Drink Like a Local with These Luxury Hotels

Drink Like a Local with These Luxury Hotels

From taking guided tours to tasting the regional fare, travelers are increasingly interested in immersing themselves in local culture and seeing a destination through the eyes of a local. To that end, hotels in Napa Valley, Cape Cod, London and Scotland are making this easier by providing locally-inspired luxury drinking experiences to help travelers drink like a local. From a make-your-own-gin workshop in St Andrews to a Balance & Botanicals mixology experience in Napa Valley, thirsty travelers can toast to local culture, and get a little buzzy while doing so.

Napa Valley, US– Cheers!

Alila Napa Valley is a luxury adults-only boutique hotel located amidst vineyards in the St. Helena community of Napa Valley, California with nearby access to over 400 wineries. Guests are invited to immerse themselves into wine country with the property's Balance & Botanicals experience, in which they will explore the Chef’s Garden with a mixologist from Acacia House (Alila Napa Valley's signature restaurant), learn about the local herbs and ingredients and their holistic benefits, and with them, craft a special cocktail or herb-infused wine spritzer with a recipe card to bring home. Guests will love the intimate feel of the property -- there are just 68 luxuriously appointed guest rooms and suites, offering oversized balconies and wrap-around terraces with outdoor fireplaces (and some with outdoor soaking tubs!) for truly serene moments.

Cape Cod, MA– A toast to good health!

First opened as a luxury hunting lodge for wealthy Bostonians in 1914, Chatham Bars Inn continues to be one of Cape Cod’s most beloved and storied destinations for vacations and getaways. For those wishing to imbibe during their escape on the Cape, Chatham Bars Inn introduced its own custom Etesia Gin in August 2022, crafted and bottled exclusively by Don Ciccio & Figli in Washington D.C. Available exclusively at the Inn, the team procured sea salt from the waters just off the Inn's beach to use when diluting the gin off the still giving it a subtle yet unique salinity. The botanical blend of juniper and fresh Italian citrus is designed to be versatile in any cocktail from a Gin Rickey to a Negroni and pairs beautifully with Chatham oysters. The Inn's gin joins Chatham Bars Inn's Maker's Mark® Private Select® bespoke bourbon as a unique spirit only available to enjoy only at the historic property. To create the distinct bourbon flavor profile, Chatham Bars Inn Master Mixologist Adam Couto and his team hand-selected wood finishing staves such as Baked American Pure, Seared French Cuvée, Maker’s 46® Roasted French Mocha and Toasted French Spice. The Private Select Bourbon has notes of pepper with deep oak and characteristics of cherry, plum, stone fruit, and spice, which complement fruit-forward cocktails like the Bourbon Smash. All of Chatham Bars Inn's cocktail ingredients are sourced and created from The Inn's local 8-acre farm -- inclusive of juices, concentrates, shrubs, bitters and a selection of up to 30 edible flowers. Beyond enjoying the libations in the resort's renowned restaurants and idyllic grounds, guests can learn the art of mixology from Chatham Bars Inn's talented bar team during private or group mixology classes.

St Andrews, Scotland– Slainte!

Marine & Lawn Hotels and Resorts have brought to life a collection of bespoke, upscale hotels that are located near some of the world’s most prestigious golf courses including St Andrews and The Old Course. Rusacks St Andrews now offers the “Spirit of Fife” package, this allows guests to discover the local award-winning whisky distillery, Kingsbarns, with a guided tour and tasting lead by their team of experts alongside an overnight stay including a full Scottish breakfast and a complimentary dram of Kingsbarns whisky at the One Under bar. Additionally, Rusacks offers other ways to drink like a Scot through its Wee Walk & A Cocktail tour, a 2-hour walking tour followed by a cocktail at 18 overlooking The Old Course with your guide, and most prized, the Eden Mills Blendworks Experience. Comprising a 2-hour session, guests can blend their own gin guided by an Eden Mill expert, using several specifically distilled ‘body spirits’ and ‘hero botanicals’. Once the unique gin is crafted, the first sip is enjoyed in a classic G&T and selection of canapes. The rest is bottled to take home alongside a bespoke Eden Mill glass.

Launched in September 2021 and set along the legendary “Old Course” in a renovated iconic 1800s building, Rusacks St Andrews is steeped in history and stands as a living museum and monument to golf and its founders. The property is a golf explorer’s most sought-after playground with 123 guest rooms, all with design touches to reflect the destination.

London, England– Cheers, Mate!

Known for its striking contemporary interiors and fabulous 20th century art collection, One Aldwych has been spruced up from head to toe. The late 2020 renovation included new and improved guest rooms, suites, Lobby Bar and Indigo restaurant. Located in the heart of Covent Garden the center of culture in London, One Aldwych is the perfect foodie destination and theater lovers paradise. From September, in collaboration with Floral Street, One Aldwych’s Lobby Bar will be offering an exclusive drinks menu and sensory experience,taking guests on a journey of discovery to sample cocktails and mocktails inspired by Floral Street’s modern floral scents. Inspired by vibrant British culture, Floral Street's luxury perfumes are 'clean', modern floral scents. From the fragrance ingredients, One Aldwych’s master mixologists have crafted cocktails to beautifully represent their award-winning perfumes.