Chateau du Sureau

We stayed at Chateau du Sureau as an alternative to staying inside Yosemite at The Ahwahnee, and overall it was a memorable part of our trip. Nestled in the foothills just outside Yosemite National Park, this boutique property feels like a European escape with manicured gardens, elegant architecture, and a peaceful, storybook-like setting that’s a world apart from the typical park lodges. Food & Dining: The highlight of our stay was undoubtedly the cuisine. The on-site restaurant serves outstanding meals. Dinner here was one of the best dining experiences of our entire trip, and breakfast at the hotel was equally impressive with fresh pastries and thoughtfully prepared dishes. These meals set this property apart from others in the Yosemite area and make it a great choice for food lovers. Property & Setting: The grounds are beautiful — lush gardens, charming outdoor spaces, and plenty of spots to relax between adventures. It’s a much calmer, more refined atmosphere compared to staying inside the park, and that was exactly the vibe we were looking for on this trip. Rooms & Service: We found the rooms to be cute and characterful, but they could definitely use a bit more attention in terms of cleanliness and maintenance Location: Keep in mind that this property is about a 20-30 minute drive to the park’s south entrance, so it’s not as convenient as staying inside the park itself — but it’s a lovely base if you don’t mind the commute!

Where to begin? I have been enjoying the restaurant associated with this hotel for many years now on my visits to the area which is a treasure near Yosemite. The town of Oakhurst is my favorite as it offers great amenities that are the closest to the best entrance to Yosemite in my opinion. Lets start with the food. This is one of the best culinary experiences I have had and it is consistently good. The three course or five course dining service is stellar. These chefs are some of the best in the world and Ive been all over the world. The leadership of Erica is not to be surpassed. She has an incredible calm spirit with a smiling happy crew that provides top notch service with warmth and class. The bartender Jordan is a delight with his great smile and kind eyes. The food experience made me feel like I was being nourished from the inside out not just with nutrition but with love and flavor that was new and revitalizing. This was my first stay at the Chateau Sureau. Oh my heart. I feel that I was healed and restored from a level of stress I dont think I realized I was carrying from our busy crazy noisy world at home. The property is exquisite with old world charm and the perfect patina of age that makes you feel you are in the old country of Paris or Austria or England. The landscape is stunning and it was raining so the fireplaces were roaring and the pines were glistening with silver drops backlit by an incredible sunset. The breakfast service is top notch and the staff is incredibly attentive. You know its good when you know each others names. Thanks to Lorenzo, Sienna, Logan, Jissel and Lori for incredible Chalet guest service. Then, there is the spa. I just had to go since I was feeling like my life was coming back to my ownership again. The Spa is gorgeous. The spa. director Way has been on this property for 20 years. I had the best facial and conversation with her. What a treasure she is. Kim was my massage therapist and she is one of the best I have ever had and my son at home is a therapist as well so I feel qualified to say so. I got to spend my time in the couples massage room which has stunning views, a balcony that looks out from the hot bubbling soaking tub that you get to use after your massage. I had a choice of oils to add and we went with elderberry which is incredible for soft skin. Its absolutely wonderful. The small scale in size lent itself to making connections with other guests that were fantastic and I made friends here while staying that will last! I will be back everytime I am in town. I was here on a rainy weeks end and it added to the magic. I can imagine what it is like in spring when the gorgeous grounds are covered in flowers blooming. I cant wait to see it again then or even next month for the holidays! Some may say there is some aging to the rooms but I say its perfect and if you have traveled to the Old Country in Europe this is part of the actual beauty and experience. Relish it!!

My wife and I recently spent three nights in early September 2025 at Château du Sureau, a charming resort in Oakhurst, California. Here is our honest review of the experience. The Hits From our patio, we enjoyed a wonderful view of the pool and the town of Oakhurst. The decor throughout the room and the resort was a feast for the eyes, filled with interesting and eclectic objects. A hidden gem was the music player in the closet, with speakers discreetly built into the walls—perfect for streaming classical tunes or any music from our phones. The staff was incredibly attentive, and we appreciated the high-quality Moulton Brown products provided. A thoughtful touch was the bottle of local rosé waiting for us upon arrival. Breakfast was a treat, especially the fresh-squeezed orange juice. We loved spending time in the Grand Salon, a beautiful space with all sorts of unique features. The statues scattered throughout the grounds were also an interesting and eclectic collection. We were particularly taken with the two very tall Mediterranean cypress trees that stood between our room and the pool. The Misses While our stay was mostly enjoyable, a few things could be improved. Our room's beige carpet had some noticeable stains and spots, and we noticed a missing tile plate on the steps leading to the main entrance. The shower situation in the Lavender room was also a bit tricky; getting in and out of the combined shower/bathtub felt dangerous, and one of us decided not to use it at all. We also felt that the windows could use a good cleaning, both inside and out. The duvet was very heavy, which would be lovely on a cold night, but was uncomfortable on the warm evenings during our stay. The lack of an elevator in the building was a minor inconvenience, as was the awkward gate and entry process to get onto the property. Lastly, a prominent sign by the swimming pool displayed the rather blunt message: "PERSONS HAVING CURRENTLY ACTIVE DIARRHEA OR WHO HAVE HAD ACTIVE DIARRHEA WITHIN THE PREVIOUS 14 DAYS SHALL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE POOL WATER." This felt a bit off-putting and could be phrased in a more discreet way.

This inn only had about a dozen rooms. The service is outstanding. The rooms are small but very well furnished. Their breakfast patio is very pleasant, as are their other outside areas. Pricey but a great treat!

The old Chateau du Sureau is showing her age. The staff is very kind and attentive. The chateau’s first impression is worn. Fountains not working and have ferns sitting in them or a dribble of water flow in another. Pool has a green tinge due to old plaster. Front steps are missing tiles. The rooms are clean with old world charm but show signs of wear. Stains on carpet and furniture. The shower/tub has a very awkward entrance. The breakfast was truly wonderful. Hope the new owners can restore it’s charm and elegance