Travel News - Nine new members join the Relais & Châteaux collection: Thornbury Castle and Ballynahinch Castle included among the seven hotels and two restaurants

From secluded hotels that are at the heart of their local community to restaurants that champion only local and seasonal produce, the nine new members that have joined the Relais & Châteaux network span England, Ireland, Denmark, Switzerland, Canada and France. Featured in the mix are two regal properties close to home: Thornbury Castle in Gloucestershire and Ballynahinch in Connemara. Also included is the adults-only Aïda Hotel & Spa, Crans-Montana, Switzerland, which will open next month, plus the retreat of floating suites known as Brindos, Lac & Château, near Biarritz, which is due to open in April 2022.

With distinct wellbeing and sustainability themes, the seven hotels range from a waterside retreat on the island of Als in Denmark, an art deco gem hidden between forests and lakes in Quebec and an oasis of wellness and luxury on Lake Zurich. In addition, the new restaurant members offer a dining room with a view across Lake Geneva & The Alps (and two Michelin Stars under chef Stéphane Décotterd) plus a showcase for the Institut Paul Bocuse in Lyon - Restaurant Saisons – which has three Michelin Stars and chef Florian Pansin at the helm.

The full details of the new members can be found below and images are available to download here.

 

Thornbury Castle, Gloucestershire, England

Commissioned by Edward Stafford, Duke of Buckingham, to defy Henry VIII, this imposing mansion is a glorious example of Tudor architecture. Massive yet private, welcoming yet filled with history, the establishment is an invitation to enjoy serenity with a taste of traditional British heritage, in rooms fit for royals. Chef Carl Cleghorn prepares vegetables from the castle’s own gardens and sources produce from local farms, offering a menu of traditional dishes and vegetarian options.

Commenting on becoming a Relais & Châteaux member, Simone Arcucci, the General Manager of Thornbury Castle said: "We are thrilled that Thornbury Castle has been invited to become a member of Relais & Châteaux and we very much look forward to introducing the castle to their discerning guests. Thornbury Castle is the only Tudor castle in the UK which operates as a hotel and restaurant and is a truly unique place to stay.  Built in 1511 during the reign of Henry VIII, it was one of the grandest buildings of its time in England and has been the home of kings, queens and dukes over the centuries.  Following a multi-million pound refurbishment, the décor artfully reflects the Tudor style in which royalty and aristocracy would have socialised, feasted and relaxed in, allowing our guests to experience Tudor opulence in total luxury."

 

Ballynahinch Castle, Connemara, Ireland

With a low mountain range as a backdrop, verdant forests nestled all around, and the calm waters of River Owenmore flowing below, Ballynahinch Castle offers picture postcards views. Located in western Ireland, the castle is both majestic and welcoming, and sophisticated yet simple. The wide bow windows of its cosy rooms offer views of the Irish countryside that look as though they could be landscape paintings. The chef, David Bodas Gutierrez, combines his cookery with his knowledge as a nutritionist, demonstrating at every turn the balance of gourmet cuisine and wellbeing.

Adding his comments, Eoin Walsh, General Manager, Ballynahinch Castle said: “We are proud and honoured to join the prestigious Relais & Châteaux family. The vision of Relais & Châteaux symbolises everything we do at Ballynahinch Castle; individuality, authenticity, and personable service. We love delivering memorable experiences for our guests and we do this through our luxurious surroundings, breath-taking location and most importantly the great people who work here. Our new partnership with Relais & Châteaux defines our hotel as one of the stand out places to visit in the west of Ireland and we look forward to welcoming guests from near and far.”

 

Dyvig Badehotel, Nordborg, Denmark

The Dyvig Badehotel stands between lush countryside and the Baltic Sea on the island of Als in southern Denmark - the perfect spot to escape everyday life. One of the many delights of this small hotel, which has only 17 rooms and 4 suites, is the tranquility of its waterside location. The chef, Christian Lebech, creates seasonal menus that use only local produce, in particular seafood. The hotel’s brasserie offers typically Danish specialities, such as the stjerneskud, or ‘shooting star’ open sandwich.

