Walk up to the Chateau du Sureau and you would think you have travelled back in time, or to another world where fairy tales are reality. This fascinating inn opened in 1991 as a luxury hotel and in that short time has garnered most of the top awards for luxurious customer service (Mobil Five Star, AAA Five Diamond etc).
Located in Oakhurst, California, the Chateau du Sureau keeps the great traditions of European luxury alive, just minutes away from the gorgeous scenery of Yosemite National Park. Erna Kubin-Clanin, proprietor of this magnificent inn, opened a restaurant in 1984 that went by the unusual name of Erna's Elderberry House. At that time the entrepreneur also began construction of the Chateau, which is surrounded by elderberry-covered rolling hills.
Visitors and guests are treated to fountains, a glorious swimming pool and the excellent service of chambermaids dressed in the black dress/white aprons of traditional European staff. One of the pleasant surprises at Chateau du Sureau is that guests do not have the standard check-in, credit card procedure at a front desk. Guests are presented with a handwritten bill before they leave. (In keeping with age-old tradition, there are no televisions in the guest rooms.
While at Chateau du Sureau, guests are also surrounded by fine antiques and art, including some wonderful tapestries selected by Erna Kubin-Clanin, who came to the area from her native Austria. Judging from the popularity of this great inn, guests find Chateau du Sureau a welcome, and slightly different, addition to accommodation choices. The inn is located 20 minutes from the South Gate of Yosemite Park. Hotel Château du Sureau (559) 683-6860; EEH Restaurant (559) 683-6800.
