We take a look at Oscar-winning directors who own hotels, and restaurants run by famous chefs all around the world, From California to Pittsburgh and Montenegro to Tahiti.
Here are the top seven you should include on your visit to these dreamy destinations.
USA
RESTAURANTS
Arnold Palmer’s Restaurant, Greater Palm Springs, California
The legacy of legendary golfer Arnold Palmer lives on at this Coachella Valley establishment. With a country club feel, the restaurant celebrates The King himself with plenty of memorabilia, while serving his favourite foods. Each room in the restaurant is named after a different golf tournament and focuses on a unique part of Palmer’s life. visitgreaterpalmsprings.com
Ditka Restaurants, Pittsburgh
Celebrating the up-and-coming Super Bowl? Pittsburgh is home to Mike Ditka’s restaurant, a three-time Super Bowl champion whilst playing for the Dallas Cowboys. Known for its outstanding food, culture, and generous portions of American cuisine, Ditka’s is the love child of a former American football player and coach turned television commentator, Mike Ditka (Da Coach). Visitpittsburgh.com
CELEBRITY CHEFS
Celebrity Chef Wolfgang Puck, West Hollywood, California
Pendry West Hollywood embraces the best of California modernism and glamorous life in Hollywood Hills. Wolfgang Puck, the legendary chef whose Spago restaurant put Sunset Boulevard on the culinary map, returns to his roots with fresh dining and beverage venues designed exclusively for Pendry West Hollywood. Diners can expect to enjoy Puck’s Michelin-starred, seasonal cuisine, highlighting local ingredients and organic options, along with carefully crafted wine and cocktail lists developed by Puck’s acclaimed beverage team. Puck has created a casual indoor breakfast, lunch, and dinner concept with an outdoor patio, and a sophisticated rooftop restaurant offering stunning views of Los Angeles. www.visitwesthollywood.com
Chick N’ Hawk, San Diego
Skateboarding legend and San Diego native, Tony Hawk, will open Chick N’ Hawk in spring with celebrated local chef Andrew Bachelier. Located in Encinitas, San Diego, the restaurant will serve gourmet chicken sandwiches alongside craft beer and cocktails. Chick N’ Hawk will have a 1990s aesthetic that celebrates old-school skate and surf culture. www.sandiego.org
HOTELS
Mission Ranch Hotel & Restaurant, California
The historic Mission Ranch hotel is perfectly positioned with spectacular views of Point Lobos, Carmel River Beach and the Pacific Ocean. A longtime Carmel resident, Oscar-winning actor and director Clint Eastwood bought this hotel in 1986. The Inn now consists of 31 hotel rooms located within ten buildings on the property. The views and quiet location make the Ranch a special place for romantic getaways, weddings, dinners or family vacations. The property is also the home of the Mission Ranch Tennis and Fitness Club which guests are welcome to enjoy during their stay. A fun fact about this place is that Eastwood was actually the mayor of the city from 1986 to 1988. He didn’t run for a second term, but he’s still a beloved figure there. www.visitcalifornia.com
EUROPE
Sveti Stefan Hotel, Montenegro
A country famed for its beauty, Montenegro’s most iconic destination is the tiny islet of Sveti Stefan overlooked by Villa Miločer, a graceful stone residence set on a pink sand beach. The former summer residence of Queen Marija Karađorđević, Villa Miločer offers several elegant suites, while the island provides accommodation in 15th-century stone cottages. Together they comprise the unequalled Aman Sveti Stefan. https://www.montenegro.travel/en
REST OF WORLD
The Brando – Marlon Brando, The Islands of Tahiti
Marlon Brando was an American actor with a career spanning 60 years, during which he won many accolades, including Academy Awards, BAFTA Awards and Golden Globe Awards. In 1960, Marlon Brando was filming Mutiny on the Bounty which was being filmed in French Polynesia. He fell in love with Tetiaroa, an atoll made up of 12 islets and so purchased it in 1966. The well-known luxury resort, The Brando, opened in July 2014, an all-inclusive resort featuring 35 deluxe villas, each with its own private beach area and plunge pool. Setting a new world standard, The Brando is a pioneering model of sustainable technology with seawater air-conditioning and renewable energies, without any sacrifice to luxury or comfort. Many celebrities have stayed in The Brando including Barack Obama where he wrote his memoirs. www.tahititourisme.uk
