HOUSTON – As travelers start planning their 2026 getaways, it’s not just about where you go — it’s about what you’ll taste along the way.
According to new insights from Marriott Bonvoy’s U.S. & Canada Culinary Council, next year’s dining trends are all about experience-driven moments.
Travel expert Jeanenne Tornatore shares what’s cooking for 2026 and how hotels are turning meals into memories.
Chef partnerships bring limited-time pop-ups
Hotel kitchens are teaming up with well-known chefs and culinary personalities to offer pop-ups and takeovers that give guests a front-row seat to innovation. Think fine-dining takeovers at ski resorts and exclusive tasting menus that rotate seasonally. Notable examples include chef-driven events at St. Regis Deer Valley, which has hosted culinary pop-ups and takeovers by big names like Iron Chef Geoffrey Zakarian and “Sandwich King” Chef Jeff Mauro.
Hotel bars: cocktails as curated experiences
Bars in hotels are being reimagined as destination experiences rather than afterthoughts. From craft cocktail programs and storytelling bartenders to immersive tasting flights, venues such as The Westin Bayshore, Vancouver are elevating the bar scene so guests linger over conversation and creativity. Expect more themed nights, ingredient-focused menus and partnerships with local distillers and artisans.
Room service & rooftop dining: elevated and scenic
Room service is shedding its cliché of soggy food in styrofoam. Hotels are offering more personalized, elevated in-room dining — from chef-curated picnic-style meals to plated dishes served on private patios. In New York, the JW Marriott Essex House gives guests the option to enjoy meals overlooking Central Park, while rooftop dining continues to boom with scenic spots like the New York Marriott Marquis delivering sweeping city views over dinner.
What this means for travelers
For Houston-area travelers booking 2026 escapes, the takeaway is simple: pick hotels for their culinary programming as much as their location. Whether you’re chasing a celebrity chef pop-up, a craft cocktail experience or a sunset rooftop dinner, hotels are creating moments worth planning around.
For more details on these culinary experiences, visit www.marriott.com.