Traveling shouldn’t mean surrendering your healthy-eating habits. As a nutritionist, homemaker, mother, chef, yoga trainer, life coach, doctor, money manager, foodie and utensil-quality expert (yes – all of the hats!), I’ve stayed in dozens of hotels and audited hundreds of menus. The best hotel chains now treat nutrition as part of hospitality: curated “wellness” menus, plant-forward options, clearer labelling, and in some cases fully built-in wellness programs. Below I translate that industry shift into a practical guide you can use when booking, ordering, or packing for your next trip.
This post is written for real people who want real action – not vague advice. Expect: background and selection criteria, concise profiles of the top 10 chains (what they offer, what to order, chef/home tips), and a travel checklist so you can eat well anywhere.
Why hotels are adding healthy menus (short background)
Post-pandemic travelers want more than clean rooms – they want to keep feeling their best while away. Hospitality brands have responded by launching nutrition-forward menus, dedicated wellness brands, in-room fitness and curated meal plans that lower sugar, emphasise whole foods, and highlight portion control. This is now a mainstream strategy at major chains – from global luxury to focused wellness brands – because wellness sells and keeps guests returning.
How I picked these 10 chains
I looked for chains that:
- Offer explicit wellness or “Eat Well” menus or brand-level wellness programs;
- Provide plant-forward, lower-sugar, or diet-labelled options (gluten-free, low-sodium, high-protein);
- Have published resources (menus, press releases) demonstrating commitment;
- Are widely available to travellers (global footprint or notable regional presence).
If you want the source list for each chain, I’ve linked them under each profile.
The Top 10 Hotel Chains with Healthy Menu Options
1. Marriott International – Westin’s “Eat Well” & Westin Fresh by The Juicery
What they offer: Marriott’s Westin brand pioneered the “Eat Well” menus and in many properties runs Westin Fresh by The Juicery – chef-crafted juices, smoothies and lighter plates with portion choices and clearer labels. These menus focus on balanced plates, seasonal produce and lower-sugar beverages.
What to order: Grains-and-greens bowls, lean-protein entrées, smoothies with no added sugar, and the “Sleep Well” small-plate options for night-time snacks.
Practical tip (chef + homemaker): Ask for sauces and dressings on the side, and swap white starches for whole-grain or more vegetables. If you like their juice blends, request smaller portions and use them to replace a sugary treat, not a meal.
2. Hyatt – Dedicated wellness menus & “Care+Wellbeing” guidance
What they offer: Hyatt has been formalizing wellness across brands with curated wellness menus and resources for hotels to create better-for-you F&B choices – emphasizing protein at meals, whole grains and balanced plates. Several Hyatt properties now feature wellness menus and plant-forward offerings.
What to order: Wellness bowls, meals with a clear protein + veg + smart-carb composition, and chef-recommended “wellbeing” dishes.
Practical tip (nutritionist + life coach): Use Hyatt’s wellness descriptors to build a full plate – pair a small carb with larger veg and a protein. Ask concierge for “light” preparation (grilled, steamed, little butter).
3. Hilton – “Eat Right” legacy, wellness rooms and menu clarity
What they offer: Hilton has long offered “Eat Right” branded choices on some properties and now includes wellness-focused guest rooms and breakfast options at many hotels that make healthy choices convenient (fruit, yogurt, oatmeal, boiled eggs). Many Hilton brands also add curated wellness programming for guests.
What to order: Protein-rich breakfasts (eggs, Greek yogurt), salads with added beans/lean protein, and grilled fish or chicken entrees.
Practical tip (mother + money manager): Breakfast is where you can save money and control nutrition – choose high-protein options and skip pricey pastries.
4. Four Seasons – Luxury with an explicit wellness & culinary program
What they offer: Four Seasons integrates wellness into dining via “Wellness is on the Menu” initiatives and wellness kitchens – menus with plant-forward, lower-sodium and nutrient-focused dishes, plus wellness cooking classes at some properties. They emphasize local sourcing and chef-driven healthy plates.
What to order: Ancient-grain salads, lean-protein entrées, and chef-crafted vegetarian options that highlight seasonal produce.
Practical tip (foodie + chef): Ask chefs about portion sizes and the best locally sourced vegetable dishes – luxury hotels often can customize a balanced plate for you with little fuss.
5. Shangri-La – Wellness-focused dining and on-property produce programs
What they offer: Shangri-La promotes “Wellness at Shangri-La” menus with lower sugar and sodium options, probiotic-rich items and superfood salads; some properties also use on-site herb gardens to increase freshness.
What to order: Superfood fruit salads, dishes featuring fermented yogurt or probiotics, and whole-grain or vegetable-forward sides.
Practical tip (utensil/material expert): If you’re sensitive to sodium, request low-salt preparation – Shangri-La often marks lower-salt dishes on menus.
6. Accor – Group-level wellness strategy and nutrition-oriented offerings
What they offer: Accor has embedded wellness into guest experiences – spa, sleep, movement and nutrition – with tailored offerings across brands and a push to include nourishing cuisine concepts across properties. Their initiatives often highlight sustainable sourcing and mindful menus.
What to order: Plant-forward dishes, light seafood entrées, and salads built with grains and seeds.
Practical tip (money manager + homemaker): Many Accor hotels run seasonal menus; opt for those – they’re usually the freshest and best value.
