Braselton, Georgia
Chateau Elan Winery & Resort
French-inspired winery resort
French-inspired winery resort
The property operates as a French wine estate in the Georgia foothills. Guests spend afternoons tasting vintages and evenings beneath a glass atrium.
What it’s good at
Remarkable
A working estate winery and forty-five holes of championship golf across rolling hills.
Notable
Vinotherapy rituals, a eucalyptus steam room, and an indoor resistance pool overlooking the lake.
What they say
Michelin Selected
Michelin
Also in Condé Nast Traveler.
Chateau Elan is built around its own working winery: 3,500 acres of vineyard, pine forest, and countryside anchoring a resort with considerable range.
Tucked away
A place apart: the property is the destination.
Set across 3,500 acres of rolling foothills and vineyards in Braselton, northeast of Atlanta.
The rooms
Deluxe rooms use dark wood and leather furnishings, and bathrooms have deep soaking tubs.
The pool and gym
Bring a swimsuit.
The outdoor heated swimming pool is lined with striped daybeds and stone waterfalls. Inside, the fitness center has Peloton bikes.
The spa
Thirty-five treatment rooms hold candlelit massage tables, and the boutique carries skincare from Swissline and Eminence.
Bar
Paddy's Irish Pub
Pints of international ale are served across timber tables, and picnic benches sit under string lights on the brick terrace.
Surrounded by the lush greenery of the winery and housed in a 16th century–style French château with Provençal architecture, I felt as though I’d escaped to France instead of North Georgia.
At the table
Marc Restaurant serves premium steaks overlooking the vineyards, and tastings are held among oak barrels in the cask room.
How it began
A roadside stand of sweet muscadine grapes convinced founders Donald and Nancy Panoz to plant French vines in Georgia red clay.
The app
Like this one? There are so many more.
Swipe any city’s hotels and heart the ones you love. The app gets your taste.
Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.