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.
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux and hotel in the mountainsView details
At the foot of mont Blanc, Pierre Carrier, Perrine and Grand Chef Pierre Maillet have taken over this hotel, devoted to exceptional cuisine and local delicacies, founded in 1903 by “great grandfather Carrier”. The rooms in the main hotel or the chalets in the garden offer both modern and warm comfort. On the one hand, there is the superb menu at the Albert Ier with its elaborate recipes influenced by the Piedmont and Liguria and, on the other, the Maison Carrier with its specialities to be enjoyed in the atmosphere of an old farmhouse or on the terrace while gazing out at the majestic beauty of mont Blanc. The indoor/outdoor swimming pool also boasts views of the eternal snows on the roof of Europe. An equally stunning and delicious address.
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux in the mountainsView details
L’Oxalys, the highest situated gourmet restaurant in Europe, is located right at the heart of the Trois Vallées ski area, in Val Thorens. Sports lovers can ski there from Méribel, Courchevel and Les Ménuires, and enjoy privileged panoramic views over the mountain peaks. Grand Chef Jean Sulpice is an active skier and loves these mountains – he pays tribute to them daily with a cuisine which draws its inspiration directly from the terroir. He has assembled an enthusiastic team around him and his wife and sommelier, Magali, and they work to coax the best out of the flavours of the high mountain pastures and regional ingredients with dishes such as mousse of Beaufort cheese with mountain herbs and flowers, velouté of chestnuts with a parmesan and grated truffle chaud-froid, and mountain honey served with an antesite-flavoured apple in a meringue shell. Jean Sulpice also adds a modern twist to mountain plants, particularly wild wood sorrel known as oxalis.
In the heart of the French Alps, overlooking the village of Megève, you will be seduced by the charm of the Chalet du Mont d'Arbois and its adjoining chalets Noémie and Alice. This unique place steeped in history is a mix of warm elegance and discreet luxury in the pure tradition of the Rothschild family.
The authentic Savoy architecture of the three chalets, their outstanding location, a stone’s throw from the strategic starting point for the Mont-Blanc Évasion ski slopes and the Mont d’Arbois golf course in summer as well as its gourmet cuisine guarantee successful stays. At the Chalet du Mont d’Arbois well-being means that you can enjoy the hot tubs, benefit from the spa and its broad range of beauty treatments and swim indoors and outdoors in the pool heated at 30°. The wealth and originality of the activities combine pleasure, sports and relaxation and turn this exceptional place into a superb resort both in summer and winter.
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux and hotel in the mountainsView details
On the Megève heights Grand Chef Emmanuel Renaut offers imaginative, colourful, timeless cuisine with a mountain flavour. Emmanuel Renaut boldly injects colour, bitterness or acidity where they were not to be found before, to make each dish original and surprising. Walk in the mountains with Emmanuel Renaut to discover mushrooms, flowers and wildlife. Inside, the hotel has several chalets which associate functionality with design in a cosy and relaxed atmosphere. The treatments in the spa are inspired by the mountain: Megève pine trees, flowers and water.
This chalet, set against a backdrop of mountains and perfectly located at the centre of the ski resort, has been welcoming skiers into its informal, welcoming atmosphere since 1937 and for four generations. The elegant, spacious rooms are ultra-comfortable, a “treasure room” full of games awaits the children, and a spa decorated in stone and untreated timber offers treatments and the opportunity to relax. After a day of sport in the open air on the magnificent ski slopes of the “Espace Killy”, you can enjoy a drink in the relaxed atmosphere of the wine bar, or the delicious dishes served by the restaurant, a combination of local ingredients and great classical cuisine. And as a finishing touch, there are the magnificent views over the Bellevarde Olympic run which you can see from the terrace and the veranda.
The immaculate façades are as white as driven snow. This typically Savoyard chalet at the foot of the ski slopes exudes discreet elegance with its traditional décor and no-one is left unmoved by the warm welcome of a family who are passionate about their profession. The large spa takes you on a veritable sensory journey, and the high point of the Chabichou is the memorable opportunity it provides to sample the sophisticated and superbly presented cuisine of Grands Chefs Michel Rochedy and Stéphane Buron. It showcases fine ingredients such as Bresse pigeon and blue lobster and creates subtle pairings of flavours such as caramelised pork belly and verbena with braised pig cheek and creamy truffled polenta.
