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Hotels
The most beautiful Relais et Châteaux in the world
Perched palaces, chefs’ tables and exceptional villas: in over 60 years of existence, the Relais & Châteaux brand has established itself as a benchmark for hotel excellence. From the Baux-de-Provence to the reserves of Sri Lanka, Yonder Society has selected ten of the world’s finest Relais & Châteaux addresses.
In France
1. Baumanière, Les Baux-de-Provence
The Domaine de Baumanière lies at the foot of Les Baux-de-Provence, at the heart of a wild, mineral landscape of vineyards, garrigue and olive groves. A hamlet of Provencal farmhouses comprising five buildings, it also boasts a spa, three swimming pools, two vegetable gardens and ponds lined with paths where you can enjoy Provencal tranquillity. At the three-Michelin-starred restaurant l'Oustau de Baumanière, chef Glenn Viel operates with respect for local traditions and nature as his credo. It's one of Provence's finest hotels, attracting many celebrities in search of privacy and relaxed luxury, but also quite simply one of France's favorite gourmet restaurants.
Good to know? Like a Provencal village, the Relais et Châteaux, masterfully managed by Jean-André Charial, recently inaugurated its Place des Artisans, featuring local crafts, a ceramics workshop and a chocolate factory.
Baumanière
53 rooms and suites, from €372 per night
900 Route d'Arles, 13520 Les Baux-de-Provence
2. Cap d'Antibes Beach Hôtel, a beautiful Relais et Châteaux in Antibes
After months of renovation, this legendary Cap d'Antibes hotel is reborn under the Adresses Hôtel banner. A 5-star hotel with its feet in the water (a privilege, since it's the only establishment on the Côte d'Azur where you can reach the Mediterranean sands from your room), featuring a private beach in rosy hues, an infinity pool with a sea view, and rooms with a mineral decor orchestrated by Bernard Dubois. The day continues at the Rotonde bar, open all day long, at the Levantine Baba table of Michelin-starred Israeli chef Assaf Granit, or at Les Pêcheurs, a veritable institution since 1940. Here, chef Nicolas Rondelli offers an exquisite menu inspired by local producers and the catch delivered each morning by Tony, whose boat is located in front of the hotel.
Good to know? Wooden massage cabins hidden in the vegetation offer treatments by Holidermie, and yoga and Pilates classes are provided by Le Tigre Yoga. The perfect way to make the most of one of the finest Relais et Châteaux on the Riviera.
Cap d'Antibes Beach Hotel
35 keys from €591 per night.
10 Boulevard Maréchal Juin, 06160 Cap d'Antibes
In Europe
3. Fontenille Santa Ponsa, Minorca, Spain
In this finca on the wildest island of the Balearic Islands, Domaines de Fontenille has set up its fourth address. The traditional 17th-century listed architecture has been faithfully restored and opens onto 100 hectares of lush Mediterranean gardens (also listed). In the shade of the palms and orange groves of this garden of Eden, Fontenille Santa Ponsa is an ode to slow life and well-being, perfect for a relaxing weekend. Its restaurant, Nura, offers Spanish cuisine revisited around the island's produce, some of which comes from the hotel's own vegetable garden. The facilities, from indoor pool to sauna, hammam to gym and the Susanne Kaufmann spa in imposing 18th-century cisterns, make this a Menorca destination close to nature.
Good to know? Yoga classes are offered on the clifftop every morning at 8am. And at 4 p.m., the chef offers guests a homemade cake to enjoy on the terrace. Just like in a real guesthouse.
Fontenille Santa Ponsa
22 keys, from 270€ per night.
Carretera Llucalari - Finca Santa Ponsa 07730 Alaior - Spain
The listed 17th-century architecture has been faithfully restored and opens onto 100 hectares of Mediterranean gardens
4. Il San Pietro di Positano, Positano, Italy
It took a century for one of Positano's oldest guesthouses to become one of the world's finest Relais & Châteaux. As if suspended above the sea, the hotel is at one with the cliff that shelters it. The tennis court was built into the rock, as was the 90 m elevator to the sea. The rooms have recently been renovated in collaboration with local craftsmen, retaining their original Baroque spirit and evoking the heyday of the Italian dolce vita.
Good to know? The cuisine boasts one of the few in the world where everything is homemade, from bread and ice cream to dishes from the Michelin-starred Zass to the beach club atmosphere of Carlino .
Il san Pietro Di Positano
59 keys from €1,810 per night.
San Pietro S.p.A., via Laurito, 2-84017 Positano (SA)
The most beautiful Relais & Châteaux in the world
5. Wild Coast Tented Lodge, Yala, Sri Lanka
Not far from Yala National Park in south-east Sri Lanka, Wild Coast Tented Lodge is a luxury tented camp set between jungle and beach. Designed like white egg-shaped cocoons, the tents feature parquet floors, copper bathtubs and colonial-style furniture, as well as their own private plunge pools. The natural park, famous for its leopard population, can be explored alongside the camp's naturalists, and every year, sea turtles come to lay their eggs on the coastal dunes opposite the hotel. A place out of this world and out of time, making it one of the most beautiful Relais & Châteaux in the world.
Good to know? As the estate is not fenced in, it's not uncommon to share your vacation with sloths, monkeys and wild boars.
Wild CoastTented Lodge
28 keys, from €487 per night.
Resplendent Ceylon Ltd, 46/38, Nawam Mawatha, Colombo 02, Sri Lanka
6. 20 Degres Sud Hotel, Grand Baie, Mauritius
This tropical Relais et Châteaux embodies the elegance and exclusivity of a boutique hotel, the first of its kind on the island, offering an authentic experience without sacrificing comfort... Nestled in a peaceful, private setting, this 5-star hotel in Mauritius invites travelers to discover the island at their own pace, while enjoying personalized, attentive service. With its small private beach lined with coconut palms and its private estates, the adult-only hotel offers a haven of peace where you can recharge your batteries while still being close to the attractions of Grand Baie, where you'll go in the Mini Moke rented by the hotel in Mauritius. The intimate seaside atmosphere permeates the public areas and rooms, creating an ideal retreat for those seeking both adventure and tranquility around one of the two freshwater pools where sun loungers and cabanas await.
Hotel 20 Degrés Sud's 36 rooms and suites reveal a blend of comfort and elegance, each individually decorated with antiques, large and airy, some less than ten meters from the water. Whether you're enjoying breakfast on your room's balcony among the coconut palms, or lazing around in the waterfront Austral suites, each accommodation is designed to offer an unforgettable stay. Facilities include private terraces or balconies, Nespresso machines and even swimming pools or whirlpool baths for certain suites, guaranteeing absolute comfort.
When it comes to dining and entertainment, guests can enjoy refined Mauritian cuisine at L'Explorateur, or a romantic dinner by the pool. Guests can also enjoy light lunches at the beach bar La Voile and take part in cooking classes to discover local flavors. In addition to gastronomic experiences, the Relais & Châteaux offers cruises on a vintage 1920s motorboat, Lady Lisbeth, or traditional pirogue trips to the northern islands, offering guests total immersion in the culture and cuisine of Mauritius.
20 Degres Sud Hotel
36 keys, from €420 per night
Coastal Road, Pointe Malartic, 00230 Grand Baie, Mauritius
All locations are independently selected by our specialist journalists. If you make a reservation, we may receive an affiliate commission.