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Le Château du Sureau****
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The Essence of a French country château in the Sierras!
at the entrance to the high Sierras, West side.
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A stay at the gold rated (top) Relais et Château hotel “Château du Sureau” in the small township of Oakhurst in the western foothills of California’s Sierra Mountains (just miles away from Yosemite National Park) is to experience the closest thing to a stay at a deluxe country Château hotel in rural France but with the treasures of the glorious Sierras at your feet and no air flights necessary.
Erna Kubin-Clanin (who could work successfully as an interior architect and designer!) is creator and owner of “Château du Sureau”. Born in Austria with an education on both coasts in Theatre Arts, she is a multi talented woman applying her talents to cuisine, architecture, landscape and interiors. She has brought to life her dream hostelry, filled with French antiques, drapery, fabrics, colors, prints, tapestries and gardens. In true French Relais et Château hotel tradition, from the moment you arrive you are made welcome with a warm professionalism and immaculate attention to detail. This is now supplemented with her new Art Deco Spa (click here for more...).
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The charming postage stamp balcony of one of the rooms.
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The reflecting pool at the rear entrance of the hotel where it lets out onto a sun drenched terrace where breakfast or afternoon tea can be taken.
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The front of the Chateau and its pool.
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Grand Salon with fire place, tower with piano and assorted seating with internet/email computer tucked into the nich alongside the fireplace.
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Click on the "zoom+" to see larger version.
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© 2005 photos Peter D'Aprix
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In fact, it is that attention to detail whether it is of the furnishing, the grounds or the personal service that makes “Château du Sureau” stand out in our minds. All too many American establishments that aim high and try to reflect a European ambience, run a-fowl of uninformed pomposity that covers the range from chilly disdain to remote disinterest. Erna gets it right - from the tray of goodies and an iced drink mélange ( herb ice tea, apple juice and some house secret ingredients) delivered to your room after you have had a few minutes to settle in to the wedge of chocolate awaiting on your bedside table when you return from dinner. (No fussy little wafers of chocolate at “Château du Sureau”!). The “Château du Sureau” reflects not only France’s country warmth shown in their most elite establishments, but that warmth finds its source in her own passion.
She has created “Château du Sureau” as a pool of tranquility with all your needs met; a place to let go and de-stress from today’s pressures. The “yester-year” ambience of the hotel, the grace and style of its grounds, and now the new Art Deco Spa (click here for more...) is all designed to remove you from today’s world and ease you into another, slower era. And all of that just a 4+ hour drive north from Los Angeles,3+ hours from San Francisco and 45 minutes from Fresno.
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Breakfast dish. The breakfasts here are gourmet events with several courses of delectibles that change every day. Shown- spiced apple crepes.
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Down hill view of the pond in the woods and the gazebo furnished with white wicker lounge chairs for reading or napping or enjoying a drink or afternoon tea.
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Silver bowel of fresh fruit on the antique hutch in the breakfast room.
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The two story entrance hall of the main house with stairway and seldom used reception desk.
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And you get fed with excellent cuisine from the talented Chef James Overbaugh in Erna’s renowned “Elderberry House Restaurant”. Actually, the restaurant came first but that is another story. (link to restaurant)
She thoughtfully has not put TV’s in the rooms, equipping them instead with fireplaces to flicker-watch and sooth your soul. The new spa is just paces away from all rooms and suites for both individual treatments as well as offering a living room equipped with two treatment tables, free standing jacuzzi, fireplace and a view of the valley. In the main building, there is even a pocket-sized chapel. This is a place to unwind, recover, rebuild or do quite the opposite – take off exploring the Sierras, hiking, climbing or whatever strikes your outdoor fancy – with the expectation of a fine meal and luscious surroundings to welcome you back.
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The grounds are dotted with a variety of bird houses.
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The calming ambiance of the petite chapelle.
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One of many statues that grace nooks and crannies in the gardens.
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Waitress Jessie Young ladened with breakfast goodies. All the serving staff are attractive in low key, traditional black dresses with white pinafores.
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Breakfasts are sinful affairs, menu fixe’s and numerous courses changing daily. We nibbled on hot brioches and croissants with our coffee in anticipation of the apple stuffed crepes served with berries and raisons. That braced us for the next course of scrambled eggs with zucchini stuffed with Parmesan, spicy chicken sausage and polenta. Excellent American style coffee, espressos and teas only. All this served in front of another fireplace in another cozy room with the feeling of Austria. Or, if you prefer, outside in the morning sun or brought to your room.
There is no formal reception. Instead you are expected. Welcomed at the entrance gate via speaker phone. Daniel, the butler, meets you as you arrive at the turning circle, takes you bags and directs you to the lounge. There you are met, given the tour or shown directly to your room. Thereafter, service is ever ready but discrete and unobtrusive. Check out is much the same. A hand written bill is presented, goodies for the road handed over with your credit card and receipt.
Whether you just want to relax body and mind in peace and quiet, have a luxury base for Sierra activities, a place to recover for gastronomic indulgence at “Elderberry House” or even hold an event such as a wedding that will last forever in memories, you could not pick better than “Château du Sureau”.
Some of the Rooms:
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Mint Bedroom with four poster bed. Situated in the West Wing - perfect for those seeking privacy - a king-size canopy bed draped to envelop you, jacuzzi tub and french balcony
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The Elderberry Bedroom. High cathedral ceilings and white-washed beams, king size canopy bed and bath tiles detailed with hand painted elderberries. It's high, corner setting commands views of the Sierras and town below.
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Ciboulette Bedroom. Charming French Country decor, two double beds, private bath, limestone shower but without tub. The only room without a fireplace.
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Rose hip Bedroom. Turn-of-the-century Empire style queen bedroom set, an alluring "reading nook" and a lovely sumptuous bath.
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Chamomile Bedroom. High-beamed ceilings, king-size canopy bed, rich mahogany furniture, limestone bath and pristine garden view.
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“The Estate by the Elderberries”
“Château du Sureau”
48688 Victoria Lane (P.O. Box 577)
Oakhurst, CA 93644
Reservations: 559-683-6860
Erna’s Elderberry House Restaurant Reservations: 559-683-6800
Fax: 559-683-0800
Web Site: www.chateausureau.com
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For a link to the Relais & Châteaux Group of hotels and restaurants own site, click on the button left.
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How to get there:
With convenient access to and from three major cities, the Estate is a short 45 minute drive from Fresno, about a 3 hour drive from the San Francisco area, and approximately 4 hours north of Los Angeles. International air service is available in San Francisco and Los Angeles with daily commuter flights to and from Fresno. Car rental is available at all three locations. Simply call reception at 559 683 6860 and they will happily provide you with detailed directions to the Estate from wherever you may be. If you are comfortable with your own map reading expertise, just take which ever set of freeways that will get you to Fresno. Once there, look for highway 41 north to the Sierras with Oakhurst as your destination. The property will be on your left on the hill descending into the town but just before you reach the edge of town.
For www.mapquest.com link click here
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