In the heart of Méribel, at the foot of the slopes, this authentic Savoy chalet doesn’t keep its “big heart” hidden away. Enjoy direct access to the 600 km of ski trails in the “Trois Vallées” area. After skiing, treat your aching muscles to a therapeutic spa treatment and enjoy the sumptuous rooms, piano bar and restaurant.
The beauty of the alpine surroundings of the Aravis ski slopes, the creativity of its cuisine and the way every guest’s expectations are listened to, turn this chalet with its elegant design into an exceptional destination in the heart of the village of La Clusaz. After a vigorous day on the slopes, relax in the superb Cristal Spa where, in addition to the fantastic treatments, guests can do laps in the recreational pool, steam in the hammam made of semi-precious stones or unwind in the sauna. Lovers of fine cuisine will adore Le 5 restaurant, which offers dishes made from responsibly sourced local and regional products. After dinner, cap the night off with a cigar in the English-style smoking room before retiring to a rustic but refined guest room.
Close to Gstaad and its 250 km of ski slopes, there is a quiet chalet with breathtaking views of the mountains and the glittering glaciers. In summer as well as in winter, the Hostellerie Alpenrose is incredibly charming and is the ideal starting point for excursions into truly unspoilt landscapes. After some brisk outdoor activity, the cosy rooms, pampering in the wellness-center and delicious gourmet cuisine guarantee ultimate well-being at alpine altitudes.
In a picture-postcard setting with unbelievable views of snowy peaks, Le Chalet d’Adrien seems to cling to the mountainside. It overlooks Verbier, one of the most charming high altitude resorts in Switzerland. In winter it is an unrivalled ski paradise, and in summer the high mountain pastures are the perfect place for magnificent hikes. Matching wood panelling and fabrics, antique furniture, books and objets d’art scattered around in a homey way all combine to create a charming, cosy atmosphere from which the pristine beauty of the landscape can be enjoyed. The pool looking onto the mountains, and the spa are an invitation to well-being. The restaurants feature the culinary flavours of nearby Italy and showcase Valais products and wines.
Skiing on the world-renowned slopes of Crans-Montana is not the only pleasure in store for you at this delightful chalet. The suites and junior suites have open fireplaces, jacuzzis and views of the snow-covered mountain peaks, and the chalet has a Spa. The beautiful interiors feature wood and stone walls. Everything here is truly charming, especially the painting of Felix, Pas de l’Ours’s former resident donkey. In a cosy atmosphere, the Bistrot des Ours gives pride of place to local flavours, whilst in the gourmet restaurant the chef invites you to savour a selection vegetables, milk-fed lamb, bass, sea bream, mullet, venison and other culinary treats.
A revitalizing bath in this property’s very own thermal hot springs in the open-air is one of those experiences that are simply unforgettable. All around the springs lies virgin white snow. Hot-stone and essential oil massages, fango, and slimming or sculpting body treatments complete the extensive menu of spa treatments. Moreover, individual slimming diets are proposed. The spacious and welcoming rooms have been refurbished in 2012. In the restaurant, fresh, well-balanced cuisine highlights the flavours of surf and turf. The chef’s personal motto - “be a wise gourmet” - rises to the occasion in this temple of health and well-being.
The Saas-Fee valley is also called the pearl of the Alps, and the Waldhotel Fletschhorn, which has just celebrated its centennial anniversary, is the pearl of this valley. This hotel is unique and even has its own art gallery. The restaurant is the perfect place to stop for gourmet food and great culinary experiences, such as the delicious buffalo steak with green pepper jus and Anna potatoes or the Saas lamb. Meals are served on one of the most beautiful forest terraces in the world accompanied by a wine selection from the cellar with more than 42,000 bottles collected from expertly selected vintages.
There is a very special canton in Switzerland; a canton where the people speak Romansh, Italian and German. A canton where the famous author Johanna Spyri drew inspiration for her famous novel, Heidi. A canton whose railway line from Thusis over the Bernina pass to Tirano has been added to the Unesco World Heritage list. It is the canton of Graubünden. This is the location of Hotel Walther, a fairytale castle that appears out of nowhere. Walther has been an elegant hotel for over one hundred years. The “wellness oasis” has a waterfall and the Cristallino stone grotto is unique in Europe. This grotto is an extraordinary sauna in an igloo made of Andeer granite. Another speciality is Hotel Walther’s own recipe, marinated Bernina-Bresaola served in the restaurant La Stüva.
