Relais & Châteaux Welcomes 21 New Members
London September 2018 … / Relais & Châteaux is delighted to announce that 21 new properties have joined the prestigious association of hotels and restaurants. Each of the properties embody the association’s core values, such as the preservation of a unique history and rich cultural heritage and a passionate commitment to the environment, all while offering one-of-a-kind experiences and quality services in exceptional settings. This philosophy is supported by International President of Relais & Châteaux, Philippe Gombert, who says ‘whether chef, hotelier of restaurateur, every Relais & Châteaux member must be motivated by a passion for his or her craft. Each must share strong values and possess a human identity that is fully committed and driven by the desire to bring local cultures to life’. The 21 properties join over 550 other world-class hotels and restaurants with distinct locations and atmosphere.
UNITED KINGDOM
The Bath Priory Hotel, Bath, United Kingdom
Just a short stroll from the city centre of Bath, a city on the UNESCO World Heritage list, the Bath Priory Hotel is a Georgian mansion where art and wellness meet. Pieces from the owners’ art collection line the walls of the property, which houses the only L’Occitane spa in the United Kingdom. Surrounded by four acres of beautiful gardens and broad terraces, the mansion has 26 rooms and 7 suites on offer, all tastefully decorated. The restaurant serves up creative cuisine with French accents as well as full vegetarian and vegan tasting menus.
www.relaischateaux.com/bathpriory
AFRICA
Tikida Golf Palace, Agadir, Morocco
Set in the heart of a eucalyptus forest in the Souss-Massa-Drâa nature reserve, the Tikida Golf Palace is the ultimate wellness destination. Its 49 rooms and 5 suites offer an exceptional view of the exquisite swimming pool or the 120-hectare golf course. Dining is a highlight, with a menu offering extraordinary Moroccan specialties with a delicate and original touch.
SOUTH AMERICA
M/V Origin, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
Discovering the Galapagos aboard the prestigious M/V Origin is truly a unique experience. Passengers can experience a variety of activities including diving, hiking, kayaking, and observing natural wonders in the wild. The M/V Origin promotes sustainable tourism by limiting its carbon emissions and creating a fund dedicated to the protection of island biodiversity.
www.relaischateaux.com/mvorigin
ASIA
Dreamland Resort, Wanshan Island, China
Imagine sleeping in a pristine forest at the foot of a mountain on an island off the coast of China. Dreamland Resort offers just that opportunity, as well as ultra-modern architecture designed to blend into its environment. This eco-friendly resort strives to support the island’s fishermen through the use of exclusively locally-sourced produce, with their catch of the day beautifully cooked up by the house chefs each evening.
www.relaischateaux.com/dreamland
Ji Pin Court, Shanghai, China
Deep in the heart of the former French concession of Shanghai stands the impressive Ji Pin restaurant, housed in a historic 1930s building with a modern aesthetic. The gardens and an impressive entrance give way to a discrete setting where chef Yat Fung Cheung serves the best of Cantonese cuisine, paired with wines from a cellar of over 4,000 bottles of wine from across the globe.
Tate Dining Room, Hong Kong, China
Located in the heart of Sheung Wan, the Tate Dining Room is a Michelin-starred restaurant that offers an eight-course French and Japanese menu, crafted under the watchful eye of Vicky Lau, chef and owner of the establishment. Three different dining spaces are available for diners to savour the chef’s inventive dishes, featuring local seasonal products, paired with exceptional wines.
Coco Shambhala Villa Hotel, Sindhudurg, India
The four villas of the romantic Coco Shambhala Villa Hotel are located within a private tropical garden in Sindhudurg, each with their own infinity pool overlooking the sea. In order to protect the environment, the villas were designed to be easily relocated. The roofs are made from traditional Mangalorean clay tiles, and each feature custom furniture made of coconut wood. As for cuisine, in lieu of a restaurant, the establishment offers meals that can be savoured inside the private villa, featuring fine herbs and vegetables grown on site by chef Shagun Mehra, who is also regarded as one of the top sommeliers in the country.
www.relaischateaux.com/shambhala
Dev Shree Deogarh, Deogarh, India
Located on the shores of Lake Ragho Sagar and built in traditional haveli style, unique to the mansions or small palaces of Rajasthan, this family manor features 7 spacious suites. Among the memorable activities on offer, the hotel recommends boarding a local train for a winding voyage that climbs up along the Aravalli Mountains before continuing onto the plateau of Khamblighat.
www.relaischateaux.com/devshree
Rachamankha, Chiang Mai, Thailand
A creation straight out of the imagination of designer Rooj Changtrakul and his father-in-law, award-winning architect Ong-ard Satrabhandhu, the Rachamankha hotel in the historic heart of Chang Mai exudes discrete luxury. The 25 rooms highlight artisanal construction techniques and are decorated with skilfully selected antiques and tapestries. The setting offers the perfect opportunity to be immersed in the richness of Thai heritage, all while enjoying the hotel’s luxury.
EUROPE
Restaurant Amador, Vienna, Austria
A veritable star of gastronomy, chef Juan Amador recently opened Restaurant Amador, a stone’s throw from the historic centre of Vienna. Situated in a vaulted stone cellar, Amador serves high-quality cuisine that puts the 2 Michelin-starred chef’s Spanish roots firmly in the spotlight. This warm and inviting new establishment expertly serves up flavourful and highly original combinations.
