HotelsF A VOR I T E S

UNIQUE HISTORIC PROPERTIES READY TOTRANSCEND YOUR LODGING EXPERIENCE

SOFITEL LEGEND METROPOLE HANOI, VIETNAM By Amie O'Shaughnessy, CiaoBambino.com

TIMBERLINE LODGE, ORGEONBy Tara Canon, PintSizePilot.com

FORT GARRY HOTEL, MANITOBABy Ethan Gelber, TheTravelWord.com

CHÂTEAU LES CARRASSES , FRANCE By Katja Gaskell,  GlobeTotting.com

What defines a landmark hotel? Local legacy steeped inhistory? Refinement? Impeccable service and storiedreputation? All of the above? Some properties around theworld are so unique, they transcend the concepts of'good service' and 'great location' so many of us seek in adestination hotel. The following such properties willtransport you to a world apart, be it one of Europeanroyalty, Eastern elegance, or North American grit with agenerous dash of romance. Enjoy!

Fort Garry, Manitoba

TWIST | 63           

DROMOLAND CASTLE, IRELANDBy Paige Conner Totaro, AllOverTheMap.net

          66 | TWIST

Located in one of the sunniest corners in France andsurrounded by 60 acres of vineyards is Château LesCarrasses, a 19th-century castle that looks like it belongson the pages of a Brothers Grimm fairytale. With witch-hatturrets, buttery stone walls and magnificent woodendoors, this grand country house makes for a delightfulholiday hideaway.

The château was originally built in 1886, at the height ofthe Languedoc wine boom. Today, this welcoming Frenchcastle offers 28 (soon to be 30) self-catering suites andvillas. The suites are positioned within the château’soriginal structure with bathrooms tucked away in turretsand Juliet balconies overlooking the grounds with thePyrenees mountains in the distance. The former winecellars, grape pickers-quarters and stables have beentransformed into a mix of two- and three-bedroom villas,and what was once the gardener’s cottage is a nowromantic retreat for two.  

Now, this may all sound très chic, but is it any good forkids? Fortunately, the answer is a resounding oui! There’sa huge amount of space for kids to roam, whether on footor on one of the château’s mountain bikes, in addition to aheated infinity pool, a clay tennis court, and places to playvolleyball and boules. Visit during July and August andchildren can take advantage of the bilingual kids’ club. 

The Brasserie and bar put a contemporary spin onMediterranean cuisine, complemented by the bestregional wines. The restaurant is not open every dayoutside of peak seasons but you can self-cater in yourstate-of-the-art-kitchen. Chefs are also happy to prepare atakeaway meal or picnic, ideal if you manage to dragyourselves away from the confines of the château. You’lldiscover plenty to do in the surrounding area, fromcolorful local markets and medieval towns to the bestbeaches for kite-surfing.

At the end of the day, you’ll kick back on your privatepatio, or in the château’s elegant conservatory, rumored tohave been designed by Gustave Eiffel himself with a drinkin hand, plotting how you can stay just a few days longer.

Château St Pierre de Serjac

WEB SITE

serjac.com

EXPERIENCE THE

SISTER PROPERTY

This family-friendlyChâteau sits in theLanguedoc region ofFrance, not far fromthe French andSpanish border,making it a greatlocation for familieswho might be visitingBarcelona and want toescape the crowds andget a little taste of theSouth of France!

Lieu-dit Les Carrasses, Route de Capestang,34130 Quarante, France

WEB SITE

lescarrasses.com

ADDRESS

STARTING PRICE

A two-bedroom villa starts at $318 per night in lowseason and from $590 per night in high season. 

Château Les Carrasses BY KATJA GASKELL • GLOBETOTTING.COM

F R A N C E