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The Values of Relais & Chateaux
I invite you each day of this week to discover my interview with Philippe Gombert, President of the brand Relais & Châteaux, around the French art of welcoming and Relais & Châteaux.
Over the years, Relais & Châteaux has developed an international brand presence in order to export its expertise in service and hospitality abroad. How is the French art of welcoming adapting to the 21st century in the international luxury market? What are the values you hope to convey to the world?
What sets Relais & Châteaux apart from our competitors is our desire to create unforgettable experiences for our clients. If each establishment has its own personality, there still exists a common philosophy across all of our members, whether in France or abroad, which can be summarized by our five values, the five experiences we seek to create:
THE PASSPORT OF FRIENDSHIP:
Each property is unique, but they all share the same ethos. This union is transcribed in our “Passport of Friendship” and extends across our members in the nearly 60 countries where Relais & Châteaux is present. When a client enters one of our homes, he experiences a feeling of belonging to a common collective, awakening in him the desire to explore new destinations and meet other members of this community.
THE INNKEEPER SPIRIT:
Each Relais & Châteaux establishment is the living reflection of the spirit of the innkeeper—the proprietor, chef, or master of the house. Each innkeeper brings his highly personal touch to the establishment, both to the service and the cuisine that is offered. Our passionate team of proprietors and their staff dedicate their lives to the satisfaction of their clients.
THE TASTE OF THE LAND:
Relais & Châteaux is about people and places. But above all, it is about people within places. The Masters of the House draw from highly unique places where they identify authentic roots and a unique culture to offer to each client. This sense of place, this ‘terroir’ is expressed in the architecture, décor, landscapes, the spa, the service, and the various activities.
THE CELEBRATION OF THE SENSES:
From the fragrance of delicately spiced dishes to the aroma of Burgundy Grands Crus, from freshly gathered vegetables and herbs to the decadence of dark chocolate, each Relais & Châteaux establishment pays homage to the spirit of its respective region: they awaken our senses and deliver breathtaking sensations of pleasure. Relais & Châteaux offers an atmosphere that encourages the celebration of important moments in our lives, whether this be an anniversary, a marriage, or even the simplicity of the moment of finding ourselves with the one we love.
THE AWAKENING OF THE ART OF LIVING:
At the heart of the philosophy behind Relais & Châteaux is the idea that a voyage must be a time for the discovery of the Art of Living. The specificity of Relais & Châteaux is its ability to offer an emotional experience that transports our clients to a unique realm.
The SERAI SUJAN LUXURY HOTEL
Discover more pieces from this interview on:
– Interview with Philippe Gombert, President of Relais & Châteaux (1)
– Relais & Châteaux and Innovations (3)
– Relais & Châteaux and Architecture (4)
Laurent Delporte, an editor and conference speaker, is a strategic expert in the sector of hotels. A visionary, he brings his unique look on hotels in service to the decision-makers in the industry, whether to enhance the development of new projects or strategic visions.
Laurent has visited and audited over 350 hotels across the world and also participates in mystery visits to provide quality control for the world’s finest hotels.
