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 north Germany the island of Sylt rises up out of the North Sea. The largest of the Frisian Islands is connected with the mainland by the Hindenburg Damm causeway. Sylt boasts lush vegetation and beautiful panoramas: 40 km of sandy beaches, thatched cottages and blooming heathland… 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. A dream…
Relaxing moments, discreet sumptuousness and superb comfort combined with a warm welcome and excellent cuisine are the guarantee for a successful holiday on the island of Sylt. The hotel’s well-stocked library invites you to linger a while and the cosy bar is perfect for stimulating lively conversations. Whatever the weather, the private spa with its pool, sauna suite and beauty & fitness facilities will ensure that you strike a perfect balance between exertion and relaxation.
Dating back to the 18th century, the Seesteg was once the building in which the wooden boards of the pier were stored during the stormy winters on the German North Sea coast. Nowadays Hotel Seesteg has been converted from a storehouse into an exceptional, relaxing haven. Everything is designed to offer you an unparalleled, intimate
atmosphere and resolutely smart style and design. A priceless treasure for each and every guest is that all of the rooms face the sea. To delight your senses and soul every morning, the enchanting views of the white sandy beach through large wood-framed, floor-to-ceiling windows, give you the impression of floating directly over the waves…
“Germany’s gateway to the world”. This is the name given to Hamburg, the birthplace of Brahms and Karl Lagerfeld, a romantic and chic metropolis with its embankments to stroll along and its highly diverse cultural life. It is said that the glory of the Beatles began here when they gave a concert that changed the world of pop music. The first gem to be discovered in Hamburg is the Hotel Abtei, with its colourful and light-filled classic English design. It’s in a perfect location close to the Alstersee - the artificial lake - where the people of Hamburg flock to indulge in water sports as soon as the first rays of sun appear.
The Peene, the last unspoilt river in Europe with a unique diversity of animals and plants, flows past the wonderful grounds of this Gutshaus before reaching the Baltic Sea nearby. This listed 19th century manor house has been lovingly restored by the Stürken family and furnished with numerous antiques. The former stables are a delightful setting for family celebrations and the 800 m² hay barn is now a concert room. The exceptional cuisine draws inspiration from game hunted on the estate. For people with an inclination for sports there’s a tennis court, croquet pitch, bicycles, rowing boat and reduced green fees for three courses in the vicinity.
Potsdam, Sanssouci, palaces and gardens, a town bearing the stamp of the Italian architecture of famous master-builders like Schinkel, Persius and the landscape architect Lenné markl your destination for a stay at the Bayrisches Haus. Today, the small Chalet dating back to 1847 is a hotel that is not only the ideal place to relax and unwind but also is renowned for its award-winning restaurant and an exceptional spa.
Dresden, one of the most delightful towns in Germany, also goes by the name of “Florence on the Elbe”. In the heart of the baroque quarter the two hotels are also imbued with Italian flair. When it comes to fine dining the Bülow Palais is one of the best restaurants in the region and also successfully marries the baroque and modern styles. For a romantic stay, the Bülow Residenz is one of the most beautiful hotels in Saxony with its singularly charming atmosphere.
This splendid half-timbered residence sits at the foot of the nostalgic castle ruin of the Counts of Hardenberg, a noble family, which produced a famous Prussian statesman amongst others. Welcome to Lower Saxony, a region of legends and delightful landscapes, known for the hospitality of its inhabitants. At the Hardenberg BurgHotel, these values are exemplified by the impeccable service and meticulous attention to detail. In the restaurant you can not only savour culinary delights but also learn the fine art of cooking. Just 10 minutes from the town of Göttingen that was featured in the famous song by Barbara. An absolute must.
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux in townView details
The culinary experience to which Thomas Bühner invites you is a pure delight. He welcomes you to a listed historic townhouse whose sandstone façade is a magnificent example of 18th century craftsmanship. Here, everything that is exquisite is required. From French cuisine to Mediterranean cuisine, drawing on Asian flavours, the Chef knows no boundaries and does not hesitate to use rare spices or try out the most daring combinations. His creativity allows you to taste beetroot gazpacho, eel with saffron, scallops with a salt crust and pumpkin, venison steak in a jus of exotic aromas and other divine surprises.
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux and hotel in the woodsView details
Take part in an archery tournament, go canoeing on the Rhine, 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 of this romantic manor. If you prefer airy heights, then you can choose between a helicopter, hot-air balloon or zeppelin. Another highlight of your stay might be cooking with Nils Henkel in our Lerbach cooking school. Then, on your return home, you too can try your hand at his “pure nature” dishes like his foie gras sandwich or roasted red mullet.
