Tag Archives: 5 star Hotel

Canary Islands, Spain: Tenerife

Short break in Tenerife

Hi everyone! Once more on the front page of the blog, an old article of the beautiful Tenerife which I hope will entertain you. And why not planning your next vacation when the borders reopen. Direction The Canary islands! 

After a 4h30 flight

We collect the rental car for our mini road trip in Tenerife. Our hotel, The Ritz-Carlton, Abama is located in the south of the island. The sandy arid landscapes with from time to time banana plantations, are reminiscent of Africa. The huge rose-colored resort surrounded by a lush oasis of green plants, offers superb views of the Atlantic Ocean, as well as several swimming pools. I immediately have a feeling of space, nature and comfort. The quality of the various restaurants is outstanding and we particularly liked El Mirador and the Beach Club. We could easily consider never leaving the hotel!

Day 2: in the morning, we stop at the Mirador Archopenque to see Los Gigantes cliffs. Then we reach the north of the island. Second stop in the picturesque village of Icod de los Vinos, for the famous Drago de Icod. This unique specimen is an endemic arboreal plant (Canary Islands dragon tree) and it is believed to be between 800 and 1000 years old. Its base is 20 meters in diameter. Next stop: the volcanic sand beaches of Puerto de la Cruz, what a show! The ultramarine blue ocean, the white of the foam of waves on the shiny black sand, currents and a few surfers.

Day 3: very early departure and “sporty” long road to the Teide National Park to admire the eponymous volcano. It summit rises to 3,718 meters high. Stunning landscapes, incredible light. Sometimes, it feels like in a road movie in the south of the United States. Sometimes like in a lunar setting with a strong wind that pushes you far ahead! A must see! We take a short break in the postcard village, La Oratava. And back to the south of the island, we relax El Medano beach frequented by kitsurfers.

                                 Enjoy the travel's pictures below !

Day 2: Drago de Icod & Puerta de la Cruz

Day 3: El Teide, La Orotava & kitesurf

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

Informations  

The Ritz-Carlton, Abama

Related articles : Destinations

Many thanks to the Ritz-Carlton and its lovely team for this beautiful invitation. As always, these opinions are my own.

French Alps, Les Arcs: Ski, Lounge & Fooding

The Village Igloo Les Arcs

When I Arrived 

at the hotel Taj-I Mah the day before, I tasted the dark siver macaroons of the Michelin Starred Chef Eric Samson (first photo of the article). This morning, I head with Lo, my gorgeous “snow BFF”, to the Village Igloo Les Arcs. 

Ten minutes walk from the hotel with an amazing blue sky! What a pleasure to walk on the footpaths of the freshly groomed empty ski slopes! I really enjoy the beginning of the ski season! No crowd, so calm!

Fairy Ice Cavern

    

Upon Entering,

I was just expecting the traditional ice bar plus few tables. What a surprise to discover an ice cavern of 150 m² too! You follow more or less narrow corridors adorned with sculptures inspired by Nordic legends.

We had the chance to meet the team of sculptors at work. You can extend the magic by spending one night in one of the two rooms (no sanitary facilities on site). You feel out of time …

    

Between Two Skiing Sessions

Lunch at l’Atelier d’Eric

During this relaxing weekend, I took my two lunch with beautiful views of the slopes at l’Atelier d’Eric (located in the hotel Taj-I Mah): each time, excellent! If you follow me on this blog, you know how much I enjoy the inventive simple light cuisine of the Chef Eric Samson. In your plate, you can recognize each flavor.

Photos below: left, first day, first lunch with tuna and Japanese mushrooms. To the right, second day: tuna and Walnut St. Jacques with a tian of vegetables. And for the two lunchs, the same Valrhona chocolate and pear dessert, I love it! 

And if you don’t know where dining, I recommend you the Diamond Noir, the gourmet restaurant of the Taj-I Mah, under the leadership of Chef Eric Samson.

The Apres-Ski at The Arc 1800

Tea time at The Lodge

We drive to the Arc 1800. Picture above: the classified buildings of the famous architect Charlotte Perriand. Then we take the cable car to Mille8, where the Lodge, a restaurant-café with modern decoration and Scandinavian influences, is located.

