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This California guide includes Château du Sureau as an intimate and welcoming Relais & Châteaux property with attentive staff and great food and wine offerings – a place that warms the heart and soul of its guests.

At more than 747,000 acres, Yosemite is, well, big, and there are more than a handful of places to rest your muscles between outdoor pursuits. None are quite as exceptional, though, as Chateau du Sureau, a nine-acre storybook escape rising from the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Though this Relais & Chateaux property is just 16 miles from the park, you’ll be wondering whether you’ve landed in the south of France instead, thanks to its Provencal-style architecture (terra-cotta-tiled rooftops, a stone turret, whimsical gardens, and tall cypress trees). The inside is just as enchanting, with 10 romantic rooms featuring wood-burning fireplaces, canopy beds, and private balconies. There’s even a 2,000-square-foot, Parisian-style villa for an extra-secluded getaway.

In Matteo’s story about his California road trip, he positions Château du Sureau as a european-style Relais & Châteaux that organizes exciting tours of Yosemite.

Tucked away near the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains, Château du Sureau is one of those upscale, elegant getaways that just feels like home. The name itself means Elderberry Castle and it feels just like a castle in the mountains, a welcoming sanctuary with 10 gorgeous guest rooms as well as a private two-bedroom private villa known as Villa du Sureau.

With just 10 rooms set on nine acres of gardens, fountains, and towering pines, Château du Sureau feels like a storybook snow-dusted European hideaway—except it’s in California, just 16 miles from Yosemite National Park (also at its most beautiful in the winter). It’s all already so romantic, but add in a champagne and caviar welcome, a three-course dinner in the hotel’s Elderberry House restaurant, and an in-room herbal bath and a perfectly bucolic Valentine’s Day weekend is complete.

Ready for a taste of luxury? Chateau du Sureau is a five-star property in Oakhurst. The dreamy property has a dramatic, high-end appeal, with stone turrets and swanky furnishings. It’s more of a castle than a hotel. The hotel sits on nine acres of private land and has beautiful views of the Sierra Nevada mountains. It offers just ten rooms, and the small layout keeps it a quiet and exclusive atmosphere. Guests enjoy tasteful room designs, with exposed beams, fireplaces, and sometimes even canopy beds. Some room options feature luxuries like 19th-century artwork. For a luxury place to stay in Oakhurst, Chateau du Sureau is the best choice by far. And after all the excitement that Yosemite has to offer, you will welcome the refreshing luxuries Chateau du Sureau has waiting for you each day.

Capture spectacular images in the style of Ansel Adams, the pioneering landscape photographer famed for his iconic, pin-sharp panoramas of the American West, as part of a photography masterclass in Yosemite National Park designed exclusively for Robb Report.

From snowy mountain towns, to quaint southern farms, to tropical getaways, there is a Relais & Châteaux that’s perfect for every traveler to celebrate Christmas and New Year’s.

5 Reasons to Visit® sat down with Culinary Director Chris Flint of The Elderberry House at the 5-Diamond Château du Sureau, Relais & Châteaux, in Oakhurst, California.

This European-inspired Relais & Châteaux property is located near the gateway of Yosemite National Park in California. Its 9-acre grounds, complete with manicured gardens, are reminiscent of manor homes in the French countryside. The property offers several romance experiences and seasonal offers. Activities on your babymoon here could include hiking with a naturalist in Yosemite, relaxing spa treatments, picnics for two and romantic dinners at the Elderberry House.

Elegant tasting menus are available at The Elderberry House for Thanksgiving Dinner, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Dinner. The Narrow Gauge Inn will have a tasty Cuban and Spanish inspired Thanksgiving Dinner menu, and if you’d prefer to stay home, order a prepared family Christmas Bunch to-go from Ducey’s on the Lake!

At Château de Sureau is the pinnacle of fine dining in the Valley. The Oakhurst restaurant is offering a six-course meal starting with quail eggs and foie gras, and ending with a pumpkin dessert (and of course slow-roasted turkey in the middle).

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, the time is now to decide where you and your family want to eat. Fortunately, there are lots of local options this year.

Chris Flint is the newly appointed culinary director of Château du Sureau at the gateway to Yosemite National Park. In this new role, Chef Flint will oversee the culinary operation of Château du Sureau, a Relais & Châteaux resort, and its fine-dining restaurant, Elderberry House. Learn about Chris Flint…

Château du Sureau and The Elderberry House in Oakhurst are very excited to welcome two new, award-winning chefs to their fine establishment. Chef Chris Flint oversees the culinary operations of Château du Sureau and The Elderberry House as well as their sister properties First & Oak and their soon-to-debut restaurant, The Mulholland.

