With schools being closed since March, and kids off for the summer, parents are really in need of a relaxing getaway. Fortunately, there is a great place to do just that and it’s only a short drive away.
“We like to say that we’re close enough yet far enough removed from the hustle and bustle of a downtown area,” said Edd Karlan, Director of Sales & Marketing at Château Élan Winery & Resort.
Located in Braselton, about 40 minutes from downtown Atlanta, Château Élan has a multitude of choices for fun and relaxation. With its vineyard and winery, seven restaurants, world-class European spa, resort style pool, two 18-hole golf courses, a par-three golf course, beach volleyball, and hiking and nature trails, there’s something for everyone.
What many guests, especially parents, seem to want to do when they first get here, said Edd, is to enjoy the luxurious resort style pool. They want to sit and relax by the pool, while enjoying great cocktails or lunch accompanied by a bottle of Château Elan wine.
“We grow some of the grapes here, and all the wine is produced and bottled at the winery,” said Edd. “We are the only full-service winery resort in the Southeast that has a functioning, operating winery on its premises.”
The winery is open every day except Monday. Guests can take a 35-minute tour of the vineyards and winery, and then get to taste anywhere from six to eight of their varietal wines.
As for dining, their restaurants include a steak house, an authentic Irish pub with live music, great beer, and fish and chips, and a sports bar featuring outstanding bourbons and live blues music. There’s also a restaurant offering southern and seasonal cuisine, plus others featuring breakfast, brunch, lunch and snacks.
The grounds and buildings on the over 3500 acres have received an expansive $25 million renovation that was completed in November 2019. Guest rooms at the Inn are modern, but reflect their European heritage. On weekends, guest can also choose to stay in the Spa Mansion, which has 11 spa suites located directly in the European spa. There are many indulgent and relaxing services to be enjoyed, such as facials and full massage treatments.
“It’s like a separate resort within a resort with some oversized spa suite rooms and special amenities,” said Edd. “There’s a restaurant in the spa as well. Not only are you getting away in the main resort, but you can also have a getaway within the getaway at the spa.”
They have some wonderful couple’s packages, and according to Edd, one of the most popular is the Château Élan Couples Massage. It’s an 80-minute dual massage therapy treatment that can be a hot stone, deep tissue, or Swedish massage. These are given in their large two-person spa massage rooms.
Another favorite is their Summer Lovin’ package. This includes two nights at the Inn, a bottle of their magnificent Château Élan wine, and a $25 resort credit per night, to be used toward any resort activity during the stay.
Other packages and more detailed information are also available on their website at www.chateauelan.com, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. All restaurants are open to the public, as is the spa, and reservations are highly recommended for all facilities and activities offered.
Edd and the entire staff at Château Élan Winery & Resort want their guests to enjoy a luxurious stay while staying safe. This is why all team members are temperature checked when they arrive for work, and are also trained in keeping themselves and guests safe. Because keeping their staff safe is also a high priority, all team members are provided with and wear recommended Personal Protective Equipment.
Employees also routinely spray down all surfaces, and the resort uses adhesive label stickers on all door handles that are self-cleaning. In addition, they provide plenty of signage about social distancing.
Château Élan Winery & Resort looks forward to continuing to provide great experiences for their guests, whether they’re there for one day, one night, or multiple nights. Guests can be assured of a relaxing, stress free, and safe excursion right in their own home state.
“Our location is unique in that we’re so close, yet so removed from the action,” said Edd. “Once you enter our gates, it’s a really a beautiful experience both visually, and of course, experientially.”
