Pit for a King: Hotels for American BBQ-Lovers

“The word ‘barbecue’ means something very different in the USA from the average British version. And not only do different states in the USA claim to be the best place to get your authentic barbecue – they all have a different way of doing it, from secret dry rub recipes to a variety of sauces and regional side dishes. No matter where your taste lies, these five hotels are a great starting point from which to begin your lip-smacking exploration of the best of American BBQ.

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816 Hotel KCexperience, Kansas City, Missouri
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Kansas City-style BBQ is all about slow-cooked meats served with a thick, tomato-based sauce. Some of the oldest BBQ restaurants in Kansas City go back to the mid-20th century, while the city’s annual barbecue contests attract entrants from across the country. The boutique hotel 816 Hotel KCexperience offers comfortable rooms, a lively bar and lounge, and is well-located in the heart of the city to explore some of the local BBQ favourites, including Arthur Bryant’s, Joe’s Kansas City and the Char Bar.

If you want to see more hotels in Kansas City, visit our Kansas City hotels page.

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Hampton Inn & Suites Memphis Beale Street, Memphis, Tennessee
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Memphis-style barbecue is all about pork – and especially pulled pork, cooked either with a dry rub or brushed with sauce. The best way is a hotly disputed topic. The Hampton Inn & Suites Memphis Beale Street is close to the BBQ restaurants and the bars and clubs of Beale Street, home of the blues and the city’s main nightlife quarter. With all the eating and drinking on offer, the hotel pool is a great place to burn off some of the calories.

If you want to see more hotels in Memphis, visit our Memphis hotels page.

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Omni Nashville Hotel, Nashville, Tennessee
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Also in Tennessee, Nashville is another city where music and BBQ rub along quite nicely together. Local heroes of the barbecue scene in the city include Martin’s, famous for its whole hog pits, live fire cooking and beer garden. The stylish Omni Nashville Hotel is rooted firmly in the culinary and music traditions of the city, with its own Southern restaurant and location next to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. The rooftop pool offers fine views across the downtown city skyline. If you’re interested in exploring the city’s music scene, check out our round-up of Nashville hotels for country fans.

If you want to see more hotels in Nashville, visit our Nashville hotels page.

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Guild Red River, Austin, Texas
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The story goes that Central Texas barbecue began in the state’s meat-packing towns, from where it spread around the world. The city of Austin is one of the best places to try Central Texas barbecue, where slow-cooked meat is typically served cafeteria-style and sold by the weight. The retro Gold Red River, with its downtown location, pool and roof terrace, is the perfect base from which to explore Austin’s BBQ scene. Perennial favourites include Black’s, Franklin, Style Switch, and the appropriately named La Barbecue. For more Austin tips during March’s festival season, check out our edit on hotels for SXSW.

If you want to see more hotels in Austin, visit our Austin hotels page.

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Belmont Hotel, Dallas, Texas
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Barbecue without having to leave your hotel? The Belmont Hotel in Dallas is a historic design hotel that has tapped into the local creative, artistic and culinary scenes of the city, with live music, exhibitions and SMOKE, its very own neighbourhood restaurant and smokehouse committed to the finest traditions of Texas barbecue. At the Belmont you can enjoy pit-smoked goodness in the restaurant, in the lobby bar with a cocktail or craft beer, or even on room service. Smokin’.

If you want to see more hotels in Dallas, visit our Dallas hotels page.”