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.
One of the impressive façades of the Neri, tucked away in the heart of the romantic Gothic district, gives onto Sant Felip Neri square, a magical place with its Gothic edifices which house the church where Gaudí used to come to pray every day. This hotel enjoys a superb setting, and was created when, in the 18th century, two mansions merged – one dating from the Middle Ages and built in the 12th century. It boasts a delightful décor, blending period features with ultra-modern design. The chef creates a Mediterranean cuisine with a seasonal menu in this private, welcoming restaurant, with a terrace opening onto Barcelona’s most legendary square. At the top of the building, ‘Roba Estesa’ offers a veritable oasis in the city and is open all day; you can sit and enjoy the views of the Gothic quarter at nightfall, sip a cocktail and try some of the delicious specialities on the superb tapas menu.
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux and hotel in townView details
Located inside the walled town of Cáceres with its extraordinary Almohad, Gothic, Renaissance and colonial buildings, Atrio boasts sublime architecture by Emilio Tuñón Álvarez and Luis Moreno Mansilla, masters of modern design. In the heart of the medieval town, chefs José Polo and Toño Perez prepare cuisine with unique, authentic flavours in a heavenly setting. Truffles, pasta and mushrooms, razor clams with cured Iberian ham, pig’s trotters, warm oyster and other gourmet creations are in complete harmony with the splendid building.
Between the Gredos mountains and the majestic Tagus river, this 19th century manor house modestly hides its terracotta facade behind tall cypress trees. The spacious bedrooms offer majestic panoramic views. The six hundred hectare domain has exclusive activities in store such as relaxing in the spa, horse riding, hunting and a golf academy with techniques based on state-of-the-art technology. In the surrounding area you will find attractions like the Guadalupe monastery, the castle of Oropesa and the Yuste abbey. The magnificent Tierra restaurant uses ingredients from its own farm and kitchen garden.
In the heart of Madrid, just five minutes from the Museo del Prado, where Hieronymus Bosch’s masterpiece The Garden of Earthly Delights hangs among the paintings of Vélasquez, Titian and Rubens, another garden of delights awaits. The Hotel Orfila, a small palace built in 1886, also has the feel of an art gallery, with its period furniture, feature marble and superb trompe l’œil effects in the green garden courtyard. In the 1920's, the hotel was made famous by the plays staged within its walls. Today, its tearoom and cocktail bar are imbued with English chic and its flowered patio invites you to dine under the stars. This is an ideal place from which to explore Madrid at its own rhythm, step by step.
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux in townView details
The Grand Chef Óscar Velasco creates dishes featuring fish and shellfish from the Costa Brava, exceptional vegetables like young Maresme peas, or delicious Morella truffles, and his flagship creations, including braised shank of suckling veal with potato purée and crispy suckling pig from Segovia. The impressive cheese board is another highlight. Velasco’s cuisine is the embodiment of a culinary philosophy that is both traditional and contemporary, with a wild flourish. In the dining room, the Maître de Maison, Abel Valverde, and the sommelier, David Robledo, offer unique, stylish service – the prelude to a gourmet feast that will truly delight the senses.
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux in townView details
Just minutes from the city’s shopping hotspots, right next to Serrano Street, Ramon Freixa Madrid has a peaceful inner garden courtyard, perfect for alfresco dining and outdoor aperitifs. Spanish-born Grand Chef Ramon Freixa is one of the leading lights in Mediterranean cuisine. His food takes Mediterranean flavours to new levels thanks to his inventive touches, daring and humour. Dishes include roasted tomato with bourbon flavor; young pigeon sausage; tender peas with lettuce; lamb shoulder roasted with sobrasada and honey; root slices with liquorice; green beans carbonara and mint potatoes; chocolate walnut cream: 85% abinao curd with hints of mint, pine and rosemary; creamy earl grey with walnuts yogurt. The restaurant itself is modern without being minimalist, it is spacious and appointed with wide tables and comfortable chairs, and there is a focus on personalised service and attention.
A river runs round this 18th century paper mill, which is near a magnificent wood, and has grounds that exude tranquillity. This is a natural, romantic escape within the World Heritage city of Santiago de Compostela, the final destination on the St James Way pilgrimage route, with an amazing historical town centre. The hotel’s restaurant offers regional delights, seafood and meat dishes. The spa is a haven for the senses and pure bliss for the mind and body. Enjoy a wide range of cultural, oenological and sailing activities.
In the heart of Asturias, amidst eight hectare grounds boasting beautiful gardens and unspoilt nature, discover this 16th century palace between the Sierra del Sueve mountains and the Cantabrian sea. Palacio de Luces has been tastefully refurbished in complete harmony with its historic setting. The piano bar and the pool invite to relaxation and the ideal location between the sea and the mountains is conducive to the many, diverse activities on offer. Everything here is designed to ensure your well-being and peace of mind – spaciousness, décor, the traditional Asturian cuisine at the restaurant Balcón del Sueve which meticulously selects the finest ingredients served to you along with some fabulous views.
