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 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.
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.
Dating back to the 18th century, Hotel Seesteg was once the building in which the wooden boards of the pier were stored during the stormy winters on the coast. Today, it has been converted from a storehouse into an exceptional, relaxing haven. Everything is designed to offer an unparalleled, intimate atmosphere and smart style and design. Every room faces the sea and the outdoor rooftop pool offers breathtaking views of the Wadden Sea National Park, a Unesco World Heritage site. Each morning, the enchanting views of the white sandy beach through large wood-framed, floor-to-ceiling windows, delight the senses and give the impression of floating directly over the waves.
The Peene, one of the last unspoilt rivers 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 in the heart of 11 hectare grounds with direct access to the River Peene 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 those with an inclination for sports, there’s a tennis court, croquet pitch, bicycles, rowing boat and reduced green fees for three golf courses in the vicinity.
Dresden, one of the most delightful towns in Germany, also goes by the name of “Florence on the Elbe”. In the heart of one of Germany’s most beautiful baroque quarters, Bülow Palais also exudes Italian flair. The new hotel is a celebration of individual style. Enjoy a scrumptious breakfast in the light-flooded inner courtyard, savour light German fare at the Bülow Bistro, meet with friends at the cigar lounge, or head to the hotel’s Caroussel restaurant, one of the best in the region, which successfully marries baroque and modern styles.
A family business in its ninth generation, this elegant hotel lies on the estate of the Counts von Hardenberg, at the foot of a one thousand-year-old castle ruin, with exceptional views of the Leine valley. Lower Saxony, a region of legends and delightful landscapes, is renowned for its local hospitality. The Hardenberg BurgHotel offers a refuge of classic elegance and rural idyll, unspoilt nature and modern comfort. The distinct family touch is unmistakable. Hosts Count Carl von Hardenberg and the Rosentreter family ensure that the service is impeccable. In the restaurant, guests can enjoy culinary delights and learn the fine art of cooking. Explore the nearby town of Göttingen, famous for its old university, town hall and beautiful churches.
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux in townView details
The restaurant La Vie is ideally located right in the heart of the historic old town of Osnabrück. Behind its classical sandstone townhouse façade, Grand Chef Thomas Bühner and Maîtresse de Maison Thayarni Kanagaratnam wait to greet you in warmly decorated surroundings adorned with fine wood and contemporary works of art. In this “Mecca for gourmets”, Thomas Bühner works to create what is his signature cuisine: three-dimensional, avant-garde and aromatic. He seeks out the pure, intense flavours of the ingredients he chooses to showcase and takes time to cook them at low temperatures. His menus are composed like a symphony, and his arrangements daringly create combinations which, at first glance, might appear to jar. The result: a thrilling and memorable repertoire of dishes.
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux and hotel in the woodsView details
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.
The Baroque-style former Palais Pannwitz, built in a residential district of Berlin at the beginning of the 20th century by Kaiser Wilhelm’s right-hand man, is now home to a splendid hotel. It is surrounded by a large garden and majestic trees, and was redecorated in the 1990s by Karl Lagerfeld. Recently it has received a more modern face lift. It offers the perfect setting for a stay in the capital of Germany. Its Roman spa boasts a very fine mosaic-tiled pool which becomes an open air pool in the summer; its lounges and public spaces are welcoming and beautifully decorated and its rooms are both charming and comfortable with their classic furniture, warm colours and marble bathrooms.
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.
“Just one movement by Bach is worth an entire symphony 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 have a relaxing or active stay devoted to outdoor pursuits and swimming in the indoor pool. The 1,680 hectare private, wooded grounds are home to rare species like the black stork and the wildcat.
Burg Schwarzenstein is tucked away in Mediterranean-style parkland surrounded by vineyards overlooking the Rheingau wine-growing region with stunning views over the Rhine Valley. This magnificently-restored castle, which dates back more than 150 years, is a haven of hospitality and the epitome of sophisticated authenticity. Rooms and suites alike are appointed with luxurious furnishing fabrics and silks in delicate hues of cream and beige which create a warm contrast with the dark tones of the wenge wood panelling. Food lovers will delight in the exquisite cuisine served in the elegant gourmet restaurant and the supremely romantic Burgrestaurant.