This luxury hideaway is located in an idyllic landscape with an exceptional panorama of the blooming meadows and snow-covered peaks of the Dolomites. The interior has been furnished with precious works of art and antiquities of reputed Engadine Valley artists. The three restaurants offer diverse pleasures – ranging from Swiss specialities in the antique Bauernstube down to gourmet cuisine in L'Autezza. Extensive wellness offerings and pure relaxation can be enjoyed by guests in the hotel’s spa – complete with magnificent views of the Silvretta summit. Far away from mass tourism, the hotel is the ideal starting point for extensive walks and bicycle tours. One of the most beautiful golf courses in Switzerland is nearby and in winter, the 60 km tracks and pistes are a delight for alpine and cross-country skiers.
Schlosshotel Chastè is brimming with character and set in particularly peaceful surroundings, at the foot of Tarasp Castle in the Engadin, a region renowned for its national parks. This former inn, managed by the Pazeller family, embodies all that is gentle about Switzerland: the warmly welcoming living and guest rooms are panelled in Alpine pine in traditional fashion. Its inventive cuisine is served with superb wines from the cellar in bright, friendly dining rooms.
At the Walserhof, hospitality, personal service and joie de vivre have been elevated to a completely new level. This is an intimate hotel, located in one of the most beautiful sites of the region, which combines the atmosphere of a ski resort and the idyllic charm of a village in Graubünden. A place where you can leave all your cares behind. The culinary delights at the restaurant Walserstube are based on a cuisine that is both traditional and creative, reinvents itself permanently, is a feast for the eyes and the palate, highlights the flavours, accompanied by excellent wines from the region and further afield.
A first spa hotel, called Bad Lenk, had been built at the end of the 17th century, downstream of the richest Alpine sulphurous source, Balmen. Today, this spring is an integral part of the architecture of Lenkerhof gourmet spa resort which is a magnificent hotel, with superbly elegant amenities and an extensive range of well-being treatments. The “7 sources beauty & spa” is named after the spot where the river Simme rises and draws its inspiration from its flowing water. It offers true rejuvenation in harmonious natural timber and stone surroundings. This hotel provides, amidst fabulous landscapes, the perfect opportunity to enjoy all that the mountains have to offer whatever the season, before savouring the delights of delicate, creative cuisine.
A wonderful mountain landscape provides the backdrop to this beautiful inn, which has retained the typical style of the Engadine over its 450 years. The new buildings blend in harmoniously, with their modern lines clad in natural wood inspired by the surrounding pine and larch forests. The spring-water organic pool is located on a small plateau directly in front of the hotel. This peaceful, silent and hospitable spot is the work of a family whose members have, for several generations, coupled their complementary talents perfectly to each other. Whether hotelier, cook, or carpenter, what is most important to them is to focus all their efforts on the guests to offer elegant comfort, a warm welcome and fine cuisine based on fresh seasonal ingredients. The result constitutes a graceful, well balanced framework and thus creates a wonderful harmony.
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux and hotel in the mountainsView details
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.
The property sits on a hillock in the middle of a vast peaceful garden planted with flowers and fruit trees. The views over Kitzbühel and the surrounding mountains are breathtakingly beautiful. The hotel is at the foot of the Kitzbüheler Horn ski resort and overlooks the legendary Streif ski slope. The furniture and antiques in the rooms of this former farm belong to the family and lend a timeless charm to the place. The pools and steam baths in the spa are ideal places to relax. In summer, you can stroll across the mountains of the Tyrol along charming walking routes and golfers will love the four golf courses at Kitzbühel, not to mention the other ten in the surrounding area.
At the heart of the pretty resort of Neustift and facing the impressive Stubai glacier, this hotel offers 2,000 sq m dedicated to well-being, with swimming pools, a winter garden and aquatic meditation. There are 20 different types of saunas and baths including an herb bath, sea cave, ice crystals, Tyrolean or wood-fired sauna, a fountain of youth and the option of sub-aquatic music. The exceptional charm of the bedrooms will prolong the feeling of well-being with their original wood features, magnificent furnishings and remarkable views of the valley.
