Hotel Restaurants Are Reshaping Travel Planning, OpenTable Finds
According to OpenTable, 61% of Americans have chosen a travel destination because of its food or restaurant scene.
Capa Restaurant at Four Seasons Orlando. Photo: Courtesy of Four Seasons
Hotel restaurants are becoming a key factor in travel planning, according to new research from OpenTable. The restaurant reservation platform found that 61% of Americans have chosen a destination because of its food or restaurant scene. Among those planning to travel this summer, 60% said they booked a hotel specifically because of its restaurant.
“Restaurants aren’t just an itinerary line item anymore, they’re the anchor,” Matt Davis, head of North America Hotels at OpenTable, said in a statement. He added that the annual ranking highlights hotel restaurants “worth traveling for.”
The findings also point to a shift in how travelers plan their dining experiences. Nearly half of Americans spend more time researching restaurants than any other aspect of a trip, while 88% of Gen Z travelers make restaurant reservations before arriving at their destination. Almost half of that group considers restaurant reservations at the same time they book their hotel.
Hotel restaurants are also attracting diners who are not overnight guests. According to OpenTable, 92% of respondents have visited a hotel restaurant without staying at the property, underscoring the growing appeal of these venues as standalone culinary destinations.
The findings were released alongside OpenTable’s 2026 Top 100 Hotel Restaurants in America, as the company reported growing demand for hotel dining experiences.
The 2026 Top 100 Hotel Restaurants in America features properties across the United States, including multiple luxury hotel restaurants. Notable selections include Capa at Four Seasons Resort Orlando, Ulu at Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, Gemma at Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills, Sky Room at Fairmont Breakers Long Beach, Nubeluz at The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad, and Bourbon Steak at Four Seasons Hotel Washington, D.C.
The full list can be found here.
