Twelve New Members
Join Relais & Châteaux

Just as our hotels and restaurants each celebrate their own uniqueness and distinct local connections, we appreciate our guests also want to pursue one-of-a-kind, unforgettable experiences. We invite you to discover the regions, gastronomy and art de vivre of these new members’ establishments in Africa (South Africa and Namibia), the United States (Minnesota and Florida), Europe (Portugal, Italy, England and France), the Caribbean (Antigua), China and Australia.

Curtain Bluff, Antigua-and-Barbuda, Caribbean

Known as the Pearl of the Leeward Islands, Antigua offers no less than 365 beaches on its coastline–one for each day of the year. On the island’s southern shores, on a pretty peninsula, Curtain Bluff has two of its own beaches, offering guests exclusive access to golden sands and turquoise waters. Its guest rooms are housed in a number of small, Caribbean bungalow-style buildings in the shade of coconut trees, with verandas or terraces facing the sea or directly on the sand. Some suites feature private swimming pools. Characteristic wooden furniture, rattan armchairs and colorful accent fabrics help create a relaxed tropical vibe. The vast 15-acre estate is the quintessential seaside resort, offers a Beach Club for water sports (including paddleboard, Hobie cats, kayaks, snorkeling, etc), with two swimming pools–one exclusively for adults–four tennis courts, a spa, and two restaurants: Tarmind and Sea Grape. Sports enthusiasts will appreciate the vast program of activities offered, which also includes complimentary yoga or Pilates sessions. A family-friendly resort, Curtain Bluff welcomes children of all ages–those between the ages of 3 and 10 can join the Cee Bee Kids Camp.

72 guest rooms (including 45 suites) 

Demi Restaurant, Minneapolis (MN), United States

It is in the fashionable district of North Loop, Minneapolis, that chef Gavin Kaysen chose to settle after years working alongside famous French chef Daniel Boulud, at Café Boulud in New York. Housed in a former coffee warehouse, designed in the 19th century by architect William Channing Whitney, Demi is as accomplished as it is discreet. Here, chef Kaysen has curated a culinary experience designed to appeal to a demanding clientele that wants to combine highly original cooking with relaxed conviviality. He has deliberately broken with the codes of traditional gastronomy: twenty guests sit at a U-shaped counter, surrounding the kitchen team as it prepares menus of 7 or 11 dishes–depending on the evening. Accompanying wines are chosen on the basis of their capacity to surprise. While each sitting may begin with a humble bowl of broth, it will evolve to become a feast of flavor and an emotional, visually rich experience to boot. An astonishing piece of dining theater.

22 covers 

Little Palm Island Resort & Spa, Little Torch Key (FL), United States

From Miami to Key West, the main road through the Florida Keys connects a string of islands that straddle the Atlantic to one side and the Gulf of Mexico on the other. A true private islet covered in coconut palms, Little Palm Island Resort & Spa almost seems to float on the sea. A five-minute boat ride from Little Torch Key is all it takes to dock at the pontoon and embrace the tropical atmosphere of this small resort, exclusively for adults. Some guests arrive on personal yachts and others by seaplane or helicopter... Whatever the means of transport, setting foot on the sands of Little Palm Island feels like being admitted to a hidden sanctuary. Thatched-roof bungalows accommodate 30 rooms and suites, all of which open onto nature through large bay windows. Louvred blinds, ceiling fans, weathered teak furniture and white linen curtains channel a chic, bohemian spirit, and guests will find no televisions or telephones in the rooms–the hotel has been designed according to a ‘no news, no shoes’ formula, to promote genuine disconnections with real life. Dinners take place in the restaurant overlooking the beach or–for the ultimate in romantic moments–directly on the sand. The resort’s enviable setting is an authentically preserved oasis which benefits from a program working to restore the coral reef and protect its precious fauna.

30 guest rooms (including 2 suites) 

Lizard Island Resort, Cairns, Queensland, Australia

If Australia is known as the land of superlatives, it proves it with vacation spots as astonishing as Lizard Island Resort. Located in Tropical North Queensland, an hour’s flight from the mainland, on an island amid the Great Barrier Reef, Lizard Island is the paradise of your dreams. Topped with lush vegetation, and crowned by twenty-four untouched sandy beaches, the island stands on the edge of a turquoise lagoon. This pure nature–protected by national park status–can be explored in the company of guides during hikes on which you will encounter unique wildlife, tropical birds and diverse flora. Dives on the reef offer an opportunity to swim alongside turtles and thousands of multicolored fish. As the only construction on the island–apart from the Australian Museum’s Lizard Island Research Station (LIRS), which visitors can tour–Lizard Island Resort operates entirely in line with Australia's eco-tourism approach. Its 40 rooms, suites and villas are located along the natural arc of Anchor Bay and on the hill of Sunset Point in a handful of white wooden villas that evoke the spirit of early pioneers. Interiors, which play off concrete and teak and feature designer furniture and white linen, have been carefully refined to highlight the changing views, and blues, of the Coral Sea. Trips here are undeniably the adventure of a lifetime, giving guests an opportunity to experience the island on the reef, on land or in the tranquility of the spa. All stays include artisanal, gourmet meals served at the panoramic Salt Water restaurant or on private pavilions overlooking Anchor Bay beach, ideal to watch the most magical sunsets. The House on Lizard Island takes luxury accommodation to a new level offering guests an opportunity to experience total seclusion from its private peninsula location. With the Great Barrier Reef on its doorstep, private access to three pristine beaches, a private pool and a rooftop spa with panoramic views, The House is distinct, with curated menus and bespoke itineraries designed according to the preferences of each guest. 

