Best country hotels?
Jun 5, 2013 | 8:35 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: World Wide
Programs: Relais & Chteaux
Posts: 206
Best country hotels?
My best travel experiences have been in country hotels. There is nothing I love more than having a luxurious local experience and excellent food.
My favourite is Ballyfin. I am looking for something at the same level. Grand Hotel a Villa Feltrinelli is recommended on this forum, but can anyone give me names of upper highend country hotels that delivers?
Many thank you in advance!
Mogens
My favourite is Ballyfin. I am looking for something at the same level. Grand Hotel a Villa Feltrinelli is recommended on this forum, but can anyone give me names of upper highend country hotels that delivers?
Many thank you in advance!
Mogens
Jun 6, 2013 | 3:12 am
#2
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: CDG, SFO
Posts: 211
My best travel experiences have been in country hotels. There is nothing I love more than having a luxurious local experience and excellent food.
My favourite is Ballyfin. I am looking for something at the same level. Grand Hotel a Villa Feltrinelli is recommended on this forum, but can anyone give me names of upper highend country hotels that delivers?
Many thank you in advance!
Mogens
My favourite is Ballyfin. I am looking for something at the same level. Grand Hotel a Villa Feltrinelli is recommended on this forum, but can anyone give me names of upper highend country hotels that delivers?
Many thank you in advance!
Mogens
Jun 6, 2013 | 7:30 am
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,871
mogensglistrup, was ballyfin "life changing" ?
you need to consider how much you value each aspect
Twin Farms is another unique countryside all-inclusive
The Point is more like ballyfin in terms of history/formality
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxur...ot-missed.html >
Villa Feltrinelli - cadogan1, Groombridge, Londonjetsetter
other best are probably in new zealand and africa (like south africa)
(new zealand more "countryside" than australia)
then some similar "above average" in UK, france, italy, US
im curious about the most luxurious places in south america, like argentina
one of the types of place this would include would be wine places, incl in chile
if only there was time machine for historical in their prime incl aman managed
you need to consider how much you value each aspect
Twin Farms is another unique countryside all-inclusive
The Point is more like ballyfin in terms of history/formality
Ballyfin is interesting. It is very new, so needs some work, but is without doubt a unique hotel, full of museum quality antiques that are literally lying around the place rather than locked up in cabinets. Dinner is a multi-course gourmet experience of a very high quality, but they are very flexible, so you can create your own meals in discussion with the Exec Chef - a very Aman concept.
Not sure you can compare Feltrinelli with Ballyfin. Feltrinelli has such a stunning setting by the lake and interiors are done by Pamela Babey of BAMO, under Bob Burns, so lots of hotel expertise which means rooms/suites are relatively ergonomic (i.e. electrical sockets in the right place).
Ballyfin is a living museum, very houseparty in style, but the dour Irish landscape cannot really compete with Feltrinelli. North Americans will love it because of the history and white-glove dinner service. Europeans probably less so as they are not so impressed with history as it tends to surround them.
Ballyfin is a living museum, very houseparty in style, but the dour Irish landscape cannot really compete with Feltrinelli. North Americans will love it because of the history and white-glove dinner service. Europeans probably less so as they are not so impressed with history as it tends to surround them.
Villa Feltrinelli - cadogan1, Groombridge, Londonjetsetter
other best are probably in new zealand and africa (like south africa)
(new zealand more "countryside" than australia)
then some similar "above average" in UK, france, italy, US
im curious about the most luxurious places in south america, like argentina
one of the types of place this would include would be wine places, incl in chile
if only there was time machine for historical in their prime incl aman managed
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Jun 6, 2013 at 9:00 am
Jun 6, 2013 | 8:51 am
#7
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: my heart is on the shores of the north Italian lakes
Programs: LX Senator Lifetime, Relais&Chateaux Club5C, ex ! "Amanjunkie", ex LHW LC, hate chain hotels
Posts: 2,668
This website is your friend www.relaischateaux.com . Many unique properties, lovingly managed with consistently high food quality.
They tend to be more historical in Europe and more upmarket in the Southern Hemisphere.
Australia has few of them, but you can look at www.luxurylodgesofaustralia.com with the all time "I wish would be Relais & Chteaux" and best of the best: The Southern Ocean Lodge.
Jun 7, 2013 | 4:43 am
#8
Join Date: Feb 2003
Programs: UA1K, *G & Wife of UA1K MM
Posts: 3,525
This is a list MilesFromTokyo provided for a similar thread about the US....