Here, no partying vibe like in la Folie Douce, but I immediately liked this place for the space, interior design, atmosphere and view. Thank you Lo! You feel as good inside as on the terrace. It was hard for us to leave, lol!

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés.

Informations

Taj-I-Mah, Les Arcs

Related posts : DESTINATIONS, HOTEL REVIEWS & BEAUTY

Many thanks to the Taj-I Mah and the Tourist Office of Les Arcs for this beautiful invitation! As always are my opinions.

Pashmina Hotel: A Suite With A view

Val-Thorens-France-Pashmina-Hotel-Ski-Resort-Small-Luxury-Hotel-of-the-World-Opening-Room-With-A-Mountain-View-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Stunning Mountain View

Val-Thorens-France-Pashmina-Hotel-Ski-Resort-Small-Luxury-Hotel-of-the-World-Opening-Room-With-A-Mountain-View-9-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The Dull Luster Of The Luxury  

What a pleasure discovering in my room (a Junior Suite), space and light! This particular brightness is found only in altitude. The photographer in me feels lucky and happy!

Large windows open onto a dream setting, as if the omnipresent mountain was the VIP guest of the hotel room! On the small balcony, my gaze is lost on the ski slopes not busy, but we are at the beginning of the season.

I really enjoy using the spacious bathroom: extremely simple, very clear and functional (above photo montage). A mountain picture covering two walls of the shower. In the large mirror above the wide block to wash hands and face, I can see the reflection of the (“real”) mountain.

Val-Thorens-France-Pashmina-Hotel-Ski-Resort-Small-Luxury-Hotel-of-the-World-Opening-Room-With-A-Mountain-View-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K  Val-Thorens-France-Pashmina-Hotel-Ski-Resort-Small-Luxury-Hotel-of-the-World-Opening-Room-With-A-Mountain-View-4-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KVal-Thorens-France-Pashmina-Hotel-Ski-Resort-Small-Luxury-Hotel-of-the-World-Opening-Room-With-A-Mountain-View-5-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K  Val-Thorens-France-Pashmina-Hotel-Ski-Resort-Small-Luxury-Hotel-of-the-World-Opening-Room-With-A-Mountain-View-6-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

I feel cuddled and had a hard time leaving my bed: no noise, elegant flannel curtains and impeccable bedding.

Val-Thorens-France-Pashmina-Hotel-Ski-Resort-Small-Luxury-Hotel-of-the-World-Opening-Room-With-A-Mountain-View-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The lounge is very nice with this incredibly comfortable sofa topped by an XXL mirror … which reflects the mountain outside! This sofa is my meditation corner when I relax between my different activities.

The room is spacious and very well arranged with two wardrobe to store clothes and luggages. The colors are both neutral and warm with some walls and partitions covered with wood.

The furniture is simple and charming, two wooden tables and a chair with raw finitions, and a modern leather ottoman. The whole creates a smart warm environment: a relaxing universe especially after skiing or some other sports.

Val-Thorens-France-Pashmina-Hotel-Ski-Resort-Small-Luxury-Hotel-of-the-World-Opening-Room-With-A-Mountain-View-7-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KVal-Thorens-France-Pashmina-Hotel-Ski-Resort-Small-Luxury-Hotel-of-the-World-Opening-Room-With-A-Mountain-View-8-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Val-Thorens-France-Pashmina-Hotel-Ski-Resort-Small-Luxury-Hotel-of-the-World-Opening-Room-With-A-Mountain-View-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

A Must Do!

Val-Thorens-France-Pashmina-Hotel-Ski-Resort-Small-Luxury-Hotel-of-the-World-Opening-Igloo-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The Igloo

Who has not dreamed of spending a night in a (luxury) igloo … please (lol)? The Pashmina owners are mountain fans. And they wanted to share with us the bivouac’s thrill with more comfort.

Sleeping – or almost – watching the stars, the dream!  

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

Informations  

Pashmina Le Refuge

Related posts :  to discover the other parts of the hotel

HOTEL REVIEWS & DESTINATIONS

Many thanks to the team of the Pashmina Le Refuge for this great stay. I was invited by the Pashmina Le Refuge and as always these are my opinions.