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.
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In Manhattan, Daniel Boulud’s first name alone suffices for this Lyon native who is today one of America’s most celebrated chefs-restaurateurs. His reputation may be international, but his warm and welcoming style remains very personal. Chef Daniel Boulud magically combines humble and noble ingredients elevating rustic and heart warming dishes to new levels of refinement, sophistication and pleasure. This is home to a celebration of American regional ingredients: Montana Beef, Oregon Morels, Nantucket Bay scallops. In Boulud’s hands the scallops’ natural sweetness comes to life, gently caramelized with tender young spinach, celery root mousseline and hazelnut-truffle vinaigrette. Daniel’s mantra: “preparing the finest American ingredients according to French culinary tradition”.
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux in townView details
“Genius” for some and ‘great master of gastronomy’ for others, Jean-Georges Vongerichten is a chef who generates off superlatives. In Manhattan, the Jean Georges restaurant has become an absolute must. The interior design is Zen, revealing the artist’s love of streamlined elegance and Asia. Indeed this Frenchman is famous for his ‘Thai-French cuisine’. A fusion of two great culinary traditions that produces breathtaking results: red and white tuna marinated in olive oil and lemon juice, foie gras brûlé in a cherry sauce with a white port jelly, black bass and radish bulb salad, candied fruits accompanied by homemade orange zest and kiwi sorbets… It is impossible to tell you anything more about the menu: Jean-Georges reinvents it every 3 months.
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“A good meal is not only about good food and good wine. Above it all should be an emotional experience.” After the success of his California restaurant (The French Laundry), Thomas Keller brought his distinctive hands-on approach from Napa Valley to New York City, reflecting an intense focus to detail, extending not only to cuisine, but also to presentation, mood and surroundings. In the elegant dining room with a view of Central Park, Chef de Cuisine Eli Kaimeh interprets modern American recipes with a touch of French influence. Representative dishes include “Oysters and Pearls”, a sabayon of pearl tapioca with poached oysters and caviar and “Calotte de Boeuf Grillée” with crispy bone marrow, russet potato mille-feuille and forest mushrooms with sauce bordelaise… A festival of culinary delights that will convince you perfection does indeed exist.
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Enlivening a superb space with soaring 35 foot ceilings in a marble-filled, light-flooded art deco dining room, Eleven Madison Park is the perfect backdrop to the sumptuous, modern and sophisticated cooking of Daniel Humm. Featuring the Chef’s modern, sophisticated French cuisine that emphasizes purity, simplicity and seasonal ingredients, Eleven Madison Park truly captures the spirit of New York.
Understated elegance and warm, gracious hospitality are the Bedford Post hallmarks that make it the perfect getaway to one of New York’s most charming areas. Due to the size of the property, The Bedford Post is able to offer guests a highly personalized and intimate experience in a serene surrounding. Highlights of the property’s offerings include two restaurants (The Barn and The Farmhouse adjacent bar), complimentary yoga classes for overnight guests and pristine grounds which feature a reflecting pool. However, the best amenity of all is the genuinely warm welcome and hospitality that every guest can expect which is an absolutely essential part of any stay at the Bedford Post Inn.
In the heart of farmland, perched on a Catskill Mountain sits this 150-acre estate where past meets present in grandiose fashion. One hour from New York City, this sumptuous hotel and spa (scheduled for 2011), that underwent renovations lasting four years, now boasts the finest linens, furniture, porcelain and private modern art collection. Renowned chefs offer a wealth of dishes straight from “farm to table” in 2 restaurants. Magnificent formal gardens, spectacular pool, tennis, bocce, croquet courts make this the ultimate romantic Hudson Valley getaway...but you will swear you’re in Tuscany!
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Thomas Henkelmann is the most French of German chefs. Born in the Black Forest, this devotee of French gastronomy learnt his trade in Alsace before moving his pots and pans to Connecticut, to this beautiful 18th century Victorian manor house situated near the waters of Long Island. Inspired by his travels, Thomas Henkelmann likes to break down boundaries between products and to create surprising combinations, such as his champagne sauerkraut accompanied by a seafood mousseline. Each of his recipes makes a veiled reference to his origins… His partner Theresa - an interior designer - has turned this hotel into a setting worthy of his cooking by creating a European atmosphere inspired by Balinese and Chinese styles. This must be Greenwich’s most tasteful address.