40 guest rooms, suites and villas

Gmundner Lodge, Brack, Namibia

This is a story of love at first sight. That of Markus Friesacher for Namibia, its deserts, its inhabitants, flora and fauna. The owner of the Austrian company Gmundner Keramik, the oldest European ceramics company (created in 1492), opened this lodge in 2022 as an autonomous and sustainable local project. Less than an hour from the capital, Windhoek, Gmundner Lodge combines exquisite refinement with unforgettable immersions in wild, unspoiled nature. With a nod to the luxurious safari camps of adventurers from another era, its 12 suites are housed within large tents. Inside, expect teak flooring, Persian rugs, Chesterfield armchairs, four-poster beds wrapped in mosquito nets, and chests of drawers that resemble travel trunks... Bathtubs are found outside, on the terrace, promising sublime relaxation under the gaze of the animals that pass through these 14,800-acres of Kalahari savannah. The lodge, which has a large swimming pool and spa, runs on solar energy and its farm produces vegetables and fruits served in the restaurant. The lodge seamlessly combines social commitments with the preservation of regional culture and traditions through an art project to support the indigenous San people. Gmundner Lodge is also proudly run by locals, whose inherent and diverse knowledge of Namibia makes for a more meaningful cultural exchange with visitors.

12 suites 

Silvan Safari Lodge, Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve, South Africa

Sabi Sand, one of the largest private reserves in South Africa, is the evocative setting for Silvan Safari Lodge. This 160,000-acre estate, bordering the famous Kruger National Park, immerses guests in the heart of nature. This is the domain of the famous ‘Big Five’–and leopards in particular, which can be observed on almost every outing in the wilderness. The six suites of Silvan Safari stand out from the classic lodges of the region by their unique wooden architecture and elegant, bohemian décor. They open onto a large terrace with a swimming pool which seems to plunge into the bush and riverbed beyond. The lodge fosters a deep connection with its environment, playing a crucial part in conserving its unspoiled surroundings. Silvan Safari Lodge employs around fifty residents from the local community, each dedicated to ensuring an unforgettable guest experience. Stays include twice-daily safaris, guided by expert rangers, showcasing the rich diversity of bird and animal life across the savannah. Additionally, the lodge offers a photographic studio where guests can bring their travel memories to life and the opportunity to sample an exceptional selection of gin before enjoying gourmet dinners under starry skies.

6 suites 

Hotel Vermelho, Melides, Portugal

Over a period of twenty years, Christian Louboutin, founder of the eponymous couture brand, has developed a passion for the south of Portugal, particularly the tranquility of the small village of Melides in Alentejo, ten minutes from the Atlantic coast. The designer has now opened Hotel Vermelho, a traditional property whose sky-blue façade is decorated with ceramics by sculptor Giuseppe Ducrot. They give a hint of an interior that is both baroque and joyful, with décor designed by Madalena Caiado. Here in this property, the owner invites guests to taste ‘la vie en rouge’, having called on the best artisans and some of his artist friends to contribute to its aesthetic, creating plaster sconces, magnificent wall frescoes and fascinating optical illusions. Typically Portuguese, but inspired by Louboutin's favorite color, the red tiles lining the floor of the bar come from the famed Azulejos de Azeitao ceramic factory. The hotel is also decorated throughout with furniture, antiques and objects taken from the owner’s private collection. The hotel’s 13 rooms and suites, most with their own terrace that open onto the garden and swimming pool, each boast their own original style. Xtian restaurant serves tasty, bistro-inspired Portuguese cuisine using local artisanal ingredients.

13 guest rooms 

Su Shien Valley, Sichuan, China
 
Neighboring Tibet, the province of Sichuan is traversed by a mountain range older than the Himalayas. Its sharp peaks and mist-shrouded forests paint a picture of China far removed from the soaring skylines of Shanghai or Beijing: Su Shien Valley is found in a forested setting reminiscent of the ancient engravings of a thousand-year-old civilization. This cradle of Taoism makes the hotel an ideal refuge for a spiritual retreat and an initiation into ‘the way’ of ancient China. The lodge houses 18 rooms and suites, each an invitation to Zen-like contemplation, with elegantly minimalistic décor–light wood, raw stone and fluid lines–in total harmony with the forest. Rooms also feature large bay windows, inviting you to meditate to the rhythm of the wind in the trees, and open onto interior courtyards, some with private traditional soaking tub. Explore the forest on long hikes before slipping into the warm waters of the onsen and relaxing with a traditional treatment to the sound of the songbo, a local musical instrument. The main restaurant nestled in the bamboo grove serves Sichuanese cuisine that follows the rhythm of the seasons, in perfect harmony with Taoist philosophy.