The Top Hotel Hochgurgl, at an altitude of 2,150 m, is the world’s highest Relais & Châteaux. In one of Austria’s snowiest and highest resorts, there is the possibility to ski to and from the hotel doorstep, hire all equipment on site, perfect skills in the ski school and, of course, enjoy the après-ski at the hotel. Take advantage of the intimate, cosy atmosphere of the main suites with subdued lighting and open fireplaces or enjoy the Mountain Spa, a magical place where massages, flower baths and jacuzzis guarantee unforgettable moments.
Since 1928, the Singer family has imbued this cosy hotel, which is the ideal starting point to explore the ski resorts and hiking trails around the Zugspitze, with its family spirit. This property, which has its own hiking guide, offers a customised programme ranging from Nordic walking and snowshoeing to mountain hikes. Rejuvenate tired muscles in the delightful spa, which offers treatments with Tyrolean herbs or mineral salts, Vinotherapy Caudalie®, waterbeds, salt water aroma steam baths, sauna and heated outdoor swimming pool. This is a regenerating stay just a few kilometres from one of the most beautiful royal castles of Ludwig II.
This historic inn is located in the centre of Lech, a world-renowned winter sports resort. Local antiques and loving attention-to-detail in the décor create a welcoming atmosphere. Culinary delicacies await in the restaurants that have won several awards for their outstanding cuisine. Relaxation is complete at the Badehaus Spa with its spectacular panoramic pool and treatment suites that are wonderfully located in the heart of a beautiful botanic garden.
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux and hotel in the mountainsView details
In the heart of the Austrian Alps not far away from Kitzbühel, experience a sensory feast courtesy of Grand Chef Simon Taxacher and the exceptional Hotel Restaurant Spa Rosengarten. Chic contemporary design meets the culinary arts at this hotel, which is replete with two dining establishments, the Bistro Light and the Gourmet Restaurant Rosengarten, a stylish lounge and piano bar, a stunning spa and a cookery school where the Grand Chef himself teaches pupils the secrets of his craft. Expect the unexpected at the restaurant where Taxacher’s signature innovative French-Mediterranean cuisine is served with impeccable style. Breakfast here is truly the meal of a king, featuring a special breakfast-trolley with myriads of drawers full of delicious surprises. Thanks to its excellent location at the foot of the Gaisberg sports mountain, you can explore the beauty of the Alps and experience many sports activities on offer.
In the heart of the Gran Paradiso National Park, a wide range of sports activities and excursions through breathtaking landscapes are an invitation to push open the wooden door of the Hotel Bellevue. Discover an authentic mountain property renowned for its cuisine inspired by the aromas of the kitchen garden. The completely new fitness centre encompasses caves, waterfalls and ancient chalets and offers different treatment baths made of local hay, milk, mountain honey and even wine. Traditional methods are revisited, between massages and cleansing immersions in the purifying valley water. The hotel interior is replete with antique furniture, objets d’art and paintings: a real museum of popular art.
Situated on the south side of the Matterhorn, the Cervinia ski resort is one of the highest in the world, peaking at four thousand metres, and one of the few to cross the Italian-Swiss border. Choose between slaloming on the Swiss side, or a descent down the trails of the Aosta Valley. This grand chalet has been designed in the purest of mountain traditions, with interiors of warm brown wood, and equipped with a spa to relax in after a day of intense skiing. The Whymper Suite, designed as a private chalet, boasts breathtaking views of the Matterhorn. Succumb to the beauty of the mountain and enjoy the new spa.
On the idyllic, gentle slopes of Merano, sits Castel Fragsburg in all its splendour. This exclusive hunting manor has been completely refurbished and has an elegant, charming atmosphere and a terrace with stunning panoramic views over the little town and the Alto Adige Valley. The warm welcome, excellent hospitality, individual service, absolute discretion and love of detail, all in the heart of pure and pristine nature, make it the ideal place to recharge one’s batteries.
The Gardena Grödnerhof is a haven of peace and quiet in the heart of the Dolomites, in the legendary Monti Pallidi – Pale Mountains – which take on magnificent hues of pink in the reflected light of the setting sun. It is a paradise for walkers and mountaineers, and its wide variety of slopes makes it the perfect destination for skiers in winter. The hotel offers guided tours of the magnificent Dolomites, to experience their fabulous natural resources and stunning views. After a day spent in the open air, what better than the gentle, elegant ambiance of the Gardena Grödnerhof. The hotel, which enjoys a reputation for its cuisine, boasts a superb spa and a beauty and fitness centre. At the end of the day, indulge yourself and relax in the Bar & Habana Lounge.
