Chateau Elan - A Romantic Golf Getaway

Located just 40 minutes north of Atlanta in Braselton, Ga., Chateau Elan Winery & Resort is a 16th century style French chateau, Four Diamond leisure and conference destination that sits on 3,500 acres. It is the only resort in Georgia that includes a 200 acre vineyard, a full-production winery, 320 luxurious guest rooms and suites, a 25,000 sq.ft. conference center, a European spa with 14 guest suites, an equestrian show center, tennis center, seven restaurants and 63 holes of championship golf.

While Chateau Elan is known as a romantic golf getaway paradise it is a solid destination for a guys weekend golf trip. A buddy called me in the dead of a Wisconsin winter to attend a trip in mid March. I was sold after he uttered his first sentence, three courses, an Irish pub and accommodations in a golf villa.

Where To Play

Chateau Elan features four courses on property:

The Chateau Course
This beautiful championship course with contoured fairways, thick Bermuda roughs, and strategically placed lakes and ponds opened in July 1989. Built on 170 acres of the finest terrain, the 7,030 yard layout of the Chateau Course, designed by Denis Griffiths, plays to a par 71. Winding along three lakes and two creeks, water comes into play on ten of the eighteen holes while 87 bunkers give definition and character to the course.

4 Tees: 7030, 6484, 5900, 5092 yards
Rating/Slope: 73.9/137
Green Fees: $85 + tax, Incl. Cart, Yardage Book, Range Balls

The Woodland Course
The Woodlands, also designed by Griffiths opened in 1996. Many consider this course to be the most picturesque of the three championship layouts. The stunning 6,735 yard, par 72 course has numerous elevations presenting memorable views of sparkling lakes and tree-lined holes to give players a blissful feeling of solitude.

4 Tees: 6735, 6355, 5927, 4850 yards
Rating/Slope: 73.1/135
Green Fees: $85 + tax, Incl. Cart, Yardage Book, Range Balls

The Par 3
This nine hole layout located behind the Inn at Chateau Elan, features beautifully landscaped holes, strategically placed bunkers and small bent grass greens. This 9 hole, par 3, Executive walking course provides a perfect venue for the golf enthusiast when time does not allow a full round. Holes vary in length from under 100 yards to more than 200 making it an ideal place for beginners, or to brush-up on your mid and short game.

2 Tees: 2132 and 1642 yards
Green Fees: $18, Pull Carts $2

The Legends (Private - Membership Required)
Unique by design, The Legends at Chateau Elan is crafted from the worldly experience of three great champions: Gene Sarazen, Sam Snead, and Kathy Whitworth. Each was asked to select six of their all-time favorite holes, and the result is a classic 18, bearing certain design elements from the legends' selections. Certainly noticeable at The Legends is the tribute to traditional golf course architecture of the early 1900's.

Where To Stay

Chateau Elan has three lodging options.

The Chateau Elan Inn offers 275 deluxe guest rooms, including 22 suites and a hospitality suite, a 1,832 square foot Presidential suite and 1,333 square foot Governor's suite. All guest rooms are non smoking are complete with a lavish bathroom, 32 flat screen tv with cable and access to pool and fitness area.

The Villas at Chateau Elan are located on the 15th fairway of The Chateau Course. The Villas are within walking distance of the Pro Shop and Clubhouse Grille and are a perfect overnight option for up to 6 golfers in a single Villa. They are complete with a living room, full kitchen and golf course views.

For the ultimate romantic gateway indulge in a Spa Suite at The Chateau Elan Spa. Choose from one of the 14 theme private suite like the Excalibur suite featuring medieval furniture and artwork.

Eats and Treats

Chateau Elan features seven restaurants from regional Southern and All-American to Mediterranean, Classic French, Irish, and healthful Spa Cuisine. The ambiance and settings range from casual to intimate fine dining.
http://www.chateauelan.com/epicurean/restaurant/

High End
Le Clos, located in the Winery, is an intimate fine dining experience. Le Clos offers a pre fixe menu of five courses with the option to include Chateau Elan's finest estate bottled wines. French Chef Morgan Bigot offers his guests modern and authentic French dishes in which the flavors of the ingredients are given pride of place. Reservations are required and plan for a two to two and half hour experience. Call early as Le Clos only seats 28.

Versailles is an open air restaurant beneath a soaring 45 foot glass Atrium located at the heart of the Chateau Elan Inn. Versailles serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffets.

Casual
For more casual dining, visit Paddy's Irish Pub for traditional Irish food, spirts and live music. The pub was commissioned and built by the Panoz family in Ireland before being disassembled and rebuilt on our property. After your round of golf enjoy a pint of Guinness and the house special, Bangers & Mash. Quartet of mildly seasoned imported sausages, served on a heap of steaming mashed potatoes, topped with sautéed peppers, onions, and gravy.

Getting There

Chateau Elan is located 40 minutes north of Atlanta and the Harstfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, ATL.

From Atlanta or the airport directions are very straight forward. Take I-85 North to Exit 126. From off ramp, take a feft, and Chateau Elan will be the first gate on your Left. Shuttle and limo services are available by request.

Best Time To Go

Looking to take a romantic getaway? Escape to Chateau Elan in late summer and early fall for the grape harvest season. While wine tours operate year-round, there is an excitement in the air when the winery is in full production.

As far as golf, the resort is open year round. In season starts in April and runs thru November. Winter rates and packages start in November and lasts thru the end of March.

Rants and Raves

Chateau Elan is an ideal romantic golf getaway and will return one day with my wife. I went with a few golfing buddies in the off season and stayed in the golf villas. We enjoyed our 3 day stay but wished we enrolled in the Dave Pelz golf school while we were there.

The golf courses are conveniently located within walking distance from the golf villas. Our foursome ended each round with a celebratory beer. Paddy's Pub might serve the best Guinness Beer in the United States, then again the ambiance of drinking it in an Irish built pub might be clouding my judgment.

More Info

Chateau Elan Inn
100 Rue Charlemagne
Braselton, Georgia 30517
800-233-WINE (9463)
www.chateauelan.com