Reality Bites. Let's face it, most hotel restaurants aren't typically destination hot spots and in fact, many are still decorated as "garden terraces" and have the sort of vibe that is most attractive to the drowsy breakfast crowd. Yet, hotel operators know they have a real opportunity to create restaurants with destination caliber cuisine that are both social centers and culinary experiences. These operators are bringing in experienced restaurateurs, consulting/rising star chefs, mixologists, as well as public relations and branding experts to help them develop clearly defined (and appealing) concepts, create enticing menus and identify innovative ways to build the buzz, covers and revenue. By making their hotel restaurants sexy, fun and delicious, these smart operators are creating hot spots that entice both locals and hotel guests alike. Though many hotel restaurants are still behind the times, the good news is more and more hotel companies are seeing the light by finding restaurant people to run their restaurants and investing in the spaces that were once just built for the convenience of their hotel guests.

As this trend grows we can say goodbye to the lonely hotel bar and the rubbery egg breakfast buffet and hello to popular spots that can ...