00:00Food. Is there a better reason to travel? I don't think so.
00:06Food doesn't just connect us to our senses. It connects us to a destination in a completely unique way.
00:18I'm Sarah Khan, a travel journalist and contributing editor at Condé Nast Traveler.
00:24I've been known to travel to far-flung corners of the world in pursuit of a good meal.
00:28I'm traveling to three of Condé Nast Traveler's hot list hotels this year to see if their food alone is worth booking a room.
00:36Come with me as I visit the Dunlan from Aubert's Resorts Collection in South Carolina,
00:41the Beach Club at the Boca Raton in Florida, and the Henson in the Catskills of New York.
00:47The Henson is a luxury boutique hotel tucked away in the Catskills of New York.
00:52The vibes are cozy, classic, countryside in.
00:55But when you step inside, you're surrounded by great art, beautiful design, and contemporary flair.
01:01But what's lured me to this dreamy setting is Matilda.
01:04The Henson's restaurant where chef Jonas Offenbach is serving up a menu inspired by the abundance of the region.
01:11Quintessential American comfort food, right?
01:14I couldn't have been more wrong.
01:15What I get is completely unexpected.
01:18Thought-provoking, even.
01:20From the presentation to the complex flavors, the food here is as layered and surprising as the hotel itself.
01:28Truffles are always a good idea.
01:30But in Matilda's Honey Nut Squash, served with creamy comp cheese and blanketed under a layer of truffles,
01:35mmm, they're transcendental.
01:37What could have been a simple side dish becomes pure, elevated decadence.
01:42I love the textures in the wood-grilled oysters, which come with bone marrow and a dash of pumpkin seed oil.
01:49While the perfectly seared main scallops on a bed of kosher hikari rice are velvety perfection.
01:55All of that paves the way for the hay-aged Muscovy duck, which is so beautiful that I hesitate to slice into it.
02:03But don't worry, I do.
02:05And I savor every bite.
02:09I'm still full from dinner when I make my way downstairs for breakfast the next morning.
02:14But when I'm greeted by the scent of the decadent onion frittata, I'm ravenous again.
02:19I start with the fresh sourdough with cultured butter and assortment of house-made jams,
02:24then move on to a cloud-like olive oil cake.
02:27And of course, that frittata.
02:30I may go back for seconds.
02:33This feels like a lovingly prepared spread casually thrown together by your superstar chef friend.
02:40Everything is fresh, local, delicious.
02:43A true taste of the Catskills.
02:45This is destination dining at its finest.
02:52Speaking of great breakfasts, my next visit is to the Dunlin on Johns Island in South Carolina.
02:58A hotel with common green walls and coastal charm in every corner.
03:02The standout meal here is a brunch at Lynette's, with local eggs from Story Farms just down the road.
03:10With views of the water, I make my way through a buttery brioche French toast,
03:13the yogurt morning ambrosia, and oysters.
03:17The food at the Dunlin doesn't just taste sublime.
03:20It tells a story about heritage and history that comes through in every bite.
03:26You can learn so much about a region by its cuisine.
03:29And here, the fresh, southern coastal menu features seafood from local fishermen's catches,
03:34as well as produce and dairy from nearby farmers.
03:36You can even pop over and visit the goats and chickens around the corner.
03:43Sometimes, I just want to savor fresh, beautiful ingredients steps from the source,
03:48which is why I fly to Florida to stay at the beach club at the Boca Raton.
03:53With its panoramic sea views in every suite, the hotel is a luxurious place to call home for a few days.
03:58After checking in, I make my way to the restaurants, where the local catch is a star.
04:06The move here is to go all in on the seafood.
04:10My favorite dishes are the shellfish tower from the Mediterranean-inspired Marisol,
04:15and the pescado Boca Chica from Onda,
04:18a deep-fried whole snapper with plantains.
04:21Yum!
04:22There's no better way to take a break from my hectic life
04:27than by slowing down in pristine destinations
04:29and learning about them through their local ingredients and culinary traditions.
04:35Plate after plate, meal after meal,
04:37these hot-less hotels deliver dining experiences I'm ready to travel for again and again.
04:43For more information on all these hotels, including what to pack,
04:46head to cntraveler.com.
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