Relais & Châteaux is an exclusive collection of 500 of the finest charming hotels and gourmet restaurants in 60 countries. From the vineyards in Napa valley to the beaches in Bali, from the olive trees in Provence to the lodges in South Africa, Relais & Châteaux offers all the stops on the finest route for discovering each special place and country.
In all our properties, each maître de maison draws upon his unique experience and passion to share the authentic culture and tastes of his region with every guest.
Magical places and memories of a lifetime: whether it be a romantic weekend or to celebrate the important moments of life such as birthdays, anniversaries, honeymoon or family reunions.
Established in France more than 50 years ago, Relais & Châteaux has become a renowned reference of excellence in the hotel and restaurant world. The Association's mission is to spread its unique art de vivre across the globe by selecting outstanding properties with a truly unique character.
Perched on a hill overlooking the Bay of Saint-Tropez, Gassin is one of the most beautiful villages in France. The Villa Belrose boasts the best vantage point in the village from its spacious terraces and its majestic swimming pool with an 180 degree panorama of the Bay of Saint-Tropez below. This excellence extends to the cuisine and its beauty centre offering top-of-the-range treatments. Unobtrusive and personalised service is guaranteed.
The Monte-Carlo Beach, chic and timeless since it opened in the 1930s, has always stood for Italian style and “dolce vita”. This palatial hotel, the haunt of the smart set, was completely renovated by architect and designer India Mahdavi and restored to all its former glory. With the sea all around, its original terra cotta façade and its frescoes inspired by Matisse and Cocteau, it is the perfect place for an exceptional stay. The Monte-Carlo Beach is located in an exceptional, classified, natural site, in the lee of a pine forest with its Aleppo pines, and offers cabanas, an Olympic-size pool, a spa and three restaurants and a lounge bar, all with their own individual ambiance.
A French general fell in love with a beautiful Punjab princess called Bannu Pan Deï and built her a palace in St. Tropez in 1835, as a testament to their love story. So goes the legend of the Pan Deï, a haven of unexpected tranquillity in the heart of one of the most bustling villages on the Côte d’Azur. It’s a bit like an escape to the residence of a Maharajah, with the Asian influenced décor, exotic gardens, and individually styled rooms, each of which is protected by a Hindu divinity. By day, lounge poolside on a four-poster bed or on a sun lounger under a white parasol, and by night, sip cocktails as the space transforms into a sophisticated cocktail lounge. The restaurant too is one of St. Tropez’ most prized dining destinations. Here the fine dishes prepared by the chef, well inspired by the perfumes of India, Asia and France, are a real invitation to travel.
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux and hotel in the country
In the heart of a five hectare olive grove, an 18th century residence, La Bastide Saint-Antoine, awaits. The rooms are either Provencal or contemporary style and the gourmet restaurant has a wide, intimate and shady terrace overlooking the Cannes bay. Grand Chef Jacques Chibois creates light and elegant cuisine to awaken the senses, working alchemy with flavours under 1,000 year-old olive trees. On the programme: wandering in the grounds, discovery of the botanical garden, reading, petanque and relaxation in the jacuzzi by the swimming pool. Discover different themed stays: oenology, an initiation to perfume creation, or the École du Goût, a culinary and aromatic tasting school. Fall in love with Provence at this warm, welcoming address imbued with the personal passion of Jacques Chibois.
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux and hotel in a park
On the edge of a forest of pine trees overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, the Hôtel du Castellet is one of the region’s most charming properties. Guest rooms are painted in hues of honey, lavender and grape and there are plenty of sun-drenched terraces. Grand Chef Christophe Bacquié has stamped his style on the Monte Cristo, the prestigious gourmet restaurant of the hotel. The cuisine is based on seasonal and Mediterranean produce enlivened by a hint of flavours from further afield. For absolute relaxation there is the pool, golf course and spa. When night falls, the gazebos are illuminated, to highlight the beauty of the grounds.