7. IHG (EVEN Hotels) – A focused wellness brand inside a global family
What they offer: IHG’s EVEN Hotels are explicitly wellness-focused: in-room fitness, athletic studios, and healthy dining concepts (Cork & Kale markets in some locations) that prioritize balanced meals, grab-and-go salads, smoothies and labelled options. EVEN was built for guests who want wellness to be part of every stay.
What to order: Fresh salads with protein, items from the wellness grab-and-go, and smoothies or pressed juices without added sweeteners.
Practical tip (nutritionist): Use the Cork & Kale-style outlets to assemble a balanced boxed meal you can stash in a mini-fridge for busy days.
8. The Oberoi – ASMI by Oberoi: integrated wellness + ASMI cuisine
What they offer: The Oberoi Group now offers “ASMI” – a personalized wellness program that includes curated nutrition and ASMI cuisine designed to support energy, recovery and clarity. Oberoi properties emphasize farm-to-table sourcing and a wellness chef to advise guests.
What to order: ASMI-labelled dishes, seasonal produce plates, and chef-recommended lighter options tailored to your goals.
Practical tip (doctor + life coach): Oberoi’s wellness consultations can be useful if you want a short-term plan while travelling (for guests who want guided nutrition during a stay).
9. Taj Hotels (J Wellness Circle) – Ayurveda-inspired wellness cuisine
What they offer: Taj’s J Wellness Circle weaves Ayurveda into its wellness and spa offerings and promotes dishes that are lighter, seasonal and tuned to wellbeing. Their kitchens can adapt dishes for dietary needs and emphasize local produce.
What to order: Lighter regional dishes, kichari or dal-based meals, and salads with cooling elements (cucumber, yogurt).
Practical tip (nutritionist + foodie): Taj chefs are often happy to provide simpler preparations – ask for little oil or ghee and for more veg on the plate.
10. Banyan Tree – Veya & plant-forward wellbeing menus
What they offer: Banyan Tree’s Veya cuisine and wellbeing menus focus on plant-forward, sustainable, immunity-supporting dishes at their wellness resorts and select properties, with menu capsules that boost local, seasonal produce.
What to order: Veya plant-forward mains, superfood bowls, and anti-inflammatory menu items on retreat menus.
Practical tip (foodie + chef): If you’re visiting a Banyan Tree wellness retreat, pre-book meal plans that match your goals (anti-inflammatory, gut health, etc.) – they are structured and chef-led.
Quick comparisons – who’s best for what
- Best for global chain accessibility: Marriott, Hilton, IHG – many properties with labelled healthy choices.
- Best for luxury chef-crafted wellness: Four Seasons, Oberoi, Taj.
- Best for dedicated wellness brand: IHG (EVEN Hotels) and Banyan Tree (Veya concepts).
- Best for juice & plant-forward concepts: Westin (Marriott) and many Hyatt properties.
How to eat healthily in any hotel – practical, actionable rules
- Ask for ingredients & portions: Request dressings on the side, sauces in a small cup, and steamed or grilled prep. (Chef tip)
- Start with veg: Order a large veggie side or a salad first to reduce overeating. (Nutritionist tip)
- Swap starches: Replace white rice or fries with extra vegetables or whole grains. (Mother/home tip)
- Control breakfast: Choose eggs, oats, fruit and yogurt instead of pastries. (Money manager tip: breakfast saves you money and calories).
- Use mini-fridge: Buy a salad or yoghurt and store it; supplement hotel meals with healthy snacks. (Homemaker tip)
- Hydrate mindfully: Keep a refillable bottle and avoid sugary hotel drinks. (Doctor tip)
- Communicate allergies & preferences: Hotels can adapt meals – use them to your advantage. (Life coach tip)
Travel packing checklist for healthy eats
- Small collapsible cooler or insulated lunch bag
- Reusable cutlery and a small glass container (hotel bowls can be tiny)
- Travel-size spice/salt-less seasoning (dried chili, black pepper sachet)
- Reusable water bottle and a small snack kit (nuts, roasted chickpeas)
- Quick protein powder or single-serve nut butter packs (for emergency protein)
- Notes on dietary needs (printed) to hand to the chef/concierge
Quick FAQ (practical questions I get as a nutritionist & travel geek)
Q: Can I trust “wellness” labels on menus?
A: Labels help, but always ask how dishes are prepared and what’s in dressings/sauces. Some hotels publicly publish Eat Well/Wellness menus that are genuinely lower in sugar and sodium – use those as your first choice.
Q: Is room service always a trap?
A: Not if you choose wisely. Opt for grilled protein, vegetable-rich sides, soups or whole-grain options, and ask for lighter preparation.
Q: Are healthy options more expensive?
A: Sometimes – but many hotels offer wellness grab-and-go or breakfast items (oats, fruit, eggs) that are affordable and keep you energized.
Final notes – a homemaker’s promise and a doctor’s caveat
Hotels are improving – from branded wellness menus to trainer-led retreats – and the best chains now make it easy to eat well. Use menus as tools, talk to chefs, and pack smart staples. If you have specific medical needs (diabetes, allergies), always inform the hotel in advance and carry prescriptions or glucose-monitoring supplies as needed.
If you’d like, I can:
- Create a printable “Eat Well on the Road” one-page cheat sheet, or
- Produce a sample 3-day healthy room-service meal plan for business travel (vegetarian/non-vegetarian), or
- Audit a hotel’s menu you’re considering and give personalized ordering advice.
