The world's most trusted guide to fine retreats and acclaimed restaurants announces the addition of five properties to its impressive collection – including its first hotels in South Australia and the Maldives, plus new additions in Patagonia, Croatia and Italy.

As it celebrates its 60th year, Relais & Châteaux welcomes the beautiful 15-suite vineyard retreat The Louise and its Barossa Valley culinary destination restaurant Appellation, headed by Executive Chef Ryan Edwards.

Owner Jim Carreker also earns the mantle of Delegate for the region – a title that engages the 13 privately owned member properties in Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tahiti. 

Mr Carreker said he and his wife Helen had long dreamt of owning a hotel in the famous white Relais & Châteaux guide.  He now is looking forward to expanding the membership and range of guest experiences in the region.

“Long before we moved from San Francisco to South Australia a decade ago to develop our vision for a destination restaurant with luxury guest rooms in one of the world's great wine regions, we had preselected Relais & Châteaux as our preferred global marketing partner,” he said. “We sense that the time has come for Australia's leading small luxury hotels and best-in-class restaurants to partner with the world's most widely-recognised culinary hospitality brand.”

“We are pleased and honoured to be at the forefront of an expansion of Relais & Châteaux into Australia, coincident with the launch of a multi-year high profile positioning of Australia as an international culinary tourism destination by Tourism Australia.”

Since the establishment of Relais & Châteaux in 1954 to link eight authentic and thriving hotels between Paris and the French Riviera, the member–led association has amassed a collection of 520 of the world's most celebrated fine restaurants and hotels. 

Properties must pass a vigorous assessment to wear the famous Relais & Châteaux fleur-de-lys and are often historic or heritage landmarks such as castles or manors, wilderness or wine retreats and conservation lodges, many in the world's most bucolic settings.

Relais & Châteaux is the only hotel group in the world to posit fine cuisine at the heart of all it does. It has developed an impressive culinary "Grands Chefs" division that celebrates the most influential and prestigious restaurants across the globe, from The French Laundry in the Napa Valley to the Tasting Room in Franschhoek South Africa, Michel Troisgros in the Loire Valley and Tetsuya's in Sydney. Between them the Grands Chefs share more than 300 Michelin stars. 

Since November, the association has welcomed 47 new hotels and restaurants and added eight new global destinations to its family including Croatia, Latvia, Russia, Korea, Turkey, Dominican Republic, Mauritius, Ecuador and South Korea.

About the five new hotels:

The Louise – Barossa Valley wining and dining… Australia

The Barossa Valley is a legendary winegrowing area with a worldwide reputation. The Louise offers breath-taking panoramic views over the vineyards from the contemporary secluded hotel and an inspiring collection of 500 wines from Australia and beyond.  Appellation, the 48-seat restaurant, serves the finest produce from this legendary terroir.  The hotel offers memorable experiences for all its guests to share – wine blending, cooking classes and visiting a selection of the 150 local wineries.… It is a beacon to culinary nomads to enjoy an ideal sense of Australia.

www.relaischateaux.com/thelouise

Hotel Bevanda – mesmerising views of the blue, blue sea in Croatia

From the Opatija coast, the Adriatic and its islands stretch out as far as the eye can see. This contemporary, designer hotel, located in the heart of the 'Croatian Monte Carlo' offers mesmerising views from the terraces of its 10 guest rooms. 'Blue' is the top note. Enjoy a feast of delights, right at the water's edge. www.relaischateaux.com/bevanda

Restaurant Agli Amici – a wonderful tale of Italy

The Restaurant was founded in 1887 and has belonged to the Scarello family for three generations. Their mother Yvonne handed a sense of culinary delight to Emanuele, a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux, and Michela. The chefs source fresh, locally produced ingredients from local farmers in the region around the town of Udine, just a few kilometres from Venice. Here tradition is everything. It guides the imagination of a chef both deeply rooted in his terroir and yet open to new influences.

www.relaischateaux.com/agliamici

Awasi Patagonia – an extreme experience that floods your soul, Chile

Awasi Patagonia Lodge nestles in a private reserve next to Torres del Paine National Park in Southern Patagonia. A personal guide takes guests on adventures to explore Sarmiento Lake, the virgin forests and the plentiful wildlife (foxes, condors, pumas…) before returning to the home comforts of a warm and cosy villa. Old Patagonian estate outposts constructed of local wood boast stunning views from dawn to dusk through huge picture windows.

www.relaischateaux.com/awasipatagonia

Soneva Fushi: nature unsullied, Maldives

The Baa Atoll is the Maldives' only UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. On the large private island of Kunfunadhoo 40ha of protected tropical forest edges the villas of this eco-hotel, scattered along white sand beaches. An invitation to live the life of Robinson Crusoe, to enjoy meditation, savour organic kitchen garden produce and fine wines stored in cellars dug beneath the sands before gazing at the stars from the astronomical observatory is proof enough that nature is sublime.

www.relaischateaux.com/soneva-fushi

MEDIA CONTACTS

For The Louise
Ruby Stobart
marketing@thelouise.com.au
+61 8 8562 2722

For Relais & Châteaux
Natasha Granath
n.granath@relaischateaux.com
+61 2 8218 2149

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