The Estate by the Elderberries is comprised of the luxurious Relais & Châteaux, Château du Sureau, the award-winning The Elderberry House Restaurant, the relaxing Spa du Sureau and the private Villa Sureau.
This nine-acre property is nestled in the rolling foothills at the gateway to Yosemite National Park. Located in a stunning landscape the Estate is reminiscent of the French countryside where beauty and old-world charm await. Come for the impeccable service and amenities but stay for the relaxation and fun.
Château du Sureau is a graceful blend of old-world charm with all of today’s conveniences. Each guest suite is appointed with fine furnishings and modern amenities to maximize tranquility and comfort.
Whether you plan to enjoy a private picnic in Yosemite or a glass of Bordeaux in the library, activities are plentiful with many opportunities to renew and relax.
Celebrating three decades of hospitality, Château du Sureau on the Estate by the Elderberries is an award-winning resort destination embodying “the good life”. With stately guest suites and enchanting gardens, Château du Sureau exudes luxury and bliss.
Discover the magic of traditional European service and the allure of fine dining. A fairy tale retreat awaits you at Château du Sureau.
Our Story, Your Fairy Tale
Hotel Château du Sureau began with a dream. The vision and worldly experience of Erna Kubin-Clanin became a beacon of tranquility and luxury in 1984.
A native of Vienna, Austria, Erna has translated Old World Europe’s high standard of service and fine dining to a world of beauty and calm that is Château du Sureau – the “Castle by the Elderberries”.
Erna’s half-century of experience hosting and delighting guests has created an epic fairy tale destination waiting for you to enjoy.
Rooms for Relaxation
Our guest rooms are inviting and comfortable, no two rooms are alike. Each room is inspired by a fragrant herb native to the South of France.
Discover which room speaks to you as you plan your magical getaway to Château du Sureau. Once you have selected your room kindly phone our Reservations Office to book directly for added amenities.
Elderberry Room
The Elderberry Room is bright and cheerful with tall cathedral ceilings and large windows dressed in pale yellow and berry blue colored fabrics. Hand painted elderberries adorn the tile in the bathroom with a separate soaking tub and shower.
Guests will rest comfortably in the large king size canopy bed amidst elegant furnishings. The room’s high corner setting commands views of the Sierras and the town below.
This corner room is bright and cheerful, with high cathedral ceilings and white-washed beams. A king size canopy bed and a bathroom with separate soaking tub and shower feature tiles detailed with hand painted elderberries. This room also features a grand wood burning fireplace and step out balcony.
Villa Surreau – Your Private Country Hideaway
Surrounded by towering pines, gardens, and French fountains lies the beautiful private Villa Sureau. This 2,000 sq. ft. Parisian Manor features a sitting salon and library, two bedrooms each with a large marble baths, a petite cuisine, and a palatial balcony.
The outdoor Roman Spa is your personal oasis for relaxation. This 19th Century-inspired “Guest Residence” – Villa Sureau – with a private gated entrance leads to an enchanting hideaway, a quiet world of distinct character and exquisite beauty reflecting traditions of a more gracious age.
Culinary Poetry
An epic dining experience – a feast for the eyes, the palate, and the soul. The Elderberry House Kitchen team presents inspiring and flavorful dishes with the finest local, seasonal, and organic ingredients right from the nearby Central Valley farms.
The Elderberry House Restaurant combines exceptional food and drink with impeccable service within an elegant European atmosphere to create a mindful dining experience.
The restaurant has received numerous honors and awards – yet the most coveted praise comes from our valued patrons who continue to dine with us after three decades.
TASTING MENUS
Currently we are offering an a-la-carte menu for Take Out ONLY . By offering our nightly changing tasting menu, we are able to create an experience that expresses the kitchen’s culinary creativity. Our 5-course tasting menu is $125 per person, plus tax and gratuity.
Sunday Brunch offers a 5-course tasting menu, $68 per person, or you may choose to enjoy from the daily a-la-carte menu prices based on items selected. Our Afternoon High Tea is $68 per person thus offered the first and third Sundays of the month, unless an event occurs.
PATIO DINING DRESS CODE
We are delighted that our Garden Terrace Patio dining is open, after many months of waiting to do so! Thus we understand the timing provides Summer weather therefore we ask guests dress according to the summer months.
Your attire should be what will allow the most enjoyable dining experience – dressy casual, casual, cool, comfortable, and so forth. Thank you to all that continue to support us.
DINING ROOM DRESS CODE
Gentlemen will feel most comfortable in a jacket and tie, although slacks and a button down shirt are quite appropriate. For Ladies our restaurant is a perfect place to dress for elegance, casual dressy will always be acceptable. But – please no tank tops or flip flops.
Three-Day Cooking School
For aspiring chefs and home gourmets, join us for three full days of instruction, each day with a luncheon and five-course dinner. Upon completion of the class, you will receive a certificate and a cookbook with all of the recipes presented during the class.
