Relais & Châteaux is responding to the epochal changes that the pandemic has imposed on the tourism sector by proposing a new concept of hospitality: Villas by Relais & Châteaux is born, a collection of 500 private houses and residences in 30 countries that will continue to grow and expand over the summer.
Personalised service and exceptional locations for stays of privacy and security
In Italy, the Villas by Relais & Châteaux collection includes 11 different types of private villas: Palazzo Franceschi in Mira (VE), a 17th-century villa whose ancient barchessa now houses the Hotel Villa Franceschi; Villa Il Borro and Villa Casetta in San Giustino Valdarno (FI), both within the Il Borro estate; Casa del Sole in Alassio (SV), set in the lush botanical garden of Villa della Pergola; Villa Colonna in Castelnuovo Berardenga (SI), overlooking the vineyards surrounding Borgo San Felice; Palazzo Santa Croce in Positano (SA), an ancient bishop’s residence by the sea managed by Il San Pietro di Positano; the Luxury Pool Villa and the Premium Pool Villa dell’Hotel Il San Corrado in Noto (SR) and different types of private accommodation offered by Monaci delle Terre Nere in Zafferana Etnea (CT).
The villas, available for exclusive use only, have been carefully selected and meet extremely strict criteria to guarantee guests maximum peace, privacy and security. With an internal surface area of at least 70 square metres, they have private access and no adjacent properties (with the exception of the solutions in the city centre). Inside they offer spaces dedicated to dining and large terraces to satisfy, in a completely private context, the relaxation and conviviality needs of couples, families and small groups of friends on holiday.
The total personalisation of the service and the excellence of the food and wine on offer are the elements that distinguish this new collection from industry standards. Guests have access to the full range of services offered by a Relais & Châteaux hotel, but exclusively and in the privacy of their own Villa: they can, for example, enjoy a dinner prepared by a Michelin-starred chef and served by their private pool or indulge in a wellness treatment in the privacy of their own garden, perhaps taking advantage of the babysitting service to treat themselves to a few hours of peace and quiet.
In keeping with the principles and values that guide the development of the association, each Villa is located in a quiet and secluded setting, off the beaten track of mass tourism, and interprets the spirit, history, traditions and food and wine culture of the place where it is located.
“The pandemic prompted us to think further, to grow and evolve so that our guests would not be afraid to take a well-deserved break from the daily grind. Villas by Relais & Châteaux is the most obvious result of the great work done in recent months – comments Philippe Gombert, International President of Relais & Châteaux -. Today, more than ever, our guests appreciate the possibility of isolating themselves in nature and having more personal space; by choosing one of our Villas, they will not have to make any compromises between security and welcome because at any time they will be able to take advantage of the services provided by the hotel, but in the privacy of a private villa and therefore in total tranquillity”.