In this edition of Empowered Women Empower, join us for a peek inside the inspiring world of Rani Grube. As the general manager of the enchanting Château du Sureau, Rani’s story is sure to empower anyone who reads it. The only luxury hotel option near California’s amazing Yosemite National Park, Château du Sureau is a true hidden gem. And one that shines even brighter thanks to Rani’s natural ability to create an environment of true luxury for the hotel’s guests. Read on and be empowered by Rani’s journey through life from the harrowing Rwandan genocide to GM of Château du Sureau and her passion for hospitality.

DDR Hospitality has named Chris Flint as culinary director. In his new role, Chef Flint will oversee the culinary operation of Château du Sureau, a Relais & Châteaux resort at the gateway to Yosemite National Park, and its fine-dining Elderberry House restaurant. He will also lead the food and beverage operation at First & Oak restaurant at the Mirabelle Inn in Solvang, California, and The Mulholland, a forthcoming restaurant set to open in Calabasas, California, in 2023. Before joining DDR Hospitality, Flint was the executive chef at Maude in Beverly Hills. He also spent 10 years with Make It Nice Hospitality, where among other positions he was chef de cuisine at the company’s flagship restaurant, Eleven Madison Park restaurant in New York; and oversaw the company’s expansion at the NoMad Los Angeles and NoMad Las Vegas.

In the Bay Area, Dustin Falcon (Niku) cut the tape on modern American Rosemary and Pine in the Design District. Michael Garcia (Farallon) unveiled three new restaurants at Cavallo Point: comfort food spot Farley, small plates venture Sula, and Sula Lounge. Scott Nishiyama introduced a fine-dining Japanese-American venture, Ethel’s Fancy, in Palo Alto. The Clancy welcomed Nelson Ramirez as executive chef of its restaurant, Seven…

Former Los Angeles chef Chris Flint, who served as executive chef at a pair of Michelin-recognized restaurants in Southern California, has been named the new culinary director of DRR Hospitality, which oversees Château du Sureau and its Elderberry House restaurant near Oakhurst.

DDR Hospitality, Oakhurst, California, has appointed Chris Flint as culinary director. Previously, Flint was the executive chef at Fellow restaurant in Los Angeles, California.

A taste of European sophistication alongside some of America’s most stunning views — that’s what’s on offer at Château du Sureau, a nine-acre “country house resort” resting in the Sierra Nevada foothills. With only 10 guest rooms and the exquisite Villa du Sureau, accommodations here can also be a task to come by.

“I recommend booking a private or group tour the first day and going on your own the second day to further explore a spot that captured your heart or piqued your interest,” Keri-Jo Miles, the concierge at the  Château du Sureau hotel, tells Best Life. “Another option is to plan your ‘big’ hike on the first day and then play ‘tourist’ on the second to visit ‘must-see’ highlights.”

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When it comes to accommodations, you can’t do much better than Château du Sureau, a nine-acre castle resort about 16 miles from Yosemite National Park. The Provencal-inspired property features ten elegant rooms (and one private villa), a full-service spa, an outdoor pool, and expansive gardens.

The Grand Epicurean Villa Experience offered at Château du Sureau, a luxurious nine-acre country house resort tucked away among the green foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains, is the ultimate way to enjoy the Relais and Châteaux property and its majestic neighbor, the majestic Yosemite National Park.

Warm, dry weather, flowing waterfalls, and spring flowers make May a beautiful time in Yosemite. Summer crowds are a month away, and you can enjoy the park’s natural beauty as well as the Yosemite History Center and Yosemite Climbing Museum & Gallery. 

I know I took a few liberties here and tweaked the drink but hope you agree it was worth it to be included in the roundup! TZR offers fashion, beauty and lifestyle finds from celebrity stylist, Rachel Zoe. Coverage includes shoes, accessories, handbags, apparel and more (UVM: 465,776).

Best of both worlds at Yosemite: Château du Sureau, a nine-acre castle resort set in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, is offering a combined European escape in California with a Yosemite dream trip. It includes a two-day/one-night backpacking and hiking adventure with one’s own private naturalist guide and chef.

Reminiscent of the French 75 and found in the Château du Sureau’s Cellar Bar, this classic cocktail nods at the local elderberries for which the hidden gem is named. Comprised of elderflower liqueur, gin, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and brut bubbles, it’s as crisp as the surrounding mountain air.