Wine Cellar
Our wine program is passionately curated with 800 labels representing wines from around the world with emphasis on Californian and French selections. Chosen personally by Wine Director, Brandon Weseman, our cellar offerings complement the flavors and style of our award-winning cuisine.
As a long-time recipient of Wine Spectator’s Best of Excellence Award, we offer recognized wine producers of high quality, along with exciting obscure wines that appeal to even the most specific enthusiasts. Our sommelier team is happy to assist you in selecting the perfect match for your dining experience.
Kindly know our corkage policy is $40 per 750 ml bottle; the limit per party is two bottles. The corkage for magnums is $85 dollars; the limit per party is one bottle.
Wedding and Events
Château du Sureau offers an utterly romantic and beautiful setting for your fairy tale wedding. We take care of you and all the precious details from the moment you arrive until the evening hour you bid farewell to your guests. It will be our pleasure to make your day unforgettable and nothing short of magical
Relax. Renew. Refresh.
Spa Sureau is an oasis of tranquility with contemporary treatments and traditional European service. Our state-of-the-art facility is also warm and inviting, allowing you to truly relax and renew – leaving your cares behind you.
Lavender Blossom Body Polish
The deeply fragrant scent of lavender will lull you into a relaxed state while your body is polished smooth, and then lightly cleansed with warm aroma infused towels in preparation for a light massage.
Next, a nourishing Lavender Cream Wrap is applied while you rest enveloped in rich cream and warm linens, your skin receives reparative benefits of these ingredients.
Yoga
We offer private yoga instruction and group sessions by certified integrative Yoga therapists trained in many styles of yoga. Madison Kollenborn has dedicated all of her energy into her personal practice and sharing it with others.
Classes are held in the privacy of your room or outside in our specially constructed “Yoga Court” enjoying the mountain scenery. The pace of Madison’s classes can be customized to fit your health desires, whether it be gentle with the focus on the individual developing a personal practice or with a experienced guests focusing on power yoga.
Chateau Nature Park – Leisure Time at The Estate
One never needs to leave The Estate – you may choose playing chess or checkers on our life size Chess Board, lounge in the Gazebo with a glass of wine and your favorite book, or perhaps swing into infinity remembering your childhood, or rather, challenge your partner at a game of Bocce.
Best of Both Worlds
Embark upon a two day/one-night backpacking and hiking adventure with your own private naturalist guide/chef. Enjoy hiking, camping, swimming and more and then return to camp and enjoy “back country gourmet” meals and snacks prepared just for you. Upon your return to the Château, relax at the Spa followed by an elegant meal at Erna’s Elderberry House.
An optional fourth day is reserved for complete relaxation here on the Estate – sit by the pool, listen to music, read a good book, and get ready for a scrumptious 5 course dinner at the Elderberry House Restaurant.
Health & Wellness Retreat
This special experience is designed for the spa enthusiast or the couple seeking rejuvenation, relaxation, and healthy living. Enjoy a two night stay at Château du Sureau in the lovely Sweet Geranium Room, Lavender Room or Chamomile Room – the room of your desire.
On the morning of your choice our Concierge will arrange a private 1-hour yoga session followed by a day at the Spa; enjoying Two 90-minute Hiker’s Retreat Massages, a Sierra Wellness Package for two and use of the Sauna.
Included in your retreat is a four-course dinner served at the Elderberry House Restaurant each evening and a full European breakfasts each morning, inclusive for two guests.
Honeymoon in Yosemite
Two nights accommodations in Château du Sureau in the lovely Sweet Geranium Room, Lavender Room or Chamomile Room.
Includes Dinner for Two at Erna’s Elderberry House Restaurant, Two European breakfasts for two, Chef’s Selection picnics for two to be enjoyed while you are out exploring, Two 60 minute Classique Massages in the Couples Salon of Spa du Sureau, and an Herbal Bath to be enjoyed in the privacy of your guest room as well as a seasonal welcome beverage.
The Enchanted Villa
A one-night accommodation in the Salon Suite of Villa du Sureau with its vast 14-foot ceilings showcases Proprietress Erna Kubin-Clanin’s impeccable style and exquisite taste.
A grand bedroom featuring a large marble bathroom with oversized whirlpool tub, steam shower, fireplace, a sitting salon and library/drawing room, and a private outdoor Roman Spa.
Throughout the Salon Suite of Villa Sureau authentic antique furnishings and original artwork from the early 19th century perfectly complement the intimate setting. Included with your enchanted experience will be two 60-minute Classique Massages in our Couples Suite, a scrumptious 5-Course dinner for Two at Erna’s Elderberry House Restaurant, a rose petal bath to be drawn after dinner for your enjoyment, and a full European breakfast the following morning.
The Pampered Epicure
A wonderful idea to optimize your experience! Arrive before your reserved dinner time, visit our beautiful Spa du Sureau and begin the evening with a relaxing Eucalyptus/Mint head-neck-back and shoulder massage, a revitalizing leg and foot Reflexology treatment, or if you prefer enjoy our Refreshed Facial, which will relieve stress and promote harmony. You will then delight in the pleasures of dining… feeling on top of the world!