Tag Archives: Leisure

Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Hamra Beach

Posted on January 15, 2019 | Leave a comment

The Arrival By Boat

Artificial Islands

After a great stay at the Ritz Carlton Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert, we arrive at the very recent Ritz Carlton Al Khaimah, Al Hamra Beach, open in the spring 2018. First nice surprise: to go to our villa from the reception, we take a small boat. Very nice view of artificial islets, under a early afternoon blinding light.

The luxurious resort has only 32 villas. From the reception desk, you are welcomed in a very personalized way. It feels more intimate than in hotels with larger capacities. Everything is on human scale, which gives the Ritz Carlton Al Khaimah, Al Hamra Beach, a very exclusive character. Second excellent surprise when arriving at our villa: the transparent infinity pool with sea view (second photo below).

Our Tent

Less is more

Now, you know now how much I love the moment when I discover a hotel room. Where I make my pictures before unpacking my suitcases. The interior of the villa as well as the exterior are inspired by the Bedouin traditional architecture. You are elsewhere.

Canopy bed, bathroom with a large walk-in shower (and separate toilet) and lounge area: the villa is bright and very comfortable. Our cameras in hand, we cross the pleasant garden to reach the large deserted beach and sea of the Arabian Gulf.

    

The Beach

A Late Afternoon

I like this feeling of emptiness. In contrast to the effervescent Dubai, the coastline of Ras Al Khaimah is not crowded with multiple towers yet, which is very relaxing. Facing the sea, on my left: the impressive silhouette of the Waldorf Astoria (photo above) and to my right, the villas of the Ritz Carlton Al Khaimah, Al Hamra Beach.

The Shore House

  

The Breakfast

As our activities program in Ras Al Khaimah is very busy (including the famous zipline …), we didn’t have time to explore all the possibilities offered by the resort, such as the spa. Except for The Shore House restaurant, where we had breakfast (the first two pictures below) and dinner in a beautiful setting. 

Undoubtedly, one of the best breakfast buffets, exciting! I fell for the delicious fresh fruit juices (lovely mocktails)! With a wide choice of quality products, very neat presentation and efficient smiling team. Besides, we had a hard time leaving the terrace, rocked by the sound of waves.

The Dinner

In the evening, the ambiance of the Shore House is different, still chic and casual but more lively. Part of the terrace is also a bar, where you can have a drink with friends. 

Fish is the speciality of the restaurant and it is delicious (photo below). The dishes are simple and tasty. As a starter, I chose these colorful sushi. Bon apetite!

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

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Ritz Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Hamra Beach, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority

Related articles : Hotel Review & Destinations

Many thanks to Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority and all the team of the Ritz Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Hamra Beach for this beautiful invitation. As always, these are my opinions.

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Posted in "On the road again", Decoration, Fooding & Bars, Hotels

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Our Second Roadtrip in Andalusia, Spain: Cádiz

Posted on December 8, 2018 | Leave a comment

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

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Posted in "On the road again", Architecture, Fooding & Bars

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Japan: Shangri-La Tokyo

Posted on July 25, 2018 | Leave a comment

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

Informations  

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.

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Posted in "On the road again", Fooding & Bars, Hotels, Nihon Vibes

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