The Top Hotels to Stay in Around the World if You Worship Food

ERGON House, in Athens, has been dubbed the world's first foodie hotel | Courtesy of ERGON House / Expedia

Travel Writer26 January 2022

View

Whether fancy and Michelin-starred or traditional and casual, there are so many great restaurants these days that you’re bound to eat well, whichever part of the world you travel to. But what if you could combine an unforgettable meal with a stay at one of the finest hotels on the planet? Read on to discover the world’s best places to stay that provide an epic gastronomic experience.

La Bandita Townhouse, Pienza, Italy

There’s nowhere better to savour the divine flavours of Tuscany than at Townhouse Caffe. This restaurant, in the chic Bandita Townhouse hotel in Pienza, has a menu curated by chef David Mangan that includes seasonal Italian classics prepared in an open kitchen, using fresh local ingredients. Among the offerings are slow-cooked duck breast with prosciutto, sage and balsamic glaze, and the chargrilled chianina beef with potato mille-feuilles, truffle mustard, asparagus and crispy pancetta. Get the full flavour of the Tuscan countryside by dining in the garden; good news, children under five get to eat for free.

ERGON House, Athens, Greece

The black and white dining room and bar at ERGON House in Athens

Courtesy of ERGON House / Expedia

Dubbed “the world’s first foodie hotel”, Ergon House isn’t just a hotel with a restaurant. In fact, this Athenian boutique has been set up entirely around food. It houses a deli selling produce from local farmers, a butcher’s, a fishmonger’s and a bakery, plus a restaurant and a rooftop terrace. In all of these food-themed corners, you can taste fine Mediterranean flavours with a Greek focus. Alternatively, cook alongside a distinguished chef in the communal kitchens on every floor or take a proper cooking class and learn how to make peinirli – a pizza-like dish – with chicken, gruyere and truffle like a pro.

Kristiania Lech Hotel, Lech am Arlberg, Austria

Hotel, Ski Chalet

A dining table at Kristiania Lech Hotel with views over snow-topped houses in Lech am Arlberg, Austria

Courtesy of Kristiania Lech Hotel / Expedia

For the complete gastronomic experience, head to Kristiania Lech Hotel in Austria, which caters to any foodie’s requests, no matter how varied they may be. Try gourmet dishes at the fine-dining restaurant, international flavours at Angelina’s or cheese and meat fondue at the Kaminzimmer (followed by chocolate fondue and homemade marshmallows), before sipping on your favourite drink at Othmar’s Cocktail Bar & Lounge. And if all this still isn’t enough, pick one of the two foodie experiences on offer: picnic in the snow – complete with blankets, pillows, champagne and candles – or ice fishing paired with Schnapps.

Ka’ana Resort, San Ignacio, Belize

An open fire in an outdoor dining space at Ka’ana Resort in San Ignacio, Belize

Courtesy of Ka’ana Resort / Expedia

Everything about Ka’ana Resort in Belize is unassumingly pretty and chic; from the relaxed villas with a pool or the minimal suites surrounded by nature to the delicious food. Whether you choose the farmhouse-style La Ceiba Restaurant – with products supplied by the on-site organic garden – or the jungle-like Wallace for tapas and drinks, you’re in for a delightful culinary surprise. Go for the private dining option if you want to enjoy your meal al fresco or in the wine cellar. And if you’re looking to learn the secrets of Mayan cuisine, take a cooking class and find out how to make tamales or corn tortillas.

Foxhill Manor, the Cotswolds, England

The Foxhill Manor motto is “whatever you fancy, wherever you fancy it”, which translates into a 24/7 bespoke foodie service. Speak to the chef and the kitchen team will rustle you up a tailored menu based on seasonal, local produce. You can then enjoy your food wherever you want – perhaps while watching a movie in the cinema room. Other gastronomic perks include complimentary drinks – that includes a selection of spirits and house champagne – plus a snack-filled pantry for you to work your way through.

M de Megeve, Megève, France

Wood-cut chairs by a bar at M de Megeve in Megeve, France

Courtesy of Le M de Megeve / Expedia

If you’re visiting the French alpine village of Megève, there’s no better place to stay than this stunning chalet at the foot of Mont Blanc. Timber-clad rooms, a spa and a swimming pool are some of the main draws, but it’s Les Grands Crus de Fondues restaurant that will make your stay unforgettable. Here, you can design your own fondue, choosing from a variety of French and Swiss fromages, with the help of a cheese expert. There’s one more restaurant, Le M Restaurant, whose menu has been curated by acclaimed chef Édouard Loubet, so you’ll never run out of food options here.

Storfjord Hotel, Ovre Glomset, Norway

A laid dining table at Storfjord Hotel in Ovre Glomset, Norway, with lots of wine glasses and candles

Courtesy of Storfjord Hotel / Expedia

Storfjord Hotel sits on a hill above the village of Ovre Glomset in Norway, overlooking the Storfjorden fjord and the Sunnmore Alps. Alongside splendid views marked by towering peaks and glistening lakes, the hotel offers plenty of opportunities for a sumptuous feast. Pop by the restaurant for fine Norwegian dishes made with local ingredients – there’s a great variety of exquisite Norwegian cheeses to try – and the locally brewed ale Storfjordbrygg. Or you can visit the local fjord farm and catch your own fish, to be served at the dinner table.

Dar Ahlam, Ouarzazate, Morocco

Boutique Hotel, Hotel, Lodge

If you like dinner settings that look as if they’re straight out of Arabian Nights, then this hotel is perfect for you. Think picnics in palm groves, lunch next to a secret lake, or candlelit dinners atop a dune in the Sahara. Meals are curated from 450 gourmet recipes created by a team of distinguished chefs, with each dish telling a unique story. Kick back in Berber cushions and tuck into refreshing Moroccan salads and savoury chicken skewers.

Baros Maldives, Baros Island, Maldives

A couple enjoy a romantic, candle-lit meal on the sands at Baros Maldives on Baros Island

Courtesy of Baros Maldives / Expedia

Baros Maldives isn’t short of idyllic dining settings. Make the most of the dreamy landscape by having dinner on a secluded sandbank just off the turquoise lagoon. You’ll be brought here by boat and greeted with a glass of champagne, before diving into fresh seafood as the sun goes down. You can also try reef fish and prawns seasoned with Thai flavours on a deck floating in the middle of the lagoon, or enjoy breakfast in your waterfront villa.

Ovolo Woolloomooloo, Sydney, Australia

A playful dining space at Ovolo Woolloomooloo hotel in Sydney with colourful art the walls

Courtesy of Ovolo Woolloomoloo / Expedia

Vegetarians will love the first plant-based restaurant in Sydney, found in the Ovolo Woolloomooloo hotel. Alibi was opened in March 2018 by chef Matthew Kenney, serving a wide range of delectable vegetarian and vegan dishes and desserts, such as kimchi dumplings with sesame and ginger, heirloom tomato and courgette lasagna with pistachio pesto and hibiscus strawberry cheesecake. Don’t miss the Enchanted Forest cocktail – the recipe, which involves an infusion of fresh portobello mushrooms and absinthe foam made from green apples, took the bar team eight months to complete. In-room dining is also possible at the hotel, combined with unparalleled skyline vistas.

Give us feedback