Relais & Châteaux Denmark
In 2018, Dragsholm Slot was included in the prestigious hotel and restaurant guide Relais & Châteaux, which lists the world’s leading hotels and restaurants, of which very few members are in Denmark.
Prior to becoming included in the Relais & Châteaux guide, Dragsholm Slot had spent a decade reaching the level required by the guide with the aim of joining the hospitality association. To be approved as a member, the castle had to go through a lengthy and arduous application process, which included unannounced inspections and a careful review and assessment of the castle, restaurants, hotel rooms, hospitality and service.
RELAIS & CHÂTEAUX - A GUARANTEE FOR UNIQUE HOSPITALITY
Relais & Châteaux is the story of women and men, owners of charming hotels and exceptional restaurants, who decided to unite and share their passion with others.
The story began in 1954. This was when varieté artists Marcel and Nelly Tilloy, who owned La Cardinale, a hotel and restaurant on the banks of the Rhône River, came up with the idea of creating "La Route du Bonheur" – The Road to Happiness – as a route from Paris to Nice.
Originally, there were eight separate properties – authentic, yet each with their own personality, located far from cities on the road from Paris to Nice and all united by common values: A high level of service, an exceptional cuisine and a unique approach to the concept of “Art de vivre” – the art of living. This initiative was the starting point for what would later become the most prestigious hotel association in the world: Relais & Châteaux.
Quality, culture and personal service are cornerstones of Relais & Châteaux. Just as the Michelin Guide, this guide also has its origins in France and shares the ambition of expanding unique hospitality across the globe. Today, the association has just over 560 members across 60 countries – and as of January 2023, there are six Relais & Châteaux Denmark members.
Relais & Châteaux is known for its strict membership requirements and for guaranteeing the highest service at unique locations around the world. It’s all about honesty, passion and inspiration, and about dedicating full attention to the guest during the entire stay, so that a genuine relationship is created between the guest and host. Furthermore, members of Relais & Châteaux act on the basis of a common set of values with a focus on preserving and sharing the distinctive character of the surrounding areas of the individual hotels. Always maintaining respect for individuality, the environment and the culture and history that surround us.
QUALITY OF TASTE AND EXPERIENCE
Relais & Châteaux’s international values and visions indicate benchmarks that align with the values adopted by Dragsholm Slot in Denmark. Mads Hylleholt Bøttger elaborates:
“Being admitted as a member is a great gift to all employees at Dragsholm Slot, and I am proud that many years of hard and ambitious work have resulted in membership of this exclusive association. The experience we offer and believe in is unique. It combines the long history of the landscape with the castle’s 800-year-old cultural heritage, the terroir of Lammefjorden and the changing of the seasons. This experience is supported by an engaging sense of good hospitality and personal service that offers our guests the peace to immerse themselves in the experience.”
RELAIS & CHÂTEAUX BOARD OF DIRECTORS AT DRAGSHOLM SLOT
For the first time in many years, Relais & Châteaux elected to host a large board meeting with a new and hitherto untested member. In June 2019, Dragsholm Slot had the great pleasure of welcoming Relais & Châteaux’s Board of Directors that includes members from all over the world. To commemorate the event, the association president, Philippe Gombert, and the castle owner, Mads Hylleholt Bøttger, planted an oak tree in the castle park.
This oak is set to grow over many years and become strong and reach beautiful harmony with the other trees in the park, representing the partnership between the castle and Relais & Châteaux.
Relais & Châteaux Denmark members:
· Falsled Kro
· Restaurant Frederikshøj
· Restaurant Kong Hans Kælder
· Dyvig Badehotel
· Restaurant Lieffroy