Published on 07/11/2023

Ten New Properties Join Our Collection

We are pleased to welcome 10 new members to our Association and to add a new destination too: Egypt. Sharing a taste for authenticity and local, these new members contribute to a total of 27 properties having joined Relais & Châteaux this year.

Ten New Properties Join Our Collection

© Alex Fradkin
Fogo Island Inn, Terre-Neuve, Canada

We are pleased to welcome 10 new members to our Association and to add a new destination too: Egypt. Sharing a taste for authenticity and local, these new members contribute to a total of 27 properties having joined Relais & Châteaux this year.

Your hosts at each property invite you to explore the culinary, cultural and environmental heritage of their region, which they play a part in preserving and enhancing for the next generation.

Create unforgettable memories with your loved ones in these warm and hospitable settings, each operated in harmony with nature.

I am delighted these 10 new properties have joined Relais & Châteaux, complementing our existing destinations. Our 27 new members in 2023 demonstrate the dynamism of our network as well as our ongoing effort to consolidate the quality and diversity of the guest experience within our properties. We all share the same vision: to make the world a better place through food and hospitality.” Laurent Gardinier, President of Relais & Châteaux

AL MOUDIRA HOTEL, Luxor, Egypt


In Arabic, Al Moudira is the feminine for ‘the boss’. This is the name workers and artisans gave to Zeina Abou Kheir who, in 1999, originally conceived this singular haven of tranquility, best described as part-guest house, part-palace. Situated on a vast estate of 20 acres/eight hectares on the west bank of the Nile, Relais & Châteaux Al Moudira Hotel faces Luxor and is close to the Valley of the Kings. Its spacious guest rooms and suites, decorated with furnishings typical of the Middle East, all open on to enchanting courtyards featuring trickling fountains and relaxing seating. Beds are made with Egyptian cotton sheets produced by the leading Egyptian brand Malaika and embroided by Threads of Hope, a social enterprise established by the wife of one of the property’s owners. Founded in Egypt, Threads of Hope is dedicated to training and empowering women in the region through weaving and embroidery.

Beyond the ornate patios, stroll through shady gardens of palm trees, lemon trees and hibiscus toward the marble-clad swimming pool and hammam. Although Zeina Abou Kheir is no longer the owner, Al Moudira Hotel still proudly reflects her image and the new owners have taken great care to expand and upgrade the property under her guidance. This is a destination that is both intimate and yet open to the world. The property has been working with the same team of artisans for many years and is staffed by people from surrounding villages. Cuisine is prepared using the freshest ingredients from neighbouring farms, with meals served either in the beautiful Ottoman room, in the main courtyard or at the poolside pavilion. Time slows down here, perhaps to match the gentle flow of the river. A Dahabeya, traditional Nile sailing boat, furnished with luxuriously appointed cabins, can be rented for three- to seven-day excursions, and is ready to spirit guests to countless treasures along the Nile: Luxor, Karnak, Medinet Habu and Deir el-Medina. Ancient Egypt awaits…

56 rooms (including 42 suites)
Ottoman Hall – Gourmet restaurant (Seats 60)
The Main Court – For casual breakfasts, lunches and dinners (Seats 50)
Khan Al Moudira – Traditional Egyptian food and café, for casual breakfasts, lunches and dinners (Seats 40)
Swimming Pool Pavilion – Poolside Snack & Grill (Seats 40)
The Eastern Bar
Sheherazade – Reserved for private dining and special events

© Yehia el alaily

 

CAP MAISON RESORT & SPA, Cap Estate, St. Lucia


Located near the northern tip of Saint Lucia, Relais & Châteaux Cap Maison Resort & Spa is a haven of peace and privacy, nestled in tropical gardens. The property invites guests to relax and recharge in this tranquil and idyllic environment. With breathtaking views over blue ocean waters, the property also overlooks its own private sandy beach. Shady arches, sun-dappled courtyards, trickling fountains and terracotta urns channel a hacienda-like feel that also extends to the whitewashed buildings that house its charming rooms and suites–some of which have private swimming pools.

