Tag Archives: 5 Stars

Azores: My Addresses In Ponta Delgada

24 Hours in Ponta Delgada

A Walk in The Historical Center

First day of my trip to the Azores, where I will discover two islands of this beautiful Atlantic Ocean archipelago, São Miguel and Santa Maria. I am super excited, cause I’ve wanted visiting the Azores for a long time!

Départ aux aurores de Bruxelles vers Ponta  Delgada (capitale des Açores sur l’île de São Miguel), via Lisbonne avec la TAP. Nous arrivons en milieu de journée. Le temps est changeant, couvert avec des éclaircies. Mais ça fait partie du charme de l’archipel, les 4 saisons en un jour. 

In the old city, time seems to be stopped, with imposing monuments (Portas da Cidade de Ponta Delgada, 1783) and churches (Igreja Matriz de São Miguel) dating from the sixteenth century. Cobbled streets, green squares, some brightly colored facades (photos below) … 

  

Where To Sip A Tea From The Azores

Louvre Michaelense

Take time to get lost in the city! Take time to get lost. That’s how I found my address: where to sip a tea from the Azores!  

Louvre Michaelense is both a shop (photo 3 above), a tea room (2) and a delicatessen (1). It offers a selection of rare objects and sought local products, with regressive packaging in an ancient framework. The concept reminded me of A Vida Portuguese (in Lisbon). A friendly trendy spot.

Where To Sleep

  

La Casa das Palmeiras

I first saw from a distance the roof of the house that contrasted with the local architecture. Built in 1901, La Casa das Palmeiras is more like one of these Art Nouveau villas on the French Riviera. Recently renovated, this small hotel with 10 rooms is a gem. Perfect for an elegant weekend.

Awesome adress, less is more!   

    

What’s up?

Discovering Street art

What a fantastic surprise! I am a creative (photographer, former art director). So imagine my happiness walking and seeing these amazing Street art works in Ponta Delgada! Oups, I really apology, I lost my notes with the titles of the art works and names of the artists.

 

Where To Drink & Dinner

The Panoramic Terrace of The Azor Hotel

It is always a great pleasure for me to stay or dinner in a hotel decorated by Nini Andrade Silva! I love her work and personality. She has this ability to dramatize space and create unique universes in which we feel good.

After a long time on the relaxing terrace of the Azor Hotel, we dine at the restaurant A Terra Fornaria. The food (promoting local ingredients) and service are great. Definitely my chic address from Ponta Delgada!

 

Photos & vidéos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés.

Informations  

Visit AzoresVisit Portugal, TAPLouvre Michaelense, Street art with Walk & Talk AzoresCasa das Palmeiras – Charming House, Azor Hotel

Related articles : HOTEL REVIEWS & DESTINATIONS

Many Thanks to Visit Azores, Visit Portugal and TAP for this beautiful invitation. As always these are my opinions.

Portugal, Cascais: The Oitavos Hotel

The-Oitavos-Hotel-Review-Swimming-Pool-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

50 Shades of Blue

The-Oitavos-Hotel-Review-swimming-Pool-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Weekend with Friends

I like going by car to Cascais on the Marginal road (20-30 minutes from Lisbon) to see the seaside. The brightness reminds California. Weekend “staycation” with my BFF at The Oitavos located in the middle of a beautiful pine trees. We take the opportunity to go visiting friends and the “Point of View” exhibition in Sintra.

Surprise while arriving: the super modern hotel is huge! And it largely fills my insatiable need for space, outside/inside, lobby, lounge, bar, restaurant, terraces, pool (photos below), corridors and the room! Bikini break, my HQ: the infinity pool overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and pines tilted by the wind! “Comment vous dire, tout est bleu” (: “How can I describe you, everything is blue”) … even the glasses of my fly sunglasses! 

Photos above: 1. Tadam: flies sunglasses! A mini trails that lead to the pool for those who like to complicate life (LOL) because there are more direct access! 2 and 3. The intimate breakfast terrace as printing a picnic in the countryside. 4. Gosto muito minhas Havaianas offered by my BFF who just came back from Brazil.

