Golf Spas - Château Élan
Dateline: 04/18/98
Château Élan
all photos courtesy of Château Élan
I love Atlanta. I went to college there and go back once in while to visit friends who still live there. About 10 years ago, I started hearing about this wonderful winery, golf course and, later, spa - Chateau Elan. I have yet to visit, but would definitely like to. I'll be in Atlanta around the 4th of July this summer. My husband will be running in the 10k Peachtree Road Race. Maybe a visit to the spa will be just what he needs after the race (me, too!).
Chateau Elan is located in Braselton, Georgia, 30 minutes north of Atlanta and close to Lake Lanier. It is a winery and full-service resort with residential community covering 3,100 acres. Woodlands and small lakes are integrated with walking and biking trails, nature trails, picnic areas and golf courses.
Golf
Château Élan currently has 63 holes of golf. There are two 18 hole resort golf courses -- The Château course & The Woodlands course.
The Château course is generally acknowledged as Georgia's highest-rated daily fee golf course and practice facility. Built on 170 acres of the finest terrain, the 7,030 yard layout of the Château course, designed by Denis Griffiths, plays to a par 71. Winding along three lakes and two creeks, water comes into play on 10 of the 18 holes, while the 87 bunkers give definition and character to the Bermuda fairways and smooth bentgrass greens.
To prepare you to play this tournament quality course, Château Élan's practice facility simulates the same challenges met on the course. With 40 natural turf tee stations and a variety of elevated and well bunkered target greets, you'll be able to sharpen your game. The "Wee Links" is a three-hole short game loop that invites you to perfect the four important scoring shots: putting, chipping, pitching and bunker play.
The Woodlands opened in July 1996 and is Château Élan's newest addition. The Woodlands is a stunning 18-hole championship course with a true nine holes out and nine holes in. Each hole is tree-lined and gives players the feeling that they are alone on the course. Numerous elevation changes often give players a dead view of what lies ahead. Golfers also cross or skirt water ten times during play. The Woodlands was built to complement the natural features of the land. Also designed by Griffiths, this par-72 course offers challenges for every golfer.
Château Élan Golf Club is a regional site for the world renowned Golf Digest Instructional Schools. Half-day mini-schools are scheduled from April through October each year. In addition, the resident teaching staff offers programs tailored to players of all skill levels.
Chateau Elan is also the site of the 18 hole private club, The Legends, home of the Subaru Sarazen World Open.
The Lodge at Chateau Elan offers a Golf Package which includes overnight accommodations, continental breakfast and one round of golf (18 holes plus cart) on either the Château or Woodlands courses for $119 single golfer, $179 for two golfers, per night
Other Internet special golf packages are available.
Spa
Each service performed or activity attended at The Spa at Chateau Elan works equally on your mind, body, and soul to melt away stress and rejuvenate.
The trainers offer comprehensive fitness assessments (Body Composition, Submaximal Stress Test and Muscular Endurance), as well as exercise prescriptions and a full line of Aerobic Classes. Personal training is available for those who prefer one-on-one instruction. Services in Wellness Education are regularly scheduled and can be chosen as a part of your stay. Yoga, Stress Management or a particular program can be designed to suit you. Highly trained therapists provide a full-range of treatments to address specific problems and apply centuries-old techniques that increase circulation while relaxing tired muscles. Therapeutic techniques offered include Swedish and harmonic massages, thalassotherapy, aromatherapy, reflexology, hydrotherapy, Vichy showers, herbal body wraps, body exfoliations, facials, and hand and foot paraffins. A library of books, video tapes and compact discs especially selected for relaxation. Sauna, steam rooms, and whirlpool are all a part of the Spa experience.
The Spa at Chateau Elan has recently introduced two new treatments: Hot Stone Massage and The Power Peel.
Using Swedish massage techniques, the Hot Stone Massage is the application of deep-penetrating heat with smooth, heated stones. Muscle tension is melted away and you will experience a level of peacefulness and relaxation from the stone's healing energies.
