34 Privately-Owned Hotels & Restaurants Join the Global Association
Relais & Châteaux today announced the addition of 34 new members to the global association of 470 of the finest hotels and gourmet restaurants in 55 countries. The announcement was made during the association's esteemed annual International Congress that is taking place in Washington, DC, November 25-28.
The 2008 Relais & Châteaux new members hail from such countries as Argentina, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Greece, Italy and the United States. The seven new North American members will bring the total number of Relais & Châteaux properties in the association's North American market to 67.
'We are tremendously proud and honored to welcome 34 outstanding new members to the Relais & Châteaux association,' said Jaume Tàpies, president of Relais & Châteaux. 'Each of these new members exemplifies the association's enduring dedication to quality as well as the 'spirit' that distinguishes the association through the five ideals - sense of place, harmony, being, personal generosity and fellowship.'
To qualify for membership, hotels and restaurants must assemble an application file that testifies to its exclusive nature and makes a case for its adherence to the qualities and ideals that define Relais & Châteaux. These materials are examined to assess the establishment's qualifications. The property is then visited anonymously by an independent evaluation company that reviews hundreds of important criteria, as well as by current Relais & Châteaux member management. Their reports are rigorously reviewed by the Board of Directors and finally, at the annual Board of Directors meeting every year, a decision is made about Relais & Châteaux membership. Typically the process can take up to several years.
In addition to welcoming the association's 34 new members for 2008, the 33rd International Congress of Relais & Châteaux has attracted some 500 of the world's most respected hoteliers and chefs including Patrick O'Connell from the Inn at Little Washington, Thomas Keller of The French Laundry and Per Se and more. During this assemblage, the Congress has also addressed its membership synergies, marketing strategies and strategic partnerships. Participants have attended International Congress events in the National Building Museum, Union Station, Ronald Regan Building and International Trade Center, and the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium.
Following is a list of the new 2008 Relais & Châteaux members:
Europe
Hostellerie La Butte Aux Bois, Belgium
Kong Hans Kaelder, Denmark
Lower Slaughter Manor, England
Au Soldat de L'An II, France
Flocons de Sel, France
Château de Bagnols, France
Villa Augusta, France
GästeHaus Erfort, Germany
Imaret, Greece
Bauer Palladio Hotel & Spa, Italy
Arnolfo Ristorante, Italy
Hotel Airds, Scotland
Valdepalacios, Spain
Mas de Canicatti, Spain
Grand Hôtel du Lac, Switzerland
South America
Cavas Wine Lodge, Argentina
El Colibri, Argentina
Pousada Estrela D'Agua, Brazil
North America
Manoir Hovey, Canada
Wedgewood Hotel & Spa, Canada
Castle Hill Inn & Resort, United States
The Inn at Dos Brisas, United States
Restaurant Bel-Air, United States
L'Auberge Carmel, United States
Restaurant Cyrus, United States
Australia
Jonah's Australia
Asia
The Pavilions Bali, Bali
Heritage Suites Hotel, Cambodia
Kanetanaka, Japan
Japamala Resort, Malaysia
Tamarind Springs Restaurant, Malaysia
The Eugenia, Thailand
The Pavilions Phuket, Thailand
The Rachamankha, Thailand
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