When visiting a destination, the in-house restaurant of your hotel can be an afterthought, especially when there are so many other places to eat in the destination. These days, though, hotel restaurants have upped their game, becoming a real treat and even drawing diners who aren’t hotel guests. Writer Lisa Truesdale offers this list of some exceptional places to try and why. 

Save this list to Pinterest to help you plan a visit to these hotel restaurants. Graphic by RealFoodTraveler.com.

5 U.S. Hotel Restaurants Not to Miss

Let’s face it; some hotel restaurants seem to be there merely for convenience—providing guests with a nothing-fancy, quick meal when they’re too tired to leave the property. (No offense to diners attached to roadside motels that I recall from childhood road trips.; they had the best grilled cheese!) These days, though, many hotel restaurants are truly foodie destinations in themselves, not just there for the hotel’s guests but drawing people from all over. Here are five of my favorites from my recent travels.

240 West, at Abbey Resort, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin

You’ll have to avert your gaze from the amazing panoramic lake views long enough to study the equally amazing menu at 240 West. The resort’s culinary team is newly led by Chef Noah Gumustekin, who hails from Turkey. He recently revamped the menu, adding his own creative touches to the Midwest-focused offerings. You’re in Wisconsin, so of course there’s lots of cheese—like the charcuterie boards, evolving with the seasons but always showcasing locally cured meats, sweet fig jam, and Wisconsin cheeses. One of the most popular entrees is the Beef Short Rib, with pearl onion, carrot, and hand-mashed potatoes. I especially loved the Roasted Half Chicken—the skin was so crispy, and the pan jus was amazing. I also appreciated the unexpected little punch of piquillo pepper in the Burrata Salad. The restaurant’s atmosphere is “influenced by wine country,” with reclaimed wood beams, rich fabrics, and a large stone fireplace, making dinner at 240 West the perfect ending to a day spent exploring the lake.

When in Lake Geneva, don’t miss: The U.S. Mail Boat Tour on the lake, where you get to watch daring mail jumpers leap on and off the boat while delivering mail to the docks of lakeside residents. (Seasonal)

The crispy-skinned roast chicken at 240 West. Photo courtesy of 240 West.

Hungry for more? Read about the magic and elegance of Lake Geneva.

Alder & Birch, The Orleans Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas

The Orleans Hotel is a bit off the strip, but don’t count it out on your next visit to Vegas. It’s small and friendly, and the casino’s table limits are often lower than at the mega-casinos. The biggest surprise of all is the on-site steakhouse, Alder & Birch. This restaurant, open Wednesday through Sunday only, features not just prime, hand-cut steaks—the bone-in ribeye is a crowd favorite—but also shared plates like the colossal Ocean Treasures platter, with king crab legs, prawns, seasonal oysters, and lobster medallions and claws. (Bring several friends for that one!) There’s also rich and creamy crab bisque, the best French onion soup I’ve ever tasted, chicken, lamb, and veal. Delectable side dishes include Blue Cheese Scalloped Potatoes; ask for them extra crispy on the top. The prices are reasonable, the cocktails are delicious, and the staff is always friendly and professional.

When in Las Vegas, don’t miss: FlyOver Vegas, a breathtaking, immersive experience where riders “soar” over four different iconic locations, including Iceland and the Canadian Rockies. Also check out the Neon Museum, a nonprofit, 2-plus acre “graveyard” of vintage signs from casinos and other businesses. It’s especially cool at night!

Oyster Rockefeller at Alder & Birch. Photo courtesy of Alder & Birch.

Crow’s Nest, Hotel Captain Cook, Anchorage, Alaska

The historic Hotel Captain Cook is one of the tallest buildings in Anchorage, so putting the hotel’s fine-dining restaurant on the top floor of the tallest tower was a stellar idea. The breathtaking, 360-degree views take your breath away as you gaze for miles at the port, the downtown, and the towering mountains. I had a particularly interesting appetizer, which I’ve been craving ever since my trip—fried Castelvetrano olives with goat cheese and pecorino. I’m also still thinking about the delicious Meyer lemon vinaigrette on the Snap Pea Salad, and I’ve tried to make it at home, with no success yet.

