French provincial meets southern hospitality at the spa and race track?

Attending a conference in Atlanta is sparking much attention these days. Even seasoned spa goers will feel like they are in virgin territory when walking through Château Élan’s 3500 acres. The view while driving through the only winery, resort, and spa in Georgia is impressive yet unobtrusive. The founders, Donald and Nancy Panoz, and the buildings’ designers were careful to minimize disruption to nature when preparing for the construction of Château Élan, and it’s obvious to visitors as they walk through the nature trails and around the golf courses. A unique experience is encountered, especially in the Georgia suburbs—it is not only a spa and resort, but also a golfer’s paradise, equestrian show center, tennis center, award-winning full-production winery, and vineyards all within walking distance of each other.
 
Their $1.5 million renovation to the Spa at Château Élan, encompassing a makeover of all guest suites at the Spa, the Fleur de Lis restaurant, two spa library areas, gift shop, front desk and lobby was completed in October 2011. This second phase completes a comprehensive, $3 million transformation to the Spa, which includes improvements made last year to the Spa’s 35 treatment rooms, relaxation areas and couples’ rooms.

“We are thrilled to unveil our newly renovated luxury spa to guests as we approach the 20^th anniversary of one of Atlanta’s premier destination spas,” said Doug Rollins, vice president of sales and marketing at Château Élan. “These improvements provide the ultimate relaxation experience for our guests where they can experience total luxury and enjoy the finest quality in spa services.”

A subtle theme throughout the spa is the feel of water. Restful, tranquil swirl patterns are found in the carpet, wall coverings and furniture. Calming shades of blue, sand and sea glass are dominant throughout the rooms, lobby and waiting area. It is impossible to leave their spa without achieving a sense of complete relaxation. From the waterfall showers in the women’s locker room, to client-controlled air conditioning in the private treatment rooms, the spa goes to every extent to insure blissful comfort. The spa’s à-la-carte services include nail care, hair care for men and women, makeup application, and full-body waxing. Massage therapy at the spa can range from 25 to 80 minutes, and the therapists evaluate the client’s stress level before beginning the session. There are also a variety of different body exfoliation and body wrap treatments.
 
Skin care treatments range from skin-refreshing and rejuvenating facials to back treatments and peels. A licensed esthetician will assess the client’s skin and advise the best treatment program at the spa and follow-up at-home regimen. For facial treatments, the spa chose d’vine as their aligned skin care providers. The spa has designed a special Private In-Suite Island Sojourn modeled from the French Caribbean rituals of St. Barth so guests can have a private trip to the Caribbean from the privacy of their own room. The three hour and 25 minute treatment in the guest’s room includes a body exfoliation with coconut and papaya, a body pack with alumina and cucumber mousse, a facial and décolleté treatment, a pampering body massage, and an island cocktail. 
 
Within the spa, there are fitness and wellness activities to compliment the relaxing spa atmosphere. There is a gym, which can be used by resort inn and spa guests, even if they are not staying overnight. There are also personal training sessions and workout classes provided seven days a week. A co-ed whirlpool, indoor resistance pool, steam room, and sauna complete the spas relaxing amenities. Completely separate from the resort is a set of 14 rooms within the spa facilities that spa guests can reserve during their treatments. Each guest suite is designed to offer a soothing, romantic experience and includes new upholstered beds with a rolled head and footboard appointed with nail head trim. Renovated bathrooms feature a rich color palette of watery blues and peaceful greens with tranquil glass mosaics. Guest can choose from a two-person pedestal Airjet tub or a couples’ Raindance waterfall shower each with an invigorating hand shower. 
 
In another building, walking distance from the spa, is The Inn. At first, the outside can be deceiving with its small and quaint design. But stepping through the doors, guests will see the hidden extravagance and grand dining rooms of the resort. The Versailles dining room, one of eight restaurants at Château Élan, sits on the bottom floor and reflects off the glass ceiling. The inn is also a great meeting place for conferences and weddings, with the 25,000 sq. ft. high-tech Conference Center. On the grounds, along one of the hiking trails, there is also an area for team building activities.
 
For visitors who come to take advantage of the golfing experience while conferencing, there are three championship golf courses and a Nine Hole Executive Walking Course for quick games. A 276-room Four Diamond Inn and 10 Golf Villas with full kitchens provide easy access to the green. During the off-season, Château Élan provides free golf for women so they can learn the game. Whether your conference is scheduled for two days or one week, Château Élan Winery and Resort is its own little country ready to provide you, the guest, with optimum hospitality. In fact, the Panoz’s hotelier discipline and high-standards guarantee an experience where nostalgia remains active days and years after visiting their grounds.

Chateau Élan’s spa and resort experience would not be complete without a visit, or several visits, to one of the spas many restaurants and the winery. With eight specialty restaurants, including French, Mediterranean, Bistro, and Southern regional, it is impossible to choose which to try first. But the most unique of the group is Paddy’s Irish Pub, which was built and transported from Dublin in 1997 to guarantee its authenticity. Paddy’s Fish & Chips, which they make with beer-battered Cod filets, had a savory-soft inside not typical of Cod. The breading was crispy and created the perfect contrast with the Cod for a blissful experience. But the meal wouldn’t have been complete without the authentic Irish ketchup, of which I begged to purchase a bottle to take home. It had the perfect touch of vinegar to spice up the seasoned-wedge fries.

