Six New Hotels Join Relais & Châteaux Collection

By Newsdesk Mar 14, 2023 1:47pm

Eight new members have joined the Relais & Châteaux collection. Of these, six are hotels and two restaurants, welcoming guests to Europe (France, Spain and Belgium), the United States (Arizona and Oregon) and Japan.

Here we take a look at the six hotels to have joined the collection:

Noborioji Hotel Nara and Le Bois Restaurant, Nara, Japan

Hotel: 9 rooms and 4 suites

Restaurant Le Bois: 40 seats

Renovated in 2022, Noborioji Hotel Nara is ideally located in the heart of the historic district of Nara, just a few minutes walk away from the traditional monuments of Japan's ancient imperial capital. Not far from the city park where tame deer wander peacefully, it appeals to music, design and nature lovers alike. The contemporary glass and steel building houses nine rooms and four suites, all of which are bright and elegant. Just behind it stands the elegant silhouette of Kōfuku-ji, one of Japan's oldest temples and a landmark of this fascinating World Heritage city.

Like the other temples, one will be able to explore it with Noborioji Hotel Nara staff on private morning or evening tours upon request. Music lovers will enjoy evenings with a classical live concert at Le Bois restaurant, where innovative French cuisine using local ingredients from Nara is offered. In the morning, guests can have a choice of Japanese breakfast.

Mii amo, Sedona, U.S.

Hotel: 23 casitas and suites
Restaurant Hummingbird: 75 seats

Mii amo is in the heart of the spectacular red rock canyon of Boynton, Arizona, two hours out from the Grand Canyon. Not far from the town of Sedona, this sanctuary is one of the world's top spa and wellness destinations.

Dressed in linen, wood and quilts, the rooms open up to the vastness of the landscape dotted, here and there, with cactus and prickly pear trees. All have indoor and outdoor fireplaces, where one can watch the sun set. Renowned for its treatments and unique holistic approach, Mii amo offers all-inclusive stays, including tailor-made treatments and guided meditations.

At the Hummingbird restaurant, the chef favors fresh and ultra-local produce.

Gran Hotel Mas D’en Bruno, Torroja del Priorat, Spain

Opening May 19, 2023
Hotel: 24 suites
Restaurant Tarraco et Vinum: 40 indoor and 80 outdoor seats
Bistrot: 30 seats

The Gran Hotel Mas d'en Bruno is located in the Priorat region, Catalonia's yet to be discovered wine gem. With a wine cellar, three restaurants, a spa and a huge swimming pool where the vines are reflected, the hotel invites guests to a unique experience, off the beaten tracks of wine tourism. The property is nestled in the hills of the Tarragona region, at the foot of picturesque villages such as Siurana.

Adorned with blonde wood, white stone and red marble, the 24 suites will delight opulent design lovers. Before—or after—a visit to the spa built in the old cellar, the Gran Hotel Mas d'en Bruno's sommelier will introduce guests to the best wines of the region and the world, during a private tasting. He will also find the best pairings to accompany the fine dining dinner at the Vinum restaurant, where the chef highlights locally sourced produce from the terroir.

Helguera Palacio Boutique & Antique, Las Presillas, Spain

Hotel: 1 room and 10 suites
Restaurant Trastamara: 40 seats

The Cantabrian countryside is the setting for Helguera Palacio Boutique & Antique, a 17th-century palace which has now become an adults-only hotel. History buff, the interior designer and owner has given the property a unique soul. Some of the carefully sourced antiques on display are available for sale.

Inspired by a historical figure from Spanish or English nobility, the rooms and suites all offer a breathtaking view of the Pasiegos valleys, the bucolic treasure of the Santander region.

The wellness area has a majestic fireplace and partially covered swimming pool, which is entirely open to the landscape. Helguera Palacio Boutique & Antique’s chef, Renzo Orbegoso Hinojosa, offers creative cuisine made with fresh, seasonal and local produce.

Pepe Vieira Restaurant & Hotel, Pontevedra, Spain

Opening in March 2023
Hotel: 14 galpones
Restaurant: 40 seats

Located on the edge of the ocean, just on the western tip of Europe, Pepe Vieira Restaurante & Hotel promises a spectacular culinary experience for thrill-seeking gourmets. During an interactive dinner, one can visit the restaurant’s kitchens, which has been awarded two stars and a green star in the 2023 Michelin guide.

Chef Xosé T. Cannas invites guests to move around the room, a glass bubble set in the middle of nature. He boldly interprets techniques and uses ancestral local produce, rediscovered through research with historians, scientists and anthropologists. He creatively imagines new dishes that exude the essence of Galicia.

One can extend the adventure at the Pepe Vieira Restaurant & Hotel by spending a night in one of the galpones nestled under the vegetation. Their large windows and strikingly natural design will give you the impression of spending a night under the stars.

Tributary Hotel and Restaurant Ōkta, McMinnville, U.S.

Hotel: 8 suites
Restaurant Ōkta: 26 seats

Wine connoisseurs consider the Willamette Valley to be an exemplary region for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Tributary Hotel aims to be its gateway. Vineyard owners Katie Jackson and Shaun Kajiwara were inspired to create this boutique hotel in a century-old traditional brick building, which they discovered largely in its original condition.

Now beautifully restored, the hotel has spacious and inviting suites. The property is home to the innovative restaurant Ōkta helmed by renowned chef Matthew Lightner, who cultivates an unforgettable culinary experience that stretches far beyond Oregon’s borders. Every day, Katie and Shaun’s neighboring farm supplies the kitchen with fresh produce cultivated with regenerative agricultural methods. In the heart of McMinnville, Tributary Hotel seeks to provide a memorable experience of Oregon wine country.