It was difficult for us to decide on entrees, so we made sure to get two different things so we could share a bite or two with each other. I went with the Big Eye Tuna, swayed by the pickled green beans and tomato jam, two of my favorites. It was amazing! My companion chose the ribeye because it has an espresso crust, and he was so delighted, he didn’t want to share after all. Hotel Captain Cook also has four other dining outlets, including Fletcher’s, an English-style named for Fletcher Christian of Mutiny on the Bounty fame. After your meal, tour the hotel’s amazing art collection, featuring large-scale paintings detailing the adventures of Captain Cook. There’s also impressive stained glass, intricate woodwork, and sculptures throughout.

When in Anchorage, don’t miss: A scenic bike ride along the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, an 11-mile paved trail that hugs the coast. Bikes are available to rent downtown.

Hungry for more? Get Lisa’s list of 5 great places to eat in Banff.

Meridia, Westin Hapuna Beach Resort, Island of Hawaiʻi

After a day spent exploring the island or lounging by the pool, dinner at Meridia is always a special treat. As soon as your trip is booked, try to score an al fresco table on the tiered patio for stunning sunset views, because these prime spots book up far in advance. The Mediterranean-inspired menu features ingredients sourced directly from the island’s farms, fisheries, and ranches, and they also have their own garden that supplies fresh veggies and herbs. I’m still dreaming about the Paella Mixta, bursting with huge Kona shrimp, chicken, wild pork sausage, clams, and just the right amount of saffron. I didn’t try the Boar Ragu, but I heard a fellow diner raving about it; it’s prepared with house-made pappardelle pasta, island mushrooms, shaved parmesan, and gremolata. For dessert, we thoroughly enjoyed the Spanish Cheesecake, garnished with blackberry jus and fresh honey from the on-site garden. The menu’s zero-proof cocktails were some of the most creative I’ve ever seen, like the No-Groni made with house-made grapefruit shrub, but the regular cocktails were tasty too!

When on the Big Island, don’t miss: Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, especially the quick and easy hike through the Nāhuku (Thurston Lava Tube) Trail. Check conditions before visiting, since Kilauea is currently experiencing “episodic volcanic activity.”

Enjoy paella at Meridia. Photo courtesy of Meridia at the Westin Hapuna Beach Resort

Monarch, at Grand Galvez, Galveston, Texas

I just don’t know where to start when explaining the amazing experience I had at this restaurant! The Sunday Buffet Brunch is legendary, for one. It features two long hallways filled with just about any dish you can imagine, like the most beautiful seafood station I’ve ever seen (or tasted), complete with a fancy ice sculpture. There’s definitely something for everyone at this buffet, which is why this brunch is so popular for families on special occasions. Think breakfast foods, made-to-order omelets, hand-carved meats, charcuterie, and tables full of desserts, including a to-die-for bread pudding. You can also add on unlimited mimosas with your choice of four different flavors of fresh-squeezed fruit juice.

On Saturdays, Monarch hosts traditional British high tea, with classic, multi-tiered trays of finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream, pastries, and tea cakes. I also enjoyed the historic atmosphere of the Founders Bar in the lobby. In fact, the entire hotel is like a history museum, with historic photographs, artifact displays, and classic cars. It’s also said to be the most haunted hotel in Texas. Look for the portrait of the hotel’s namesake, Bernardo de Galvez; legend has it that his extremely white eyes follow guests they walk by. Visitors often attempt to photograph the painting but end up with a skull-shaped glare where the face should be; apparently this can be remedied by first “asking” the portrait for permission to snap a photo.

When in Galveston, don’t miss: The pristine beaches, of course, but also Moody Gardens, with a living rainforest, a Discovery Museum, a world-class aquarium, and more. Stop by the gift shop to purchase a unique piece of art “painted” by some of the adorable resident penguins.

Every Sunday brunch at Monarch features a different hand-carved ice sculpture gracing the impressive seafood station at the entrance. Photo by Lisa Truesdale.

Hungry for more? Things to do when you cruise from Galveston, TX.

-Story by Lisa Truesdale