This is an intimate haven tucked away in the shade of the ramparts of the renowned artists’ village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence. The Saint-Paul has a timeless appeal. A stay here is an opportunity to fully appreciate the art of true French hospitality, refinement and total relaxation. From the hotel’s position on a medieval hilltop perch, experience living history in ultimate comfort. The charming bedrooms have breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside and the Riviera coastline. This is an intimate and warm address, where delicious Provencal dishes are served in the open-air restaurant.
Nestled on the hillside above Cannes with spectacular views of the foothills of the Alps, Le Mas Candille is a rare jewel to be experienced by a privileged few. Its private, shady four-hectare grounds are the ideal place to stroll, meditate and unwind. A sanctuary of tranquillity, this exceptional hotel invites lovers of the finer things in life to relax in its Shiseido Spa, three swimming pools and two jacuzzis. After a visit to the medieval village of Mougins, where Pablo Picasso spent the last fifteen years of his life, it is a pleasure to return to this haven of peace to savour the subtle, creative cuisine in the restaurant.
In a two hectare park full of hundred-year-old olive trees, on the doorstep of Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Le Mas de Pierre overlooks hills and valleys. Provencal, romantic and colonial villas and rooms are hidden behind the red tiles and white stone of the bastides. When you cross the threshold, you will discover lovingly selected antique dressers and pedestal tables. As far as cuisine is concerned, our chef proposes a gourmet cuisine with the flavours of the South, composed of the finest regional specialties. Other delights include a swimming pool, a spa, a sumptuous greenhouse with orchids and a deliciously fragrant garden.
Here you will find all the elegance of a Mediterranean home, just a few minutes from the beaches at Ramatuelle and the port of Saint-Tropez. Far from the summer crowds, this magnificent mansion with its four Provencal farmhouses invites you to unwind in the heart of its paradise-like grounds that are full of exotic fragrances. Beside the superb pool, in the shade of 300 year-old olive trees or in the winter garden, treat yourself to true relaxation in a warm and elegant atmosphere. The cuisine, with its Provencal colours, with its two restaurants, Le Bistro and L’Olivier, is a genuine reflection of the spirit of the South of France. The Bastide also offers its guests the option of hiring its magnificent 22 m long San Lorenzo yacht for a day.
When you cross the threshold of La Villa, which nestles on the slopes above Calvi, you enter an exceptional world. Jean-Pierre and Marion Pinelli have turned the quintessentially peaceful and harmonious La Villa into one of Corsica’s leading destinations. The parkland overlooks the bay and the silhouette of the Citadel in the distance. Commune with more than seven acres of beautifully-landscaped countryside – all rooms enjoy stunning panoramic views over the Citadel and Calvi Bay. Grand Chef Sébastien Sevellec and his team will treat you to culinary experiences created from prime local ingredients from the Corsican terroir, such as friteau of langoustines with lime-scented bulghur wheat or pan-fried rump of Corsican veal with garden peas and pancetta. His sous-chef is in charge of the Callelu, La Villa’s new restaurant overlooking the harbour, where the menu features seafood. In order to highlight the general atmosphere of well-being, La Villa provides with the Spa Anne Sémonin a large space for individual care. Every year Marion Pinelli organises contemporary art exhibitions in the estate and Jean-Pierre, a classical music enthusiast, organises “Les Nuits de la Villa”, a series of prestigious recitals in an open-air amphitheatre.
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux and hotel in the country
Overlooking Vence, between Nice and Cannes, the Château Saint-Martin & Spa, with its fourteen hectare park, boasts exceptional panoramic views of the Mediterranean. This former residence of the Knights Templar, a place steeped in history, provides an awe-inspiring and serene setting. Discover gourmet cuisine created by Grand Chef Yannick Franques and an exceptional wine cellar, which make for tasty moments to share. An infinity pool and a spa with treatments by La Prairie are perfectly integrated into the landscape and offer absolute relaxation. Several villages in the surrounding area, which have served as a source of inspiration for talented artists, are now renowned for their museums and art galleries, like the Maeght Foundation. Also worth visiting: the Chapel of Rosary, which owes its fame to the works of Henri Matisse.
