Blackberry Farm - United States, Walland
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux and hotel in the mountains
A visit to this traditional farm, deep in Tennessee, is a chance to return to nature and rediscover life’s simple pleasures. Some of the 1,700 hectares of land are set aside for farming, which ensures a steady flow of deliciously fresh produce all year round. Cheese, vegetables, herbs, honey and cider are all produced right here. Grand Chef Joseph Lenn has created a menu that respects the integrity of local products and flavours. The result is simple and delicious recipes accompanied by excellent wines from a collection of 180,000 bottles. Get involved in life at the farm, whether through gardening, cheesemaking or one of the unique cooking classes in the farm and garden and the adventure weekends, which take place here. Or, if you prefer, go fly-fishing, explore the region on a Harley-Davidson or by horse-drawn carriage, and sample an array of beauty treatments on offer. ...Read more

Georges Blanc Parc & Spa - France, Vonnas
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux and hotel in a village
Starting with the family inn created in 1872, Georges Blanc, Grand Chef and visionary businessman, has developed a veritable Gourmet Village centred around the original house on the river bank and the rebuilt Ancienne Auberge 1900. Fine dining is, of course, at the heart of this village dedicated to conviviality. Together with his family, Blanc constantly reinvents regional specialties through creations such as the “crêpe vonnassienne” with salmon and caviar or the legendary Bresse chicken with foie gras. Visits are available upon request to one of the five exceptional cellars with more than 135,000 bottles. In just under five hectares of grounds, discover a heavenly spa, an aquatic space next to a pond and a large, landscaped park that is illuminated at night. ...Read more

Blantyre - United States, Lenox
Restaurant and hotel in the country
Blantyre is a beautiful country house built amidst 46 hectares of lawn and woodlands, ideally located halfway between Boston and New York City. The Main House, Carriage House and three cottages are reminiscent of a gentler time of elegance and romance. Built in 1902, this stately mock-Tudor house boasts sumptuous guestrooms, an exceptional wine cellar, renowned cuisine and a delicious hot chocolate menu. The spa is connected to the Carriage House, a few minutes walk from the Main House. This enchanting resort has activities galore, with tennis and croquet in the summer. When the seasons change, the property transforms into a romantic winter wonderland, with ice skating, snowshoeing, sleigh riding and a 34m high Christmas tree. ...Read more

Eden Rock - St Barths - French West Indies, Saint-Barthélemy
Hotel and restaurant on the seafront
Located on a rocky promontory overlooking coral reefs and between white sandy beaches and the crystal clear warm blue waters of Saint Jean Bay, this group of superb villas stands on sound foundations firstly constructed by the celebrity aviator, Remy de Haenen. Suites, houses and rooms each are decorated individually by artist/owner Jane Matthews. Ultra luxe Villa Rockstar has a recording studio, Villa Nina its own gallery and Fregate Suite a private spa pool by the ocean side… Eden Rock is the beyond perfect place to soak up the sun, take pleasure in high-end designer shopping or enjoy world class dining at The Sand Bar and On the Rocks. ...Read more

Villa Florentine - France, Lyon
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux and hotel in town
Atop an enchanting hill, the Villa Florentine offers all the spirit and charm of the Italian Renaissance right in the heart of Lyon. The lush green terraces of this 17th century former convent offer exceptional panoramic views of the historical city of Lyon, a Unesco World Heritage site. Period furniture and contemporary works meet harmoniously in the rooms, havens of peace and softness… An exquisitely calm pool and Jacuzzi invite you to a voyage of the senses… In the kitchen Grand Chef Davy Tissot deploys treasures of refinement and reminds your palate of forgotten savours. At nightfall, the sparkling city lights join together with the stars, and this Italian villa becomes even more magical. ...Read more

Hotel Hubertus - Austria, Filzmoos
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux and hotel in the mountains
Filzmoos is situated in Fritzenbach Valley, half an hour from Salzburg. It is a pilgrimage destination and is renowned for its Kindl, a Baroque-like figure of the infant Jesus on the church altar. It is also renowned for Grand Chef Johanna Maier’s restaurant. This smiling “angel of the kitchen”, in a white linen dirndl, has become famous in Austria for her variations of trout and foie gras, and her desserts, which incorporate the aromas of apricots, elder and raspberries. There is even the opportunity to catch a char fish in the crystal mountain creek in front of the hotel and prepare it with Johanna in the kitchen. ...Read more

Hotel Jagdhof Glashütte - Germany, Bad Laasphe
Hotel and restaurant in the country
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. ...Read more

Langdon Hall Country House Hotel and Spa - Canada, Cambridge
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux and hotel in the country
Epicurean and romantic are the best words to describe Langdon Hall. The warm interiors feature silky fabrics and wood panelling, and the tranquil grounds feature 100 year-old trees and a lily pond that reflects the elegant manor house. In the kitchen, every detail counts for Grand Chef Jonathan Gushue, who even makes his own butter, and as a result each meal is unforgettable. Gushue’s menus are updated several times a week in order to provide the best ingredients sourced from local farms, fields, forest and waters, all of which he turns into sophisticated dishes that match the elegance of the setting. For added relaxation, the spa offers the very best in body and beauty therapies and there are guided visits to an extraordinary garden. Just an hour and a half’s drive from Toronto and the Niagara area, this is the address for those who love beauty. ...Read more

Les Pyrénées - France, Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux and hotel in a village
The ocean’s only rival here is the mountain. Between these two worlds lies Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, a village with eternal charm, its old buildings perched on the banks of the river Nive. Charles II of Navarre called it “the key to my kingdom”. It is here that Anne-Marie and Firmin Arrambide, the chef whom you will probably run into at the market, have turned a former stagecoach lodge with arched doorways made from sandstone dating back to 1729 into a place of total relaxation. Their son Philippe works in the kitchen and their daughter Sandrine is also part of the team who create an extraordinary culinary and sensory experience in a delightful family atmosphere. ...Read more

Sheen Falls Lodge - Ireland, Kenmare Co. Kerry
Hotel and restaurant on a river
Surrounded by purple heather-covered mountains and cascading blue waters, the town of Kenmare is one of the spots in Ireland that the Irish themselves like best. Sheen Falls Lodge is not only perfectly placed for exploring the southwest of Ireland, the world famous Ring of Beara, Ring of Kerry and the famous Killarney Lakes, but it is also known for its piano-jazz ambience, its collection of old Irish whiskeys, its selection of fine wines from one of Ireland's largest wine cellars and the dishes prepared with the salmon caught in the nearby river. There are unrivalled views of Kenmare Bay, the McGuillicuddy Reeks and cascading Sheen waterfalls. All of this, combined with outstanding Irish hospitality and Celtic legends, creates a sense of magic that pervades. ...Read more

The Inn at Dos Brisas - United States, Washington
Hotel in the country
Set on a hill in the Texas countryside, about an hour from Houston, this ranch with its elegant architecture, private swimming pools and interiors awash with leather and silky fabrics offers you the chance to experience the life of a gentleman rancher, surrounded by horses, organics farms and rolling hills. There are five large villas, and five additional rooms on this expansive 120 hectares property. Its organic farming program produces over 900 different crops. The food is extraordinary, as this property features what is arguably the finest food in Texas. It’s a tough choice between horseback riding, organic gardening lessons, fishing, tennis, and all of the other activities of a country retreat. ...Read more