Eco-Friendly Hives Are Just One Reason for Families to Bee Happy

Sweet or suite? Your hotel stay can be both at eco-friendly hotels that promote honey bee health with hives and farm-to-table cuisine.

At the Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel in San Francisco, you’ll already feel like you’re in the great outdoors in the Redwood Room bar, where massive floor-to-ceiling paneling is constructed with the wood of just one tree top to bottom. But, think a little bit higher, since all of the herbs and honey for the cocktails here come from even more stories up thanks to 10 rooftop hives that produce up to 60 pounds of honey each. Hotel general manager Michael Pace spearheaded the effort, encouraging other Bay Area hotels to do the same, and there are now seven hotels from Nob Hill to Fisherman’s Wharf with rooftop hives.

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts have more than 40 honeybee apiaries and wild bee hotels on property around the world, including Boston’s Copley Plaza; Le Château Frontenac in Quebec, where output is used in fine-dining dishes at Le Champlain; and Southampton in Bermuda. Many of the Fairmont properties also have on-site herb and vegetable gardens, which promote pollinator health.

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Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac in Quebec City, Canada © Samantha Ong | Dreamstime.com

Omni Hotels & Resorts caught the buzz and partnered with the National Honey Board to create a custom cocktail and nibble menu with honey-infused tipples and snacks. Amelia Island Plantation Resort has eight hives that churn out what’s estimated at 1,200 pounds of honey per harvest. And you’d better watch your swing at Interlocken in Colorado, where hives are at the third hole at Vista Golf Course. There’s lavender for bees to pollinate, and the output is incorporated into several aspects of the hotel, including the signature honey lavender macarons.

The Lenox Hotel looks out over swarms of runners thanks to its Boston Marathon finish line location, but there are also swarms of hard-working winged friends high above. Beehives here help cultivate honey for delicacies like broiled grapefruit, a brunch treat at in-house restaurant City Table. Those ordering a margherita pizza or mojito, the basil and mint are likely grown just 11 stories above where you’re eating, all thanks to Executive Chef Sean MacAlpine, a passionate gardener.

Carmel Valley Ranch

takes its beekeeping so seriously it offers lessons. Suit up to experience the life of head keeper Mariah McDonald, starting in the organic garden with a hive health discussion and demo (with lavender-honey lemonade!). Then head to the apiary for a hands-on plant and herb tutorial with honey tasting.

Utah calls itself the Beehive State and, at Montage Deer Valley, you can taste the sweet fruit of their labors with lavender and dandelion honeys served at the resort’s coffee shop Buzz.