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 summer, slip your boots into the stirrups, don your cowboy hat and set off to explore the majestic scenery of Montana with its white water torrents, conifers and mountain meadows adorned with wild flowers. In winter, put on your skis and glide down the slopes of the Rockies or enjoy a romantic couple’s massage. The pleasures may change with the seasons but the program is always delightfully fulfilling. This is an exceptional place that immerses you in an authentic Western experience. The free stone Blue Ribbon trout streams, horseback riding adventures, vintners’ weekends and authentic western cattle drives are only a few of the experiences to embrace during your journey at Triple Creek Ranch.
Experience Colorado’s timeless American West at The Home Ranch, an all-inclusive, luxury guest ranch set in the alpine grandeur of the Elk River Valley, near Steamboat Springs. Distinguished by its spectacular Rocky Mountain setting amid a million-acre wilderness, the ranch is an equestrian, fly fishing and hiking paradise in the Summer and Fall, a Nordic and downhill skiing Nirvana in the Winter and Spring, and an adventure travelers dream all year long. Renowned for its Western Horseback Riding Program, the rustic elegance of its lodge and cabins, and the beauty of its setting, the guest experience is crowned by the celebrated Haute Mountain Cuisine of the chef. This is the very essence of Colorado.
In the historic district of Santa Fe, with its “Pueblo” charm, this beautiful property is a collection of adobe buildings with mud walls, colourful textiles and artisan designed, mosaic tiled bathrooms. The luxurious décor is enhanced by East Indian and Tibetan antiques, oriental carpets, and Silk Road textiles. Handcrafted pieces blend with the legendary architecture of this region marked by an intertwined Native American and Spanish heritage. It’s a colourful melting-pot of cultures that invites you to embark on a sensory voyage. Enjoy world-class opera, outdoor activities such as hiking, skiing, and golf, or discover the works of world-renowned painters and sculptors in this enchanting city.
Built as a private residence for a prominent local family in 1900 and recently classified as a historical landmark, Hôtel St Germain has the sumptuous allure of a French hotel particulier, with exceptional old world service, thoroughly modern amenities and memorable fine dining. Graceful interiors evoke the haunting, exotic beauty of xixth century New Orleans. The grand dining room is adorned with a 200-year-old Aubusson tapestry. Truly a cosmopolitan retreat, Hotel St Germain is merely steps away from the bustle of the Dallas Centre for the Performing Arts, the Winspear Opera House and Meyerson Symphony Centre. A true European urban sanctuary, this is a unique destination where fine dining and the art of gracious living are celebrated and are a personal reflection of the proprietors’ French heritage.
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.
Hotel Les Mars is an exquisite jewel located in Healdsburg, a small town offering all the magic of the Wine Country. Enjoy superb cuisine and wine, art galleries, and boutique shopping. Meticulous attention to detail sets Hotel Les Mars apart. From the limestone facade and wrought ironwork of its exterior to its dramatic interior finishes and antique furniture, every element has been chosen to enrich your stay. A 17th century Flemish tapestry hangs in the lobby, and walnut panels and leather-bound books line the library. Nearby, country roads meander through vineyards and rolling hills to more than one hundred world-class wineries and tasting rooms including nearby appellations Chalk Hill, Alexander Valley, Dry Creek Valley and Russian River Valley. Experience the treasures of the Sonoma Wine Country in the luxury of one of its loveliest jewels.
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux and hotel in the countryView details
In the heart of Napa Valley, one of the most prestigious wine-producing areas in the United States, Meadowood invites you to embark on a unique tasting journey in the company of the estate’s wine educator, who loves to share his passion. With his guidance, learn about and enjoy the local wine while relaxing on the estate or going on private tours and tastings at the legendary wineries in the area. The Restaurant at Meadowood is one of the best in the region, under the direction of Grand Chef Christopher Kostow. The sporting activities on the estate offer include golf, tennis, hiking, swimming and the property’s signature activity: croquet. In the cosy lodges, guest rooms or suites with decks and views of the fairways or the forested hillsides, everything comes together to create memories that will last a lifetime.
Between the Cabernet-sauvignon, Merlot and Chardonnay vines of Napa Valley, the French restaurateur Claude Rouas and his partner Robert Harmon have created an elegant hotel hidden amongst a grove of olive trees that evokes a love of Provence and the South of France. Stay in one of a handful of spacious “maisons” perched on the hillside overlooking the sculpture garden which features over 100 works by renowned artists. Each “maison” has a private terrace, chenille fabrics, abstract paintings and fireplaces, which create an air of romance. The Mediterranean-inspired cuisine features the very best of the region. The spa, which also draws on the land, offers treatments based on grapes, olives, herbs, flowers, mud and minerals. The 15,000 bottles in the wine cellar will transport wine connoisseurs to heaven, as they watch the sun setting on the horizon.
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux in the countryView details
Grand Chef Thomas Keller’s technique has become so famous that Pixar studios called upon his expertise when making the film “Ratatouille”. The revised ratatouille served at the end of the film is Keller’s invention. At the heart of Napa Valley, this chef, whose restaurant Per Se is among New York’s top culinary landmarks, has created one of the best restaurants in California. Working closely with fellow Grand Chef Timothy Hollingsworth, and the best producers in the region, Keller and his team concoct minimalist dishes. Products such as oysters and truffles are savoured in “sequenced meals” where in order to maximise surprises, no single ingredient is ever repeated in a meal. There is a new menu every day and the herbs and vegetables come straight from the kitchen garden.
