Chateau du Sureau

Description:

• Its kudos say it all: five diamonds, five stars, hailed by Zagat as one of the top small hotels in the United States. The domain of Vienna-born Erna Kubin-Clanin, the Elderberries estate (sureau is French for elderberry) is the sine qua non of luxurious lodging, decadent dining, and exclusivity. The château dates from 1991 and is set back off the road on a hill. From the renowned restaurant, a pathway leads through gardens to the house, which resembles a French château, with turret and terra-cotta-tile roof. Each individually decorated room has a wood-burning fireplace and a wrought-iron balcony. Canopy beds are covered in Italian linens and goose-down comforters; several rooms have whirlpool tubs. Celebrities fleeing Los Angeles are fond of the $2,950-per-night Villa Sureau, a two-bedroom, two-bathroom luxury villa with a library, full kitchen, and 24-hour butler service (the price drops a bit without the butler). The restaurant, Erna's Elderberry House (tel. 559/683-6800), is well known for its impeccable French-influenced cuisine and service -- $95 six-course prix-fixe menu changes daily -- and the Spa du Sureau pampers guests from head to toe with a wide selection of facials, body treatments, massages, dry sauna, hydrotherapy, and the latest in aroma and color therapies.

• © Frommer's 2012

Awards:

Frommer's

•  Very Highly Recommended 2010

Other features:

All guestrooms have fireplaces, deluxe bathrooms with silky plush bathrobes, over-sized tubs and separate chambers for the shower and toilet.