The-Oitavos-Hotel-Review-Swimming-Pool-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KThe-Oitavos-Hotel-Review-Swimming-Pool-4-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KThe-Oitavos-Hotel-Review-Swimming-Pool-5-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The Spa

The-Oitavos-Hotel-Review-Pool-and-Spa-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Open to Nature

Early in the morning, when the water in the outdoor pool is freezing, I go to the warmer seawater pool in the Spa (photo above). Then I switch between jacuzzi, sauna and Turkish bath whose windows offer amazing views of the landscape. I would have tried a treatment, but it was closed. 

Photos below: 1. The pool! 2. My favorite sandals on the blue floor of the room terrassse. 3. My “cowgirl from the beach” silhouette (whith straw hat and beach bag and Balinese sarong) to go to the spa. 4. Really cool at the end of the day: I enjoyed having a drink and big laughs with friends under this parasol of the Atlântico Pool Bar. 5. My postcard ; ))

The-Oitavos-Hotel-Review-Swimming-Pool-6-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K  The-Oitavos-Hotel-Review-Fashion-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KThe-Oitavos-Hotel-Review-Fashion-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K  The-Oitavos-Hotel-Review-Swimming-Pool-7-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K
The-Oitavos-Hotel-Review-Pool-and-Spa-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The Lounge

The-Oitavos-Hotel-Review-Lounge-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KThe-Oitavos-Hotel-Review-Lounge-4-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KThe-Oitavos-Hotel-Review-Lounge-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K  The-Oitavos-Hotel-Review-Lounge-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KThe-Oitavos-Hotel-Review-Gourmet-Restaurant-Dinner-Bar-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The Ipsylon Restaurant

The-Oitavos-Hotel-Review-Gourmet-Restaurant-Dinner-Bar-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Gourmet Dinner

I like the minimalistic design and volumes. For the cuisine, it is the same. I should be able to find the flavor of each ingredient. I am not a gourmet, but I am curious. What a pleasure to discover at the Epsylon restaurant, the delicate blend of traditional Portuguese cuisine and French cuisine, elaborated by the French chef Cyril Devilliers!

Photos above: 1. Epsylon Restaurant & Bar. 2. The delicious first meal consists of a crayfish with asparagus after excellent appetizers and the traditional bread accompanied by olive oil. 3. The delicious fish with vegetables. 4. The Friday and Saturday nights, the bar turns into the Japanese Bar where you can eat estra fresh sushi and sashimi prepared in front of customers.

The-Oitavos-Hotel-Review-Gourmet-Restaurant-Dinner-Bar-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

A Room with a View

The-Oitavos-Hotel-Review-Room-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Bathed in Light

The first day while entering in the room, I was immediately sensitive to the view! And of course the 40 square meters space and bathroom (photos below)! Open volumes, a gradient blue and white shades, nomadic furniture (on wheels), the bay window … I breathe!

Spotless bed: I fell asleep like a baby watching a Brazilian telenovela! I never watch TV, so you can imagine a telenovela! No comment please!  

The-Oitavos-Hotel-Review-View-Room-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KThe-Oitavos-Hotel-Review-Room-Bathroom-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

That’s the kind of bathroom overlooking the terrace I would like to have at home! With Japanese WC (photo below)! Light and space (I repeat myself)! The originality: the blue!

The-Oitavos-Hotel-Review-Room-Bathroom-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KThe-Oitavos-Hotel-Review-View-Room-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KThe-Oitavos-Hotel-Review-View-Room-4-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K  The-Oitavos-Hotel-Review-Corridor-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés.

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The Oitavos

Related posts : HOTEL REVIEWS & DESTINATIONS

Many thanks to The Oitavos for this beautiful invitation. As always, these are my opinions.