Founded in 1852 by Delmonico’s master chef, Louis Fauchère, and run by his descendants until closing in 1976, the hotel’s extraordinary culinary legacy was reclaimed in 2006 after a meticulous five-year restoration. Two restaurants, a pâtisserie, 16 superbly-restored guest rooms (marble baths, heated towel racks, Kiehl’s amenities, Frette linens) and adjacent meeting facilities have made the Fauchère a casually elegant destination with exquisite cuisine. The Delmonico Room offers contemporary interpretation of the classics, while the sleek, minimalist Bar Louis - with a giant photograph of Andy Warhol and John Lennon above the bar - features bistro-style cuisine, including Sushi Pizza, its signature dish. Historic attractions, shopping, important architecture and the north gate to a 70,000 acre national park (with spectacular waterfalls) are all within walking/hiking distance.
Less than 2 hours from the Big Apple, nestled on 58 acres of lush grounds, this property is one of the most acclaimed destination spas in the U.S. With its stunning décor, enhanced by a calming palette of blue and white, the spa offers an amazing array of treatments as well as classes in dream interpretation, dance, painting, writing, yoga and Tai Chi among others. Workshops on topics such as marriage, sleep and stress, are led by renowned experts in their respective fields. The guest rooms reflect the tranquil elegance evident throughout the property, while the culinary offering includes the healthy and delicious cuisine of the spa as well as the fine dining experience available at The Inn.
Within the green valleys and pristine lakes of the bucolic Litchfield Hills, Winvian is a unique hotel complex nestled in 45 hectares of lush grounds bordered by centuries-old maple trees. A team of 15 architects was called upon to create the 18 original chalets and 1 suite, each with its own special design and atmosphere. You may choose to stay in a 2 story treehouse perched 10 meters off the ground, in a lighthouse located in the midst of the forest, or perhaps a lodge built around a hundred year old oak tree. On the agenda: relaxing in the romantic spa adjacent to the White Memorial nature preserve and Charles’s pond, hot air ballooning, bike riding, croquet, bocce, horseback riding, fly fishing, race car driving and other unforgettable experiences just two hours away from the buzz of New York and Boston.
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux and hotel in the countryView details
Blantyre is a beautiful country house built amidst 115 acres of lawn and woodlands, ideally located halfway between Boston and New York City. The Main House, Carriage House and 4 cottages are reminiscent of a gentler time of elegance and romance. Built in 1902, this stately Tudor house is resplendent with sumptuous guestrooms, an exceptional wine cellar and renowned cuisine. The intimate full-treatment spa is connected to the Carriage House, a few minutes walk from the Tudor-style Main House. This enchanting resort has activities galore, with tennis and croquet in the summer, to name a few. When the seasons change, you will find a winter wonderland on the property with ice skating, snowshoeing, sleigh riding and a Christmas tree 100 feet high.
Set on sixteen hectares of grounds bordering the ocean, this magnificent inn is a romantic haven of wellbeing. Whether you are in your beach cottage on Castle Hill’s private beach, relaxing on the terrace or sitting at a table in the restaurant, you will always have a panoramic views of the Atlantic and its abundant maritime activities including sailing, fishing and numerous regattas. On the menu are local and regional cuisine with a focus on organic ingredients paired with exceptional wines. While at Castle Hill, explore the beauty of Newport with its gilded-age mansions, sandy beaches and rich history.
At the heart of Martha’s Vineyard, the former haunt of whale hunters, you’ll find a captain’s house in the traditional British style. Built in 1864 for Samuel Osborne, a famous merchant, the Charlotte Inn transports you to another time; you can’t help but be swept away by its romantic atmosphere. The staff, alert to the smallest detail, cultivates a deliciously old-fashioned elegance and courtesy. The suites decorated with antique lamps and silk or linen fabrics are exquisite. Between one iced tea and the next on the flower-filled patio, discover the beautiful island including its renowned lighthouses and beaches, ideal for swimming and sailing.
Welcome to the island of Nantucket and its tranquil harbours, endless stretches of beach, old manor houses, and beautiful gardens, just fifty kilometres off the coast of Massachusetts… On the birthplace of Arthur Gordon Pym - hero of the novel of the same name by Edgar Allan Poe - stands The Wauwinet, a charming house covered in patinaed grey shingles, built in 1860 and with the distinction of being one of the first hotels on the island. The freshly picked bunches of flowers in your room are characteristic of the attentiveness of the staff. The programme is relaxation or water sports at the hotel’s two private beaches, massages inspired by local plants and contemplating the splendid sunsets over Nantucket bay.
