Relais & Châteaux in Latin America
A day full of new impressions and discoveries makes you hungry. That is why it is wonderful when you will be pampered during dinner in the evening. Preferably prepared with local products so that you can also discover the country on a culinary level. When it comes to good cuisine, we like to work with accommodations that are connected to Relais & Châteaux. In this blog, we highlight some of our favourites in Latin America.
What is Relais & Châteaux
Relais & Châteaux was founded in 1954, and consists of more than 580 accommodations and restaurants, where it is all about the experience of staying and/or dining. Relais & Châteaux focuses on a number of core values; local commitment, dedication, sharing with others and kindness. To become a member of Relais & Châteaux, accommodations and restaurants have to adhere to these core values, and are assessed on more than 300 criteria. One of the main goals of Relais & Châteaux is to inspire guests with the quality of the cuisine and to ensure that new types of cuisines have the opportunity to develop.
Delfin Amazon Cruises - Peru
Delfin Amazon Cruises has three small-scale ships, and in 2018 it became the first river cruise that was part of Relais & Châteaux. During this cruise you will sail through the Pacaya Samiria reserve in the Peruvian Amazon. There are local guides on board who can tell you everything about this area. In smaller boats, you will make excursions into the spectacular surroundings.
On board the cruise ships, you can enjoy the gastronomy of Peru. Over the years, Peruvian cuisine has developed into one of the most varied cuisines in Latin America. Traditional national dishes, inspired by the Amazon, are served. The service on board is excellent and you will be surprised by the variety of dishes. Choose from a range of South American wines to accompany your meal and finish off the evening with a whisky or Pisco sour, the national drink of Peru.
Awasi Iguazu - Argentina
Awasi Iguazú is a unique lodge situated in a - for the most part - still untouched part of the Mata Atlantica rainforest. This area is known for the Iguazú Falls. The accommodation is only 15 to 20 minutes away from these waterfalls, which are counted as one of the seven natural wonders of the world.
The accommodation consists of 14 luxury villas, decorated with art from the Guarani people who have lived in this part of the Mata Atlantica rainforest for many years. If you stay at Awasi Iguazú, you will be assigned your own guide. During the day the guides are ready to show you the beauty of the falls, but above all the rest of the Mata Atlantica rainforest.
Awasi Iguazú's restaurant and bar are only open to guests of the accommodation. The menu changes daily and is seasonal. The products they use are mostly found in the Atlantic rainforest. Local flavours can be found in the menus and in the drinks served at the bar.
Chef Manuel Agrelo: "My cuisine is an interpretation of the travels I have made and the flavours I have discovered along the way. I like to use both traditional and modern techniques and use the freshest, most representative local products that are available."
Photos: Relais & Châteaux
In addition to this lodge, Awasi also has accommodations in Torres del Paine and San Pedro de Atacama. Would you like to know more about the Awasi hotels? Then watch the Gente Mágica interview, in which Johan talks to Matías de Cristóbal, CEO of Awasi.
Pikaia Lodge - Galapagos Islands
The Pikaia Lodge is located on the island of Santa Cruz. This is one of only three inhabited islands in the Galapagos archipelago. The lodge's property is about 31 hectares in size, lies 450 metres above sea level and is surrounded by its own giant tortoise reserve. The lodge has also recently received a sustainability award for its commitment to preserving culture and nature.
Photo: Pikaia Lodge
Because of the location of the lodge, you can easily visit the nearby islands with one of the lodge's boats. Here you can discover the unique flora and fauna of the Galapagos Islands; sea lions, birds, iguanas and turtles.
The Evolution restaurant is situated on the edge of a crater, with a beautiful view of the surrounding nature. The restaurant is decorated in a contemporary style so that you can dine in a casual yet elegant way. In a subtle artistic way, the decoration refers to the evolution of mankind. The cuisine is a fusion of Ecuadorian and international flavours. The dishes are prepared creatively and lovingly with the best and freshest local ingredients. The menu changes every 2 days, in order to offer you a varied selection. The restaurant has a walk-in wine cellar with the best South American wines. Here, you can select a suitable wine to accompany your meal, together with the host or hostess.
Photos: Pikaia Lodge
Nayara Springs - Costa Rica
Nayara Springs is located in the Volcán Arenal National Park, in Costa Rica, and has a view of the volcano of the same name. Hospitality, service and gastronomy are of paramount importance here. The accommodation can be reached via a suspension bridge that runs straight through the jungle. The villas are surrounded by the rainforest which you can discover by means of various excursions. After a day in nature, you can relax in the spa. Each villa has a plunge pool, which is fed by the waters of the Arenal volcano.
Photo: Relais & Châteaux
Nayara Springs offers several places to eat and drink. The restaurants each offer different culinary concepts, but they all have in common that they are dishes that the chefs like to eat themselves. Various cooking techniques, local ingredients and seasonal products create dishes with refined flavours. Delicious traditional Costa Rican dishes with a modern twist are served. However, not only Costa Rican cuisine is served: Peruvian and Asian dishes are also served in the restaurants, so there is something for everyone.
Photos: Relais & Châteaux
Txai Resort Itacaré - Brazil
This resort is built on a 92-hectare farm in the Brazilian state of Bahia. Bahia is a melting pot of cultures, which enhances the atmosphere as well as the gastronomy. Txai Resort is located on Itacarezinho beach and is surrounded by the Mata Atlantica rainforest. The accommodation has luxurious bungalows and flats with sea views. Txai' means 'companionship' and the word comes from the language of the Kaxinawa tribe. It symbolises the essence of the resort.
Photo: Relais & Châteaux
Txai Resort has two restaurants: Orixás and Praia. Here you can enjoy modern dishes, which at the same time represent the culture of Bahia. The chefs constantly strive to bring together the different influences of Bahia and make them come alive in their dishes. Local dishes are prepared with an international twist, creating unique flavours. To accompany your meal, you can choose from a wide range of South American wines.
Photos: Relais & Châteaux
Narbona Wine Lodge - Uruguay
The Narbona Wine Lodge is unique; a winery, restaurant and accommodation all in one. The estate dates back to 1909 and is the best place to stay in Carmelo, Uruguay's wine region. There are only 5 hotel rooms, each named after a particular wine. The rooms have antique furnishings, but are equipped with modern appliances so you won't be short of anything.
The restaurant is located in a former grocery shop. The wooden shelves and the counter have been preserved. The wall behind the bar is covered with wine bottles from the restaurant's own vineyard. In the afternoon, you can enjoy a wine tasting with a cheese board both from their own estate.
The restaurant is known for its farmhouse cuisine. The dishes are very tasteful, but modest. Think of colourful salads, soups, local meat products, home-made pasta and many more delicacies.
Photos: Relais & Châteaux
Andbeyond Vira Vira - Chile
The hacienda Vira Vira is located in the heart of the Chilean Andes, near the nature reserve Villarrica and has 18 rooms. The huge windows provide you with a beautiful view of the landscape that surrounds the accommodation; snow-capped volcanoes, but also rainforests that include trees over 1,000 years old.
Photo: Relais & Châteaux
The dishes served in the restaurant are inspired by the recipes of the Mapuche people and are made with organic ingredients. The French chef Damian Fernandez works according to the 'farm-to-table dining' principle. He prepares regional dishes and the dishes are made with ingredients from his own vegetable garden or from local producers. Try for example one of the cheeses from the local cheese factory.
Photos: Relais & Châteaux
Travel through Latin America?
Would you like to travel through Latin America and stay in one of these accommodations? We would like to explore the possibilities with you. Call +31 73 610 62 04 or send an email to info@sapapanatravel.nl. We are happy to help.