Nothing says summer quite like a relaxing picnic in a beautiful locale, a spread of delicious food framed by sunshine and good company. Picnicking is a naturally fun way to become familiar with a new place, and with travel picking back up, this activity has the added bonus of being outdoors. This is a socially-distanced activity that can capitalize on the unique flavors of a destination without being restricted to the confines of a restaurant.
Around the world, an increasing number of hotels are offering picnic packages to their guests for all the above reasons and more. Although not every one will include the classic gingham blanket and pitcher of lemonade, there are more than enough options for everyone to find the perfect picnic for them.
Here are 14 picnic packages offered by hotels across the globe.
Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands
This idyllic, 400-acre resort in the North Sound region of the British Virgin Islands has a curated picnic package that facilitates guests exploring the island while enjoying a gourmet picnic in nature. The hotel offers either a prepared takeaway picnic or guests can have it set up in advance of their excursion. Picnic destinations include the Wild Side Lookout, perched atop a platform overlooking Berchers Bay. Their rich menu includes decadent dishes like lobster rolls, cheese plates, and a goat cheese dip.
Santa Monica, California
Shutters on the Beach is a Southern California evocative of quintessential Cape Cod cottages. Their classic picnic package, Beachside Bliss, takes advantage of the miles of sandy beach outside the resort’s doors. This luxe beach picnic includes coastal chic décor, including pillows to sit on, a small table, and an umbrella for the sun. The menu features dishes such as Thai chicken lettuce wraps, Mediterranean platters, charcuterie with cheese, and mini lobster rolls.
Cape Cod, Massachusetts
For a more personalized picnic experience, Sesuit Harbor House has their guests complete a pre-arrival questionnaire sharing details on their preferred breakfast items. Then, each morning, the hotel drops off customized picnic baskets outside of guestrooms filled with a curated selection of menu items that can be enjoyed on the hotel’s 2.5-acre lawn.
Honolulu, Hawaii
The white-glove butler service at this 9-floor, 9-suite boutique luxury hotel in the heart of Waikiki can procure a bespoke chef-prepared picnic outing that includes farm-to-table small bites paired with craft beers and rare wines from the hotel’s $5 million wine collection. Picnics can be arranged on a secret beach or the manicured lawn of the historic Iolani Palace after an exclusive behind-the-velvet-rope tour. Those seeking adventure can explore at their own pace with private use of ESPACIO’s luxury house car and enjoy a gourmet picnic lunch from their location of choice from mauka (mountain) to makai (sea).
Chileno Bay Resort & Residences
Los Cabos, Mexico
Chileno Bay Resort & Residences is set on the beach, offering an active, engaging environment to create the perfect escape. Pericu-Nic is Chileno’s take on a traditional picnic with a curated menu that nods both to local purveyors and the Pericúes, who lived primarily off the abundant waters of the Gulf of California, diving for fish and shellfish from wooden rafts. The menu also features cheeses made by a fourth-generation cheese maker in the Valle de Guadalupe, a lobster tostada with chipotle dressing and charred onions, and a soft potato roll stuffed with marinated yellowfin tuna. End with mini gorditas de nata flavored with local organic honey butter or chocolate with roasted agave bars.
Sonora, Texas
The JL Bar Ranch is 13,000 acres of off-grid, West Texas luxury for those seeking to reconnect with themselves and the great outdoors. Their Cowboy Cookout takes picnics to a new level, as guests horseback ride across the resort’s acreage in Texas Hill Country, watch the sunset over the rolling hills while, and enjoy a curated picnic courtesy of the JL Bar culinary team and on-premise Sommelier.
Chicago, Illinois
The Langham’s dining destination is offering seasonal picnic baskets for guests to enjoy outside the restaurant throughout the summer. New this year, Travelle offers baskets with a focus on a la carte, so guests can pick and choose from menu items like spreads and dips, gourmet sandwiches, savory salads, and delectable sweets. Additionally, guests can assemble the perfect summer picnic basket by adding on beverages and choose from signature bottled cocktails, assorted wine selections, champagne, and sodas. Visit Travelle’s tock page for more information.