The marble whiteness of the Castillo de Arteaga, with its 13th century Gothic tower, rises dramatically out of the Basque Country’s Ria Urdaibai reserve with its narrow lush green valleys opening up into wide estuaries. Napoleon III and Eugenia de Montijo had it rebuilt when their son was proclaimed an honorary citizen of Biscay. Out of this castle, Garbiñe Azkuenaga has created a stunning hotel, masterfully combining period furniture with contemporary design. Spend your days exploring the surrounding area: sheer cliffs, rivers, marshland and meadows. In the evening, enjoy a superb dinner in the castle's restaurant or a wine tasting in the well-stocked cellar.
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux in the countryView details
“Successful creations start with the best products. Each dish must be approached with the daring of a young chef, the experience of a mature man and the wisdom of an elder.” The personality of Grand Chef Pedro Subijana, his determination to always do better and his constant quest for innovation have made him an ambassador for new Basque cuisine. He takes traditional recipes and always adds his own twist, as is evident in his turbot with “kokotxka”, or his strawberry cream with frozen yogurt pearls for dessert. There are so many delicacies to be savoured. Enjoy the impressive panoramic views of the Cantabrian sea from Mount Igeldo while dining at this restaurant located just five minutes from the centre of Saint Sebastián.
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux in the countryView details
“Good cuisine, which is written in capitals, is not the property of any one person. It belongs to all those who have worked behind the stoves since the dawn of time.” So says Martín Berasategui who has turned this restaurant in the Basque country, close to the pilgrimage route of Compostela, into a culinary temple. His audacious creations include oysters with cucumber, sour fruit, kafir and coconut. Another delight is the roasted Araiz pigeon, with fresh pasta covered in mushrooms, spring onions and light touches of truffle cream. The seductive atmosphere is in perfect harmony with the exquisite cuisine, excellent wines and exceptional service.
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux in townView details
Juan Mari was one of the founders of new Basque cuisine in 1977: creativity and techno-cuisine as a revolutionary way of inviting the region to take pride of place on the plate. His daughter Elena accompanies him on this gourmet adventure, adding her sensitivity and rigour to the untameable spirit and creativity of Juan Mari. Their duo produces marvels culminating in dishes featuring local hake, line-caught calamari or beef from the region, as well as a delicious array of aromas from across the world, including tamarind, hibiscus, rhubarb, mango skin, coconut, roasted chocolate and liquorice powder.
Up on a hill overlooking La Seu d’Urgell, with the Pyrenees as the backdrop, El Castell de Ciutat faces a landscape of preserved natural beauty. The Tàpies family provides a warm welcome in this mountain chalet, located at the foot of a fortress dating back to the 16th century. There are breathtaking views of the Urgellet valley and Cadí-Moixeró, Catalonia’s biggest nature reserve. Discover the pleasure of exquisite Mediterranean cuisine in the restaurants and taste wines from all over the world. Enjoy mountain sports or sail over the valley in a hot air balloon before relaxing in the magnificent wellness center. Don’t leave without enjoying breakfast in the morning sunlight on the terrace.
Flying over the unspoilt valleys and mountains of the Pyrenees in a hot-air balloon, plane or helicopter is a fascinating experience and one of the numerous surprises in store at the hotel of Josep Maria Boix and Loles Vidal de Boix. In 1988 they fell in love with this majestic palace designed in the Gaudí period Catalan art deco style, right on the Saint James pilgrimage route to Compostella. The couple have taken great pleasure restoring this elegantly furnished palace geared towards enjoyment and well-being to be experienced through a wide range of activities. There are plenty of ways to spend time here: set off on the trail of the Cathare Knights, go trout fishing in a pristine river or play a round of golf on the 18-hole course of the Real Club.
The magnificent vineyards of the Abadía Retuerta estate extend along the banks of the River Duero to the east of Valladolid. A superb, elegantly restored, 12th century abbey, set in a stunning landscape, has opened its doors to visitors. This cultural treasure of Spain, the living embodiment of the soul of this region, has been converted into a hotel with all due respect paid to its 1,000 years of history. Every architectural detail has been immaculately preserved in the quest to restore it to all its former glory. The monks’ cells are now guestrooms, the chapter house is the lounge bar, and the refectory is now a sumptuous restaurant dining room under a vaulted ceiling in the purest of Gothic styles. In these immaculately preserved surroundings, the quality of the service and amenities simply adds to the unique character of this splendid estate.