Château du Sureau, 16 miles from the entrance to Yosemite National Park, is a 9-acre haven at the edge of the Sierra. Its 10 rooms are full of European flourishes, and there’s a two-bedroom villa if you’re looking to shoot the moon. (This is a popular site for weddings). There are spa services. Its restaurant, the Elderberry House, will offer a seven-course,

Located in Oakhurst, California, Château du Sureau sits on nine acres outside Yosemite National Park. With only 10 exclusive rooms, each one is elegant, luxurious, and French-inspired, making it the perfect romantic hideaway this February. The Treasured Romance package includes breakfast, champagne and chocolate strawberries, a couples’s massage or facial, and a Valentine’s Day tasting menu for two.

Let’s assume you’ve been faithfully following your New Year’s resolutions to get in shape. Maybe you’ve been attending your new gym or trying some of the myriad of outdoor activities. It’s time for a reward, in this case a decadent reward.

OAKHURST–***UPDATED 12/15/2021*** Holiday festivities abound all over the mountain area. Below is a sampling of what’s available. If you don’t see something that grabs your fancy, keep checking back. This article will be updated as new information comes across the desk.

January is often considered one of the bleakest months of the year. The excitement of the holidays has worn off, it’s unbearably cold (for most of us), restrictive New Year resolution diets have begun, and there’s nothing ahead but a long, interminable winter.

This Fall and Winter, Château du Sureau’s award-winning The Elderberry House has created two tastings to experience the best of world-class wines and champagne. It’s Perfect for date-night, pre-holiday get-together, or an opportunity to reconnect with a friend, these events pair perfectly with a night at the Château, or one of their other holiday dining events.

When we encounter someone with luminous, youthful skin, our first instinct is to interrogate them about what products they use. But what few pursuers of perfect complexions think to consider is that how one applies a serum or moisturizer is just as important as the formula itself.

Château du Sureau provides a European escape at the gateway to a beloved national park.

For travelers to Yosemite National Park in search of the perfect combination of comfort and adventure, an under-the-radar château combines the ambiance of European luxury with quick access to the spectacular views of one of California’s most beloved landscapes.

For travelers to Yosemite National Park in search of the perfect combination of comfort and adventure, an under-the-radar château combines the ambiance of European luxury with quick access to the spectacular views of one of California’s most beloved landscapes.

California’s “Gold Country” towns are known for mid-19th century architecture, historic parks (many of which are former mines), and proximity to Yosemite National Park. But luxury hotels are not exactly on every corner in this neck of the woods.

While California might not have an abundance of flaming red maple trees, it does feature scenic Highway 49, better known as the Gold Rush Trail. You can head out of historic Oakhurst to check out its mining past and drive up into the Sierra Nevada foothills where you’ll find aspens and dogwoods in full color.

This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page. Whether you are back commuting to the office, still stuck at home, or dealing with the craziness of having your kids back in school, you’ll probably need a break by November.

“ Traditional European service and the allure of fine dining. Your fairy tale getaway awaits at Château du Sureau. “ The Estate by the Elderberries is comprised of the luxurious Relais & Châteaux, Château du Sureau; the award-winning The Elderberry House Restaurant; the relaxing Spa du Sureau; and the private Villa Sureau.

Fall paints leafy landscapes with rich red, gold and orange shades that are so picture-perfect, you will want to pack your bags and hit the road to see them in person. Of course, many of these destinations are parks and mountains.

Summer has finally given way to fall, which honestly doesn’t mean much to those of us who call Los Angeles home. Aside from vaguely cooler temperatures and shorter days, our city remains as green and temperate as ever.

You may not consider the west coast a prime spot for foliage viewing, but California’s Madeira County will surprise and delight you. Here, you’ll find Château du Sureau. The palatial-inspired hotel is tucked away in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Throughout the month of October, Château du Sureau will offer private tours of the park — complete with a lovely picnic spread.

From nature-covered campgrounds to historic lodges in tiny towns, various styles of accommodation populate the wondrous wooded areas in and around Yosemite National Park. None are quite like Oakhurst, California’s Château du Sureau, an elegant retreat etched into nine hillside acres with views of the Sierra Nevada mountains.

Everyone should visit Yosemite National Park at least once. The bucket-list destination comprises more than 1,000 square miles, with natural wonders like Half Dome and Glacier Point, and tons of waterfalls. You can see the more calm side of the park at Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias.

Château du Sureau, a Relais & Châteaux property, is a 5-star luxury hotel possessing a European fairy tale feel with a majestic stone turret, manicured gardens, and cozy interiors. Located in the foothills of the Sierras near Yosemite, the Château du Sureau is about a 20-minute drive to the South Gate.

