Chateau du Sureau
Hotel · Madera County ·
European luxury with fireplaces, balconies, and spa amenities
European luxury with fireplaces, balconies, and spa amenities
"I see Château du Sureau as the place to combine luxury with Yosemite adventure: this nine-acre Relais & Châteaux country house resort evokes the South of France, offers 10 guest rooms plus an expansive 2,000-square-foot manor, and pairs upscale lodging with fine dining on site." - Carrie Dennis Carrie Dennis Carrie Dennis is a New York City-based writer and editor with more than a decade of content strategy experience. Her work has appeared in Travel + Leisure, Gothamist, Time magazine, Men’s Journal, Redbook, and Thrillist. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"Tucked away on nine private acres of lavishly landscaped Sierra Nevada foothills is a storybook castle that looks like it belongs in Provence. Chateau du Sureau is a boutique hotel that has been touted as “the most luxurious stay near Yosemite,” and it’s easy to see why. From its ten elegantly appointed guest rooms with fireplaces to its secluded two-bedroom villa and European-inspired spa (the lavender blossom body polish is a must), the Chateau effortlessly blends first-class service and the outdoors. After an adventurous day in the park, be sure to enjoy togarashi seared ahi and Maine diver scallops at the on-site Elderberry House restaurant." - Emily Pennington
"Set on nine secluded acres of towering sugar pine, Douglas fir, and ponderosa trees and located about a 20-minute drive from Yosemite, this castle-like luxury retreat evokes an Old-World French château with antique-filled rooms, a grand salon with a floor-to-ceiling brick fireplace and a grand piano that Yo-Yo Ma once played. The property began as a fine-dining project by Austrian founder Erna Kubin-Clanin—its on-site restaurant opened in 1984 and the hotel followed in 1989—and many furnishings were sourced from European auctions, including a suite’s wooden bedroom set said to have belonged to a German princess. There are 10 individually designed guest rooms (plus a two-bedroom villa), each themed after flowers and herbs from southern France and featuring thoughtful touches like L’Occitane bath amenities, Gugelhupf and a bottle of the owner’s organic wine on arrival, carved metal keychains denoting each room’s plant, and nightly turndown treats with handwritten notes. Dining centers on a seasonal, California-focused six-course tasting menu created by a recently appointed culinary director with Michelin-level experience—examples include marinated ahi tuna with radish and sorrel, black truffle tortellini, and smoked duck breast with strawberry—while a stone-walled bar area offers more casual fare such as raclette burgers and butternut squash pappardelle; guests can choose expert wine pairings or explore an 800-plus bottle cellar. Grounds and amenities include gardens with hidden pathways, a wooden swing, giant chessboard, bocce court, outdoor pool, and a separate full-service spa; staff provide concierge services ranging from spa bookings to arranged Yosemite excursions and picnics. Note that the property has one accessible guest room (the “Thyme Room”) and ADA-compliant pathways to the restaurant and spa, but other rooms may present mobility challenges." - Bailey Berg
"A Relais & Châteaux country house resort offering European luxury with quick access to Yosemite National Park. It features 10 unique guest rooms inspired by herbs and flowers from the south of France, with amenities like wood-burning fireplaces and private balconies." - Jill K. Robinson Jill K. Robinson Jill K. Robinson’s words and images have appeared in more than 50 publications, including Travel + Leisure, Afar, National Geographic, Condé Nast Traveler, Outside, and more. Jill is
"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." - Travel + Leisure Editors