At The Cliff at Cap restaurant, one of the best dining destinations on the island, talented chef Craig Jones creates inventive French-Caribbean fusion cuisine, using seasonal ingredients grown by local producers, to be enjoyed as you take in this unique location and stunning panorama. Down on the beach, go kayaking or snorkeling in the pristine turquoise waters; explore the surrounding hills on a run or more leisurely hike; or simply taste the sun by the swimming pool. Finally, indulge in a relaxing treatment at the property’s own spa.

49 rooms (including 27 rooms and 22 suites)
The Cliff at Cap (seats 120 guests) and The Naked Fisherman (seats 80 guests)

 

CHÂTEAU DE LA GAUDE, Aix-en-Provence, France


In an ode to the Provençal art de vivre (art of living), Relais & Châteaux Château de la Gaude offers epicurean escapes just ten minutes from the center of Aix-en-Provence. The Sainte-Victoire mountain seems to watch over this 18th-century manor house, surrounded by traditional formal gardens–both the main building and its grounds are officially recognized as historic monuments. Here, a sense of calm and refinement reigns supreme–a world of nature, gastronomy and wine coexists with the work of contemporary artists, notably those of Philippe Pasqua. As an artists’ residence, the property also showcases their works, including those of Bernard Venet.

In the gardens, stroll along floral avenues that are a haven for butterflies, lose yourself in the middle of its living labyrinth and admire fountains fed by a water source discovered in the 12th century. The authentic charm of the property’s architecture contrasts with the minimalist decor of its guest rooms and suites, distributed across the main building and estate farmhouses. The hotel also offers more unusual stays in one of three contemporary cabins overlooking its vineyards.

The Château de la Gaude's four restaurants, headed by chef Matthieu Dupuis Baumal, are presided over by the one-Michelin-starred Le Art, featuring authentic Provençal cuisine, while a second gourmet restaurant, Kaiseki, showcases Japanese cuisine. Wine lovers can taste estate-grown bottlings in the cellars, or enjoy walks among the 19 ‘parcels’ of its vineyards, all classified as ‘AOC–Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence’. A spa dedicated to relaxation and well-being is at your disposal, alongside a heated outdoor swimming pool (open from May to September).

20 rooms (including 8 suites)
Le Art – one-Michelin-starred gourmet restaurant (seats 30 in winter, 40 in summer)
Kaiseki – Japanese gourmet restaurant (seats 22)
La Source – Chic brasserie (seats 70 in winter, 120 in summer)
Le K – Japanese brasserie (seats 75 seats in winter, 110 seats in summer)

© Richard Haughton

 

FOGO ISLAND INN, Newfoundland, Canada


Fogo Island is the type of place you can’t believe but always hoped existed. The island sits off the northeast coast of Newfoundland, Canada, and welcomes travellers seeking to reconnect with wild nature and themselves. During full board stays of a minimum of three nights at Relais & Châteaux Fogo Island Inn, guests can discover the riches of a unique and unspoiled environment through unforgettable adventure activities and cultural experiences. The Inn is a global example of a true regenerative model. Built on the principles of sustainability, it also returns 100% of its operating surpluses to Shorefast, a Canadian charity whose work focuses on community economic development on Fogo Island.

Everything at the Inn has been carefully considered, from the architecture of the building, designed by Newfoundland-born, Norway-based Todd Saunders, to the furniture and colourful furnishings which combine to create a refined oasis of comfort and contemporary style. Overlooking the powerful Atlantic Ocean, the rooms’ floor to ceiling windows allow you to enjoy the magical scenery offered by each of the seven seasons that punctuate the year on the island. All guests can discover more about the island’s history and culture, as well as visit art and artisan spaces through an orientation with a local Community Host. Chef Timothy Charles' menu is an expression of the local seasonal foodways, with 80 percent of the ingredients locally sourced. Savour refined dishes in the elegant dining room, as whales breach the surface of the waves, or icebergs drift past. Fogo Island Inn is a destination at the end of the world that you’ll find difficult to leave.

