London: Luxury hotel brand Relais & Châteaux has launched a portfolio of 500 villas across 30 countries, in a bid to set a new standard in bespoke travel and fulfil pent-up demand.
Villas by Relais & Châteaux is aiming to offer a diverse range of spacious and secluded properties, carefully curated to meet the high levels of service synonymous with the association.
Responding to changing consumer attitudes and a desire to increase confidence in travelling in the current climate, it represents the first time that Relais & Chateaux has presented a standalone collection of properties outside of a hotel setting, and one that it hopes will offer a new vision for the hospitality sector.
Promising a “truly customisable” experience, the “unparalleled” focus on food and drink firmly is what the luxury brand believes will distinguish Villas by Relais & Châteaux from the wider industry. In addition, it says that guests are guaranteed the same service they could expect if they were staying in a Relais & Châteaux hotel.
Villas by Relais & Châteaux places a strong emphasis on providing guests with only the highest levels of attention and care, including offering Michelin-starred chefs, private on-site spa treatments, and specialist babysitting services, while many properties also benefit from additional features such as private pools, beaches, hot tubs and tennis courts.
Staycation seekers will be able to enjoy shepherd huts at Lympstone Manor in Devon, The Lake House at Gilpin in the Lake District, country cottages at Lucknam Park in Wiltshire, apartments by 11 Cadogan Gardens in Chelsea, the brand new cottages from Farlam Hall in Cumbria [launching on 17 May], and more to be announced.
The launch is complemented with a fully searchable site that will enable guests to discover villas by destination or by holiday interest; categories include beachside, private pools, call of the wild, wine lovers, romantic, travel with friends, travel with children, cosy cottages, in the mountains, and more.
Relais & Châteaux runs a 580-strong, largely family-run network of hotels and restaurants across 30 different countries, including France, Italy, Canada, United States and Mexico. All properties within the new Villas by Relais & Châteaux collection are subject to strict criteria, with the aim of amplifying the group’s defining ethos of family spirit, local anchorage [celebrating local culture and customs] and excellent cuisine.
A ruthless selection criteria was applied to ensure quality and privacy of accommodation, and guarantee a genuine sense of space and seclusion.
Each villa is available to rent exclusively, boasts private access and has no adjoining properties [with the exception of inner-city villas]. Each has a minimum of 70 square metres in internal space, including dedicated indoor dining spaces, and outdoor terraces big enough to celebrate on [one permitted].
The collection seeks to give guests more control over their stay and confidence in the safety of the family and friends with whom they are travelling.
Commenting on the launch, Philippe Gombert, president of Relais & Châteaux, said: “Guests of Villas by Relais & Châteaux can expect the same level of refined service as if they were staying in one of our hotels – how much they want and when is entirely up to them. Now, more than ever, our guests value personal space and our collection of incredible villas can give them confidence and peace of mind – without compromising on hospitality.
“Villas by Relais & Châteaux is an essential component of our ability to evolve and thrive as we begin to think beyond the pandemic,” he added.