Schlosshotel Burg Schlitz, located in a spacious 180 hectare park, is a splendid example of 19th century German classicism. Hans Graf von Schlitz left behind a legacy in his park, a famous hunting ground, of almost 40 monuments - obelisks, nymph fountains, a chapel, columns and caves - as a tribute to members of his family and writers whom he admired. In the rooms, silk fabrics, parquet flooring and coffered ceilings are reminiscent of days gone by. |Enjoy playing polo, clay pigeon shooting and relaxing with treatments in the spa.| The hotel is also the perfect base to explore the town of Rostock and the coastal resort, Warnemünde, with its old town, lighthouse and small fishing port.
Nestled in the idyllic Rothaar Mountains, far from the hustle and bustle of daily life, this oasis of hospitality, culinary delights and romanticism suddenly appears from nowhere. One of Germany’s most beautiful countryside hotels is situated in the heart of the most wooded regions, at the end of the beautiful Lahn Valley. Relaxation, fine dining and romanticism are all part of the lifestyle in the forests and hunting grounds of the Counts of Wittgenstein. The luxurious, rural atmosphere of a country residence is already obvious as soon as you enter the magnificent hall with its fireplace. Ever faithful to the motto: Back to nature - but with style!
Schlosshotel Burg Schlitz, located in a spacious 180 hectare park, is a splendid example of 19th century German classicism. Hans Graf von Schlitz left behind a legacy in his park, a famous hunting ground, of almost 40 monuments - obelisks, nymph fountains, a chapel, columns and caves - as a tribute to members of his family and writers whom he admired. In the rooms, silk fabrics, parquet flooring and coffered ceilings are reminiscent of days gone by. |Enjoy playing polo, clay pigeon shooting and relaxing with treatments in the spa.| The hotel is also the perfect base to explore the town of Rostock and the coastal resort, Warnemünde, with its old town, lighthouse and small fishing port.
“Just one drop of Bach is worth an entire cistern of other music”, commented the Russian cellist, Rostropovich. The memory of Johann Sebastian Bach lives on in and around the Hotel Hohenhaus, close to the town of Eisenach where the German composer was born and spent his childhood. The sublime melancholy of his cello suites can perhaps be attributed to these hilly, wooded landscapes in which the trees take on a thousand different glorious shades in autumn. This is the perfect place to enjoy nature’s charms and treat yourself to a relaxing or active stay devoted to outdoor pursuits and swimming in the indoor pool.
Nestling in a Mediterranean-style park in the heart of vineyards overlooking the Rhine valley, Burg Schwarzenstein is an oasis of tranquillity and hospitality. The perfectly renovated castle walls still testify to its history spanning some 150 years: the tower and merlons are enhanced by a conservatory and Italian patio. The journey back in time continues in the guest rooms, charming bastions in the historic castle, the outbuilding or the hotel in the park. Each one is decorated in a different colour: sage green, ruby red or shades of cream. The colour nuances that are typical of the attention to detail here. Food lovers will appreciate the exquisite cuisine and the excellent service in the elegant gourmet restaurant and the romantic “Burgrestaurant”.
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux and hotel in the countryView details
Johann Lafer: a household name ever since the TV shows of this great chef turned him into a media star. However, the cameras could not separate Johann from his philosophy: the very highest demands in terms of quality and the search for the most noble of products, two qualities that he cultivates within this majestic castle. “My inspiration stems from the product. I only buy products when I can trace their origins, from production to my kitchen.” Johann Lafer, an equally gifted patissier, attributes the same importance to a modern interpretation of the Sachertorte as he does to the creative triology of beef from Styrian high mountain pastures. Enjoy a delightful and intimate stay in the land of vineyards and tranquil forests.
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux in a villageView details
Juan Amador is one of the leading lights of new German cuisine which is attracting increasingly global acclaim. His avant-garde cuisine welcomes all types of influences as long as they enrich his palette and fire his imagination. His Spanish roots inspire him to create original tapas. Asian touches are obvious in the purity of his dishes, and French cuisine, “the mother of all cuisines” is still his favourite mentor. He creates his recipes with almost scientific precision, constantly experimenting and working on the textures and flavours. You will delight in sampling his creations…
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux and hotel in a villageView details
The Hotel Burg Wernberg owes its charms to the Middle Ages. With its walls dating back to the 12th century, it proudly stands on a hill with expansive views of the lakes and forests in the Bavarian countryside. Guests appreciate this hotel for its combination of the contemporary alongside the gothic charm of a castle, as well as the cuisine by executive chef Thomas Kellermann. Since June 2008, he has been in the kitchen and is widely considered to be one of the most promising German chefs of his generation. His cuisine gives a place of pride to vegetables, herbs, spices and regional products. At Burg Wernberg the game also comes from the nearby forests. This is a hotel in which the emphasis is very much on what’s authentic.