29 rooms (including 6 suites)
Gourmet restaurant seats: 30


PALAZZO RIPETTA, Rome, Italy


For more than four centuries this former orphanage has stood in the heart of Rome, just a few streets from Piazza di Spagna and Ara Pacis. The Relais & Châteaux Palazzo Ripetta hotel of today has been in the same family since the 1960s, and underwent a complete renovation in 2023. Cross its threshold to discover the history of the Eternal City through a collection of antique and contemporary works of art that adorns its vast spaces. A majestic sphere, hewn from black and white marble by the artist Arnaldo Pomodoro, welcomes you in the hall, while a third-century Roman sarcophagus, transformed into a fountain, murmurs in the courtyard patio. In the evening, after enjoying the city's main attractions–which are all within walking distance–savor the serenity of this charming piazzetta over an aperitif.

San Baylon, its casual dining restaurant, is also a temple to Italian taste. With a delicate touch, the Executive Chef Marco Ciccotelli offers his interpretation of the classics of Roman gastronomy, served in the warm atmosphere of a wood-paneled dining room decorated with images of the palazzo from earlier eras. Relax in your opulent and refined guest room, featuring contemporary décor that contrasts with noble materials–marble in the bathroom, parquet flooring, velvet seating–and invites you to extend la Dolce Vita into your dreams.

78 rooms (including 30 suites)
San Baylon – Casual dining restaurant (seats 80)
Piazzetta Ripetta – Modern comfort food (seats 30)

© Dario Borruto

 

L’AND VINEYARDS, Montemor-o-Novo, Portugal


Relais & Châteaux L’AND Vineyards is housed in an impressive contemporary building – a distinct white structure that presides over the landscape. Less than an hour from Lisbon, it is located in the heart of Alentejo, one of the most beautiful regions in the country. Everything here has been designed with the beauty of nature and its clear skies overhead in mind: some suites even have retractable roofs so you can contemplate the stars from your bed, with no light pollution to spoil the view. The property’s contemporary interiors were created by Brazilian Architect Márcio Kogan who draws on local handcrafts – hand-woven striped rugs from nearby Reguengos de Monsaraz, black slate floors and eucalyptus wood – to create a hotel with a real sense of place.

At L'AND Vineyards, everything revolves around the pleasures of the vine: 6 hectares/15 acres of organic vineyards provide a backdrop for oenology courses or creating your own bottlings, with labels in your own name, through the Wine Club. Highlighting gastronomy as a universal language, Mapa Restaurant celebrates the fusion of cultures that came to life as a result of the maritime voyages of Portuguese People. A journey paired with exceptional wines, some of which are produced on site. Treatments in the 8,600 square foot/800 square meter Vinotherapy Spa by Austrian vegan brand Vinoble Cosmetics are also prepared with grapes.

In the middle of the vines, discover an outdoor infinity pool–ideal for unwinding–which appears to merge with the lake. The family property is not only appreciated by wine lovers but also by fans of natural beauty and architecture alike–the castle of Montemor o Novo is within sight, and Évora, whose historic center is a UNESCO world heritage site, is only 20 minutes away. L’AND Vineyards represents a highly original and sensorial way to discover Portugal.

44 suites (including 7 villas)
Mapa Restaurant (seats 50)
Café Viagem (seats 40)

© Joao Guimares

 

VALVERDE SANTAR HOTEL & SPA, Santar, Portugal


Surrounded by mountains which protect its many vineyards from the wind, the Dão wine region, just one hour from Porto, is prized for its preserved landscapes and exceptional wines. It is here that a new property from the owners of Relais & Châteaux Valverde in Lisbon has just opened, after four years of renovations. Relais & Châteaux Valverde Santar Hotel & Spa is the ideal place to enjoy the charms of one of Portugal’s most beautiful remote settings, in a location that celebrates art and art de vivre (the art of living). Located in the picturesque village of Santar, renowned for its magnificent century-old residences and beautiful gardens, the property is a vast, 17th-century manor house, part of which is still owned by the royal family.

At its entrance stands an imposing baroque fountain that sets the tone for the decor: in common areas and guest rooms alike, expect period furniture and old master paintings beneath paneled or painted ceilings. Gastronomy is also in the spotlight, with chef Luis Almeida's modern cuisine inspired by traditional, regional recipes. For several years he has worked closely with the best local farmers, market gardeners and wine growers, with whom he shares a taste for natural and seasonal products. Enjoy a bucolic, culturally rich and gourmet break, far from the daily grind.

