NEWS

WIRES

OTHER

Photos: Relais & Chateaux Announces 2010 Members

NEW YORK, Nov. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Relais & Chateaux, a collection of the world's finest charming hotels and gourmet restaurants, announced its newest members at its annual Congress in Biarritz, France. A total of 31 properties have been accepted, bringing the total membership in the travel association to 475 members in 57 countries.

To view the Multimedia News Release, go to: http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/robertmarston/41271/

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091119/NY14775 )

Five of the newest Relais & Chateaux members are hotels located in North America: Windham Hill, in West Townshend, Vermont; Trout Point Lodge of Nova Scotia, Canada; Esperanza, in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; Hotel St. Germain, in Dallas, Texas; and Sonora Resort in British Columbia, Canada. In addition, current member Hotel Le Toiny, in St. Barthelemy, was named a Grand Chef Relais & Chateaux.

The addition this year of the Hotel St. Germain in Dallas, along with Hotel Raphael in Rome and The Connaught in London -- represents a shift in strategy for Relais & Chateaux, which traditionally has had its roots in country hotel properties. The Association is in the process of identifying additional hotels in locations such as Los Angeles, Boston and Chicago as part of an initiative to expand its presence in cities worldwide.

"Our expansion into city hotels will enable us to offer more travelers a true Relais & Chateaux experience," said Jaume Tapies, international president of Relais & Chateaux. "For many travelers, a city is often the first stop on their itinerary, and a Relais & Chateaux city hotel will welcome them to a new destination in a unique and extraordinary way. Our city hotels, like our other members, will be selected for their ability to convey a true sense of place to our guests, allowing them to recognize where they are in the world in a way that chain hotels cannot."

In addition to the North American properties, other new Relais & Chateaux members include 17 properties in Europe, two in Africa, five in Asia, one in South America, and one in Australia. Three countries, Hungary, Macao and Taiwan, are newly represented this year. Additionally, four of the 21 members have been awarded the title of Grands Chefs Relais & Chateaux. All members are listed in the newly published 2010 Guide, which has been enhanced this year to include a section dedicated to family travel, highlighting activities for children.

About Relais & Chateaux:

Relais & Chateaux is an exclusive collection of 475 of the finest charming hotels and gourmet restaurants in 57 countries. Established in France in 1954, the Association's mission is to spread its unique art de vivre across the globe by selecting outstanding properties with a truly unique character. Furthermore, Relais & Chateaux is also a family of hoteliers and Grands Chefs from all over the world who share a passion for and a personal commitment to ensuring their guests are privy to moments of exceptional harmony, an unforgettable celebration of the senses. From the vineyards in the Napa Valley to the beaches in Bali, from the olive trees in Provence, to the lodges in South Africa, Relais & Chateaux offers all the stops on the finest route for discovering each special place and country.

SOURCE Relais & Chateaux