The USA Goes for the Gold This Summer in These Hotels

The Summer Olympics are held in France this year, and the excitement is building—all over the globe, of course, and also in the U.S. with hotels and destinations planning tie-in activities and menus to fete the occasion. Francophiles will rejoice at these dupe travel spots that swap France for getaways that mimic the real thing. Here, a taste of the best of France this summer—without the need for a passport.

New York City
The creme de la creme of Upper East Side hotels, The Pierre hotel’s Perrine restaurant debuts a Parisian 1924 Olympic-inspired menu in July, marking the 100th anniversary of the last time the games were held in Paris. The menu, created by Executive Chef Michael Mignano, will showcase the rich culinary heritage of France with dishes inspired by French regions participating in the Olympics and seasonal summer produce available in France. Also, expect classic French pastries like eclairs and crepes Suzette and Olympic-themed desserts (think: medal macaron tower). Of course, French wines, a celebratory Champagne menu and themed cocktails like an Eiffel Tower martini make it a win-win.

Sofitel Hotels and Resorts debuted in Paris in the mid-60’s and has been owned by Accor since the 1980’s; today there are 200-plus properties.The chic Sofitel New York has a French accent—in fact, many travelers from France stay at the Sofitel hotels when visiting the US. There is French artwork of iconic landmarks hanging in all the public spaces, and the Prestige Suites feature private terraces with city views. The menu at the hotel’s signature French restaurant, Gaby Brasserie Française, shows off French studs like French onion soup, Croque Monsieur and chicken paillard. 

Le Méridien was founded by Air France in 1972 (later based in the United Kingdom). The Grill 57 rooftop restaurant at the Le Meridien New York, Central Park is the piece de resistance. The views and breeze are lovely and French fare like French onion soup, bistro burger and chocolat pots au creme are specials.

Washington, DC
Take high tea, or “Le Goûter”, as the French call it, at the Sofitel Washington DC. Drawing inspiration from the timeless charm of France’s Provence, the hotel’s Opaline Bar & Brasserie will debut its Summer Tea menu, with tastes of the region, through August. 

Louisiana
Summertime and the living is easy in the Big Easy. With the Olympics in France things will especially heat up this summer in French-loving New Orleans. In fact, the Americas selections of the Pastry World Cup and the Bocuse d’Or biennial world chef championship headed to the U.S. for the first time in New Orleans in June and the culinary torch has been passed to new events here for the rest of the season.
 
Steps from the French Quarter, The Kimpton Hotel Fontenot’s King Brasserie restaurant—which opened last year in the historic building next to the hotel originally built in 1844 by architect James Gallier, rooted in the style of the French Riviera region—is bringing guests on a tour of the French Basque Country beginning July 1.

King’s executive chef, Samuel Peery (also a Chef Ambassador for the Bocuse d’Or), has created dishes for the new menu like Gulf Fish Provençal with mussels, fava bean, new potatoes, leeks and sauce bourride. Pastry Chef Lanna Talley’s shows off her Banana Nut Paris-Brest with pecan mousse, choux and banana praline this summer, as well as her bread service (epi baguette, brioche madeleines, Cajun caviar tapenade).

California 
Evoking the magic of the South of France, the adults-only Auberge du Soleil, Auberge Resorts Collection in Napa Valley sits on 33 acres dotted with heritage olive trees in the fabled wine country. Vineyard views mimic the views found in the storied regions of French wine country and there’s a Michelin-starred restaurant, too. The 50 guest rooms are called maisons, with private patios for wine sips. Pregaming for the Olympics takes place on Bastille Day, July 14, with Aperol Spritzes, Champagne sabering lessons, Champagne tastings and bubbly at the spa.

Carmel Valley has all the feels of Provence. There are 45,000 acres of grapevines, 20-plus tasting rooms and wineries that mimic chateaus including Georis Winery and Folktale Winery & Vineyard. And lavender season coincides with the Olympics (the season typically runs June through August.) Grosso lavender, a French-hybrid variety characterized by its signature purple bushiness, blooms like in the fields in the south of France. Carmel Valley Ranch grows Grosso lavender that seems to sprawl forever across the property. And Bernardus Lodge & Spa celebrates lavender season this summer with an annual Harvest festival showing off 1,000-plus lavender plants with a glass of wine in hand. 

North Carolina
The Charleston Place, a 433 room/suite hotel in Charleston’s historic district, is hosting an American in Paris Olympics Viewing Party, July 26th to July 28th. There’ll be live-streaming of the Olympics opening ceremony and the Olympic games, paired with French treats (like a “torch-inspired” croissant cone with lemon curd, raspberry and meringue.) Plus gold, silver and bronze cocktail specials.

Texas
The Adolphus in Dallas is under the leadership of a French general manager and the hotel’s French Room & French Room Bar is helmed by a French executive chef—with menus that pay homage to French cuisine. The hotel will roll out a summer series of Olympics-inspired programming and culinary offerings timed to the games, including live performances from French jazz band La Pompe at The French Room, a French-themed cocktail-making class, Parisian-inspired specials and more.