Tag Archives: Hotel Reviewed

Casa da Cisterna, Portugal

Portugal-Center of Portugal-Casa da Cisterna-Castelo Rodrigo-Luxury Guest House-6-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Heritage Village

Portugal-Center of Portugal-Casa da Cisterna-Castelo Rodrigo-Luxury Guest House-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

It’s Time To Hit The Road Again, Miss!

Last March, I was invited in Switzerland, to a conference about a luxury travel (a post soon). The first topic was to define today luxury: we all agree to define it by experience and service. And Casa da Cisterna is a perfect mix of these two concepts!

During my trip to the Center of Portugal, I had a real crush on this little gem nestled in the castle of Castelo Rodrigo, a medieval village overlooking a wide plain. Olympian calm and a view to die for! To open a book and curl up in a hammock.

Speaking of experience, Ana Berliner, the charming owner of Casa da Cisterna and her great team have prepared a surprise: a wilderness dinner atop a mountain overlooking Spain. Simple and elegant: one of the best memories of my stay in the Center!

Portugal-Center of Portugal-Castelo Rodrigo-Casa da Cisterna-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

My Room

Portugal-Center of Portugal-Casa da Cisterna-Castelo Rodrigo-Luxury Guest House-2A-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Intimate

The more I travel, fewer places where instantly, I feel really good! Beyond the decor, it is first a question of energy, space and light. Upon entering my room, I had this reassuring diffused sensation of clarity, sharpness and sweetness.

Each room is decorated differently. The facilities are new, with separate shower and toilet, and the bedding is impeccable. In a weekend, I removed 15 days of insomnia :)) Photo below: the golden morning light and breakfast on the terrace. I never tire of the view!

Portugal-Center of Portugal-Casa da Cisterna-Castelo Rodrigo-Luxury Guest House-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K             Portugal-Center of Portugal-Casa da Cisterna-Castelo Rodrigo-Luxury Guest House-7-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Portugal-Center of Portugal-Casa da Cisterna-Castelo Rodrigo-Luxury Guest House-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

Informations   

Visit PortugalTCP/ARPT Centro de Portugal, TAPA2Z AdventuresHistorical Villages

Related posts : DESTINATIONS & HOTEL REVIEWS

Many thanks for this beautiful invitation to Visit Portugal, TCP/ARPT Centro de Portugal and TAP. Many thanks to Ana Berliner and the lovely team of Casa Cisterna. As always these are my opinions.

The White 1921 Courchevel

Courchevel-France-White-1921-Hotel-1A-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Design And Glam

Courchevel-France-White-1921-Hotel-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

A Warm Welcome

The White 1921 is the new design hotel with the all white facade that makes the difference in the small village of Courchevel 1850, and sets the tone: a mix of design, glam and cool (yes). When I arrive, Agnes Bouanani, the friendly General Manager of the hotel, offers me a tea in the “small lounge” (on the photo montage below) while my room is prepared.

The 26-room hotel was completely redone by Jean-Michel Wilmotte, the famous French architect and designer. I really like the fairly intimate, simple and graphic (without excess) interior design, creating a pleasant and comfortable bubble difficult to leave so it feels good. 

Agnes is a great traveler graduated from the CFA Mederic, the hotel school in Paris (black and white portrait below). Concerned about the smallest detail, she also chose the restautant where I dine this evening, as the hotel has none. There is only a breakfast room. 

Looking out the window, I ask Agnes how Courchevel is in summertime : “I love summer in Courchevel, I make amazing rides. It’s quiet… Like being in an eagle’s nest“. I’m already late, I go take a swimsuit while Nathalie waits for me to go to the Aquamotion for lunch (lol) … Thank you Agnes! 

Courchevel-France-White-1921-Hotel-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KCourchevel-France-White-1921-Hotel-7-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The Breakfast Room

Courchevel-France-White-1921-Hotel-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Courchevel-France-White-1921-Hotel-4-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Courchevel-France-White-1921-Hotel-5-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The Spa

Courchevel-France-White-1921-Hotel-6-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés.

Informations  

White 1921 Courchevel, Office du tourisme de Courchevel,  www.les3vallees.com

Related posts : HOTEL REVIEWS & DESTINATIONS 

Many thanks to the White 1921 Courchevel, Mrs Agnès Bouanani and her great team, Tourist Office of Courchevel and 3 Vallées for this beautiful invitation. As always these opinions are my own.

