Posh resorts and their eco-conscious restaurants are utilizing fresh-from-the-garden ingredients.
By: Jenna MahoneyWaldorf Astoria
It may be called the Big Apple, but New York City isn’t exactly synonymous with produce producing farms. However, the Waldorf Astoria New York, one of the city’s most treasured hotels, is changing that perception with an organic garden and apiary housed atop the storied Park Avenue tower.
Photo Credit: Waldorf Astoria New York
Not only can guests enjoy fruits and veggies from the rooftop orchard in the hotel’s restaurants and spa —the honey-based facial is nothing short of life changing — they can also have first-hand experiences. The romantic rooftop dinner for two is an alfresco, customized meal complete with wine pairings and the twinkling lights of the city that never sleeps. Or see what the buzz is about with a beekeeping class (room rates start at $339 a night; waldorfastoria.com).
Photo Credit: Waldorf Astoria New York
Cuisinart Golf Resort & Spa
This 97-room and villa retreat set by a Greg Norman golf course and on the sugar sands of Anguilla is considered by many travel experts to be the granddaddy of the farm-to-table dining experience. The resort’s famed hydroponic gardens, which span over a half-acre of land, have been producing delectable organic goodies for decades. In addition to the crown jewel crop of cherry tomatoes, the non-soil, pesticide- and pollutant-free greenhouse boasts lettuce, bok choy, pepper, cucumber, eggplant and broccoli rabe. All are showcased in the property’s three restaurants.
Photo Credit: Cuisinart Golf Resort & Spa
Photo Credit: Cuisinart Golf Resort & Spa
The herbs, which include lavender, lemongrass, mint and more, are utilized in the eateries and the resort’s celebrated Venus Spa. We love the hydroponic cucumber and aloe wrap. Additional spa experiences include a variety of hydrotherapy treatments and couples’ offerings (room rates start at $475 a night; cuisinartresort.com).
Photo Credit: Cuisinart Golf Resort & Spa
Las Ventanas al Paraíso, a Rosewood Resort
This aptly named hideaway on the golden shores of Mexico’s tony Los Cabos region is an oasis of barefoot luxury that also honors the country’s traditions. Cuisine here is a celebration of the local surroundings, excelling in seafood and authentic Mexican fare at the four restaurants. And the property’s herb garden is cultivated to enhance the dishes.
Photo Credit: Rosewood Hotels & Resorts
Cooking classes are held in the organic garden, which houses a demo kitchen. Book into a new beachfront villa, which comes with a personal pool and Jacuzzi, three bathrooms, a kitchen, endless patio space, separate indoor/outdoor living room, butler service and more for an unforgettably posh experience. The freshly made in-villa margaritas and guacamole are exceptional (room rates start at $812 a night; lasventanas.com).
Photo Credit: Rosewood Hotels & Resorts
Atlas Kasbah
A dream of creating a fully sustainable hideaway in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco has nearly been realized by husband and wife Hassan and Helene Aboutayeb. The eightroom castle-like eco-lodge boasts solar-powered showers, traditional Moroccan beauty products like black soap and is fronted by organic gardens that are cultivated and harvested for the hotel’s meals.
Photo Credit: Atlas Kasbah
There are also chickens for eggs and meat, and bees to help pollinate the entire operation. On-site activities include pottery classes and evening lectures on local traditions hosted by the couple. Hiking in the surrounding mountains is also popular (room rates start at about $125 a night and include breakfast; atlaskasbah.com).