The Power Peel is a micro-dermabrasion treatment that has been used in Europe for years. It is the ultimate advancement in non-invasive, nonsurgical skin conditioning. In as little as 45 minutes, this gentle abrasive technique efficiently produces noticeable results. After several treatments, acne scars will be less obvious and age spots and fine lines will be erased. Your skin will be softer, smoother, and younger-looking. Most importantly, it is safe to use on all skin types and colors.
Dining room and room service of specially planned and prepared, satisfying and appetizing Spa cuisine.
The Spa's 14 individually decorated guest suites are designed to nourish your spirit and carry the feeling of personal renewal into your dreams. Each suite and bath transports you into a setting that surrounds you with an atmosphere designed to enhance your experience and appeal to your imagination.
Here are just a few of the suites offered:
•Georgia Room -- This southern theme blends the true style of Georgia-hand carved cypress surrounding the queen-size bed and hand painted dogwoods on the walls. The lilac colors blend with soft turquoise carpeting and pastel colored fabrics in this corner room with an extra window to view the beautiful grounds.
•Art Deco -- For those who were unable to experience the Queen Mary luxury liner of the 1920's, we have brought that feel to inland Georgia. The tortoise shelled lamps are reminiscent of the hats worn by the ladies of the time, and the covering on the king-size bed matches the pink art deco color scheme.
•Fox Hunt -- Those who participated in the "Fox Hunt" at Essex or Virginia Estate never returned to such mahogany richness and utter comfort which includes two queen-size beds, a lower and loft level, each with full bath. Hunter green and wine richly flow throughout this suite.
The Spa at Chateau Elan offers Spa Day Packages and Spa Overnight Packages in many combinations that are sure to meet your needs.
Other amenities found at Chateau Elan are -
 Tennis Center designed by Stan Smith featuring 7 lighted courts. |
 Equestrian Show Center with a 37,500 square foot covered arena. |
Seven Restaurants.   |
 The Inn at Château Élan with 277 guest rooms including 20 suites, 4 hospitality suites, and a 2000 square foot presidential suite. |
 Elan Natural Waters |
 16th century French-style château housing a winery with Wine Market and complimentary winery tours with tastings. |
 25,000 square feet of flexible meeting space including 2 grand ballrooms |
 Residential Community featuring homes on all four golf courses. |
Atlanta is a great city. While your nearby, don't miss some of my favorite places to visit:
World of Coca-Cola, Atlanta
Taste Coca-Cola flavors not sold in this country. See the history of the bottle shape, old commercials - Mean Joe Green, I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing.., and more!
Underground Atlanta
Nothing like it was when I was at GT, but still fun to go to. It's a lot like a big underground mall now - lots of shopping, restaurants, attractions, etc.
Stone Mountain Park
The site of the largest relief sculpture in the world, the Confederate Memorial Carving. Don't miss the very patriotic Laser Show.
Cyclorama
Home of the world's largest painting which tells the story of the 1864 Battle for Atlanta.
Zoo Atlanta
More than 1,000 animals and birds can be viewed in natural habitats, including Willie B., one of the zoo's most beloved animals, and Baby Kudzu in the Ford African Rain Forest.
The Fox Theater
It appears you are sitting outside a Moorish Castle...clouds slowly make their way across the evening sky...stars twinkle..the show begins. I will always regret missing Neil Diamond here.
Georgia Institute of Technology
Your Guide's alma mater and the site of many of the '96 Summer Olympic events.
Six Flags Over Georgia
All you could ask for in a big amusement park.
White Water Atlanta
40-acre water park with attractions for children, teens and adults.
Château Élan
100 Tour de France
Braselton, Georgia 30517
(800) 233-WINE (9463), FAX: (770) 271-6915
(770) 932-0900
Mail to: chateau@chateauelan.com
Other Spa Site Golf Spa features:
Doral Golf Resort and Spa
Sonnenalp Resort at Vail
PGA National Resort ant Spa
Loews Ventana Canyon Resort
For an expanded and continually updated list of golf spas with links to their sites, visit Golf Spas in Net Links section of The Mining Co.'s Spa Site.
For more information about golfing, be sure to visit The Mining Co.'s Pro Golf and Women's Golf sites.
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