Richard Gere appointed Relais & Châteaux 2011 Ambassador

Richard Gere, acclaimed Hollywood actor and owner of the charming Bedford Post, has been named as the 2011 Ambassador of the global luxury group, Relais & Châteaux.

Currently operating in over 58 countries in five continents, the Relais & Châteaux is one of the largest luxury groups of individually owned and operated hotels and restaurants.

The eight-bedroom Bedford Post, located north of New York City, is owned by Gere, his wife Carey Lowell and their business partner Russell Hernandez.

It is an absolute honour to welcome Mr. Gere as the new 2011 Relais & Châteaux ambassador. Not only is he one of Hollywood's most admired actors, he is the quintessential innkeeper whose personal journey to revive and maintain a historic property is an exceptional example of the passion that binds Relais & Châteaux together, said Jaume Tapiès, International President of Relais & Châteaux in a statement.

By stepping into the role of the ambassador as a Relais & Châteaux innkeeper himself, the Chicago actor has succeeded the author Douglas Kennedy in 2009, and the wine grower and actress Carole Bouquet in 2010.

In my long career, I've played many challenging and demanding characters, but believe me none more so than my real life role as Innkeeper, said Gere in a recent statement.

Gere took the responsibility of restoring the project as an act of preservation to provide a gathering place for his local community.

Bedford Post offerings include two restaurants (the barn and the farmhouse adjacent bar), complimentary yoga classes for overnight guests and pristine grounds which feature a reflecting pool.