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As a young boy, Jonathan Cartwright wanted to be a cyclist and “win the Tour de France”. But, at the age of 15, he discovered cooking and became more interested in wearing a white apron than the yellow jersey. These days he is a respected and dedicated chef, who has turned the White Barn Inn into a great place to eat as well as a peaceful, elegant place to stay and a unique centre of relaxation. In the words of this passionate perfectionist “Cooking requires the same determination as cycling, the same effort and the same team spirit”. Above all, Jonathan values the quality of his products and he can tell you the life story of the fresh Kennebunkport lobster, star of his menu, from its birth to the moment it arrives in his kitchen. To be savoured as it is or in a bisque or a cognac sauce, among the other creations inspired by local produce.
Stroll amongst the pine and maple trees, watch the fireflies when night falls in the prairies of Vermont, admire the star-filled skies in the moonlight… Welcome to Windham Hill, a romantic place where the summer nights offer up a magical spectacle and autumn reveals all the glorious colours of nature. At the end of a country road, in the heart of 160 hectares of unspoilt nature, this elegant inn offers you exceptional views of the green mountains. A haven of peace in the elegant rooms and suites and a cuisine showcasing seasonal produce from the garden that is sure to delight the most discerning of gourmets.
Above your bed is a blackboard covered in chalkwritten algebraic formulae! Did Einstein once sleep here? In another suite, a chessboard painted on an old chest serving as a coffee table invites you to commence a strategic duel by the fireside. A library abounds in beautiful books… Set among Vermont’s Green Mountains, The Pitcher Inn is a delightfully distinctive and elegant hotel that celebrates intellectual curiosity, culinary excellence (a delicious menu influenced by French and Italian cuisine), physical well-being (in-room massages) and sport, at the foot of the Sugarbush ski and golf resort.
The Lake Placid Lodge is a beautifully handcrafted Lodge nestled in the Adirondack Mountains, situated on the shores of Lake Placid. The Main Lodge is a remarkable arts and crafts style lodge, offering the finest accomodation and dining in a comfortably rustic, yet redefined setting. Pamper yourself in the Main Lodge, the private cabins or the remodelled Lakeside suites, offering gorgeous views of Lake Placid and Whiteface Mountain. The guest rooms, suites and cabins feature luxurious featherbeds, wood burning fireplaces, rustic furnishings, and deep soaking baths. The Dining Room offers a farm to table cuisine with dining available on the deck overlooking Lake Placid and Whiteface Mountain.The “Pub” offers a relaxed setting serving lunch, dinner and an all day menu, and also offers outside dining on the deck.
The Point, an Adirondack Great Camp, built for William A. Rockefeller, is a marvellous marriage of rustic simplicity and extraordinary luxury. Set on the wooded shore of Upper Saranac Lake, The Point’s eleven magnificent guest rooms are spread among four log buildings; here the silence and peace of the great north woods reign supreme. The Point is a study in delicious contrasts: the exceptional meals, the blaze of the campfire on the edge of the dark lake, the fine art and antiques, most original to the camp, and the supply of snowshoes and skis for exploring the magical white forest. Enjoy gourmet picnic excursions, journeys through the rippling waters in gleaming mahogany boats, tasting menus of old cognacs, and a staff that organizes each day according to the pleasure of the guests. The Point is a special place indeed.
In a gorgeously green and unspoilt part of Pennsylvania, halfway between Pittsburgh and Buffalo, this inn originally owned by the Dorn family had been handed down from one generation to the next. Built in the 1920s, it has kept all its original charm and authenticity. The main lodge and individual chalets are built with sequoia wood and blend perfectly into the breathtaking natural surroundings: a forest of hemlock spruces where it is not rare to spot foxes, deer, bear or beavers, and you will be lulled by the soothing murmur of bubbling streams. On the programme: The best fly fishing and guides in North America.
Behind the sleek doors of The Surrey’s New York townhouse facade hides a unique hotel and home-away-from-home for travellers staying in Manhattan. The Surrey occupies an original 1920s Beaux-Arts-designed residential house in New York’s Upper East Side residential neighbourhood, with city attractions like the Museum Mile, Central Park and Madison Avenue shopping on its doorstep. The hotel was transformed by interior architect Lauren Rottet last year with a sleek renovation, creating 189 guest salons and suites, a spa and an exquisite restaurant. The hotel boasts an impressive |$30 million dollar art collection with 31 original modern art works dispersed throughout the hotel and a stunning roof garden|, along with its own modern French eatery Café Boulud, directed by acclaimed Grand Chef Daniel Boulud. Its light and airy suites, meanwhile, feature furnishings and amenities of the highest standard, working fireplaces and in many instances their own private terraces.