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux and hotel in the mountainsView details
San Cassiano enjoys a stunning location in the heart of the Dolomites and is one of the finest winter resorts and an immaculately preserved natural paradise. It is the ideal summer destination for families who want to take a break and enjoy sport, and is also the perfect spot for a romantic honeymoon. The wide range of treatments offered by the Beauty Spa reinvigorate both your body and your mind. Lovers of fine dining will delight in the superb dishes created by Grand Chef Norbert Niederkofler who adds a touch of joie de vivre, love of cooking and passion for local ingredients. Not to be missed: the Wine Bar & Grill restaurant and its contemporary buzz. It serves specialities from the grill and home-made pasta.
Norcia, the town of St. Benedict, nestling in the National Park of Sibillini Mountains, is the Italian capital of the black truffle. This palazzo tells the story of this region from the 16th century onwards and has a 160 year-old tradition of hospitality. Umbrian artisans have created perfect harmony between colours and lights, tradition and design. The fragrances of the herb garden and the quality of the local products delight in the restaurant, Vespasia.
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.
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 stay in Gôra Kadan, the former retreat of the imperial family, Kanin-no-miya, in Hakone National Park, is an invitation to bring your five senses to life by immersing yourself in the ancient Japanese way of life. Listen to the gentle swoosh of a sliding wall made of rice paper, smell the fragrant flower incense, taste the traditional Kaiseki cuisine and feel the touch of silk. This calm retreat is located in an area known for its springs heated by volcanic rock. Suites have been designed in a minimalist style, and facilities include a swimming pool, a spa, and a beauty salon.
Every room at Bettei Senjuan looks out on the extraordinary Mount Tanigawa, with its snow-capped peaks and the cherry blossom trees at its base that turn the landscape a beautiful pink in spring. Embrace the extraordinary surroundings at this hotel, with its reinvigorating hot spring baths in the rooms, the gardens and the tranquil wellness-centre, which offers massages, body-contouring and facials. Floor to ceiling windows frame the views of unspoilt nature and allow natural light to fill the zen-inspired interior. The décor skillfully combines modern design with traditional Japanese elements like the art of Kumiko wood joinery. Calligraphy on hand-crafted paper adorns the walls. In the private dining room, the impressively presented traditional food with a contemporary twist is also influenced by the hot springs for which the area is famous. Creative and innovative dishes are also made with Joshu beef and vegetables from local farms.
Brilliant Resort & Spa is located in the Lancang river area - the worldwide origin of the tea tree. Ten thousand acres of Pu’er tea garden with thousands of years of history are located in the Jingmai Mountains, which are inhabited by the descendants of tea plantation minority groups. Jingmai Mountain is wreathed in a cloud sea all year round. The Pu’er tea from the Brilliant Pu’er Tea Fazenda meets the EU regulation for organic products. The building style of Brilliant Resort & Spa is perfectly in harmony with nature. The guests can choose to appreciate ten thousand acres of Pu’er tea garden; to enjoy the leisure in the resort, to taste healthy and delicious local food cooked by using natural food ingredients; or to experience the tailor-made tea spa; or to experience mysterious minority groups’ customs.
Tea Trails is perched at an altitude of 1250 m in Sri Lanka’s Ceylon tea region, bordering the Central Highlands World Heritage site. Stay in one of four authentic tea planters’ bungalows, each one of which is unique, beautifully restored and decorated with period furniture. Observe life on a working tea estate, savour the gourmet cuisine, and be pampered by a personal butler. Each bungalow has its own charm; lakeside Castlereagh & Summerville, Norwood with panoramic views, and Tientsin, the most traditionally colonial of the four. This is the ideal setting for trekking and biking against the breathtaking backdrop of mountains, lakes, winding roads and waterfalls.
Lake Wanaka is an ecological sanctuary and one of New Zealand’s best-preserved sites. On its banks stands this modern retreat with glass architecture that ensures it blends discreetly into the landscape. Go salmon or trout fishing, lakeside walks, horse riding, relax in the hot tub or have a picnic and enjoy the beautiful scenery. It is also possible to take a short helicopter ride to the nearby mountains and utilise Whare Kea’s private chalet. Experience absolute privacy at this mountain chalet on the edge of Mt Aspiring National Park.
