous designers, and weekend pool parties right on Miami Beach. For unabashed foodies, this hotel is the best place to stay in the city. The lobby area of SLS South Beach features an open kitchen with omakase pageantry appealing to the senses.  

    There are 2 standout culinary experiences here: Katsuya for high-end Japanese cuisine and El Ciselo South Beach for Columbian-influence, avant-garde dining. The restaurant’s philosophy is based on highlighting the authentic flavours of every dish. The excellent buffet breakfast also includes plenty of Latino-inspired touches to enjoy on the terrace. On top of the incredible food, the Phillpe Starck-designed interiors throughout the hotel combine pastel shades and polished metal that make a great backdrop for photos.


  • 3

    W Nashville

    Nashville, TN, USA

    W Nashville
    • Couples
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Photo

    W Nashville is one of the leading lifestyle hotels in the city, with its bold and beautiful signature style on full display in The Gulch neighbourhood. Every meal at this W hotel can be elevated to a celebration. The standout restaurant here is Carne Mare, a fine-dining Italian steakhouse, with Kansas City striploins, gorgonzola-cured wagyu, or even tomahawks for larger groups. There’s also a neat selection of fresh seafood, pasta, and carpaccio.

    For a slice of Americana, The Dutch restaurant serves a no-nonsense collection of surf ‘n’ turf, with an excellent chef’s brunch table on Sundays. After dinner, head to Proof, the urbane rooftop bat that is one of the coolest late-night cocktail spots in Nashville. This uber-stylish hotel also has one of the largest pools in the city and it’s pet-friendly too.


  • 4

    The Hoxton Chicago

    Chicago, IL, USA

    The Hoxton Chicago
    • Couples
    • Food
    • Luxury

    The Hoxton brings industrial chic to the Fulton Market area of Chicago. It’s a popular spot for foodies, with the Peruvian-inspired rooftop spot, Cabra Cevocheria, taking a playful look at Nikkei cuisine in a fancy dining room with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking West Loop.

    Other dining spots in the hotel include Cira, an all-day dining spot that takes its cue from across the Mediterranean. Expect delights such as mezze platters, grain salads, and rice bowls. Come nightfall, the hotel’s demure cocktail, Lazy Bird, hosts esteemed jazz artists to be enjoyed with one of their signature gin cocktails.


    • Couples
    • Families
    • Food
    • Luxury

    Mountain vistas and homely casitas set you up nicely for a relaxing break at the Sanctuary Camelback Mountain resort. This luxury wellness resort sits at the foot of the Cholla Trailhead, with the iconic sandstone mountains of Arizona surrounding the property.  

    There are 2 excellent dining options to choose from. Elements is a high-end restaurant with a selection of vegetarian and vegan choices, beautifully presented for your enjoyment on a breathtaking terrace. Seasonal menus here focus on local, sustainable, and organic ingredients. There’s also Jade Bar, serving cocktails, juices, and party vibes. Away from the dining table, you can work up an appetite at the award-winning spa or join the daily wellness classes, which include bike and hike sessions, yoga, and sound meditation.


  • 6

    RumFish Beach Resort by TradeWinds

    St. Pete’s Beach, Florida, USA

    RumFish Beach Resort by TradeWinds
    • Budget
    • Couples
    • Food
    • Nightlife

    RumFish Beach Resort is lapped by gentle waves on St Pete’s Beach no the Florida Gulf. It’s a great value option if you’re looking for a relaxing beach break without sacrificing excellent dining and nightlife options.  

    The resort – and its sister resort next door – have a variety of restaurants and bars to cater to you throughout the day and night. The flagship RumFish Grill steals the attention with its imaginative seafood options and dining room surrounded by a huge aquarium. There’s all-day dining at Gulfside, and you can enjoy a sundowner cocktail at Sandbar with panoramic sunset views. For drinks and acoustic sets, shimmy your way over to Cabana Bar for some late-night revelry.


    • Adventure
    • Couples
    • Families
    • Food
    • Nightlife

    The Strat Hotel has more jaw-dropping entertainment than most state capitals. The largest freestanding tower and observation deck in the US, The Strat, offers the best views of Las Vegas, with a host of amusement rides. It’s also where you’ll find Top of the World, the flagship restaurant in the revolving sky pod.  

    Get back down to earth on the Skyjump zipline to find a shopping centre and a selection of regional restaurants and bars. Sample the best of Asian cuisine at Chi Asian Kitchen, sink a few brews in PT’s Wings & Sports, or enjoy some hickory smoked ribs at McCall’s Heartland Grill. Nightlife entertainment in the hotel includes a Michael Jackson live theatre show, stand-up comedy, and an 80,000-sq-ft casino.


  • 8

    Santa Monica Proper Hotel

    Santa Monica, CA, USA

    Santa Monica Proper Hotel
    • Couples
    • Food
    • Luxury

    Santa Monica Proper Hotel is a slice of laidback luxury just a stone’s throw from the beach. It’s located on Wilshire Boulevard, a couple of blocks back from the beach, around 1 mile from Santa Monica Pier. This makes it easy to reach yet far enough away from the crowds. 

    Head to the rooftop to find the signature dining venue in the hotel, Calabra, which is famed for its laid-back dining with sun-drenched views of LA’s best beach town. You can choose to dine outdoors or in the covered lounge space. 


  • 9

    San Francisco Marriott Marquis

    San Francisco, CA, USA

    San Francisco Marriott Marquis
    • Families
    • Food
    • Luxury

    San Francisco Marriott Marquis is a 5-star, city centre property with some of the best dining options in San Francisco on-site and on its doorstep. Breakfast is served in a B55 Craft House and Kitchen that celebrates Californian specialities. But head up to the 39th-floor restaurant and cocktail bar aptly called The View Lounge. You can enjoy sweeping views of San Fran Bay along with fantastic cocktails and tasty small plates.  

    Surrounding the hotel you’ll find a wide selection of restaurants, cafes and eateries, offering everything from artisanal burgers to vegan tapas dishes. Once you’ve had your fill, the hotel occupies a great location for getting out and about. You’re a short walk from South Beach Harbour on one side and Union Square on the other.


  • 10

    1 Hotel Hanalei Bay

    Kauai, HI, USA

    1 Hotel Hanalei Bay
    • Couples
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Photo

    A luxury wellness retreat with incredible dining experiences awaits at 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay. This beachside property has 7 dining and drinking options, each with its own unique options. The signature restaurant is 1 Kitchen, which has a focus on locally sourced, sustainable Hawaiian cuisine. If you’re in the mood for Japanese, Welina Terrace is home to some of the most fantastic sushi and sashimi you can find on Hawaii’s Kuai Island, as well as picture-perfect sunset views.

    Thanks to the detailed and considerate service, everyone feels like a VIP here. Other fantastic experiences at the hotel include a kids club with a focus on nature and sustainability, timetabled yoga and Pilates classes, and an award-winning health spa.


Paul Smith | Compulsive Traveller