Relais & Châteaux Welcomes New Breathtaking Hotels That Champion Their Surroundings

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WRITTEN BY 5 REASONS TO VISIT® EDITORIAL STAFF

PUBLISHED DECEMBER 2023 • 4 min read

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Relais & Châteaux is delighted to announce the addition of new members to the brand. These properties 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.

The new members include pioneering Fogo Island Inn in Newfoundland, Canada; wine estate L’AND Vineyards in Portugal; and villa collection Casa Chameleon in Costa Rica.

Relais & Châteaux 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, guests can go kayaking or snorkelling 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. Or, those in need of some R&R can indulge in a relaxing treatment at the property’s own spa.

Relais & Châteaux 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 guests as they enter 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 — guests can 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. Guests can relax in their opulent and refined guest room, featuring contemporary décor that contrasts with noble materials–marble in the bathroom, parquet flooring, velvet seating–and invites guests to extend la Dolce Vita into their dreams.

Neiman Marcus

Relais & Châteaux 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 travelers 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. Guests can 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.

Relais & Châteaux 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 guests can contemplate the stars from their 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.

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 centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, only 20 minutes away. L’AND Vineyards represents a highly original and sensorial way to discover Portugal.

Relais & Châteaux Château de la Gaude

Aix-en-Provence, France

In an ode to the Provençal joie 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.

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).

Princess Cruise Lines, Ltd.
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