Page 54 - KW LUXURY MAGAZINE

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Luxury
in the Wild
Appreciating America’s portfolio of national parks typically involves hiking, rafting and horseback riding, but it needn’t preclude luxury.
By Roger Grody
America’s national park system — 61 different environments of incredible beauty and diversity — is one of the
nation’s greatest legacies for future generations. To fully experience these spectacular places, one should be willing to rough it a bit, setting out on hiking or riding trails into pristine wilderness. But there are accommodations near these parks, occasionally even inside their gates, that offer world-class luxury.
Just 15 miles from Yosemite National Park is Château du Sureau, a luxury boutique hotel with the prestigious Relais & Châteaux af liation. Its 10 one-of-a-kind guestrooms are sumptuously appointed with rare antiques, original art and high-end nishes, some warmed by replaces. Offering the ultimate decadence is Villa Sureau, a 2,000-square-foot, 19th century, Parisian-inspired manor with 20-foot ceilings, a pair of bedrooms
with marble-clad baths, and terrace providing splendid views of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Available at $3,000 per night — typically favored by af uent families or Fortune 500 CEOs — the Villa has its own private entrance and dedicated butler service.
With a koi pond, life-size chess set and lavender gardens, the grounds at Château du Sureau are magical, while an onsite spa offers luxurious serenity. The property’s Elderberry House Restaurant features ornate chandeliers, crisp white-linen-clad tables and sophisticated market-driven cuisine. A daily-changing seven- course menu might include carrot-ginger bisque, duck with burgundy-truf e risotto or charred bison ribeye, all complemented by an impressive wine list.
Jonathan Rosenson, Château du Sureau’s chief operating of cer, reports, “This is an
enchanting property — it’s like a castle nestled in the woods with a fairy-tale feel — and offers a peacefulness and tranquility that makes stress melt away.” Referring to the hotel’s meticulous and highly personalized service, he adds, “The staff makes sure everything about your stay is perfect.”
When it comes to sleeping within a national park, most options are pretty rustic, but The Ahwahnee, a hotel deep inside Yosemite, is a conspicuous exception. This historic stone-and- timber property — several U.S. Presidents and Queen Elizabeth II have stayed here — features Arts & Crafts architecture and a soaring dining room where oor-to-ceiling windows frame Mother Nature’s greatest artistry. Guestrooms incorporate Native American-inspired design
and more luxury than one would expect in the wilderness.
SIMPLY SARAH PHOTOGRAPHY