 
 
For a slippers and robe dining experience, the Fleur de Lis inside of the spa serves a seasonal menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The Pulled Chicken Crepes with sautéed peppers, onions, asparagus, and garlic ricotta were light, without sacrificing flavor. The garlic ricotta complimented the soft warm crepes and held the flavor of the sautéed peppers and onions. So even when dining in the spa in your rode and slippers, the cuisine is far from being laid-back. As much care is put into preparing the spa lunches as is put into dinners at the Versailles dining room.
 
As the largest wine producer in Georgia, the winery has a tough reputation to live up to. The 75 acres of vineyards contain Vinifera Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Viognier, Cabernet, Chambourcin, Sangiovese, and Merlot grapes. In total, their annual production is about 20,000 to 25,000 cases a year. When the Panozes decided they wanted to develop a vineyard in Georgia, they extensively tested the soil and climate. They found that it was similar to California and France and decided to venture into wine producing.
 
The full-production winery has self-guided tours and tastings, as well as occasionally guided tours and tastings. At the end of August, they hold their annual Vineyard Fest to celebrate the grape harvest. Wineries from around the world participate in the festivities, and there are seminars on wine and food pairing conducted by their executive chef.  

Interested in hosting your next conference at Château Élan? STRATEGY sat down with Doug Rollins, their vice president of sales and marketing to discuss details when conferencing at Château Élan.

STRATEGY: We understand Château Élan specializes in team building activities; what are some of the activities that can be coordinated for employee motivation?
ROLLINS: Whether the goal is to reward hard working employees, motivate your sales force, increase customer awareness and traffic, or entertain VIP’s, we will meet the goals set for every company’s target audience with the excitement and thrill of the greatest show on four wheels: the Skip Barber Racing School. Through a variety of racing and high performance exercises, with Formula Race Cars or Mazda Speed MX5 Pro Cup Race Cars we can develop a comprehensive, unforgettable program from one-half to three days for groups of 10-200.

Other activities consist of experiencing golf after dark. Teams will play eight holes in a scramble tournament format on our Par 3 walking course. The longest shot is 115 yards so even the novice golfer can participate and best of all, no golf experience required. All teams will be given “nite lite” golf balls, golf clubs appropriate for night golf, use of flashlights, tournament support, shuttle service from last hole to first hole, and glow accessories for each golfer. Château Élan has also aligned itself with lapdog, inc., a Corporate Development and Teambuilding firm located in Gainesville, Georgia. As a result of this alliance, Château Élan is proud to offer exciting, innovative experiential programs designed to help companies reach their potential. lapdog, inc. helps teach teams how to transform ordinary performance into exceptional outcomes.

STRATEGY: Which spa services can be offered for large groups?
ROLLINS: Traditionally, our 50 minute massage and facial services are best. 80 minute services can be great as well depending on the size of the group. Body wraps and body exfoliation are wonderful for smaller groups. We usually discourage nails to groups in general (especially large groups)—trying to push the groups into more luxurious services. Large groups would constitute of 15+ people. Small groups could be anywhere between five-10 people.

STRATEGY: Can you provide a sample schedule?
ROLLINS: The schedule depends on the number of people, the number of services, and the preferred time frame of the group. But, in the past for groups we have had people start in the morning and ending with lunch or vice versa. If they have two services or more the spa would need a more flexible time frame and for lunch, it would be more of a lunch at their leisure, then a scheduled group lunch.

Sample Schedule:
6:00 AM – Sunrise Stroll through the vineyards
7:30 AM – Breakfast in Fleur de Lis
9:00 AM – Fitness Assessment
10:30 AM – Château Signature Massage
12:00 PM – Culinary Studio Organic Hands on Cooking Luncheon
3:00 PM - Château Pure Oxygen European Facial

STRATEGY: What are the group room rates at The Inn and Spa (what if group wants to reserve all spa rooms?) group rate for activities within spa/ outside spa?
ROLLINS: Rates vary throughout the year.  The Inn group rates range from $159-$239 and the Spa is from $350-$500 per night. Recreation throughout the resort ranges from $75.00 per person up to $400 per person depending on activity.

STRATEGY: What is the suggested time frame needed to plan a conference and/or an employee motivation event?
ROLLINS: Depending on the size of the group, you can plan a conference a week out. If the group is larger it takes more time to coordinate various staff schedules.  The more you plan ahead on the motivation side, the more you will gain out of the program.

STRATEGY: What makes Château Élan the "right" choice for conferences in Atlanta?
ROLLINS: What we hear most from our repeat clients is the Staff here at Château Élan really “Gets Meetings” and understands what a particular group is trying to accomplish during their program. Yes we have a beautiful IACC certified conference facility and beautiful guest rooms, but it is how the people at the resort make you feel that truly makes a meeting or conference memorable.

For more information, visit www.chateauelan.com.