The best time to plan a vacation is when you’re on vacation this upcoming holiday week. So we have a list of hotels where the breakfasts are so legendary, you should put them on the list. One has a Christmas Day brunch that has all-you-can-eat caviar, and we mean the really good stuff. After all, it is the breakfast of champions.
The Hotel: The Peninsula
Location: Chicago
When it comes to a Christmas brunch, you can’t hold back on any of the festivities. And we could all learn a little something from the Peninsula in Chicago. With at least six types of caviar, a lobby full of sushi, a raw bar as far as the eye can see, and the carving station of your dreams, calling this brunch spread a buffet feels a little like an understatement.
In addition to the food festivities, The Peninsula is sporting a Christmas tree that rivals that of any Hallmark movie set. Plus, they quite literally deck the halls with all kinds of entertainment, as if the buffet could ever get boring. A balloon artist and magician for the littles and a string quartet for the big kids. The brunch runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, December 25th, with prices ranging from $295 to $325 per adult and $85 per child. You can make a reservation here.
The Hotel: Le Sirenuse
Location: Positano
Let’s get straight to the point. You‘ve never really had mozzarella until you’ve had it from Le Sirenuse’s buffet. Yes, it’s that good. This meal just feels like a big Italian hug, as will your whole stay at this family-operated boutique hotel. The pampering lasts all day at Sirenuse, but it begins with breakfast. Here, the pastries and cakes are legend, the granola is homemade, and the champagne is free-flowing. It only helps that the meal comes with a view of the Amalfi Coast. Hands down, this the best breakfast in Positano, and one of the best breakfasts around the world.
The Hotel: Soneva Fushi
Location: The Maldives
You know a breakfast is good when after four years you’re still dreaming of the island-grown spinach. Soneva’s restaurants shouldn’t even be considered restaurants, they’re more like culinary journeys, and impressive ones at that. We’re talking about the world’s fine-dining zip-lining experience (yes, you read that right), and a menu-less “culinary theater.” As for breakfast? Two words: Cheese room. There’s charcuterie, too. But if you even remotely like cheese, it’s life-changing. From fruits you’ve never even heard of to Willy Wonka-esque chocolates and truffles, there’s a reason this is known as one of the best breakfasts in the world.
The Hotel: Four Seasons
Location: Florence
We’ll credit Chef Vito Mollica, who has since moved on but established one of the best breakfast buffets of any hotel. Maybe it’s the setting, in a 14th-century Renaissance Palazzo. Or it could be the food, an elevated breakfast that only a true culinary master could create. However they do it, Four Seasons Florence knows how to start your day right. The buffet spread is abundant here, boasting made-to-order omelets and fresh croissants. In the warmer months, it’s all enjoyed on a charming outdoor terrace. The room service isn’t to be missed either. We’re already dreaming of digging into a morning cheese plate from the comfort of a historical Tuscan suite.
The Hotel: Belmond Splendido
Location: Genoa
If you think that you’re going to be able to stick to a gluten-free diet, forget about it. Ligurians know their focaccia and artisanal breads. And with a whole table full of beauties, breakfast at Belmond Splendido is no time for restriction. All the menus at this iconic Portofino destination focus on mostly locally sourced ingredients, resulting in elevated versions of regional classics. For the breakfast buffet, we’re talking melt-in-your-mouth fruit tarts, strawberries that look like they’re straight out of a still life painting, and the freshest carbs you can imagine. We’ll take one of everything, please.