20 rooms (including 8 suites)
Gourmet restaurant (seats 38)

 

RESTAURANT LA TANIÈRE³, Quebec, Canada


In the center of Old Quebec City, between the Saint Lawrence River and Place Royale, a destination steeped in history awaits. Built in 1686, the vaulted cellars of the Leber and Charest buildings, among the oldest in the city, now house a gastronomic restaurant which has put la Belle Province on the map for journeying gourmets. Welcome to Relais & Châteaux La Tanière³, the experimental and sensory retreat of chef François-Emmanuel Nicol. Dedicated to promoting local terroir, he works exclusively with local, seasonal ingredients. No imported products, except wine, are on the menu–only the finest Quebecois and Canadian produce are served.

The chef enjoys highlighting little-known products from the region, such as caviar from Lake Saint-Pierre, small cherry tree bark, native plants from Quebec and even Paw Paw, a little-known fruit native to North America with a taste reminiscent of mango. Fans of classic cooking should prepare themselves: surprises are the order of the day at La Tanière³ restaurant. Two dining experiences are on offer: the first in the elegant dining room with its captivating decor, the second at the Comptoir-Chef (Chef’s Counter), where diners get a front-row seat to watch the kitchen at full swing. In both cases, a tasting menu accompanied by wine–all designed around a rich and aromatic palette–transports guests to the heart of Quebec. With such cuisine dedicated to the preservation of local culinary heritage, it may feel difficult to leave this special 'lair' (the translation of 'tanière).

Seats 50

© Simon Ferland

 

CASA CHAMELEON AT LAS CATALINAS, Guanacaste, Costa Rica


The charming beach resort of Las Catalinas, on the northeast coast of Costa Rica, is nestled in a preserved tropical forest of 988 acres/400 hectares. Overlooking the bay, Relais & Châteaux Casa Chameleon emerges from lush vegetation, bidding guests to get closer to nature and themselves. Its 21 private villas offer generous space–at least 720 square feet/67 square meters each–and the feeling of being at home, thanks to warm decor that blends contemporary design with local craftsmanship. All villas have a saltwater infinity pool and enjoy breathtaking views of the ocean. While this divine setting suggests relaxation, there is no shortage of activities, on land or water: adventures await at sea and in the jungle, with abundant exotic fauna and lush flora to discover.

In the evening, return to the privacy of your villa for a private yoga class or spa treatment provided by expert hands. Casa Chameleon's three restaurants offer typical Costa Rican flavors. All dishes are carefully prepared with seasonal produce, sourced sustainably from local fishers and farmers. Expect a stay that is as intoxicating as it is relaxing.

21 private villas
Sentido Norte – Award-winning gourmet restaurant (seat 60)
La Pampa Grill – Casual grill restaurant (seats 20)
The Greenhouse – Casual and intimate restaurant (seats 20)
Grotto 12 – Wine cellar and tasting (seats 12)

 

CATALOOCHEE RANCH, Maggie Valley, North Carolina, United States


Horseback riding, hiking and other adventures are part of daily life at Relais & Châteaux Cataloochee Ranch. Located on the edge of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina, the ranch reopens its doors this spring to lovers of the great outdoors, fresh air and relaxation. Its owners, who also run Relais & Châteaux The Swag, also in North Carolina, present their interpretation of an east coast dude ranch in an elegant and picturesque setting. Indeed, traditional cattle breeding has been reestablished on the 790-acre/320-hectare estate, just as the founders of the ranch practiced it in 1933.

Some 90 years after it was established, Cataloochee Ranch has lost none of its original splendor nor its authentic character following a three-year renovation. Scattered around the main building are 12 wood and stone cabins, typical of the region, and a large six-room lodge. All are warmly decorated, featuring local crafts as design touches, with balconies and/or porches offering spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and over gardens of unspoiled natural beauty. At Switchback, diners enjoy typical Appalachian cuisine given an Alpine twist, prepared with locally sourced, seasonal ingredients and mainly cooked on a barbecue–expect flavors to thrill the taste buds as much as the mind. The restaurant also offers a private dining room for up to 34 guests.

Opening March 2024
12 cabins and 6 lodge rooms
Switchback – Gourmet restaurant (seats 134–including 34 in the private dining room)

© Chelsea Lane Photography

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