Fifteen miles from Yosemite’s South Entrance, in Oakhurst, you’ll find mountain curio gift shops and a strip of chain motels, plus boating and fishing in nearby Bass Lake. Spoil yourself at the ultraluxurious Château du Sureau, with villas and suites fit for French royalty on a mountain estate southwest of town. 

Château du Sureau, a Relais & Châteaux hotel near Yosemite National Park, in Oakhurst, Calif., where rooms average close to $1,000 a night, is so busy with bookings that owner Jonathan Rosenson said that he needed to add a second reservationist.

Just 16 miles (25 km) from Yosemite National Park, the five-diamond Château du Sureau offers a luxurious base from which to explore, with 10 graciously appointed rooms. But for true seclusion, opt for its exclusive-use Villa du Sureau—a 2,000 square-foot (185 sq m) Parisian-style retreat, hidden behind a private-gated entrance within the hotel’s grounds.

You think of epic outdoor adventures when it comes to Yosemite. But with the vistas and secluded forests, it’s also romantic. Fall is perfect for a backcountry day hike. Many couples choose Cathedral Peak for the perfect spot to pop the question.

The Yosemite Excursion at Château du Sureau combines Five Diamond luxury with breathing natural beauty amidst the green foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains. The inspired nature outing experience includes a private Yosemite trip for two with gourmet picnic lunch, two-night stay, seasonal welcome beverage upon arrival, and breakfast for two each morning.

Yosemite National Park is one of the great attractions of the state of California, which captivates with its more than 3,000 square kilometers of waterfalls, valleys, giant redwoods and incredible granite peaks. In this wonderful setting, located at the gateway to this natural paradise, stands the luxurious Château du Sureau hotel.

For those missing Europe, this European-intoned retreat, located at the gateway to Yosemite National Park, eases that pain and longing for far-flung travel. Founded by an Austrian intent on bringing part of her Old World élan to northern California, this castle-like hotel and its compound reference the French countryside. 

This modern-day stately château may be in Oakhurst, California, but it’s reminiscent of a centuries-old, storied castle in the French countryside. Settled within a nine-acre property in the rolling foothills just outside Yosemite National Park, the 10-room Château du Sureau is a beacon of Old World charm.

Château du Sureau is a 5-star luxury hotel in Oakhurst, California. The hotel has a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars based on 316 visitor reviews on TripAdvisor. Primary property amenities include yoga classes, free parking and breakfast, boating and babysitting.

Château du Sureau is a 5-star luxury hotel in Oakhurst, California. The hotel has a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars based on 316 visitor reviews on TripAdvisor. Primary property amenities include yoga classes, free parking and breakfast, boating and babysitting. Rooms are allergy free and soundproof with amenities that include features like flat screen TVs, master bed, luxury bathrooms etc.

Château du Sureau near Yosemite National Park. This Relais & Châteaux member is 16 miles from the entrance to the 1200 square mile park in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains. Due to COVID regulations, visitors must have reservations to enter the park which the resort can arrange along with activities such as boat rentals for canoeing, fishing or just floating along on Bass Lake, fly fishing with a guide on the Merced River, trail rides on horseback and off road adventures.

The next morning, a three-course breakfast of freshly baked croissants, custardy fruit tarts, yogurt parfaits, and herbaceous egg frittatas awaits on the patio. If I’ve ever had a more elaborate hotel breakfast in the U.S., I can’t recall it.

Nestled in rolling foothills at the gateway to Yosemite, Château du Sureau is reminiscent of the French countryside. The property has 10 rooms, each inspired by the South of France and individually decorated—the 2,000-square-foot Villa du Sureau, with two bedrooms and a library, is the most impressive of them all.

Château Du Sureau feels straight out of a European storybook, and the estate is reminiscent of the French countryside that’s compelled visitors for centuries. The resort’s elegant interior, with guest rooms named after herbs and flowers found in the Provence region, showcases European antiques, tapestries and artwork.

Last year, before the world was upended by the coronavirus outbreak, I took a trip to Greece, specifically to the islands of the Cyclades. At the time of writing, travelers from the United States are still subject to quarantine requirements on arrival in Athens.

The rest of the world might not understand our winters, but Southern Californians know. We recognize that great things happen in these months ahead. It’s not just holiday lights and snow in the mountains but whale migrations, elephant seal love-ins, butterfly conventions and “Nutcracker” productions, pandemic permitting. Also excellent surf. Easier desert hikes.