Sound Bath Of Luxurious Silence At Château Du Sureau

California’s “Gold Nation” cities are recognized for mid-Nineteenth century structure, historic parks (lots of that are former mines), and proximity to Yosemite Nationwide Park. However luxurious motels are usually not precisely on each nook on this neck of the woods. It’s extra frequent to search out reasonably priced motels geared towards weekend skiers, hikers and mountain bikers than luxurious lodgings which might be locations unto themselves. And eating places within the space lean towards diners on the low finish and steakhouses on the excessive finish. Enter Château du Sureau, a wonderful European-style retreat with the perfect restaurant for miles, a superb spa, and a secluded pool — all of which mixed with top-notch service creates the epitome of a hidden gem.

This property was the dream of Erna Kubin-Clanin, an Austrian chef, restaurateur and hotelier who based the retreat as The Property by the Elderberries, which included the 10-room château, The Elderberry Home restaurant, Spa du Sureau, and the non-public two-bedroom Villa Sureau. Although she offered the property to Bernard Rosenson just a few years in the past, this Relais & Châteaux resort has retained its class and allure, in addition to its world-class hospitality.

I just lately stayed within the Rosemary Room, a big, graciously appointed room overlooking the again gardens with each a deep soaking tub and a walk-in bathe. What I observed the second I entered the area was its tranquil serenity — its profound quiet, in truth — which isn’t one thing I anticipated at a resort lower than a half-mile from Oakhurst’s busy major drag. And it was a most welcome discovery given how rapidly it enabled me to modify gears from freeway driving to deep leisure mode. The ten year-old bottle of Coquelicot (Rosenson’s vineyard) Santa Santa Ynez Valley Syrah ready for me additionally aided and abetted the transition.

Although Château du Sureau is a mere hour’s drive from iconic Yosemite Nationwide Park — which means its simple to make the Château a base in your explorations there (and employees will even pack a picnic lunch for you) — it’s additionally a advantageous thought to by no means depart the property and do a deep dive into your individual meditation observe, slipping out for swims, walks within the woods, and marvelous dinners.

Make sure to reserve forward a desk on the château’s fine-dining restaurant, The Elderberry Home, which is formal however not stuffy or pretentious. Chef Robert Snyder’s seasonal menus make the most of as many native components as potential, combining European fashion and method with the bounty of California’s many farms.

The spa is one other expertise to not be missed. In a separate constructing adjoining to the primary château constructing, the spa has a completely totally different inside aesthetic, with a extra Artwork Deco slant and darker shade tones all through the area. Big remedy rooms invite you to calm down within the expanse, and therapists are well-trained veterans in each physique and facial therapies.

The ultimate space of the property that it is best to spend as a lot time in as potential is the beautiful frequent space on the bottom ground, full with a grand piano and library. The sunshine streaming in modifications all through the day, and friends are welcome to lounge right here with a ebook and a glass of wine.

There’s additionally a mysterious little chapel on the bottom ground whose full story I didn’t get, however I used to be drawn in by its simplicity. It doesn’t appear to have a selected use, nevertheless it was simple to peek in briefly and muse upon its origins.

The service right here is simply as you’ll hope to search out it — unobtrusive, anticipatory, pleasant and useful — which is not any small feat throughout a world pandemic.

Whether or not you have got a giant plan to hike the 7.2-mile round-trip Yosemite Falls Path or calm down by the pool, Château du Sureau is a first-rate vacation spot for serene consolation in California’s Gold Nation — to not point out a therapeutic sound tub of luxurious silence.