Rutherford, California
Inspired by the relaxed sophistication of the South of France and infused with California soul, Auberge du Soleil is everything wine country travel should be, with spectacular valley views, a Michelin Star Restaurant, and the exclusive Spa. Their Picnic in the Parc pairs French-inspired cuisine like seasonal salads, fruit, charcuterie, cheese, with a choice of incredible house wines, all set within a picturesque olive grove.
Commodore Perry Estate, Auberge Resorts Collection
Austin, Texas
Commodore Perry Estate is set on a 10-acre estate in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Austin, blending intimacy and character with heritage and the independent spirit of Austin. Their picnic experience features a chef-prepared meal on Sundays on their sprawling lawn overlooking seasonal blooms and ornamental water fountains. Dine on the classic gingham picnic blanket, sip Champagne on ice, and enjoy delectable bites prepared with fresh, local ingredients by award-winning chefs, Bradley Nicholson and Susana Querejazu.
Ridgedale, Missouri
Big Cedar Lodge is a lakeside retreat set on 4,600 acres in Missouri’s Ozarks, and is sometimes called the “Disneyland of the Outdoors.” Backyard Baskets is a picnic program for guests staying in standalone accommodations, many of which come with outdoor grills and kitchen areas. The Ozark Picnic Basket includes Genny Morris’ Fried Chicken, home-style potato salad, baked beans, cornbread, sliced watermelon, peach cobbler, and vanilla ice cream, while the Mixed Grill Family Basket comes with 28-day aged filet, pork chop, salmon or all-natural chicken breast, asparagus, buttered baby potatoes, fresh corn, soft rolls, and apple butter gooey cake. Finally, Uncle Buck’s Basket offers Angus Chuck Burger, beef hot dogs, buns, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, American cheese, potato chips, onion dip, and peach cobbler.
Lake Como, Italy
Il Sereno Hotel blends luxury and modern design to breathe fresh air into the iconic, bucket list item that is Lake Como. Following a successful launch in June 2020, the ultra-private, all-suite hotel is bringing back the elegant picnic experience in partnership with Italian menswear brand Larusmiani for the 2021 season. Climb aboard one of the hotel’s traditional Vaporina and Ernesto Riva motorboats to enjoy the customized picnic basket from esteemed Milanese fashion house Larusmiani. It includes customized painted porcelain, chilled Bollinger Special Cuvée champagne or Rosé Love Léoube of Chateau Léoube, a selection of cold Mediterranean-style dishes from Michelin-starred executive chef Raffaele Lenzi and sparkling/natural water.
Lake Forest, Illinois
Guests at Deer Path Inn can enjoy the recently debuted Picnic in the Park package, which is a gourmet picnic experience at one of Lake Forest’s beautiful parks. Guests can customize their picnic basket from a selection of travel-friendly snacks and beverages. A 10 minute bike ride from Lake Forest Beach, travelers can complete the picturesque picnic by taking advantage of the inn’s complimentary bicycles.
Rochester, New York
The Woodcliff Hotel & Spa offers a Local Picnic package for guests looking to take in the sights at a leisure pace while indulging in local delicacies, while encouraging guests to explore the Finger Lake region’s renowned wine country. The pre-packed deluxe carrier features a selection of fresh sandwiches, a charcuterie board with samples of local artisan cheese, chocolate covered berries, and a local bottle of wine. The basket also includes an insulated wine holder & wine key, bottled water, compostable disposable dining ware and a large blanket – all to keep, along with a Polaroid camera to borrow.
Miami, Florida
The Kimpton EPIC Hotel offers two picnic baskets for guests, each delivered in a chic take-home backpack or basket, which can be ordered via the hotel's in-room dining. The EPIC Picnic Platinum is for four people, and includes a mini mimosa and bellini kit, tropical fruit, a caviar kit, bagel and lox, pressed picnic sandwiches, tuna taco kits, cheese and charcuterie, plus assorted macarons and truffles. There is also a standard option for two people that includes elements of the former package, minus the kits.