Situated just four blocks from the White House, The Jefferson is the perfect place to explore Washington, its monuments, its art galleries and its theatres... Its elegant decor, a tribute to Thomas Jefferson, draws inspiration from his great loves : Monticello and Paris. After a day spent sightseeing, relax with a good book in front of a roaring fire in the library, sip a delicious cocktail in the cosy lounge, savour a cigar on the terrace or have a rest in the spa with a vinotherapy treatment or massage. In the warm atmosphere in the restaurant Plume, one of the best in town, enjoy sophisticated seasonal cuisine. A wish? Just summon your private butler.
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Patrick O’Connell abandoned his dream of becoming an actor for the love of cooking and the “living theatre” of the restaurant world. Just an hour’s drive from Washington DC, this sumptuous hideaway, nestled at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains is a world renowned destination for connoisseurs. The menu spotlights O’Connell’s spectacular Refined American Cuisine, such as the Pepper Crusted Tuna Pretending to be a Filet Mignon Capped with Seared Duck Foie Gras and a Burgundy Butter Sauce. The Inn’s princely suites and opulent lounges transport one to an idyllic fantasy world.
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On the westerly edge of New York's Meatpacking District, Del Posto’s owners, Joseph and Lidia Bastianich and Mario Batali have, along with Grand Chef Mark Ladner, created |a temple to Italian cuisine in this palazzo of mahogany and marble devoted to the pleasures of the palate.| In a darkly glowing dining room with towering columns and long plush curtains , Mark Ladner’s signature is the combination of his creativity and contemporary sensibilities with the draw of classic Italian dishes, from Sicily to the Alto Adige. This chef has become renowned for his original culinary combinations that surprise and delight. Highlights include Apician spiced ostrich, with date conserve, lovage and barley crisps and lobster risotto with young radicchio and Valpolicella sauce. For dessert, the nectarine arrosto with an intense basil gelato and grilled lemon cake and the chocolate ricotta tortino, with toasted Sicilian pistachios and extra virgin olive oil gelato are both uniquely delicious. Songs by Gershwin are played on the elegant piano near the bar and the talented sommelier shares his knowledge with rum and amaro tastings.
It was in the Charlottesville Blue Ridge Mountains that three early presidents and founding fathers of the United States, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and James Monroe built their homes. There is no doubt that you, too, will fall under the spell of this part of the world when you stay in this lovely historic hotel built in 1799. Set in 100 acres of woods, it is all understated elegance with its charming interior design and the warm beauty of its rooms and sites. Here, the murmur of the nearby Rivanna River, the gentle gurgle of the fountains and the soothing sounds of nature will surround you. On the programme of this official trip: visiting historical residences (Monticello, Ash Lawn-Highland and Montpelier) and renowned vineyards, a culinary cabaret at our Chef’s Table, a game of croquet and refreshing dips in the infinity pool.
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As locations go, it would be difficult to find better. |Marea, situated on the south side of New York’s Central Park, attracts gourmets from around the world thanks to it exquisite Italian-inspired seafood, served in an elegant but relaxed setting|. Grand Chef Michael White is the culinary force behind Marea, which as its name – tide in Italian- indicates; it is a tribute to the sea. The menu starts off with a mouth-watering selection of crudo (raw fish), and continues with delectable pasta dishes such as spaghetti with crab and Santa Barbara sea urchin and then offers a selection of main fish courses as well as whole fish. Part of the joy of Marea is its stunning ambience. Crisp white table clothes meet warm lighting and design features including a dramatic bar made from Egyptian onyx, wall panelling fashioned out of lacquered Indonesian rosewood and hand-dipped silver seashells as window ornaments.
