In a modern-day twist on the classic animated cartoon, Popeye’s need for strength might only be satisfied with fresh, 100 percent organic spinach, and J. Wellington Wimpy might forever stall on payment for his favorite veggie burgers. Today’s cartoons have changed right along with increased consumer demand for healthier dining on the road.
A recent study conducted by Health magazine and AOL CityGuide ranks 11 American regional hotels as industry leaders in meeting the rising interest in health awareness. In an accompanying poll, 32 percent of the survey’s readers indicated that healthful dining is a concern while traveling.
1. Four Seasons Hotel Boston
The Four Seasons Hotel Boston is a northeast favorite, providing a healthy “vegetarian delight” option on the tasting menu in their French-inspired Aujourd ‘hui. The hotel capitalizes on their New England location in obtaining the highest-quality fresh seafood and farmfresh produce and cheeses through local growers. Premium snack items such as vitaminenriched waters, Sampson nut mixes, and Fauchon truffles are options in the guestroom mini-bar.
2. Westin New York at Times Square
Healthy amenities for spa-inspired guestrooms at the Westin New York at Times Square include complimentary bottled water and herbal teas. Guests start their day with a complimentary mini banana smoothie. An in-room spa menu offers tasty entrees such as Sautéed Sea Bass with fingerling potatoes and edamame. Even cocktails can be zen—with a signature Japanese green tea liquorbased offering in Bar 10.
3. Topaz Hotel, Washington, D.C.
Lighter, Asian-inspired cuisine is the focus at Washington, D.C’s Topaz Hotel. Morning brings the “Power Hour” with complimentary minishots of fresh fruit smoothies and juices spiked with gingko or ginseng. Soy milk, energy bars, and fresh fruit are healthy enhancements to the breakfast buffet. Luna Bars and Ola Loa Energy Powder are available in the mini-bar and, Mighty Leaf organic teas are complimentary. Promoting energy, vitality, and longevity is achieved through small touches, such as serving candied ginger at the front desk.
4. W Hotel Atlanta at Perimeter Center
The W Hotel Atlanta sets a healthy tone as guests are welcomed with complimentary mango and berry smoothies. The hotel service initiative of “Whatever, Whenever” rules, as staffers go to great lengths to meet guest satisfaction. Savu offers Asian fusion cuisine, which can be modified to meet special dietary needs. Popular dishes include Wild Mushroom Potstickers and Grilled Mahi Filet with Asian BBQ Sauce. The guest “munchie box” offers bottled water, power bars, and energy drinks.
5. Mandarin Oriental, Miami
The Mandarin Oriental Miami offers a healthy bento box lunch at the poolside Café Sambal, along with a sushi and sake bar. Complimentary frozen fruit skewers and refreshing mini fruit sorbets are served poolside. The cuisine is contemporary Asian at the award-winning Azul, with fresh ingredients sourced from local farmers and fishermen. Dark chocolate bars from Dean and Deluca and nutritionally enhanced bottled water are among components of the guest mini-bar.
A tea program has been added at the Mandarin Oriental to include varieties of loose tea with beneficial, high-antioxidant content. The hotel partners with the company “T” in the production of custom private-label tea blends and in the procurement of individual French presses. F&B Director Fred Fung is impressed with the growth of the tea program. “Our tea business in the restaurant has increased by 100 percent with the tea program. The black teas are the most popular, but green tea sales have increased over the last 12 months.” Price points range from $6–9 per serving, selected from a mini tea menu and presented in a beautiful chest with loose tea samples.
6. The Madison Mariott West
The Madison Marriott West utilizes a special “Fit for You” program in which menu items are tagged with a logo to include low fat, carb, cholesterol, sodium or sugar. One of the most unique aspects of service at the hotel is their proprietary “chef tech software,” which delivers a computer printout of the nutritional content of any recipe. The chef simply enters the desired portion of meat or other ingredients against USDA data and can deliver an immediate and customized nutritional fact sheet to the guest.
7. The Peninsula Chicago
Asking guests in advance is standard at the Peninsula Chicago, in profiling formation on any allergies or sensitivities. Vegan options are available on request for the afternoon tea menu. The Peninsula Chicago also features “spa” designated entrees on their menus and is moving toward 100 percent organic dining in their restaurants. A Japanese breakfast of salmon, sushi, onson egg, and miso soup is offered as a healthy option. Rare, aged black teas distinguish their menu. Mini portions of dessert in shot glasses and tiny ramekins are offered as part of the weekend chocolate buffet.
8. Watertown Hotel Seattle
Meeting the needs of the corporate traveler is a big priority at the Watertown Hotel Seattle, where healthy and robust cuisine is a mainstay. A complimentary breakfast buffet provides options for fresh fruits and juices, whole grain cereals and breads, and hard boiled eggs. Forty-Two serves 100 percent organic gourmet food from local growers and offers a complimentary wine tasting each evening. The restaurant’s Dungeness Crabcakes, broiled and served with jicama slaw, is a healthier take on the popular dish.
9. Hotel Vitale, San Francisco
At the Hotel Vitale in San Francisco, the “Chef for a Day” program provides guests with a rich culinary experience by accompanying Chef Paul Arenstam to visit local food and herb purveyors at the farmer’s market and then returning to Americano’s kitchen for a cooking demonstration. The chef educates hotel guests about sustainable meat and produce and the importance of supporting local farmers. Also, the hotel is currently working with Crushpad to produce custom private label wines for the restaurant.
10. Houstonian Hotel
Heart-healthy, light fare is offered at the Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa’s Center Court Café, which is part of their 125,000-square-foot health and fitness facility. A signature spa dish is Seared Salmon with cucumber dill salad and lemon vinaigrette. Fresh fruit is complimentary to both hotel and spa guests. Olivette restaurant features a California contemporary menu designed by their new executive chef, Jeffrey Everts.
11. Canyon Ranch SpaClub
The Canyon Ranch SpaClub at the Venetian Las Vegas espouses the company philosophy “Everything in Moderation.” Their Café serves portion-controlled dishes with fresh seasonal ingredients free of chemicals, additives, and preservatives. And, dessert is allowed. Flavorful sweets include Banana Changa, Pecan Pie, and Apple Strudel, all concocted with reduced sugar and fat content. Guilt-free indulgences are still in favor, after all.
Nancy Fox is a freelance writer based in Orlando, Florida.
