The World's Best Hotel Thanksgiving Feasts
Possibly the most American of holidays, Thanksgiving has also become a huge export. Wherever in the world you are this November 23, you're likely to find a hotel where Norman Rockwell–like tableaus of turkey and trimmings take over dining tables. Others spice up traditional Thanksgiving offerings with local twists. Here are some of our top picks for a home-away-from-home holiday:
Cliveden House, Berkshire, UK
Thanksgiving at Downtown Abbey might have looked like the five-course feast (about $76 per person) at this stately Italianate pile in the British countryside, now a Relais & Chateaux property set on 376 acres of protected parkland. In the rococo French dining room, you'll sup on roasted game consommé, Norfolk Bronze turkey — a local traditional breed — and a Venezuelan chocolate dessert (hopefully in better shape than the country that inspired it). From about $585/night.
Grace Cafayate, Calchaqui Valley, Argentina
A "barbecue butler" cuts you another slice of clay-oven baked turkey under a moonlit sky: Do you need anything else to feel grateful? Grace Cafayate, a gorgeous luxury property about 870 miles northwest of Buenos Aires, will host its annual Thanksgiving Barbecue Under The Stars in one of its lush vineyards. Food almost outdoes the setting at this holiday-themed asado, with accompaniments like blueberry gravy, vegetables off the parrilla, mashed potatoes and apple pie. Naturally, there's superb local wine. About $330 per person/per night, including Thanksgiving dinner.
The Curtain Hotel and Members Club, London
In London and homesick? Superchef Marcus Samuelsson has the cure. His Red Rooster Shoreditch — the UK outpost of his hopping Harlem hotspot at the new Curtain hotel — will sling up a Thanksgiving meal (55 GBP per person) that sounds more homemade than what you'd eat at home. You'll start with cornbread, deviled eggs and Helga's meatballs (named for Samuelsson's grandmother) before the main event: roast turkey with cornbread stuffing, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes with marshmallows, mashed potatoes and green beans. Save room for cinnamon-baked apple pie and vanilla ice cream — and, yes, a pumpkin spice espresso martini. About $200/night.
Regent Taipei, Taiwan
Thanksgiving gets a smart Asian twist at this superb luxury property — and the indulgent meal's complimentary with your stay. For its Turkey Feast, from November 18-23, the Regent will throw in one roast turkey, two chef-made sauces and pesto bamboo shoots, mushroom chestnut with celery garlic sauce, coconut pumpkin mash, and seasonal vegetables. The package is aimed at families, but if you're on your own, let's not forget that turkey makes for great leftovers. From about $272/night.
Bluefields Bay Villas, Bluefields Bay, Jamaica
Possibly the poshest Thanksgiving dinner on offer, this repast is limited to guests of the six luxury villas — one on a private island — that make up this indulgent haven on Jamaica's placid south coast. The "New Jamaican Cuisine" meal includes chunky lobster bisque, avocado and mint salad with feta, roast stuffed turkey with gravy, glazed roasted ham in sorrel sauce and chocolate mousse with rum cream. Bonus: Each villa includes its own full staff. From $287 per person/per night.
Costa Rica Marriott San Jose
Take-out's always an option for Thanksgiving — especially when it's the over-the-top meal for 10 at this stunning Marriott property, which is set on a lush 30-acre coffee plantation. The "Turkey To-Go" dinner ($275) includes roasted turkey marinated in achiote and citrus, a salad bar, cranberry sauce, turkey gravy, house-made bread, mashed potatoes, steamed vegetables and a choice of pecan, apple or berry dessert. From $228/night.
Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort & Spa
Try not to get sand in your turkey at the newly spiffed-up Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort & Spa. At the property's lively Tortuga Beach Bar & Grill, Thanksgiving Dinner on the Beach includes salad, roasted turkey with traditional trimmings and pumpkin pie. Meanwhile, a massive buffet (about $89/person) at Ferdinand's Caribbean Cafe, the hotel's relaxed indoor eatery, will showcase holiday food with a local twist; think roasted Cayman pumpkin bisque, sweet potato/plantain mash, organic turkey and island snapper. Cap the evening with an after-dinner screening of "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving" on the beach. From $436/night.
Auberge St.-Antoine, Quebec City
It's Thanksgiving a la Quebecois at this characterful Relais & Chateaux property, built on a centuries-old historic site near Quebec City's Old Port. Sur la carte — on the menu — for "Thanksgiving Americain": pan-seared duck foie gras, sautéed cabbage, chestnuts and apples to start; Québec wild turkey, cranberry juice, potatoes and corn from île d'Orléans; and house-made pumpkin pie to top it off. Afterwards, burn off those calories by teetering along Quebec City's cobblestoned streets. PS: It's "Action de graces." Thanksgiving package: $703 USD based on double occupancy.
Four Seasons Tokyo Maranouchi, Tokyo
This exceptional property, situated in Tokyo's humming Maranouchi business district, offers a storybook Thanksgiving feast (about $80 per person) just like Grandma used to make — if Grandma she sourced impeccable ingredients from Japanese farms and purveyors, that is. Among the highlights: Koshihikari rice-fed turkey breast sourced from Agishi in Ishikawa Prefecture, a coastal region 260 miles west of Tokyo. That's served with homemade cranberry chutney, preceded by pumpkin soup and smoked salmon and followed by house-made apple pie. Doesn't get more down-home than that. From about $640/night.
ITC Maurya, New Delhi
Presidents Obama, Clinton, and Carter have all stayed at the ITC Maurya, a sleek Luxury Collection property in New Delhi's tony Diplomatic Enclave. No guarantee you'll see an ex–leader of the free world, but at least one American classic will surface at the hotel's Pavilion restaurant this Thanksgiving: roast turkey ($38 per person) accompanied by candied maple pumpkin and tons — tons! — of trimmings. Craving a late-night gobble? The Pavilion, which overlooks the Maurya's sparkling pool, is open 24/7. From about $330/night.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.