VILLA René Lalique, a spectacular bolthole located in Wingen-Sur-Moder in Alsace, north-eastern France, was once the home of celebrated French glass designer René Lalique. Built in 1920 and transformed in 2015 into a five-star Relais & Chateaux boutique hotel, it comes complete with a two-Michelin-starred restaurant that was awarded within just three months after its opening.
Every pore of the property screams glamour and romance – why wouldn’t it? After all, this establishment pays homage to the very best of the Lalique brand and has become a showcase for its brilliance in creating and designing luxury crystal.
Villa René Lalique Restaurant
There are just six suites, with interiors furnished with oversized console tables, opulent chandeliers that sparkle in the sunlight, leather chairs with glass embellishments, and gargantuan vases filled with decadent floral installations. There is cloud-like carpeting throughout, while the bespoke beds guarantee a perfect slumber (even the headboards have Lalique inserts placed in each corner).
Villa René Lalique lounge
The glass-walled restaurant, designed by Swiss architect Mario Botta, is presided over by the Austrian chef Paul Stradner. With his committed team of 15 chefs and accompanied by 12 well-groomed and knowledgeable front-of-house staff, he achieves a magical experience, executing a never-ending tasting menu bursting with flavour and presented like a slick theatrical production.
The Villa’s head sommelier is the award-winning Alsatian-native Romain Iltis, who oversees the exceptional wine cellar, which has been acclaimed as one of Europe’s finest, stocked with more than 60,000 bottles, including local wines from Alsace and from around the world.
Villa René Lalique exterior
Die-hard fans of Lalique are sure to know about one of the most unique museums on the planet, Musée Lalique. Located a few minutes from the Villa, it houses more than 650 pieces of Lalique crystal, each one encapsulating the brilliance of this much-loved and timeless brand.
by Amanda Bernstein