Twin Farms
The Point
Amangiri
Amangani
Lake Placid Lodge
Blackberry Farm
Four Seasons Jackson Hole
Auberge du Soleil
Off the top of my head, I would say most Amans worldwide.
Dar Ahlam in Morocco
Many Relais and Chateaux (but not all)
Chateau les Crayeres
Wolgan Valley???? Not been myself but want to go.
We enjoyed Lucknam Park, but I'm not sure if it is ready for this list yet. Perhaps Coworth Park and Chewton Glen.
Twin Farms
The Point
Amangiri
Amangani
Lake Placid Lodge
Blackberry Farm
Four Seasons Jackson Hole
Auberge du Soleil
Off the top of my head, I would say most Amans worldwide.
Dar Ahlam in Morocco
Many Relais and Chateaux (but not all)
Chateau les Crayeres
Wolgan Valley???? Not been myself but want to go.
We enjoyed Lucknam Park, but I'm not sure if it is ready for this list yet. Perhaps Coworth Park and Chewton Glen.
Jun 7, 2013 | 6:42 am
#10
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 324
I could not agree more with you ! Starwood, Hilton and Co. (including Four Seasons and even Aman) are for strict emergencies in my life.
This website is your friend www.relaischateaux.com . Many unique properties, lovingly managed with consistently high food quality.
This website is your friend www.relaischateaux.com . Many unique properties, lovingly managed with consistently high food quality.
Jun 7, 2013 | 7:33 am
#13
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Here there and everywhere
Posts: 6,303
I thought that Peter Crome changed this a while back - not outsiders anymore, even for 1 night. I stayed a few years ago - it's not Ballyfin!
Jun 7, 2013 | 9:17 am
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,871
would be nice to see more places like ballyfin taking room reservations
or very small groups staying in exclusive-use properties >
after the lodge verbier im definitely attracted to ballyfin-style places
although wouldnt like this if still done at ballyfin >
(if still done something for dubliners here to note if they want to take advantage)
or very small groups staying in exclusive-use properties >
http://www.andrewharper.com/signatur...st-of-scotland
maximum 16 passengers
for reference, royal scotsman rate is $6800 ($4080 single supplement)
cool offering >
1 night mount stuart house (exclusive use only)
2 nights aldourie castle (exclusive use only)
maximum 16 passengers
for reference, royal scotsman rate is $6800 ($4080 single supplement)
cool offering >
1 night mount stuart house (exclusive use only)
2 nights aldourie castle (exclusive use only)
although wouldnt like this if still done at ballyfin >
http://www.andyhayler.com/show_resta...yfin%20Demense
Last Visited July 2012
It should be noted dinner, at least at the time of writing, is intended for hotel residents and is part of the overall pricing of a stay, though to give you some idea a three course lunch is available for €40, and a hotel resident could invite guests in at an additional €75 per head, not including wine of course.
It should be noted dinner, at least at the time of writing, is intended for hotel residents and is part of the overall pricing of a stay, though to give you some idea a three course lunch is available for €40, and a hotel resident could invite guests in at an additional €75 per head, not including wine of course.
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Jun 7, 2013 at 9:30 am
Jun 7, 2013 | 10:01 am
#15
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: UK
Posts: 1,719
My French list would be:
Chateau de Bagnols near Lyons
L'Oustau de Baumaniere in Provence
Auberge de l'Ill & Hotel des Berges in Alsace
These are the three most beautiful hotels/restaurants I have ever been to, with food to match the surroundings which is unusual, the latter two especially. I think maybe Bagnols food is less elevated.
I have less experience of Germany but Bareiss in the Black Forest was quite incredible in its facilities and its food.
In the UK we have an embarrassing liking for chintzy things, the stately home syndrome etc etc. I think perhaps only Chewton Glen is seriously world class.
Chateau de Bagnols near Lyons
L'Oustau de Baumaniere in Provence
Auberge de l'Ill & Hotel des Berges in Alsace
These are the three most beautiful hotels/restaurants I have ever been to, with food to match the surroundings which is unusual, the latter two especially. I think maybe Bagnols food is less elevated.
I have less experience of Germany but Bareiss in the Black Forest was quite incredible in its facilities and its food.
In the UK we have an embarrassing liking for chintzy things, the stately home syndrome etc etc. I think perhaps only Chewton Glen is seriously world class.