We’ve all been there—in your robe, lounging on a hotel bed, when pangs of hunger stab like an invading army of cutlery. So, what are your options?
Standard dull burger from room service? Cardboard pizza from the pie joint down the street?
Knock, knock! Who’s there? It’s superstar chef Mario Batali with a heaping plate of lasagne al pesto e patate. Or chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten with his freshly shaken Mercato Negroni, caviar, crispy sushi, and roasted Maine lobster over Meyer lemon risotto.
Michelin-starred chefs aren’t just going to Las Vegas to expand their brands anymore. They’re partnering with hotels to launch new restaurants and then offering some or all of their menus as room service to hotel guests.
Recently, Conde Nast Traveler did the heavy lifting to identify the Best Hotel Room Service in the United States. It includes several pairings of upscale hotels and celebrity chefs.
The Mark with Jean-George Vongerichten: At this tony Madison Avenue hotel on New York City’s Upper East Side, the famous chef created a room-service menu that’s impressively extensive and includes his signature black-truffle pizza.
SLS South Beach and SLS Brickell with Jose Andres: These two Miami outposts of the trendy SLS brand have bragging rights to 24-hour room service designed by legendary Spanish chef Jose Andres. Think Spanish and Cuban accents, as in croquetas de pollo (bechamel chicken fritters).
The Maritime Hotel with Mario Batali: Batali’s acclaimed Sirena restaurant, in the lobby of this quirky-chic hotel in the Meatpacking District of Manhattan, doesn’t offer its entire menu to denizens of the guest rooms above, but Batali’s rendition of Italian comfort classics such as bucatini al pomodoro are enough, thank you very much.
The Surrey with Daniel Boulud: Another Upper East Side luxury boutique hotel in New York City, The Surrey also is home to renowned Cafe Boulud. Hotel guests can indulge their cravings for seasonal, French-inspired cuisine at breakfast, lunch or dinner—or at any hour of the day or night.