Le Pashmina in Val Thorens, France

Val-Thorens-France-Pashmina-Hotel-Ski-Resort-Small-Luxury-Hotel-of-the-World-Opening-Terracce-Sits-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The Hotel

Val-Thorens-France-Pashmina-Hotel-Ski-Resort-Small-Luxury-Hotel-of-the-World-Opening-Entrance-Fire-Place-Shop-Le-Colporteur-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

New Concept & Hotel

While our driver takes a road along Lake Annecy (stunning panorama), the path seems long, but I didn’t sleep the night before. The Pashmina is the new 5 star luxury Small Hotels of the World, Val Thorens.

It’s always very exciting to be invited to the opening of a new hotel, new concept … Upon entering the main hall, very bright with a modern and friendly fireplace: the atmosphere is relaxed with welcoming smiles.

On the above photo montage: at the same floor, the ski room and Ski Shop by Goitschel, where you can order customized ski shoes or slippers. The shop Le Colporteur has a nice selection of teas. No time to stay more, I barely have time to discover my room before lunch.

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

The Bar & Lounge

Val-Thorens-France-Pashmina-Hotel-Ski-Resort-Small-Luxury-Hotel-of-the-World-Opening-Bar-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K  Val-Thorens-France-Pashmina-Hotel-Ski-Resort-Small-Luxury-Hotel-of-the-World-Opening-Bar-Lounge-Living-Room-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KVal-Thorens-France-Pashmina-Hotel-Ski-Resort-Small-Luxury-Hotel-of-the-World-Opening-Bar-Lounge-Living-Room-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K  Val-Thorens-France-Pashmina-Hotel-Ski-Resort-Small-Luxury-Hotel-of-the-World-Opening-Bar-Lounge-Living-Room-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Cosi Before & Après Ski Spot

A place to chill and have a drink with friends (pictured above) … I wish I wedge myself in one of the large deep chairs with a good book, lulled by the gentle ambient light … but I have thousand activities that await me!

What a pity there is too much wind on the terrace with direct views of the slopes to bask in the sun (first photo of the post and photo below to view)! It will be for the Folie Douce (LOL)!

Val-Thorens-France-Pashmina-Hotel-Ski-Resort-Small-Luxury-Hotel-of-the-World-Opening-View-to-Ski-Slopes-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The Spa

Val-Thorens-France-Pashmina-Hotel-Ski-Resort-Small-Luxury-Hotel-of-the-World-Opening-Jaccuzzi-Spa-L-Occitane-Swimming-Pool-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

We relax at the spa. The jacuzzi (1), massage room (2, L’Occitane products used), sauna (3) and swimming pool (4) have panoramic views of the slopes and the mountain. Awesome!

Val-Thorens-France-Pashmina-Hotel-Ski-Resort-Small-Luxury-Hotel-of-the-World-Opening-View-to-Ski-Slopes-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Le Refuge Restaurant

Val-Thorens-France-Pashmina-Hotel-Ski-Resort-Small-Luxury-Hotel-of-the-World-Opening-Restaurants-Gastronomy-Chefs-Cocktail-1A-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

A Little Hungry?

The menu was developed by Romuald Fassenet, Meilleur Ouvrier de France and Chef of the Mont Joly castle (in Sampans, France) and Josselin Jeanblanc. On the black and white picture: from left to right, Josselin Jeanblanc, Romuald Fassenet and the pastry chef, Sébastien Deléglise.

A thousand words, I leave you devouring gaze these pictures, enjoy! ; )) See you on the slopes (next post) …

Val-Thorens-France-Pashmina-Hotel-Ski-Resort-Small-Luxury-Hotel-of-the-World-Opening-Restaurants-Gastronomy-Chefs-Cocktail-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

Informations  

Pashmina Le Refuge

Related posts : for the hotel room, click HERE

HOTEL REVIEWS & DESTINATIONS

Many thanks to the team of the Pashmina hotel for the great time. I was invited by the Pashmina hotel and as always my opinions are my own.