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux in townView details
The cuisine of Gary Danko, the ambassador of contemporary American fine dining, draws on culinary traditions from around the world. Using seasonings from Asia and India, he adds a pinch of audacity to his French-style precision and technique. The results are sublime. The buckwheat blini with smoked salmon, Kendall Farms crème fraîche and Black Sea Osetra caviar is one of many highlights. Danko only uses what’s in season. In the spring, sea scallops are served with asparagus-pea purée, and in the winter, they are paired with butternut squash purée and caramelized apples. The atmosphere is intimate and welcoming, modern paintings stand out against taupe walls, in the heart of one of San Francisco’s trendiest districts.
It was in front of the stunning scenery of Big Sur that Henry Miller said he learnt to pray. The little village of artists, Carmel-by-the-Sea, is the ideal base to marvel at these immense cliffs that seem to plunge down into the ocean. Halfway between San Francisco and the coast of Santa Barbara, inhabited by seals, whales and other marine mammals, Carmel – where Clint Eastwood was once mayor – will charm you with its many art galleries and pebble beaches. This romantic hotel was built in 1929 and is ideally located in the heart of the village, and a pleasant short walk away from the famous Carmel Beach. Interior designer Kathleen Fink has decorated the hotel with the most beautiful antiques and fabrics from Europe. Delicious cuisine, a wine cellar with over 4,500 bottles and the superb massages will give this address a special place in your heart.
The waterfalls and granite domes of Yosemite National Park make it one of America’s most spectacular natural sites. And the Château du Sureau is the ideal place from which to explore the park. This majestic hotel is reminiscent of the finest châteaux in Europe. Its elegant interior, featuring guest rooms named after fragrant herbs and flowers, is resplendent with fine antiques, tapestries and artwork. If you are lucky enough to visit on July 14, you will be treated to the Elderberry Harvest Dinner, a fabulous five-course feast in honour of the château’s namesake.
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux in townView details
Inside the huge Walt Disney Concert Hall, an extraordinary steel complex of venues designed by Frank Gehry in the heart of Los Angeles, renowned chef Joachim Splichal has created one of the city’s most prized restaurants. This is an elegant restaurant with pure and modern décor, where Grand Chef Joachim Splichal serves contemporary French cuisine. Patina’s trademark is its use of fresh seasonal products, highlighted by sophisticated presentation. In each dish the flavours are distinct, and always enhanced by herbs, exotic spices or bursts of acidity. The caviar guéridon and the wide variety of cheeses are two other reasons to visit this prestigious address.
Blending luxury with the authentic spirit of relaxed Southern California living, Rancho Valencia welcomes its guests with passion and grace. Near the chic beaches of La Jolla and Del Mar, this is an exclusive and tranquil hideaway set among 18 hectares of rolling hills, orange groves and gardens full of hibiscus and cacti. Reminiscent of Spanish-colonial haciendas, bungalow suites boast stunning craftsmanship including hand-painted tile work and custom furnishings. With its world-renowned tennis program, innovative cuisine and rejuvenating spa, and year-round sunny climate, Rancho Valencia is the perfect place to discover this beautiful region.
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux on a golf courseView details
Over the years, Addison Restaurant has established itself as one of the finest culinary experiences in California. Grand Chef William Bradley’s artisanal approach to cooking, based on an admiration for French cuisine, draws inspiration from the seasons. Ever attentive to the purity of flavours, he enhances the products by drawing on their inherent properties. The collection of 36,000 bottles of wine, under the enlightened direction of Jesse Rodriguez includes twenty special cuvees crafted with winemakers from across the globe. The wine and food pairings are in perfect harmony with the elegant and refined service.
In the legendary rugged Montana ranch land lies The Ranch at Rock Creek, located on over 2,500 hectares of lush hay meadows and rolling foothills, framed by distant snow-capped peaks. At this classic ranch, outstanding staff, superb amenities and spectacular scenery meet an array of activities. Popular pursuits include horseback riding on spectacular trails, fly fishing on the Blue Ribbon Rock Creek, fishing the ranch’s stocked trout ponds, hiking, wildlife watching, mountain biking, sporting clays, archery and more. A dedicated team of activities staff helps guests select what suits them best. History buffs can visit nearby historic ghost towns, while lovers of the West can experience a summer rodeo. After a vigorous day outdoors, the excellent spa provides welcome relaxation. The Ranch at Rock Creek offers the feel of the true West without sacrificing true comfort.
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux in townView details
In the Jackson Square district, one of the oldest and most charming in San Francisco, a landmarked brick and timber building more than a century old is home to one of the finest gourmet restaurants in the city. Grand Chef Michael Tusk, who trained in Europe, produces Californian cuisine with Italian and French influences, and uses only fresh local ingredients produced by a carefully selected local network of small farmers and producers. The same care and attention is applied to the selection of wines suggested to accompany each dish. By the light of Murano chandeliers in elegant, Art Déco inspired surroundings, you can savor handmade orecchiette served with Santa Barbara sea urchin, paccino tomato and coastal sea beans; and suckling pig in diverse preparations with smoked porcini mushroom mousse, fava beans and truffle sauce.