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux in a parkView details
“Who still knows today what a carrot should really taste like?”, Klaus Erfort sighs. He is feeling nostalgic about the carrots from his grandfather’s garden that you bit into fresh from the earth. In the heart of the Saarland, the region in Germany renowned for its gentle French lifestyle, he has created a cuisine dedicated to the absolute authenticity of the products. He has surrounded himself with the best producers in order to recreate “true” flavours, as testified to by his foie gras in its salt crust accompanied by an elderberry gelée and celery cream or his Wagyu “Gold Label” roast beef with white coco beans, onion cream and Pak choï.
Spoilt for choice. The Villa Hammerschmiede has so many treats in store for you. The pleasure of relaxing in the rock swimming pool overlooking the park. The pleasure of unwinding in the Art Deco interior with its inviting rooms. The pleasure of setting off on a walk through the Black Forest full of tales of elves and dragons. The pleasure, finally, of an outing to Baden-Baden and of trying your luck in the casino which Marlene Dietrich described as “the most beautiful in the world”. Unless, of course, you prefer a trip to Heidelberg to explore its impressive Gothic castle...
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The Bareiss, a holiday resort for 3 generations with its splendid spa, five pools, four Jacuzzis, a Finnish and bio sauna and steam baths plus a natural swimming pond with a white sandy beach, is located in the heart of the Black Forest. Especially for children: the Villa Kunterbunt. In the kitchen, Executive Chef Claus-Peter Lumpp delights guests with creations like “Venison from the Bareiss hunting ground”.
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux in the countryView details
The views are idyllic, the forest air like Champagne: in the heart of the Black Forest Harald Wohlfahrt offers memorable flavoursome experiences that he stage sets as a festival for all the senses. Inspired by the tantalising diversity of the best produce and drawing inspiration from the virtues of cuisine the world over, he enhances Grande Cuisine with a wealth of innovation. This pleasurable experience is further enhanced by sommelier Stéphane Gass and service full of joie de vivre.
Bad Peterstal - Griesbach (Baden-Württemberg), Germany
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux and hotelView details
In the Guest Book of the Hotel Dollenberg, one visitor wrote, “What a shame you can’t cuddle a hotel”. You are sure to have the same tender thoughts when you enjoy the hospitable atmosphere and excellent service in this hotel. The relaxing treatments in the Wellness Centre, the light gourmet cuisine and the delightful landscapes of the Black Forest will throw you into raptures about Meinrad Schmiederer’s hotel. Are your arms long enough to go around so many treasures?
A town of waters, par excellence, given the name of “Aqua Villae” by the Romans, Badenweiler is more popular than ever for the therapeutic powers of its thermal springs. At the Hotel Schwarzmatt, renowned for its excellent cuisine, the Sano & Salvo Spa invites you to enjoy the benefits of its steam baths: biosauna or Finnish sauna – that’s up to you. Relax in the charming indoor pool and on the sunny terrace. Located on the borders of Germany, Switzerland and France, at the crossroads of Europe, this is the ideal place to recharge your batteries.
A delightful, traditional and cosy Black Forest hotel which has now been managed by the Zumkeller family for six generations, features a gourmet restaurant consisting of several small dining rooms. In summer the garden or terrace extends a warm invitation to regional specialities of Baden cuisine as well as creations with a French or Italian flourish. The beautiful landscapes of the south Black Forest with Lake Titisee, Lake Schluchsee and the Feldberg, coupled with the welcoming, individual hospitality of the Zumkeller family, are the guarantee of enjoyment and relaxation. The pool complex, the vitality garden with beauty treatments and numerous sports activities make the Adler an attractive holiday destination.
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Villino, a small villa and an exquisite hotel with award-winning cuisine was created for guests who appreciate and enjoy what is exceptional. This little jewel is located above Lindau, in the heart of fruit orchards, at the crossroads of Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Reiner Fischer has achieved extensive acclaim of the restaurant with his Italian-Asian cuisine and an international wine list with no less than 750 different selections. A charming garden, based on old English and Italian designs, is tucked round the hotel. The diversity of the artistic, cultural and leisure activities on and around the lake enhances the magical kaleidoscope with something for everyone.
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux and hotel in the mountainsView details
The Residenz Heinz Winkler is located between Salzburg and Munich, not far from Lake Chiemsee, in the heart of idyllic Bavarian landscapes. A residence in the truest sense of the word, a veritable temple to fi ne dining, a haven of peace where attention to detail is the hallmark of the rooms and suites offering unparalleled comfort. Heinz Winkler, the chef who has chalked up outstanding success in Germany, is the inventor of “cuisine vitale” which combines culinary delights with wellness. His starred creations are also the perfect partner for the awardwinning service of the Kieffer brothers, the exceptional treatments in the Vital Resort and invigorating walks through the fairytalelike Bavarian countryside.