18 guest rooms (including 3 suites) 

The Chelsea Townhouse, London, United-Kingdom

Nestled in London's prestigious Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea, The Chelsea Townhouse has created 36 spacious rooms and suites across three neighboring redbrick Victorian properties. They are part of an identical enclave of buildings surrounding Cadogan Gardens, one of a small number of private parks in the capital normally only accessible by residents with a key. However, in a highly exclusive arrangement, the hotel’s Drawing Room and select suites offer guests direct access to the leafy gardens. Meticulously restored, the hotel seamlessly blends British charm with contemporary elegance. With marble fireplaces, gilded mirrors, old engravings, plush carpet, and eclectic juxtapositions–an Art Nouveau pedestal table paired with an Empire dressing table, say–the decor evokes a cozy and quirky British style, making the townhouse feel like a particularly high-end guest house. Under its high ceilings, large windows offer abundant natural light and views over the trees in the square. Chelsea's charms are not far beyond, with iconic shopping destinations including Sloane Street and The King’s Road just footsteps away, and a host of cultural attractions including the Saatchi Gallery, Buckingham Palace and the Natural History Museum close by. The service is as discreet as it is attentive, and with its blend of timeless charm, modern luxury, and access to London's finest attractions, The Chelsea Townhouse offers an unparalleled experience in the heart of the city.

36 guest rooms (including 11 suites) 

Hotel Balzac, Paris, France

The Champs-Elysées district welcomes a new destination: Hôtel Balzac. Under new owners, the establishment will reopen in June, following two years of complete renovation. Two minutes from the most beautiful avenue in the world, at the corner of two quiet streets in the 8th arrondissement of Paris, the Hôtel Balzac is located in an elegant building from the beginning of the last century. Previously on this location was a 19th-century property which once belonged to the famous French writer Honoré de Balzac. In order to reinvent the Balzac with Parisian elegance, Charlotte de Tonnac and Hugo Sauzay from the Festen architectural studio, have deployed noble materials and created an intimate atmosphere. “Le Balzac perpetuates a timeless Parisian heritage through its classicism. It’s a place full of atmosphere, with a history that we have respected and extended. You have to experience this place to understand it,” say the architects. 1930s-inspired décor adorns the communal lounge, lit by a large glass roof, as well as the 58 rooms and suites, some of which offer views of the Eiffel Tower. After exploring the city, a Japanese spa provides a calming break, offering a hammam or a traditional massage.

58 guest rooms (including 24 suites) 

La Marine, Noirmoutier, France 

A discreet white property with blue shutters, typical of the Vendée region, is home to La Marine, the restaurant of chef Alexandre Couillon. This seasonal inn, located directly on the small port of Herbaudière, at the north-west tip of the island of Noirmoutier, has become something of a mecca for gastronomy. From his parents, the chef not only inherited a restaurant, but also their passion for the sea (his father was a shrimp fisherman) along with strong values of hospitality and respect for produce. He runs the establishment with his wife Céline, as Maître de Maison, and they have been rewarded for their work with both a Michelin green star and, since 2023, a third Michelin star. For his bistro-inspired menu, Chef Couillon selects only the finest seafood cultivated sustainably. Even vegetables come from his own kitchen garden. Guests wishing to stay the night will appreciate Maison Moizeau which adjoins the restaurant–its five rooms feature bright marine-inspired décor, polished parquet floors, white walls and natural materials, and open their windows onto the port and its boats.

Gourmet restaurant, three stars and one green star in the 2023 Michelin Guide 
La Table d’Elise – bistro
5 guest rooms 

Hotel Cappella, Colfosco, Italy

Head to the heart of the Dolomites, facing the mountains of the Sella massif, to discover Hotel Cappella, a family property with a unique character, where traditions of hospitality have been honoured for generations. This charming destination will delight winter sports enthusiasts who have only to step through the door to find themselves directly on the slopes. In summer, breathe in the scent of flowers and admire the meadows as they bloom into life, or contemplate the region’s stunning panoramas during hikes or bike rides. Guests can enjoy two swimming pools, including a heated outdoor one, as well as a spa, which has a large outdoor relaxation area with views of the mountains. Children can participate in numerous activities all year round through the touristic association of the hotel and will also enjoy the games room. Cozy rooms feature rustic yet chic décor that celebrates natural wood. Walking through Hotel Cappella’s corridors feels almost like visiting a museum, with countless paintings and original handicrafts on display–all sourced by the owners during their many travels in 40 past years. This enchanted feel continues in the hotel’s art gallery, where numerous paintings and sculptures are exhibited. In the restaurant, the chef prepares refined Mediterranean dishes using local products and freshly cut herbs from the hotel’s kitchen garden.

52 guest rooms (including 11 suites)