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux and hotel in the countryView details
Grand Chef Johann Lafer, the star of German TV cooking programmes, is the living embodiment of the Stromburg restaurant philosophy: “I draw my inspiration from the ingredients themselves.” He maintains the highest possible quality standards, seeks out the best ingredients, making sure that he knows their provenance, and uses them inventively and with considerable delicacy. Johann Lafer is also an excellent pastry chef, and he breathes the same touch of modernity into sachertorte as he does into Müritz lamb, braised in fennel and mint. That is how the Val d’Or restaurant reinvents itself with each new season in its quest to appeal to all your senses. The helicopter flight over the superb, legendary vineyards and forests of the Rhine adds a glorious finishing touch.
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!
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux in a villageView details
Grand Chef Juan Amador is one of the leading lights of the new German cuisine that is attracting global acclaim. This avant-garde creator of dishes welcomes a diverse range 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 evident too, and French cuisine, “the mother of all cuisines”, remains a constant source of inspiration. Amador creates his recipes with almost scientific precision, constantly experimenting and working on the textures and flavours. Sample delicious dishes such as Langen green sauce, Mieral pigeon, parsley roots and chanterelles.
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux and hotel in a villageView details
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.
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.
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux in a parkView details
Grand Chef Klaus Erfort still feels nostalgic for the carrots from his grandfather’s garden that he once enjoyed eating fresh from the earth. In the heart of the Saarland, the region in Germany renowned for its gentle lifestyle, Erfort has created a cuisine dedicated to the absolute authenticity of the products. He has surrounded himself with the best producers in order to capture true flavours of fresh produce, as seen in his summer vegetables with marinated tuna, octopus and crunchy olives, or his foie gras in its salt crust accompanied by an elderberry gelée and celery cream.
The Villa Hammerschmiede has many treats in store. Relaxing in the rock swimming pool overlooking the park, or unwinding in the Art déco interior with its inviting rooms is a pleasure. Set off on a walk through the Black Forest full of tales of elves and dragons. Practise your swing at one of the 14 top golf courses within a 50 km radius, or go on an outing to Baden-Baden and try your luck in the casino that Marlene Dietrich described as “the most beautiful in the world”. Nearby Heidelberg is also worth a trip to explore the impressive Gothic castle there.
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux and hotel in a villageView details
The Bareiss, a holiday destination for three generations now, is in the heart of the Black Forest. The hotel is organised around a superb spa and is dedicated to personal wellness. However, it is also designed with children in mind: the “Stardust” villa and the hut in the trees have been set aside for them. The Bareiss is surrounded by pine forests and gently trickling streams and is reached by a road that wends its way through the hills. The gastronomic restaurant, where Grand Chef Claus-Peter Lumpp entertains his guests with such delicacies as roast saddle of venison hunted at the Bareiss and leg stewed in red wine with chanterelles and elderflowers, is the culinary high point of your stay.
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux in the countryView details
The views are idyllic, the forest air is revitalizing: in the heart of the Black Forest, Grand Chef Harald Wohlfahrt offers 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 approaches traditional 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.” 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.
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.
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.
This is a delightful Black Forest hotel that has been owned by the Zumkeller family for six generations, with more than half a century’s experience of serving gourmet cuisine. The restaurant features several small dining rooms. In summer, the garden or terrace extends a warm invitation to sample regional specialities of Baden cuisine as well as creations with a French or Italian flourish. Zumkeller’s Spa features a pool complex, different saunas and steam baths as well as various massages, body and beauty treatments. The beautiful landscapes of the south Black Forest with Lake Titisee, Lake Schluchsee and the Feldberg, coupled with the warm hospitality of the Zumkeller family, guarantee enjoyment and relaxation.
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux and hotel in the countryView details
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.
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. 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.