Hotel Franq, Antwerp, Belgium
Housed in a converted neo-classic building and former bank, Hotel Franq offers 35 rooms and 4 suites in the heart of Antwerp. Its restaurant serves contemporary Franco-Belgian cuisine, including the unique ‘This is Not an Orange’ dessert, which won the Prosper Montagné award in 2010. Guests can also the vault in which Belgian francs were once stored, now transformed into a wine cellar.
Restaurant André Tokev, Sofia, Bulgaria
In the heart of Sofia lies Restaurant André Tokev, the ultimate destination to experience the Bulgarian gastronomic scene. Founder of the Bulgarian Association of Professional Chefs, chef André Tokev’s modern and creative cuisine is a perfect reflection of his experiences and his international culture. His restaurant, located in an old aristocratic mansion, is the spitting image of its cuisine: beautiful and refined.
www.relaischateaux.com/andretokev
Château de Fonscolombe, Le Puy-Sainte-Réparade, France
A classified historical monument in the heart of Provence, this 18th century castle has been converted into a five star hotel offering 50 elegant rooms. It produces its very own organic wine which is served at its restaurant, L’Orangerie. A variety of animals inhabit the parkland surrounding this grand property, including 13 species of bats and a variety of birdlife.
www.relaischateaux.com/fonscolombe
Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey, Bommes, France
In the heart of the Sauternais region lies Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey, a new La Maison Lalique property. Both a luxury hotel and gourmet restaurant, the property was decorated in its entirety by interior designers Lady Tina Green and Pietro Mingarelli, who opted for a ‘country chic’ aesthetic with pieces from La Maison Lalique.
www.relaischateaux.com/lafaurie
En Marge, Aureville, France
Built on the foundation of a 19th century farmhouse, the fully renovated hotel and restaurant En Marge offers 5 modern suites, situated high on a cliff, along with sophisticated and creative cuisine. Just 15 minutes from Toulouse. The hotel prepares a local and seasonal picnics for guests wishing to dine al fresco. For cooking lovers, chef Franck Renimel also offers culinary masterclasses.
www.relaischateaux.com/enmarge
Ile de la Lagune, Saint Cyprien, France
Based on a private island in the Saint-Cyprien lagoon with panoramic views of the Eastern Pyrenees, five-star Ile de la Lagune Hotel offers 24 comfortable rooms and suites. The hotel is home to a thalassotherapy centre and two gourmet restaurants – including L’Almandin, which was awarded a Michelin star in 2018. The hotel hosts Glam Jazz nights throughout the years for music lovers, and has its own outdoor salt-water rooftop pool, heated year-round.
www.relaischateaux.com/ile-lagune
Restaurant Greuze, Tournus, France
In the town of Tournus in Burgundy, the Michelin-starred Restaurant Greuze offers a variety of dishes that places the spotlight on local products such as frog legs meuniere. Chef Yohann Chapuis cultivates the spirit of Burgundy with his culinary offerings paired with the restaurant’s exceptional wine list and modern interiors that feature exposed beams and stone features.
Serge Vieira, Chaudes-Aigues, France
Situated in the heart of the Cantal countryside and 1,000 meters above sea level, the gastronomic restaurant Serge Vieira is a true foodie paradise. Surrounded by cattle and wild flowers, dishes are inspired by local flavours. Chef Serge Vieira, who holds two Michelin stars and won the Bocuse d’Or prize in 2005, has a passion for sharing his modern and ecological vision of cuisine and the chateau has just three elegant rooms on offer, earning its title as the smallest Relais & Châteaux hotel to date.
Weissenhaus Grand Village Resort & Spa, Wangels, Germany
The Weissenhaus manor is classified as a historical monument, with 40 free-standing dwellings of varying styles. The unique has the grand luxury of a chateau, the charm of a village house, a secluded beach house and more. Poised on the Baltic Sea, the hotel also offers wellness guest houses. 3 restaurants – including one Michelin-starred establishment – offer cuisine that is both refined and creative, each with a view of the sea.
www.relaischateaux.com/weissenhaus
Château Neercanne, Maastricht, Netherlands
In Maastricht, a stone’s throw from the Belgian border, lies the Netherlands’ only terraced castle, Château Neercanne. This exceptional UNESCO World Heritage site plays host to four magnificent terraces with breath-taking views of the Baroque gardens and the Geer Valley beyond. The restaurant serves Franco-Dutch cuisine from Gilbert Von Berg, with experiences including aperitifs in the wine cellars and an intimate lunch in a historic castle tower.
www.relaischateaux.com/neercanne
Heritage Hotel, Madrid, Spain
Within a Belle Époque hotel ideally situated in the heart of Madrid, Heritage Hotel first opened its doors a few months ago. Exuding elegance and a refined atmosphere, this hotel’s highlights include its rooftop cocktail bar, perched high above the city, offering exceptional panoramic view with high-quality service.
www.relaischateaux.com/heritagemadrid
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About Relais & Châteaux
Established in 1954, Relais & Châteaux is an association of more than 550 landmark hotels and restaurants operated by independent innkeepers, chefs, and owners who share a passion for their businesses and a desire for authenticity in their relationships with their clientele.
Relais & Châteaux is established around the globe, from the Napa Valley vineyards and French Provence to the beaches of the Indian Ocean. It offers an introduction to a lifestyle inspired by local culture and a unique dip into human history.