Established in France in 1954, Relais & Châteaux is an exclusive collection of 486 of the finest hotels and gourmet restaurants in 58 countries and across five continents. Its mission is to spread a unique ‘art de vivre’ across the globe by selecting outstanding properties with a truly unique character, sharing a passion for and a personal commitment to ensuring that guests are privy to moments of exceptional harmony.
France and that country currently represents one-third of the company’s portfolio, the rest of Europe representing the second third and the remainder across the rest of the world.
All Relais & Chateaux properties are completely different, according to their location. In India, for example, it has recently incorporated a beautiful new property that is developing very well in terms of growth, and so very distant in terms of style and experience from the company’s origins.
Of course the company also has numerous properties in its more traditional countries, such as France where it has incorporated four properties in the Cote D’Azur region this year alone.
“When the company was first founded its name was La Route du Bonheur, ‘The Road to Happiness’, and we wanted to be perceived as more than just a hotel and restaurant chain, but something of a journey proposition,” explains company President Jaume Tapies. “We would like the market to perceive Relais & Chateaux as the best way to discover the world – if you want to go to the UK, to Toscana, California, New Zealand or British Columbia in Canada, we can offer you the perfect places to discover that country.
“We want to be in the best locations with the most attractive small hotels and restaurants, providing our clients with the very best secret address in which to enjoy the very best that these countries have to offer,” he says.
Relais & Chateaux has certainly increased it presence in more new markets, such as South America, Australia, New Zealand, than in its ‘traditional’ countries. Of course travel is easier than ever – there are airports in the even the most remote locations – and this has provided the company with an opportunity to become a truly global network.
“In terms of development opportunities, we are very focused on locations such as Mexico and Chile in the Americas and more remote destinations such as those in India and South East Asia, and of course China. All of these locations hold great potential for us,” says Tapies. “It may be a slow process but we are more than happy with our progress and are developing extremely well in these countries.”
The company is also watching a number of magnificent palaces and castles throughout Europe, many undergoing renovation that will be completed quite soon.
For the full article, please see the July/August 2010 issue.
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