Halfway between Nice and Cannes, in a beautiful setting where the Mediterranean takes centre stage, the Cap d’Antibes Beach Hotel is a contemporary architectural jewel. Its minimalist lines are in perfect harmony with the lush gardens bordered by the sea, the fine sandy beach facing the Lérins Islands, and the delightful swimming pool. The truly original décor of the rooms and suites transports guests on a sensory voyage taking in all the elements that make up this extraordinary site. The enchantment continues in the restaurant Les Pêcheurs, which looks out onto the sea and offers a feast for the palate as well as the eyes, with a view of the Esterel massif in the distance.
Just outside the town of Calvi with its lofty citadel, La Signoria, an 18th century Genoese estate, is perfectly positioned at the foot of the Corsican mountains, but within close proximity to the beautiful sandy beach. The estate is set in three hectares of a lush paradise of potted orange trees, palm and pine trees and gurgling fountains. Take in the intoxicating aroma of the Mediterranean vegetation as you lounge poolside or relax in the jacuzzi. Guests will feel that they are vacationing at some one’s home rather than in a hotel as each of the rooms and villas is individually decorated. On the long stretch of sandy beach of Calvi, you will find the hotel’s beach club “Signoria Mare” where you can sample the local flavours at the fisherman’s hut inspired restaurant.
Cypress trees pick out Château de Berne at the end of a road that wends its way through 1,500 acres of estate vineyards. For the last three hundred years, characterful Provence wines have been aged in its cellars; the sandy soils around the Château give these rosé wines their fresh appeal. Recently renovated in “country chic” style, the delightful rooms with moss-green shutters have wonderful views over the garden, vineyards, and forest. At the restaurant L’Orangerie, the colourful cuisine abounds in the scents and flavours of Provence, and of the fruits and vegetables picked from the French-style cottage garden in the Château’s grounds. This is a heavenly spot where heirloom varieties, flowers and garden herbs all grow together under the olive trees. The Spa is located in a new, contemporary environment, which is marked by a zen atmosphere.
The locals will tell you that the most beautiful beaches in Corsica are in Porto-Vecchio, and the stretch of fine sand next to the Grand Hôtel de Cala Rossa proves they are right. This ochre residence with its patios, arches and lounges is a real delight, especially for families. Smiling faces shine out of the photo albums of all the children who have stayed in the hotel over the past twenty years. There is a Clarins Spa and an excellent restaurant. According to the chef, “the talent doesn’t come from me, but from this country”. So, many thanks to the country for the deliciousness of ravioli with Cap Corse langoustines.
On the French Riviera, near Lavandou, this large Tuscan-style villa shines out against the magical background of the Mediterranean Sea. Nestled among maritime pines, bougainvilleas and exotic gardens, the hotel is bordered by its own private beach of fine sand overlooking the Levant islands and has an array of sumptuous rooms and suites, as well as villas with patios right on the sand. This is the perfect place for a truly refreshing break. The restaurant features the flavours of southern cooking and overlooks the magnificent bay of Cavalière.
Between Nice and Cannes, discover Cap d’Antibes, one of the most beautiful bays in the Mediterranean. Jazz great Sidney Bechet fell in love with this area sixty years ago and his tune In the Streets of Antibes lives on in the town, which has become something of a “European New Orleans”. Here, swing is not only mentioned in reference to the jazz festival; there are also great golf courses nearby. The Hôtel Impérial Garoupe is located in this heavenly setting. In this pink-walled villa, the rooms are decorated in a nomadic spirit and the vibrant colours of the South are muted by the parasol pines that edge the terraces. The private lane leads to the beautiful Garoupe bay.
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux in a village
In the shade of the patio, surrounded by palm trees and other exotic flowers, this lush green oasis is the setting for the renowned cuisine of the Raimbault brothers. Depending on what catches their eye at the Forville market in Cannes, Grands Chefs Stéphane and Antoine put together a menu that is at once contemporary, Provencal and Asian, featuring “Lime-Infused Soufflé of Locally Caught Sea Urchins” and “Soleil Levant of Raw Fish”. But it is their brother François, the patissier in the family, who adds the finishing touches to this magical symphony with his renowned “Caravan of Desserts”.
