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.
Hotel and restaurant on the seafront (Westerland/Sylt) In northern Germany, the Island of Sylt rises up out of the North Sea. The largest of the Frisian Islands is connected to the mainland by the Hindenburgdamm Causeway. In Westerland, the most well-known seaside resort in the heart of Sylt, stay in a fine, 19th century country house of immense charm with English furniture, romantic rooms, an exquisite spa and delicious local cuisine. Sylt boasts lush vegetation and beautiful panoramas: 40 km of sandy beaches, thatched cottages and blooming heathland. The owner’s photographs of the island appear on the annual Sylt calendar available for guests.
Lys offer valid in low season from 1 November to 31 March – except for mountain properties: from 1 May to 30 November
Landhaus Stricker
Hotel and restaurant in town (Sylt OT Tinnum) Landhaus Stricker offers a wonderful getaway on Sylt, an island with an exceptional natural beauty and singular culture. Linger a while in the hotel’s well-stocked library before retiring to the cosy bar for a stimulating conversation. Whatever the weather, the private spa with its pool, sauna suite and beauty and fitness facilities ensure a perfect balance between exertion and relaxation. Grand Chef Holger Bodendorf offers in his eponymous restaurant a cuisine with Southern French accents in a Mediterranean setting. You will enjoy the lamb from the Danish Knuthenlund farm with its herb-crusted rack, stewed neck with shallot marmalade and glazed shoulder with artichokes or the subtle variations around champagne and apple as a dessert. Lys offer valid throughout the year except for weekends (“weekend is defined as the period from Friday evening to Sunday noon included)
Schlosshotel Lerbach
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux and hotel in the woods (Bergisch Gladbach) Take part in an archery tournament, go canoeing on the Rhine, or take in a day of shopping in Cologne or Düsseldorf with a personal shopper who knows all the best designer shops; these are just some of the customised offerings at this romantic manor. Those who like heights can choose between a trip in a helicopter, hot-air balloon or zeppelin. Grand Chef Nils Henkel shares his wisdom in the Lerbach Cookery School. Sample his fried duck liver, roasted red mullet or “Pure Nature” vegetable menu, which showcases the joys of cooking without meat or fish in the superb restaurant. Lys offer valid throughout the year except for weekends (“weekend is defined as the period from Friday evening to Sunday noon included)
Hotel Jagdhof Glashütte
Hotel and restaurant in the country (Bad Laasphe) Nestled in the Rothaar Mountains, far from the hustle and bustle of daily life, this oasis of hospitality and culinary delights suddenly appears from nowhere. One of Germany’s most beautiful countryside hotels is situated in the heart of the densely wooded region, at the end of the spectacular Lahn Valley. Relaxation, fine dining and romanticism are all part of the lifestyle in the forests and former hunting grounds of the Counts of Wittgenstein. The luxurious, rural atmosphere of a country residence is already evident on entering the magnificent hall with its fireplace for a welcome cocktail. This hotel is ever faithful to its motto: back to nature, but with style.
Schlosshotel Burg Schlitz
Hotel and restaurant in a park (Hohen Demzin) Burg Schlitz is a noble abode and the perfect place if your dream is to live the country castle lifestyle. This sophisticated white 19th century neo-classical palace is tucked far away from the hustle and bustle of urban life in 400 acres of magnificent forested estate, renowned for its hunting. Food lovers will appreciate the goumet meals served in the Heraldic Room: fish from the nearby sea and the Mecklenburg lakes, game from the estate are all part of the delicious, local fare. The hotel bar and the cigar room exude the charm of a British gentlemens’ club. The very intimate wellness & spa lounge is supremely elegant. It is a tiny piece of heaven on earth where you can relax in an ambiance of delightful good taste. Life can’t get any better than that!
