ADVERTORIAL • January 2022

Make a meal of it: gourmet holidays

Food and travel are a duo as iconic as cheese and wine. And everyone knows that food tastes better on holiday, too – whether it’s because you’re giving yourself more time to unwind and enjoy it, or simply because you’re eating it in superlative surroundings.

If you’re the kind of person for whom dining is as important as the destination, British Airways Holidays has it covered, with a range of beautiful hotels that more than dish up on the food front. Here’s what’s on the menu in the Indian Ocean and Las Vegas. Food writer Lydia Winter takes us away...

For sushi-lovers

Where to stay: Constance Halaveli, Maldives
There’s no better gourmet pairing than seafood with sea views, and the Constance Halaveli hotel, perched on the North Ari Atoll in the Maldivian archipelago, offers a healthy dose of both. Along with your overwater villa and your private pool, you’ll have access to a clutch of excellent, globally inspired restaurants – but the jewel in the resort’s culinary crown is Kaika Sushi, a sandy-floored sushi bar with views over both the kitchen and the lagoon.

For carnivores

Where to stay: Bellagio, Las Vegas
Las Vegas is a place to go all out, so book a night in one of the rooms overlooking the Bellagio’s landmark fountains, then dine in one of its top-notch restaurants. As this is Vegas, a classic steak dinner fits the bill – but at the Bellagio’s Prime Steakhouse, it’s not just any steak: it’s steak cooked under the direction of star chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten.

For wine connoisseurs

Where to stay: Constance Prince Maurice, Mauritius
Seaside sunsets almost call out for a drink and, if wine is your tipple of choice, the Archipel restaurant at Constance Prince Maurice – a five-star deluxe Leading Hotel of the World – is the place to be. It boasts the Indian Ocean’s largest wine cellar, with more than 25,000 bottles from around the world, so you can sip your way through your holiday.

For lovers of Italian food

Where to stay: Park MGM/NoMad, Las Vegas
No matter how much of a gourmet you are, the simple, striking flavours of authentic Italian cooking will always have a place in your heart. There’s no better place to get your fill than Eataly at the Park MGM, an Italian marketplace that brings together restaurants and produce shops. Cap off an excellent evening with a digestif at NoMad, which came in at #3 on the prestigious 2017 World’s 50 Best Bars list.

For healthy(ish) foodies

Where to stay: Constance Moofushi, Maldives
We all need an escape from the stresses and strains of everyday life, and the barefoot luxury of the Constance Moofushi in the Maldives is the perfect antidote. This newly refurbished hotel has everything you need to nourish your body and soul, from iced teas and smoothies (or something a bit stronger) to a dinner of local delicacies on the beach at Alizée. Aaaand relax.

For fans of East Asian flavours

Where to stay: Aria, Las Vegas
Watching the sun rise or set over the Vegas strip in one of Aria’s Sky Suites is an experience to remember – but so is dinner at Lemongrass, the hotel’s beautiful Thai-inspired restaurant. The dining room is decorated with silks and the food is laden with flavour (think classic pad thai, or wok-tossed Maine lobster infused with green curry) for an evening of sheer escapism. Doesn’t float your boat? The Aria has sushi, steak, pâtisserie and much more besides.

For cheese and charcuterie buffs

Where to stay: Constance Belle Mare, Mauritius
Whiling away an hour or three as you graze on moreish morsels is the ultimate way to spend your evening on holiday (or at home, for that matter). At the Constance Belle Mare, the Blue Penny Cellar takes the experience one step further by seating you in the special surrounds of the wine cellar, with a backdrop of more than 40,000 bottles of wine.

For Francophiles

Where to stay: MGM Grand Hotel and Casino
This Vegas stalwart may have 16 restaurants to choose from, but it’s the two French restaurants that have us saying ooh la la. First up, three Michelin-starred Joël Robuchon, where the legacy of the late chef (who at one time held more stars than any other chef in the world) sings from every dish. Warning: don’t leave without trying the famous mashed potato. Next up, L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon – a more intimate offshoot, where, from your counter side seat, you’ll watch each plate come to life before your eyes.