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.
In the heart of Madrid, just five minutes from the Museo del Prado, where Hieronymus Bosch’s masterpiece The Garden of Earthly Delights hangs among the paintings of Vélasquez, Titian and Rubens, another garden of delights awaits. The Hotel Orfila, a small palace built in 1886, also has the feel of an art gallery, with its period furniture, feature marble and superb trompe l’œil effects in the green garden courtyard. In the 1920's, the hotel was made famous by the plays staged within its walls. Today, its tearoom and cocktail bar are imbued with English chic and its flowered patio invites you to dine under the stars. This is an ideal place from which to explore Madrid at its own rhythm, step by step.
A river runs round this 18th century paper mill, which is near a magnificent wood, and has grounds that exude tranquillity. This is a natural, romantic escape within the World Heritage city of Santiago de Compostela, the final destination on the St James Way pilgrimage route, with an amazing historical town centre. The hotel’s restaurant offers regional delights, seafood and meat dishes. The spa is a haven for the senses and pure bliss for the mind and body. Enjoy a wide range of cultural, oenological and sailing activities.
Between the Gredos mountains and the majestic Tagus river, this 19th century manor house modestly hides its terracotta facade behind tall cypress trees. The spacious bedrooms offer majestic panoramic views. The six hundred hectare domain has exclusive activities in store such as relaxing in the spa, horse riding, hunting and a golf academy with techniques based on state-of-the-art technology. In the surrounding area you will find attractions like the Guadalupe monastery, the castle of Oropesa and the Yuste abbey. The magnificent Tierra restaurant uses ingredients from its own farm and kitchen garden.
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux in town
The Grand Chef Óscar Velasco creates dishes featuring fish and shellfish from the Costa Brava, exceptional vegetables like young Maresme peas, or delicious Morella truffles, and his flagship creations, including braised shank of suckling veal with potato purée and crispy suckling pig from Segovia. The impressive cheese board is another highlight. Velasco’s cuisine is the embodiment of a culinary philosophy that is both traditional and contemporary, with a wild flourish. In the dining room, the Maître de Maison, Abel Valverde, and the sommelier, David Robledo, offer unique, stylish service – the prelude to a gourmet feast that will truly delight the senses.
In this former hillside monastery in the north of Majorca, a sense of asceticism lives on if only in the décor. The marvellous pure lines allow the white walls to shine forth against the backdrop of the deep blue sky. The spa is a water and teakwood paradise using essential oils derived from the island flora. The swimming pool, a chic camping ground, provides large white parasols to ensure deckchairs remain in the shade. Rooms are complete with jacuzzis and views of the olive tree orchards and the bay of Pollença. Organic produce, including olive oil, wine, citrus fruits and vegetables, is cultivated on the grounds and served in the restaurant. This hotel is so comfortable and inviting that there is little inclination to venture out unless it is to head for the stunning beaches or the superbly designed golf course.
Flying over the unspoilt valleys and mountains of the Pyrenees in a hot-air balloon, plane or helicopter is a fascinating experience and one of the numerous surprises in store at the hotel of Josep Maria Boix and Loles Vidal de Boix. In 1988 they fell in love with this majestic palace designed in the Gaudí period Catalan art deco style, right on the Saint James pilgrimage route to Compostella. The couple have taken great pleasure restoring this elegantly furnished palace geared towards enjoyment and well-being to be experienced through a wide range of activities. There are plenty of ways to spend time here: set off on the trail of the Cathare Knights, go trout fishing in a pristine river or play a round of golf on the 18-hole course of the Real Club.
In the heart of Asturias, amidst eight hectare grounds boasting beautiful gardens and unspoilt nature, discover this 16th century palace between the Sierra del Sueve mountains and the Cantabrian sea. Palacio de Luces has been tastefully refurbished in complete harmony with its historic setting. The piano bar and the pool invite to relaxation and the ideal location between the sea and the mountains is conducive to the many, diverse activities on offer. Everything here is designed to ensure your well-being and peace of mind – spaciousness, décor, the traditional Asturian cuisine at the restaurant Balcón del Sueve which meticulously selects the finest ingredients served to you along with some fabulous views.
