In the year 2024, any hotel restaurant worth its salt is leaning into its surrounding culture and sourcing its ingredients as locally as possible. But while it’s a purely practical (or cost-saving) measure in many cases, there are some hotels that go the extra mile to ensure that their guests experience memorable meals and culinary journeys that continue to delight them long after they’ve checked out.
Many members of the WorldHotels collection fall into this category of culinary beauty and gastronomic invention. The collection of independent hotels, which blend local charm with world-class luxury, spans more than 200 destinations, and its four categories celebrate everything from historic grandeur to emerging artists. So some diversity in the dining experiences is to be expected. But whether the culinary journey includes handcrafted mooncakes and Edo-style sushi in a historic Singapore hotel, or a vegetable-centric menu made in a solar-powered kitchen from a vertical farm in the Netherlands, what WorldHotels’ Culinary Journeys have in common is their authentic exploration of local traditions and trends, and their deep commitment to local food sourcing.
MAKEDONIA PALACE, THESSALONIKI, GREECE
Part of the iconic WorldHotels Luxury collection, Makedonia Palace aims to pair local know-how and culinary artistry with breathtaking views over the sea in Thessaloniki. Executive chef Sotiris Evangelou and his team follow a “cooking from the heart” philosophy at the Salonika Restaurant, which has been honored with consecutive “Toques d’Or” awards from the Greek cultural magazine Athinorama. They showcase fresh, local ingredients in classic Greek dishes such as goat prepared in a pot and wine-roasted wild boar. The hotel’s other main restaurant, Navona, offers an Italian twist — the countries are neighbors, after all — in the form of hand-made pizza, freshly rolled pasta, and signature cocktails. The diversity of menu options, seaside ambiance, and mix of local tradition with international flair make both restaurants stand out.
HOTEL HAARHUIS, ARNHEM, NETHERLANDS
Artistry and innovation are the guiding lights for the WorldHotels Crafted collection, and the culinary examples at Hotel Haarhuis is a good example. Not only is the hotel’s food and beverage closely aligned with the Dutch emphasis on sustainability, but it’s also leading with creativity. The heart of the hotel’s dining experience is a restaurant called LOCALS, which highlights the flavors of Dutch cuisine and focuses on high-quality, vegetable-forward meals. Behind the scenes, it’s innovating with a vertical urban farm and a solar-powered kitchen. HOEK Coffee & Pastry and the Storage wine cellar and whiskey bar offer their respective treats for the morning or night, and the upstairs BLOU Rooftop Bar has excellent city views and the Gouden Kraan award–winning coolest toilet in the Netherlands, which is nearly 60 feet high and comes with optional light effects.
CARLTON HOTEL SINGAPORE
At Carlton Hotel Singapore, which is part of the WorldHotels Elite collection, guests have their choice of an exceptional array of gourmet delights. During the mid-autumn season, an exquisite selection of mooncakes (the traditional sweet round pastries filled with white lotus paste, rich egg yolk, or other delectable ingredients) is meticulously handcrafted by the hotel’s pastry chefs and the renowned culinary team at Wah Lok Cantonese Restaurant — named Singapore’s best by Tatlermagazine since 1991. Meanwhile, the Michelin-starred Shinji by Kanesaka serves Edo-style sushi, made with super-fresh, high-quality fish and vinegared rice. On a more casual note, Café Mosaic offers a diverse range of Singaporean and international dishes, and Tuxedo Café & Pâtisserie brings European sophistication to its artisanal pastries and specialty coffee.
THE GARDEN HOTEL GUANGZHOU, CHINA
The exceptional restaurants at the WorldHotels Elite property The Garden Hotel Guangzhou have also been recognized by the Michelin guide. The hotel’s Cantonese restaurant Taian Table holds two of the coveted stars thanks to the contemporary cuisine made by chef Wen Sien. Another of its nine dining venues, Stiller, has earned one star for its European dishes with German flair. Its other restaurants are no less impressive. Lai Wan A Cantonese Kitchen immerses guests in Lingnan culture with its decor inspired by Lychee Bay, while Japanese By the Pond serves excellent sushi, sashimi, robatayaki, and teppanyaki. Waterfall offers an all-day international buffet with stunning waterfall views, and the Connoisseur features premium seafood and steaks in a classic setting, making it ideal for special occasions. Most memorable of all is the Revolving Restaurant on the 30th floor, which pairs panoramic views of Guangzhou with an array of exotic dishes.
GRAND HOTEL KAREL V, UTRECHT, NETHERLANDS
At Grand Hotel Karel V, a WorldHotels Luxury property in the historic heart of Utrecht, every dish continues to tell the hotel’s story of tradition, innovation, and impeccable taste. Its Restaurant Karel 5, whose dining room dates from medieval times, has been recommended by the Michelin guide. Chef de cuisine Leon Mazairac and his team craft modern flavor combinations from outstanding local ingredients. “As Chef de Cuisine at Restaurant Karel 5, I believe in crafting an unforgettable culinary journey that goes beyond just taste. Each dish is an expression of myself, the seasonality, heritage, and creativity, carefully designed to awaken the senses. We source only the finest local ingredients, respecting both nature and tradition, while pushing the boundaries of flavor combinations. For me, cooking is where every plate tells a story that connects our guests to the character of the region. But not too complicated after all: simplicity is already complex enough,“ says Restaurant Karel 5, Chef de Cuisine, Leon Mazairac.
The more casual Brasserie Goeie Louisa uses seasonal ingredients to present classic dishes such as steak tartare and North Sea squid with Dutch chorizo, all with a contemporary twist in an enchanting former monastery. Guests can enjoy lunch among apple and pear trees or watch creativity happen in the open kitchen led by chef Jules Borninkhof.
MAJETIC PONTA NEGRA BEACH, NATAL, BRAZI
The WorldHotels Elite property Majestic Ponta Negra Beach sits in front of one of the most beautiful and well-situated beaches in Brazil’s northeast. Its elegant La Brasserie de La Mer restaurant was designed by renowned architect Samara Gosson, and its open kitchen is led by famous French chef Erick Jacquin, who is known for his role as a judge on the Brazilian edition of the popular reality show MasterChef. His unique dishes, along with the refined environment and precise French-style service, ensure an experience that excels in good taste. At the hotel’s rooftop venue, La Terrace, the breathtaking views of Morro do Careca — one of the country’s landmarks — are paired with local snacks and favorite cocktails like the caipirinha.
CARIBE ROYALE ORLANDO, FLORIDA
Guests can enjoy two distinctive dining experiences at Caribe Royale Orlando, another selection in the WorldHotels Elite collection. The Stadium Club offers a lively, interactive atmosphere for sports enthusiasts, featuring chef-driven menus and state-of-the-art sports simulators. Its other restaurant option, the Venetian Chop House, which holds a AAA Four Diamond rating, specializes in Italian-inspired cuisine and premium steaks. Executive chef David Hackett curates a menu that includes signature cuts and innovative dishes, complemented by an extensive wine selection.
In partnership with WorldHotels; All images courtesy of WorldHotels
