Hotel Healthy Eating

A Week Away used to mean indulgence and relaxation, enjoying all the good things about life, the weather and of course the sumptuous food in the hotel restaurant. Not anymore. Although the stress relieving aspects of a week away are still there hotels are introducing new tasty, healthy eating programs in their restaurants.
We are all becoming increasingly aware of the nutritional content of our food and the importance of healthy eating as well as an active lifestyle. Hotels have realised this and have got onboard with encouraging their guests to eat healthily. Hyatt is one of the large luxury hotel chains heading the campaign to get healthy options onto hotel menus.
Hyatt and others following their example are working towards implementing these changes and by 2016 a reduction in the calorie, salt and sugar content of meals should be achieved. Hotel restaurants will be offering portion-controlled, nutritional options on their menus which mean that a week away does not have to mean a break from the diet.

However does this mean a general increase in price for smaller portions? The aim is to provide at least two healthy meal options that are equivalent or lower in price than the other options available. It is questionable whether this is possible, as we all know organic and quality produce costs more!

The introduction of healthier options is not only good news for the diet and our waistlines but also for the environment. As well as providing balanced healthy food for the diners, hotel restaurants aim to source their ingredients in an ethical and sustainable way that benefits the environment and the farmers such as “cage free eggs, all natural beef and sustainable seafood”. Sounds delicious!



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La Mamounia – Palace of Bliss

Recently MSE’s Managing Director Nina Johnson-Bennett visited Marrakech on a much anticipated short break from the grim rain and cold English weather. While there Nina graced the luxury hotel, La Mamounia with her presence. She received a wonderful Morrocan welcome and began her 6 days of bliss and a tailor-made stay in the Mamounia Palace, located a 5 minute walk from the tranquil Khatabia gardens, the hubbub of the souk and El Fnaa Square.
Jacques Garcia’s stunningingly designed hotel recounts its mythical history as a palace with 17 acre gardens given by an 18th century Sultan’s as a gift to his son whilst creating an overall atmosphere of grandeur . An air of royalty pervades the opulent gardens, chic and sweeping décor, well laid out bedrooms, and five star amenities. The fact that every detail was considered created a deluxe environment that you never wanted to leave. It is no surprise that the myriad of celebrities and dignitaries, including Winston Churchill who stayed at the hotel on many occasions, visit each year and keep coming back.

The nature gardens and swimming pool were a beautiful place to relax during the day, the addition of colourful birds singing emphasised the calm serenity of the hotel.

The pool restaurant served the most amazing hot and cold buffet with an expanse of salads, grilled meat, sweets and, if you have room, a fantastic cheese board. Don’t expect to be able to eat dinner the same day!

Lunch was regularly taken on the Italian terrace which offered mouth watering salads and tasty sandwiches, then back to the pool for coffee and a siesta.

The Moroccan restaurant prepared and served traditional Moroccan dishes with a contemporary flair and each meal was enjoyed with a huge choice of delicious local wines. The service was ‘par excellence’ by people who really enjoyed their work and made you feel genuinely welcome.

Nina comments: “The time we spent there left us pampered, relaxed and wanting to return as soon as we could!”



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Concept Hotels

Recently it has been announced that plans for a hotel and leisure facility to be built in Dubai that is half submerged in the water and the rest towering above sea level is taking shape.

Amazingly, this is not the first of its kind. The Poseidon is a luxury underwater hotel and resort in the waters of the South Pacific Ocean surrounding Fiji. It offers panoramic ocean views from the clear acrylic pods that also serve as luxuriously decorated rooms. 

However this is not the only incredible and seemingly unfeasible idea for a hotel. The Ice Hotel in Swedish Lapland is an awe inspiring structure of ice and snow, the extreme architecture has to be rebuilt each winter. Their website advices on how to dress and sleep in the freezing temperatures, and with the possibility of seeing the northern lights the experience is once in a lifetime. 

From spectacular to the surreal, a French hotel is offering its guest the experience of living like a rodent in its Hamster hotel...

 

Think you have seen it all? Check out this list of unusual and creative hotels, from the prison hotel in Germany to a sand hotel in Dorset (can’t quite believe that one!) there are some unfathomable and certainly interesting concepts!

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