Hotels are now adopting a “party dinner atmosphere.”
Dinners bring people together. Sharing meals with friends and loved ones amidst conversation and laughter has always been an integral part of how we connect with one another. Whether it’s an informal or formal event with six or sixty people, a dinner party fosters camaraderie.
According to many accounts, 2024 has become the year of dinner. Whether it is Generation Z craves connectionnew cookbooks for holiday dinners With a loyal fan base or seasoned veterans looking for ways to entertain with flair, one thing has become increasingly clear: hotels want in on the action. Surveys indicate that authentic, meaningful connections are of the utmost importance when choosing a destination, and what better way to do that than sharing a meal and a drink with fellow travelers (and sometimes locals, too).
Here are some examples of hotels that will embrace a “celebratory dinner vibe” as part of their food and beverage offerings in 2024 and beyond.
Guests are treated to cooking techniques in yabba clay pots.
A Vincentian Dinner in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
At the center of the new Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Sandals Buccan is a new large-format dining concept that uses a Vincentian cooking technique done in yabba clay pots over an open hearth. Reminiscent of family gatherings or “river kitchens” where food is cooked over fire and stone (aka “three-stone cooking”), the beloved tradition welcomes guests who arrive as strangers and leave as friends bonded over soulful food, framed by palm fronds and the crackling of solid fuel fires. Throughout two coveted courses each evening, tables of eight enjoy a delicious family-style culinary journey with Vincy staples flowing from the fire to the table in waves. What follows is a two-hour journey of dishes that flow from the fire in waves: a fresh watermelon and charred tomato salad, crispy provisions like yucca and breadfruit, yabba pot rice, lamb curry, skewered chicken.
Guests often end the day by celebrating over dinner.
A dinner in a 16th century Beaujolais castle
Contikithe social travel agency for 18-35 year olds, is no stranger to bringing together groups of travelers who are heading out as friends. Their exclusive palatial estate, the 16th-century Château de Cruix, is nestled in the idyllic Beaujolais wine region and offers a unique dining experience for visitors. After a day spent hiking the surrounding vineyards, enjoying yoga on sprawling lawns, and painting en plein air, guests enjoy large family-style meals al fresco (with wine, of course), nibbling on French staples like regional cheeses, meats, local produce, and more. Common dishes include garden vegetable ratatouille with zucchini, tomatoes, and eggplant, and the iconic crème brûlée to round out a meal. To put the “party” in “party dinner,” guests often end the evening partying in the garden’s gorgeous pool or at the property’s iconic Le Cave nightclub.
The establishment thanks returning guests for their dinners.
A floating dinner in Fiji's Blue Lagoon
Located on a 500-acre private island in Fiji's Yasawa Archipelago, Turtle Island Turtle Island is one of the world’s most sought-after destinations. As many as 50% of couples end up returning to Turtle Island, and the resort credits its party-style dining as one of the main reasons why. With just 28 guests on the island at any one time, Turtle Island forgoes a traditional restaurant and features a communal floating table that moves night after night to scenic locations, from the property’s expansive garden to the summit of Mount Ford, inviting all guests to mingle over dinner. Even newlyweds eventually join the table and stay for the duration of their stay, making new friends. Fijian cuisine draws on the island’s freshly harvested produce and local specialties, including Kokoda, made from raw fish tossed in a refreshing marinade of citrus, coconut milk and spices, or Lovo, the Pacific Islands’ take on barbecue.
Guests are invited via dinner invitations.
7-course zero waste dinner on the high seas
Lindblad-National Geographic Expeditions, National Geographic, the world leader and pioneer in expedition cruising, has launched invitation-only Concept Dinners aboard its two newest ships, National Geographic Endurance and National Geographic Resolution. Each guest on the luxury expedition ships is invited at least once per cruise via discreet, hand-delivered postcards to join fellow travelers in an intimate dining room on the ships’ upper decks; at Charlie’s Table (Endurance) and Cook’s Nook (Resolution), for the seven-course Concept Dinners. Each menu is crafted over 300 hours by the chefs and showcases a commitment to sustainable practices and a better future for the planet. Creativity is on display, with the culinary team presenting dishes ranging from “Kelp Forest Soup” that highlights the importance of kelp to the marine ecosystem to “Ode to Bees” dessert that nods to the importance of bees in global food ecosystems.
Dinners offer a tailor-made culinary experience.
Tailor-made dining experiences
Thompson Hotels has launched “A Taste of Thompson” 2024 dinners, offering bespoke dining experiences at destinations across the United States. Guests can gather groups of up to 20 friends and choose from a range of distinctive offerings to embrace the end of summer and host the dinner of their dreams, complete with fun-filled experiences. Following the epicurean philosophy of Thompson’s signature restaurant Savannah FleetingTaste of Thompson showcases the finest seasonal produce from the local coastal landscape and waterways. Celebrate hyper-local ingredients with your choice of a four-course meal or cocktail reception with paired bites, making no two evenings the same. In an ode to the quintessential New York City hotel stay, Central Thompson Park in New York hosted an epicurean dining experience in the comfort of its signature suites. The menu celebrates New York cuisine with a touch of elegance, with each room featuring a new dish, culminating in chef-prepared desserts in bed or a champagne toast in a warm bubble bath.