Far from the madding crowd, La Torre del Visco is the ideal place to recharge your batteries in completely unspoilt, rural surroundings. Enjoy the glorious scenery of the valley untouched by man and the modern world. The estate house with its tower dating from 1449 is surrounded by its own eighty-nine hectare farm, romantic gardens full of roses and olive trees bordered by the river Tastavins and the mountain range known as “Ports de Beseit”. The owners grow their own organic fruit and vegetables and make their own olive oil for the restaurant. Inside the beautiful labyrinthine buildings, immerse yourself in a novel by the fireside, play chess, try one of the excellent wines from the cellar or join the chefs in the kitchen. For music lovers, the grand piano awaits. After sundown observe the clear night skies from the terrace.
This 19th century farm is a haven of peace tucked away in the mountains of the Sierra de Mariola. With its innovative spa treatments and the azure waters of its indoor and outdoor pools, it is the ideal place to relax. Tennis lovers can also take advantage of private lessons given by the personal trainers of the owner, Juan Carlos Ferrero, who is a former world number one. The restaurant’s mouth-watering avant-garde cuisine and its huge selection of wines from all over the world cannot fail to appeal to all your senses.
Up on a hill overlooking La Seu d’Urgell, with the Pyrenees as the backdrop, El Castell de Ciutat faces a landscape of preserved natural beauty. The Tàpies family provides a warm welcome in this mountain chalet, located at the foot of a fortress dating back to the 16th century. There are breathtaking views of the Urgellet valley and Cadí-Moixeró, Catalonia’s biggest nature reserve. Discover the pleasure of exquisite Mediterranean cuisine in the restaurants and taste wines from all over the world. Enjoy mountain sports or sail over the valley in a hot air balloon before relaxing in the magnificent wellness center. Don’t leave without enjoying breakfast in the morning sunlight on the terrace.
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux and hotel in town
Located inside the walled town of Cáceres with its extraordinary Almohad, Gothic, Renaissance and colonial buildings, Atrio boasts sublime architecture by Emilio Tuñón Álvarez and Luis Moreno Mansilla, masters of modern design. In the heart of the medieval town, chefs José Polo and Toño Perez prepare cuisine with unique, authentic flavours in a heavenly setting. Truffles, pasta and mushrooms, razor clams with cured Iberian ham, pig’s trotters, warm oyster and other gourmet creations are in complete harmony with the splendid building.
In the west of Majorca, the Sierra de Tramontana is a paradise of olive and almond trees that once inspired Frédéric Chopin, on his romantic travels with author George Sand, to write his Preludes. In fact, Valldemossa belonged to the former estate of the Carthusian Monastery where Chopin and Sand stayed and still reflects the same purity and beauty that the famous couple enjoyed. Behind the stone walls that give protection from the glare of the sun, there are very charming rooms with four-poster beds dressed in white netting. On the agenda are Mediterranean dinners on the terraces overlooking the burnt landscapes of the island, and the gentle pleasures of an exceptional swimming pool, golf, sailing, watersports and other preludes.
The Mas de Torrent is located in the heart of Empordà, the most authentic and chic region on the Costa Brava, with its beautiful beaches and little medieval villages, in between olive and cypress trees. A charming, unique setting where each detail is imbued with exclusivity and elegance. This 18th century masía delights with its spectacular views, delightful gardens and impeccable, attentive service. The welcoming interior is home to both classical and contemporary suites, some with their own private pool. Two extraordinary restaurants and the Mas Spa make for a magical stay. Don’t miss the other treasures in this beautiful region, so beloved by the artist Dalí: Cadaqués, Pals, Peratallada and Sant Martí d’Empúries.
The marble whiteness of the Castillo de Arteaga, with its 13th century Gothic tower, rises dramatically out of the Basque Country’s Ria Urdaibai reserve with its narrow lush green valleys opening up into wide estuaries. Napoleon III and Eugenia de Montijo had it rebuilt when their son was proclaimed an honorary citizen of Biscay. Out of this castle, Garbiñe Azkuenaga has created a stunning hotel, masterfully combining period furniture with contemporary design. Spend your days exploring the surrounding area: sheer cliffs, rivers, marshland and meadows. In the evening, enjoy a superb dinner in the castle's restaurant or a wine tasting in the well-stocked cellar.
