On Tuesday, Chateau Elan Winery & Resort in Braselton unveiled new upgrades to the facility with a ribbon cutting. The $25 million renovation project was completed by the new owners, Wheelock Street Capital, who purchased the property in 2018.
Keith Manning, Vice President of Asset Management at Wheelock said that it was a great property already, but some changes needed to be made. “It was a great property but hadn’t been renovated in a long time,” he says. “It was ‘fine’ but you have to make sure you’re keeping up with the competitors and making those physical improvements. So, we looked at it from an opportunity perspective.”
Most every area of the property received some form of upgrade. All 251 guestrooms and 24 suites were completely redone, including the furniture. Also, guests may now notice changes to the lobby, the atrium, the winery and the restaurants, which includes four new food and beverage outlets. The golf club was a complete redo and now has a full-service restaurant. The pool, terrace and spa also got facelifts.
“I would hope that there is nothing they will see that HASN’T changed,” says Manning. “The biggest things we have done is updated the MARC restaurant, our fine dining steakhouse, to be a true restaurant for the local community, as well as our hotel guests. The food and beverage quality is there and it feels like a place you want to be - similar to our Versaille restaurant. It’s not just a restaurant in the atrium, but now has great food, a great atmosphere and a great vibe that will not just drive hotel guests, but the community, as well.”
According to Foreman Rogers, a representative of the design firm BLUR Workshop, developers had several inspirations for the project. The name itself provided some French vision and can be seen throughout the property, but most obviously from the French custom limestone fireplace which welcomes guests right when they walk in the door.
The other inspiration came from the resort itself and the surrounding area of Braselton and the Appalachian foothills. Guests will notice a massive, 1,400-piece glass chandelier hanging in the atrium which represents grapes hanging from the vines.
The majority of the new furniture, art and sculptures are all locally made pieces, as the developers really wanted to continue the community tradition.
Braselton Mayor Pro Tem, Peggy Slappey, thanks them for their investment in the community. “We could not imagine how much you could improve on something we already thought was wonderful but you have done that. Thank you for your investment and your confidence in our town. We applaud and welcome all the changes. Thank you from the town of Braselton.”
To learn more about Chateau Elan Winery & Resort, visit chateauelan.com.