 

Aïda Hotel & Spa, Crans-Montana, Switzerland

This prestigious adults-only chalet offers 18 recently renovated and spacious suites with breathtaking views over the Swiss Alps and the ski resort of Crans-Montana. The spa has an impressive 300 m2/3229 ft2 of space devoted to wellbeing – the ideal destination after a hard  day of hiking or skiing. Michelin star-rated chef Franck Reynaud is passionate about the region and creates innovative menus that surface the best local produce, such as his cep puddings and truffled potato purées, among many other specialities. Opening scheduled for December 2021.

 

Alex Lake Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland

Unrivalled views over Lake Zurich give the illusion that this property floats on the water. All 41 rooms and studios, plus the two penthouses, are beautifully light-filled, with huge picture windows and a bright and streamlined interior design. In the restaurant, chef Michael Schuler seeks to bring as many ingredients as possible “from the farm to the table,” combining foods cultivated within the hotel’s kitchen garden, with flavours from around the world. A member of the Swiss group The Living Circle, like the Relais & Châteaux establishment Castello del Sole in Ascona, Hotel Alex Lake respects nature with its ecological approach and aims to eliminate the use of all plastic by 2023.

 

Stonehaven Le Manoir, Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts, Canada

This is the Canadian location of dreams, where forests merge with lakes: the Stonehaven is the epitome of elegance at the heart of the Laurentides. Founded in 1908, the hotel was recently restored to the Art Deco spirit of its early years. The Italian garden is one of the crown jewels of Quebec, and each of its 34 spacious yet cosy rooms are equally idyllic. In the restaurant, French chef Éric Gonzalez combines fresh, local products with the classic specialities of his native country. It offers a magical step back in time in the heart of one of the most spectacular regions of La Belle Province.

 

Brindos, Lac & Château, Anglet, France

Just a few minutes from Biarritz Airport, the recently renovated Château de Brindos is due to reopen in the spring of 2022. From its reception spaces to each of its 29 rooms and suites, it asserts its Spanish and Moorish identity and offers an atmosphere befitting of the history and its homage to the Basque Country. The private 12-ha/30-acre lake is not only perfect for contemplation: it also accommodates 10 floating suites, a refuge from the outside world. The indoor and outdoor pools and vast spa make this even more appealing. The restaurant features Basque cuisine, cheese and wine, as well as an array of fresh produce from the Atlantic coast.

 

Maison Décotterd, Montreux, Switzerland

At the heart of the Swiss Riviera, this gourmet restaurant is located in the former Bellevue hotel, at the heart of the prestigious Glion catering school. With panoramic views over Lake Geneva and the Alps, it delivers a Belle Époque atmosphere in keeping with the magnificent style of the building. Boasting two Michelin stars, chef Stéphane Décotterd has been committed to sourcing wholly local ingredients since 2018. Each morning he sets out to gather fresh herbs to flavour pike, tench and char as part of an approach to cookery that he describes as “resolutely responsible and bold, but never fixed, just like the waters of the lake which so inspire me.”

 

Restaurant Saisons, Lyon, France

At the heart of a century-old park in western Lyon, Château du Vivier is home to Restaurant Saisons. The restaurant is a showcase for Institut Paul Bocuse, a prestigious international school for hotel management and the culinary arts. The talented young team of Saisons is led by three-star chef Florian Pansin, alongside the Meilleur Sommelier de France Gaétan Bouvier, and the Meilleur Ouvrier de France Davy Tissot, winner of the 2021 Bocuse d’or. In sharing their expertise and enthusiasm, they cultivate the talents of tomorrow, across 70 different nationalities. Working together to deliver a touching culinary experience, the dynamic trio work only with seasonal ingredients, as the restaurant’s name suggests. They select from the best local farmers and the restaurant’s own kitchen garden and complement the dishes with exceptional vintages to make a gourmet match of tradition and modernity.

For further information about Relais & Châteaux please visit www.relaischateaux.com