This central North Carolina retreat is an elegant village, replete with boutique shops, gourmet restaurants, stunning gardens and the award-winning Fearrington House Country Inn and Restaurant. Near Chapel Hill, home of the nation's oldest state university, Raleigh, the state capital, and the Research Triangle Park, one of the nation's largest technology hubs, the tranquil farm-like setting and warm staff will transport you to a place far away from the ordinary. Dine at one of the South's most celebrated restaurants, savor a range of restorative treatments offered at its new two-story spa facility, enjoy a craft beer under giant oaks at its beer garden or tour its extensive ornamental and kitchen gardens. A made-to-measure retreat for lovers of good food, fine wine and gracious hospitality
A boutique property in the heart of a fabulous, 37 acre estate, Westglow Resort and Spa is situated around an elegant mansion with panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina, the former residence of the famous artist and author Elliott Daingerfield. Exquisite accommodations include impeccably decorated guest rooms in our elegantly restored Greek Revival Mansion. The award winning spa provides an extensive array of indulgent treatments. The restaurant Rowland’s offers sophisticated cuisine in an elegant setting. A unique atmosphere midway between nostalgia, sumptuousness and modernity that delights discerning travelers.
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Deep in Tennessee, this traditional farm is a chance to return to nature and rediscover life’s simple pleasures. Part of the 1 700 hectares of land is set aside for farming, which ensures a steady flow of deliciously fresh produce all year round. Cheese, vegetables, herbs, honey, cider, are produced right here. Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux Joseph Lenn creates a cuisine in tune with its surroundings and respects the authenticity of the flavours, which are accompanied by excellent wines. Gardening or cheese making, you can become involved in life at the farm or prefer fly fishing, exploring the region on a Harley-Davidson or by horse-drawn carriage, or beauty treatments.
Built three centuries ago, the city of Charleston is one of the best-preserved architectural treasures in the United States. The meticulously restored colonial homes lining its charming streets are an eloquent reminder of its joyous and long history. The birthplace of the Charleston dance - made famous by Josephine Baker - the city still has all the charm that it owes to its multi-ethnic European origins. Originally built in 1844, the Planters Inn is located in the very heart of Charleston's famed Historic District. The courtyard and verandas, with their ornate landscaping and fountains, create an urban oasis where guests can relax, while sipping delicious cocktails and tasting the generous regional American cuisine of the nationally-acclaimed Peninsula Grill.
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Chef Joho embodies the American dream. After coming to the United States almost 25 years ago, this Frenchman is now one of the most respected chefs on the continent. His restaurant called Everest is an eyrie on the fortieth floor of the Chicago Stock Exchange with large bay windows offering breathtaking views of the city below. Chef Joho endlessly reinvents the great classics of French cuisine. He combines noble products like foie gras or caviar with the humble potato and turnip to create delicious surprises. In honour of his homeland, wines from Alsace star in many of his recipes such as Maine Scallops with Belgian chicory, Melfor and Gewurztraminer.
Forget cars and other modern means of transport… Here your vehicle is a canoe. A different rhythm, another way of looking at things, appreciating the time on your hands and feeling at one with nature. Set on the banks of an untouched lake, this hotel plunges you into a preserved and enchanting part of Wisconsin where the simple pleasures - strolling through the woods, swimming in the lake, dining in the wine cellar, sampling great vintages… - will shape your days. The lakeside terraces invite you to gaze at the view, daydream, or read, and the cedar interiors, flooded with light, soothe the senses. A refuge for the most romantic souls.
Perched high up on Watch Hill, Ocean House is |one of the last remaining oceanfront hotels in New England.| This grand Victorian hotel was meticulously restored and its inviting porches and terraces overlook sweeping grounds leading down to a sun-drenched private beach. Enjoy leisurely days of tides and sun, teatime and cocktails, sailing regattas and walks on over 8 km of pristine Rhode Island beaches. Indulge in a variety of dining options, ranging from modern cuisine featuring produce from local farms, to American bistro fare. Relax at the spectacular spa or spend the day playing golf, tennis, or even croquet. Fishing and watersports are also on offer. Just steps away, the quintessential New England village of Watch Hill has seaside gardens and hydrangea-lined lawns as well as tasty seafood, charming antique shops and art galleries.
Twin Farms is a |unique country estate in Vermont, situated on over 120 hectares of wildflower meadows, hardwood forests, ancient gardens and private ponds|. The original 1795-era farmhouse and lodge have been converted into gracious living and dining rooms and six elegant guest suites. Ten freestanding guest cottages, each with their own interior design style, are dotted about the property, and The Farmhouse at Copper Hill provides an additional four suites. Since opening in 1993, Twin Farms has upheld a tradition of graceful hospitality and quiet beauty, offering simplicity and understated elegance throughout the year. Guests enjoy the use of a handsome pub, the fitness and wellness centres, lakeside cabana and a hot, Japanese-style bath house.