Meribel, France: Skiing & Wellness

France-Meribel-Ski-Resort-Hotel-Le-Tremplin-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Skiing

France-Meribel-Ski-Resort-Slopes-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

This Morning It Snows A Lot

Taking breakfast, I doubt if I can ski for my second day in Méribel. At 10 a.m., I start my Skiing For Women lesson (to enjoy skiing in a way less based on performance and arranged for women with children too) with Cécile Crousaz, National BEES 1° Ski at the Ecole de Ski Méribel (Ski School of Meribel).

We reach the Rhodos gondola. The weather remains overcast, but visibility is better. And the pleasure of skiing is back! Same place, but the decor has completely changed … a different beauty, fog blanketed the peaks. Since the beginning of my stay (in Val Thorens), I’ve had less fear on skis and improved. Cecile is very patient and motivating too. 

When we arrive for lunch at La Folie Douce Meribel-Courchevel, the fog is denser, creepy on slope (photos below). Without comparison: nothing to do with La Folie Douce Val Thorens, much more festive. Here, the atmosphere is more relaxed. 

France-Meribel-Ski-Resort-La-Folie-Douce-Restaurant-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-Meribel-Ski-Resort-La-Folie-Douce-Restaurant-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-Meribel-Ski-Resort-La-Folie-Douce-Restaurant-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The Hotel  

France-Meribel-Ski-Resort-Hotel-Le-Tremplin-A- Room-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Back To The Hotel Around 3 p.m.

to let my equipment in the ski room and get changed for my spa session this afternoon. Le Tremplin hotel is located close to the slopes and the center of Meribel (the hotel’s facade on the first photo of the post).

The 40 tastefully decorated rooms have just been redone. Mine is simple and comfortable. And the efficient smiling service make you feel good.

On the above photo montage: my room with a really good bedding and large bathroom with Pascal Morabito products. On the bed (1), a lovely travel beauty kit that the institute My Spa by Payot Meribel offered me. I will use for sure in a future trip!

France-Meribel-Ski-Resort-Hotel-Le-Tremplin-View-Room-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The View

My room’s terrace has two sides, allowing me to enjoy different views, both of the city (above) and slopes (below)! The hotel also offers an outdoor pool, open until 8 p.m. 

France-Meribel-Ski-Resort-Hotel-Le-Tremplin-View-Room-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-Meribel-Ski-Resort-Hotel-Le-Tremplin-Swimming-Pool-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The Outdoor Pool 

To go to the pool surrounded by bars and protected from view by a small wooden fence, you wear a bathrobe on your swimsuit and slippers (lol). At night, while you bathe, you can see the lights of the bars and town. I really liked (photos above and below).

France-Meribel-Ski-Resort-Hotel-Le-Tremplin-View-Room-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K  France-Meribel-Ski-Resort-Hotel-Le-Tremplin-Swimming-Pool-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The Wellness  

France-Meribel-Ski-Resort-Spa-Payot-Hotel-Le-Tremplin-Swimming-Pool-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

My Spa by Payot

is located in the Olympic Centre, five minutes walk from the Le Tremplin hotel. The benefit of being in a central location, you are near everything! I recommend the jacuzzi overlooking the slopes! Before my customized massage, I “navigate” between steam room, cold shower and jacuzzi.

Then I choose a relaxing neck-shoulder-arm massage: as a skiing beginner, I contract the upper body muscles too much. My therapist applies an oil with essential oils: I am pleasantly surprised, I don’t have skin reaction. This is the first time I used Payot products.

During the massage, I fall asleep (good sign). Leaving the spa, I stop at the outdoor pool of Le Tremplin to swim while it snows. Awesome!

The Exclusive

France-Meribel-Ski-Resort-Meribel-Chaudanne-Gourmet-Shopping-Bokal-Chef-Laurent-Azoulay-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Gourmet Jars

After skiing, spa, massage and pool, I just want to stay quiet in my room. Eating a light dinner of vegetable soup and sleeping.

Looking for a soup bar, I came across the gourmet grocery store of a Michelin starred chef, Le Bokal by Laurent Azoulay. The shop opened since mid-December, has style: sober with black walls and a central wooden table for the tasting.

France-Meribel-Ski-Resort-Meribel-Chaudanne-Gourmet-Shopping-Bokal-Chef-Laurent-Azoulay-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés.

Informations  

www.meribel.netwww.les3vallees.com  

For the ski lessons (all levels), or Skiing For Women (group lessons and weekend or week packages), you can contact the ESF de Méribel : +33 479 08 6031, [email protected].

DESTINATIONSHOTEL REVIEWS & BEAUTY

Many thanks to the 3 Vallées and Meribel Tourist Office for this beautiful invitation. Big thanks to the Hotel Le Tremplin team, Cécile Crousaz and the Spa By Payot. As always these opinions are my own.