Hotel Burg Wernberg
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux and hotel in a village (Wernberg-Köblitz) This hotel, which occupies a 12th century castle, exudes character and proudly stands on a hill with superb views of the lakes and forests of the Bavarian countryside. Burg Wernberg is a blend of modern style and Gothic charm and offers a dream location for a culinary weekend or a fabulous wedding. Grand Chef Thomas Kellermann serves a sophisticated, delicate cuisine which showcases vegetables, herbs, spices and regional ingredients. The game is from the nearby forests! Sports lovers of distinction will enjoy the very fine Schwanhof golf course, right next to the hotel. There are plenty of paths in the surrounding area where you can explore pristine nature and everything the Upper Palatinate countryside has to offer. Discover the charms of this unique place truly off the beaten track.
Hotel Bayrisches Haus
Hotel and restaurant in the woods (Potsdam) The town of Potsdam is known for the palaces and gardens of Sanssouci, and bears the stamp of the Italian architecture of master-builders like Schinkel, Persius and the landscape architect Lenné. It is also known for Hotel Bayrisches Haus. Built in 1847 in the purest of Bavarian traditions by King Frederic-William IV, today, the small chalet is not only the ideal place to relax and unwind, but is also renowned for its award-winning restaurant and an exceptional spa.
Hotel Dollenberg
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux and hotel (Bad Peterstal - Griesbach) In the guest book of the Hotel Dollenberg, one visitor wrote: “What a shame you can’t cuddle a hotel.” This hotel offers a hospitable atmosphere and excellent service, both of which engender such warm feelings. The relaxing treatments in the Spa, the magical dinners in romantic forest clearings and the delightful landscapes of the Black Forest all make for a wonderful stay.
Die Sonne Frankenberg
Hotel and restaurant in town (Frankenberg) This hotel is part of a romantic collection of ancient half-timbered dwellings, and is tucked away in a picturesque square in the town of Frankenberg, in the region which inspired the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm. Soak up the elegant atmosphere of its common areas, rooms and suites with their vibrant, sun-drenched colours and particular attention to detail. Slough off your daily worries and relax in the ‘Sonne’ Oriental spa. Then enjoy superb Mediterranean, home-cooked or gourmet cuisine. The cellar, more than 500 years old, is a treasure trove with its more than one thousand labels from all over the world. Die Sonne is known for its warm hospitality and you, as guests, will feel as though you are amongst old friends.
Hotel Schwarzmatt
Hotel and restaurant in a village (Badenweiler-Therme) Badenweiler, a town of waters par excellence that was given the name of “Aqua Villae” by the Romans, is now more popular than ever because of the therapeutic powers of its thermal springs. At the Hotel Schwarzmatt, renowned for its excellent cuisine, the Sano & Salvo Spa extends an invitation to enjoy the exceptional benefits of thermal baths, steam baths, biosauna and Finnish sauna. Relax in the charming indoor pool and on the sunny terrace. Located on the border of Germany, Switzerland and France, at the crossroads of Europe, this is the ideal place for a reviving break.
Villino
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux and hotel in the country (Lindau) Villino is an exquisite hotel with award-winning cuisine, located above Lindau, in the heart of fruit orchards, at the crossroads of Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Grand Chef Reiner Fischer has achieved extensive acclaim for the restaurant with his Italian-Asian cuisine, complimented by an international wine list with no less than 850 different selections. A charming garden, based on traditional English and Italian designs, surrounds the hotel. The deep, true blue of the iris is the hotel’s logo. The diversity of the artistic, cultural and leisure activities on and around the lake ensures there is something for everyone here.
Lys offer valid in low season from 1 November to 31 March – except for mountain properties: from 1 May to 30 November
Residenz Heinz Winkler
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux and hotel in the mountains (Aschau im Chiemgau) The Residenz Heinz Winkler is located between Salzburg and Munich, not far from Lake Chiemsee, in the heart of idyllic Bavarian landscapes. This is a veritable temple to fine dining, a haven of peace where attention-to-detail is the hallmark of the rooms and suites which offer unparalleled comfort. Heinz Winkler, the Grand Chef who has chalked up outstanding success in Germany, is the inventor of “cuisine vitale” which combines culinary delights with wellness. His creations, composed together with his son Alexander, are perfectly complemented by the exceptional treatments of the Vital Resort and invigorating walks through the fairytale-like Bavarian countryside.