4 Hotels Taking the ‘Farm-to-Table’ Trend to the Next Level

“Farm-to-table” dining has long been popular in hospitality. Now, as immersive experiences remain coveted for travelers, hotels with working farms are not only serving the meals but taking guests behind the scenes of their operations. 

This takes shape through farm tours, on-site dining, educational workshops, and hands-on activities. Guests get value and rich memories from seeing first-hand the ingredients for the hotel’s restaurant dishes, spa treatments, and even decor, coming right from the land. 

Whether accommodations are on the farm property or off-site, hotels are capitalizing on guests’ curiosity by pulling back their farms’ proverbial curtains. These experiences have become more popular than ever for “mega societal reasons,” Derrick Braun, expert “farmacist” at Woodloch Resort in Hawley, Pennsylvania, told Travel Market Report. 

First, since the pandemic, more people have started their own home gardens and now seek to learn how the professionals upkeep their crops and flowers, Braun said. Second, he pointed to a growing “distrust in the industrial food system” and desire to know the roots of their meal. 

“Guests are interested in seeing where their food comes from, wanting to reconnect with something tactile and slower, and they have a genuine curiosity about sustainable growing practices,” Braun said. “‘Farm to table’ is not a flashy phrase as it was 10 to 15 years ago. It’s grown to be expected from customers who are looking for a quality dining experience. So I do not think it’s going anywhere soon.” 

Essentially, wellness and sustainability – two huge trends in hospitality – are driving interest in farm stays. Clients who have taken trips, or been on tours, of a similar vein may appreciate a hotel that offers these farm experiences, which can also be a gateway to learning more about a region’s culinary traditions and culture.

Here are four properties, stateside and in Europe, where guests can learn what it’s like to live off the land – without sacrificing the comforts of a luxury hotel. 

The Lodge at Woodloch’s Blackmore Farm, Pennsylvania 

From hopping into a beekeeper suit to bringing home tomato plant seedlings for their own gardens, guests have had many memorable moments at Blackmore Farm, an extension of The Lodge at Woodloch in the Poconos. 

Travelers visiting the Poconos are typically already looking for nature and wellness, with The Lodge at Woodloch being a top-rated spa resort in the area. Blackmore Farm is just a short walk away, adding another layer to guests’ stay that fits seamlessly with the experience. 

There are opportunities to tour the farm, meet the property’s farmers, explore the orchards and apiaries, and learn about the growing practices that result in healthier foods. It’s an organic, biodynamic farm that supplies the resort with fresh honey, herbs, vegetables, edible flowers, and mushrooms that are used in the hotel’s restaurant, spa, and programs. 

According to Braun, guests get an authentic experience when they visit Blackmore Farm because it is unmanicured and thriving to ensure the best growing process, which staff are eager to tell guests all about – and make those lasting connections that travel is all about. 

“We have had guests tell us they are quitting their jobs on Monday after spending time with us on the weekend or moving to the country and getting some land,” Braun said. “It is not a stated goal to inspire people to make drastic life choices, but that fact that it happens from time to time means we are connecting with almost everyone we meet.  

“As technology creeps its way into every aspect of our lives,” he added, “I believe an organic longing for pure and natural spaces to help people hold on to their humanity, for some is and will be what the doctor orders.” 

Chatham Bars Inn’s Farm, Massachusetts 

Chatham Bars Inn is an oceanfront resort known for its private beach access and boating. But just a few minutes’ drive away, its very own farm awaits guests for a bit of a different experience. The farm adds dimension to visiting this destination.

Though not typical for a coastal retreat, Chatham Bars Inn’s farm-to-table dinners and farm tours are increasingly popular. The eight-acre working farm grows 125 varieties of vegetables and produces more than 100,000 pounds of harvest each year. 

Every Wednesday from June to November, the hotel makes a big to-do of a farm-to-table dinner hosted right on the farm grounds, with a welcome reception and all. Guests sit down under twinkling lights among the rows of crops for a four-course, family style meal.  

“There’s something very special about sitting outside, looking at the gardens and fields, and then having that same place reflected on your plate,” Chatham Bars Inn Executive Chef Andrew Chadwick, told TMR. “I think the combination of beautiful grounds, exceptional food, seasonality, and a genuine connection to the land is what keeps people coming back. It feels personal and authentic, and you can taste the difference.” 

Recently, Chatham Bars Inn also launched a new series of agricultural classes, such as seasonal planting, floral design, and beekeeping lessons. These are all led by the Inn’s expert farm, culinary, and gardening teams. Guests often bring home produce from the farm stand, as well. 

Podere Gherardini, an A&K Villa, Italy 

For larger groups who want to pair a villa or suite stay with immersive farm-to-table experiences, this Chianti, Italy property has lots to offer.  

Here, the farm is central to the stay – not just an add-on. Originally established in the 15^th century, Podere Gherardini is a historic estate that’s still home to vineyards and olive groves, within one of Italy’s most iconic wine regions between Florence and Siena. 

The property’s nine suites are spread across a restored farmhouse and barn, giving guests easy access to explore the farm grounds. They can do so by mountain biking, joining a wine tasting or workshop, or dining at the on-site farm-to-table restaurant. Through these experiences, guests learn about the area’s rich agricultural heritage without ever needing to leave the estate. 

Guests also get daily breakfast service, an infinity pool, and an outdoor dining pergola. Overall, Podere Gherardini is another example of how farm-to-table has offered travelers a way in to experience farm life while still enjoying these luxurious comforts. 

Octant Hotels Évora, Portugal 

Luxury accommodations and distinct farm experiences is a winning combination for families who visit Octant Hotels Évora in Herdade do Perdiganito, Portugal, looking to bond and make memories. 

The countryside estate is considered a contemporary farm resort with 56 guest rooms and 16 private villas, many boasting terraces, open-air living areas, and private pools. These features pull guests into the outdoor atmosphere, even in their accommodations. The property has its own dedicated Perdiganito Reserve, which offers walking trails, swings, hammocks, and other resting areas great for picnics and nature observation. 

And at the heart of it all is the didactic farm and vegetable garden, which host chef-led farm-to-table dinners and educational workshops in partnership with the A TERRA restaurant and newly opened Enoteca, a space for more hands-on culinary experiences. There, guests can engage in wine masterclasses, chef-led dinners, and hands-on cooking classes that are all rooted in the Alentejo region’s culinary heritage. 

“These are experiences that create lasting memories and offer a deeper sense of place,” Gonçalo Mexia Alves, head of sales at Octant Hotels, told TMR.  

What’s more is that this farm is home to animals, too, which is a huge draw for families. Some of the farm animals include sheep, goats, and the farm pony Matilde. There is also a growing population of guinea pigs, which have become “an unlikely guest favorite” with some having opportunities to adopt one.  

“When recommending a luxury farm stay, travel advisors should focus on the emotional value of the experience,” Mexia Alves said. “Guests are choosing these properties because they want to disconnect from busy schedules and reconnect with nature, local culture, and each other.”