The Mas de Torrent is located in the heart of Empordà, the most authentic and chic region on the Costa Brava, with its beautiful beaches and little medieval villages, in between olive and cypress trees. A charming, unique setting where each detail is imbued with exclusivity and elegance. This 18th century masía delights with its spectacular views, delightful gardens and impeccable, attentive service. The welcoming interior is home to both classical and contemporary suites, some with their own private pool. Two extraordinary restaurants and the Mas Spa make for a magical stay. Don’t miss the other treasures in this beautiful region, so beloved by the artist Dalí: Cadaqués, Pals, Peratallada and Sant Martí d’Empúries.
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux on the seafrontView details
On the Catalan coast, between Girona and Barcelona, Grand Chef Carme Ruscalleda crafts creative, modern cuisine inspired by the landscape and Catalan culinary traditions. In this beautiful garden setting bordering the beach of Sant Pol de Mar, a charming commune full of character, Carme has developed her very own original gourmet style. Her cuisine showcases produce from the Maresme region, famous for its fishing ports, its specialised crops and its wild mountains. Dishes are characterised by a fine balance, respect for natural flavours, contrasts and the texture of the dishes. Since 2004, following professional exchanges with Japan, Carme’s cuisine has drawn on Nipponese influences which marry naturally with the culinary style at the Sant Pau.
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux in townView details
Of Alsatian origin, Grand Chef Jean-Louis Neichel is considered one of the most prominent chefs in Spain and is the creator of some of the recipes that have made Mediterranean cuisine known worldwide. Neichel’s menu offers a broad range of tastes and aromas to enjoy, based on the best products from the wide variety offered by the Catalonian region. With its modern design, Neichel’s restaurant is located in a charming and peaceful corner of Pedralbes, one of Barcelona’s residential areas, and is the perfect place to savour culinary delights, enhanced by views of the Mediterranean lemon trees in the garden and the aromatic herb plants.
Far from the madding crowd, La Torre del Visco is the ideal place to recharge your batteries in completely unspoilt, rural surroundings. Enjoy the glorious scenery of the valley untouched by man and the modern world. The estate house with its tower dating from 1449 is surrounded by its own eighty-nine hectare farm, romantic gardens full of roses and olive trees bordered by the river Tastavins and the mountain range known as “Ports de Beseit”. The owners grow their own organic fruit and vegetables and make their own olive oil for the restaurant. Inside the beautiful labyrinthine buildings, immerse yourself in a novel by the fireside, play chess, try one of the excellent wines from the cellar or join the chefs in the kitchen. For music lovers, the grand piano awaits. After sundown observe the clear night skies from the terrace.
This 19th century farm is a haven of peace tucked away in the mountains of the Sierra de Mariola. With its innovative spa treatments and the azure waters of its indoor and outdoor pools, it is the ideal place to relax. Tennis lovers can also take advantage of private lessons given by the personal trainers of the owner, Juan Carlos Ferrero, who is a former world number one. The restaurant’s mouth-watering avant-garde cuisine and its huge selection of wines from all over the world cannot fail to appeal to all your senses.
A 19th century Lord’s manor, the Mirador de Dalt Vila was until recently a family property. When it was converted into an intimate and welcoming hotel, none of its historical values were lost. Located inside the famous walled city of Dalt Vila – declared a Unesco World Heritage site –, the building offers a magnificent panoramic view of the city of Ibiza, its historical port and the never ending horizon of the Mediterranean sea. Far from the bustle of the town, sample the charms of this peaceful haven with its excellent service and highly dedicated staff.
In this former hillside monastery in the north of Majorca, a sense of asceticism lives on if only in the décor. The marvellous pure lines allow the white walls to shine forth against the backdrop of the deep blue sky. The spa is a water and teakwood paradise using essential oils derived from the island flora. The swimming pool, a chic camping ground, provides large white parasols to ensure deckchairs remain in the shade. Rooms are complete with jacuzzis and views of the olive tree orchards and the bay of Pollença. Organic produce, including olive oil, wine, citrus fruits and vegetables, is cultivated on the grounds and served in the restaurant. This hotel is so comfortable and inviting that there is little inclination to venture out unless it is to head for the stunning beaches or the superbly designed golf course.
In the west of Majorca, the Sierra de Tramontana is a paradise of olive and almond trees that once inspired Frédéric Chopin, on his romantic travels with author George Sand, to write his Preludes. In fact, Valldemossa belonged to the former estate of the Carthusian Monastery where Chopin and Sand stayed and still reflects the same purity and beauty that the famous couple enjoyed. Behind the stone walls that give protection from the glare of the sun, there are very charming rooms with four-poster beds dressed in white netting. On the agenda are Mediterranean dinners on the terraces overlooking the burnt landscapes of the island, and the gentle pleasures of an exceptional swimming pool, golf, sailing, watersports and other preludes.
