Tag Archives: Leisure

Our Second Roadtrip in Andalusia, Spain: Cádiz

Stunning Architecture

A Walk In The Old Town

Finally in Cádiz on the Atlantic coast of Andalusia! We left the surroundings of Malaga around 10 a.m. this morning. On the way, we stopped at a beautiful deserted beach in Tarifa. Then on the road, we allso stopped at another beautiful beach in a natural reserve lost in the middle of nowhere. In short, we arrive in the historic center of Cadiz in the middle of the afternoon. Better late than never! 

Big crush for the city: the seaside reminds me Havana! The old buildings are superb. The pace is indolent in the oldest city of the West founded by the Phoenicians 3000 years ago. A movie set in a soft light, without tourists at this time of the year. The old town is small, we quickly made the tour: I take pleasure in losing myself in its streets and take the same route several times.

        

Castillo de San Sebastián

While we are looking for a café overlooking the ocean, we come across an entrance to this fortress surrounded by water (left photo below): the Castillo de San Sebastián. A very pleasant walk where we can see another point of view of Cádiz (first photo of the article). 

  

The Outdoor Café

  

Very cool, close to the cathedral of Cádiz and facing the ocean: the dream! On the left, when you are facing the Cathedral (back to the ocean). Relaxed atmosphere and great panoramic view! Excellent green olives with our drinks, I don’t want to return to Malaga (our base for this second roadtrip in Andalusia).

And if we stayed in Cadiz, darling? “The beauty of Cadiz has velvet eyes, Chi-ca! Chi-ca! Chic! Ay! Ay! Ay!“, translation: “The beauty of Cadiz has velvet eyes, Chi-ca! Chi-ca! Chic! Ay! Ay! Ay! ” (by Luis Mariano). Sorry (not sorry), I couldn’t help myself! Lol! A little vintage operetta. To be continued beautiful readers … 

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

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Related articles : Destinations & Hotel Reviews

Japan: Shangri-La Tokyo

The Horizon Club Lounge

Tea time & Breakfasts

After a few days in Hakone, we are back in Tokyo at mid afternoon. It is the end of this exciting traveling trip to Japan. We will spend our last two nights in the Shangri-La Tokyo.

Notre chambre, une Horizon Club Deluxe est située dans les étages les plus hauts de l’hôtel. Et dans l’ascenceur, j’admire l’impressionnant lustre (photo ci-dessus), dont les cristaux viennent de République Tchèque. Les lustres sont la signature des Shangri-La.

We have access to the Horizon Club Lounge which offers, among other things, a concierge service as well as a very pleasant private lounge with a panoramic view of Tokyo. We like having our snacks and breakfasts in peace.

      

The Room With A View

The Skyline

As soon as we entered our room, I was blazed by the scenic view of Tokyo, just like in our previous hotel, the Capitol Hotel Tokyu. Sat on the sofa facing the urban jungle, you can lose yourself in contemplation of the tall buildings rooftops. I really like Tokyo.

But right now, we have to quickly get ready, before crossing the city for our tour of Tokyo by helicopter (article to come). The second time in my life that I will be in helicopter!

We will really enjoy our spacious comfortable room on our return (some photos below). Here too, difficult in the morning, to get out of bed (lol).

  

The Gourmet Lunch

Nadaman

Our agenda in Tokyo is so busy (soon the article) that I did not have time to swim in the hotel’s beautiful pool on the 29th floor, or even test a treatment in the CHI The Spa!

Fortunately, we took the time to discover Chef Takehiko Yoshida’s fine cuisine at Nadaman, the Japanese restaurant at the Shangri-La’s 28th-floor. We chose the Celebration Kaiseki menu (made with seasonal ingredients) as visually beautiful as delicious on the palate (photos below)!

Japanese cuisine is also compositions with different textures of food (like the gelatinous texture, quite surprising). A portion of menu items, in photos below. Photo above: The Lobby Lounge, the bar of the Shangri-La.

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

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Shangri-La Tokyo

Planning your trip with Exclusif Voyages

Flying to Japan : direct flights from Brussels & Paris with ANA

Related articles : DESTINATIONS & HOTEL REVIEWS

Many thanks to Exclusif Voyages, Ryokan Collection and all the team of the Hakone Suishoen, for this beautiful invitation. As always theses are my opnions.

Japan: The Hiramatsu Hotels & Resorts Sengokuhara

A View To Fuji San

Our Second Stop in Hakone

We arrive at the very exclusive Hiramatsu Hotels & Resorts Sengokuhara, near Hakone, in the middle of the day, after many adventures on the road (we lost ourselves several times! Lol). This small establishment of 11 gestrooms with a modern architecture, is a real art museum.

In a refine decoration with many elements from Italy, I discover paintings, draws and serigraphs numbered of Japanese and Western masters (Kataoka Tamako, Chagal, Buffet, Miro …). The owner of Hiramatsu Hotels & Resorts, a fine art collector wanted this hotel to be dedicated to gastronomy and farniente.

Here, no long list of activities: our private onsen with water from either Ubako spring or Owakudani spring (both having beneficial effects on the skin) is in the center of our large bathroom / terrace overlooking Fuji San. Early morning, the view is stunning (photo above taken from our room). A feeling of euphoria floats in the air …

  

Beauty is Everywhere

The elegant suite-sized room is a haven of “luxury, calm and pleasure” (Beaudelaire). For a better soundproofing, in front of each room, a private glass corridor and carpet insulate noise (7th picture below).

And if like us, you are fond of beauty and space, this bathroom is a dream! I don’t leave my onsen anymore, staring at the top of the trees, Fuji San and the horizon (photo above). 

I also liked the sliding panels that allow you to modulate the space and hide things like TV. The wide and leather sofa design is a monster of comfort. I don’t even talk about bedding! Everything, every detail is perfect!

     

The Gourmet Restaurant

  

The Dinner

On the two photos above: the view from our room of the garden at night and in the background, the silhouette of Fuji San. Picture below: the stretch of water seen from the main hall of the restaurant. The cuisine of chef Kenjiro Yoshikoshi is as captivating to see as to taste. 

At dinner, the plates looks like paintings. The pleasure of sight associated with that of taste, with an exciting experience of flavors and textures, colors and shapes. Rarely, I have seen such beautiful and good dishes. For example: on the second and third picture photo below, the “Spaghetti puttanesca with marinated abalone“. In fact, the chef specialized in Italian cuisine, recommends mixing spaghetti with the whipped white sauce. It’s divine, so inexpected, top!

I will be able to list all dishes served, with my lean culinary vocabulary (I am not a food critic). But I just want to add that Chef Kenjiro Yoshikoshi’s cooking is art. His cuisine is hedonistic, generous and cheerful. 

Like the chef, his cuisine excels without pretension. As just as all the people who work in this hotel. The service is amazing and very warm. Domo arigato gosaimasu to all the (last picture)!

    

The Breakfast

  

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

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The Hiramatsu Hotels & Resorts Sengokuhara

Planning your trip with Exclusif Voyages

Flying to Japan : direct flights from Brussels & Paris with ANA

Related articles : DESTINATIONS & HOTEL REVIEWS

Many thanks to Exclusif Voyages, Ryokan Collection and all the team of The Hiramatsu Hotels & Resorts Sengokuhara, for this beautiful and warm invitation. As always theses are my opnions.