Condé Nast Traveler 2018 Gold List: 25 award-winning Relais & Châteaux properties!

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01/17/2018

Condé Nast Traveler 2018 Gold List: 25 award-winning Relais & Châteaux properties!

Every year, the illustrious Condé Nast Traveler unveils its Gold List of the best hotels around the world. Properties that leave an indelible memory that endures long after the trip has ended, where the attention to detail is clear, where the service is unrivalled and where the Maîtres de Maison have a unique sense of hospitality. This is the very heart and soul of Relais & Châteaux. 25 properties spread across 5 continents have been honoured by inclusion on this exclusive list. Let’s take a look around these exceptional hotels!

La Grande Maison de Bernard Magrez, Bordeaux, France – “A key word for us: art!”
La Grande Maison de Bernard Magrez is a passionate place. A 19th century private mansion in the heart of Bordeaux, this highly sophisticated hotel is an ode to art, gastronomy and wine. Pierre Gagnaire produces culinary wonders in the hotel kitchen and complements his dishes with wines from a 259-strong selection that includes 172 grands crus. But Bernard Magrez’s passion doesn't stop there: art is present throughout the convivial space, where a permanent exhibition of contemporary works can be enjoyed in the in-house cultural institute he has created. A stay at the Grande Maison means entering a space filled with culture and refinement where excellence is always the order of the day!

Château de Courcelles, Courcelles-sur-Vesles, France – “The literary life”
Situated 130 km from Paris and 30 minutes from Reims, the Château de Courcelles is a haven of peace where your mind can wander freely. The shadow of Jean-Jacques Rousseau still hovers over the château gardens, where the famous writer so loved to stroll. Lush vegetation is all around and provides the perfect backdrop for the 17th century Château de Courcelles. You will find the perfect outlet here for all your passions, from a round of golf, a walk along the canal or a tour of the famous champagne houses. The Château de Courcelles is a gorgeous dream come true!

Auberge du Jeu de Paume, Chantilly, France – “The French art of living in a historic setting”

Les Prés d'Eugénie, Eugénie-les-Bains, France – “Dare to dream...”

Baumanière les Baux de Provence, Les Baux-de-Provence, France – “The Provençal art of living”

Ballyfin Demesne, Ballyfin, Ireland – “Where every guest has the best experience possible”
An hour outside Dublin, Ballyfin is set amongst 250 hectares of greenery where a lake, woodland and caves embellish this Regency style abode. In this highly refined building, the floral curtains, comfy sofas, four-poster beds, thick carpets, alcoves and original fireplaces set the authentic, charming tone. A stay in Ballyfin Demesne means succumbing to the beauty, romanticism and serenity of this unique location.

Il San Pietro di Positano, Positano, Italy – “A superb location overlooking the sea”
San Pietro di Positano, is above all a breathtaking view of the Mediterranean. Perched on a cliff, this hotel is a dream come true, and it shows in every detail. A lot of love and passion have gone into making this place what it is today: a gem of the Amalfi coast! Each room has its own terrace for admiring the endless panoramic view over the rocks of Capri, Praiano and Positano. Below, a spa, tennis court and private beach can be reached by a lift that connects them to the hotel. An unforgettable, vertiginous escape!

Borgo San Felice, Castelnuovo Berardenga, Italy - “The dolce vita, Tuscany-style”
Borgo San Felice is a medieval hamlet that has been transformed into an exceptional hotel nestled in the Tuscan vineyards. With its picturesque Chianti villages, exceptional wines and the dolce vita art of living, the Borgo San Felice is a unique spot where tranquillity reigns.

Relais Borgo Santo Pietro, Chiusdino, Italy – “A dream come true that we want to share”

Gravetye Manor, West Hoathly, UK – “Discover William Robinson’s wild garden”

Duba Plains Camp, Botswana, Okavango Delta – “A wild paradise within 77,000 hectares."

Zarafa Camp, Botswana, Selinda Private Reserve – “Just you and the animals.”

Soneva Fushi, Maldives – “Leave the hubbub behind and feel your dreams coming true.”

Rajmahal Palace, India, Rajasthan – “A sublime palace in a wonderful city”
The Jaipur royal family welcomes you to this most iconic of palaces. The palace is the height of refinement, with gilding, coloured walls, precious materials and sumptuous fabrics. The wonder continues into the equally immaculate gardens, where greenery and fountains create the ideal setting for peaceful daydreaming. The Rajmahal Palace has to be seen to be believed, proving that Rajasthan can offer a shining example of the finest interior design. Golden hospitality!

The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs, Matauri Bay, New Zealand – “A magnificent panoramic view over Cape Brett and the Cavalli Islands”
With a spectacular 180° view over the Pacific, Kauri Cliffs is an exclusive holiday destination for lovers of the great outdoors, nature in its wildest state and golf, and only a 45-minute flight from Auckland. The property is located on a top-rate golf course overlooking the sea, promising unforgettable swings with the ocean on the horizon. The interior is designed in a modern chic style and the rooms, which are all equipped with fireplaces, are remarkably comfortable. The Kauri Cliffs is an experience in itself, a chance to feel the area’s tranquillity and vastness.

Matakauri Lodge, Queenstown, New Zealand – “On the edge of Lake Wakatipu, that stunning, mysterious birthplace of ancient Maori legends"

Wickaninnish Inn, Tofino, British Columbia, Canada – “Rustic elegance on the east coast of Canada”

Hôtel Le Toiny, St. Barths – “The hidden gem of St. Barths” (Due to reopen in mid-October 2018)

Auberge du Soleil, Rutherford, California, USA – “An elegant boutique hotel in the heart of the Napa Valley”
The Auberge du Soleil is nestled amongst the famous vineyards of the Napa Valley in California. This boutique hotel is an artistic refuge where sculptures and artworks by renowned artists are exhibited in the gardens. The hotel has a Mediterranean feel, with its 13-hectare olive grove, and provides an incredible view over the vineyards that stretch as far as the eye can see. This exceptional natural setting is also where chef Robert Curry expresses his creativity, cooking up dishes featuring seasonal fruit and vegetables that are complemented by wines from the prestigious 15,000-strong cellar.

Dunton Hot Springs, Dolores, Colorado, USA – “A Colorado ghost town, the ultimate romantic escape”

The Ivy Hotel, Baltimore, Maryland, USA – “An historic manor nestled in the heart of a dynamic city”

The Point, Saranac Lake, USA – “Rustic art of living”

Ocean House, Watch Hill, Rhode Island, USA – “An old-fashioned seaside escape”
With its impressive Victorian architecture, Ocean House is a key part of the history of this stretch of New England coastline. The Atlantic Ocean, seen from the Watch Hill cliffs, provides both stunning scenery and water sports. The refinement of the hotel’s interior and cutting-edge comfort provide a warm and welcoming stay every time.

Blackberry Farm, Walland, Tennessee, USA – “Reconnect with nature deep in the Smoky Mountains”
Deep in the heart of Tennessee, in the Smoky Mountains, is where you’ll find Blackberry Farm. This traditional farm is a peaceful setting for reconnecting with nature with a spot of trout fishing, horse riding or clay pigeon shooting. In the kitchen, Cassidee Dabney offers a sophisticated menu that highlights the local culinary heritage and seasonal ingredients such as vegetables, herbs and honeys produced on the estate.

Twin Farms, Barnard, Vermont, USA – “Regulars affectionately refer to it as their second home”