Tag Archives: Lounge

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.

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Taj-I-Mah, Les Arcs

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

Les Arcs, France: ski, lounge et fooding

Le Village Igloo Les Arcs

Arrivée la veille

au Taj-I Mah, je découvre les très graphiques macarons du Chef étoilé Eric Samson (première photo de l’article). Ce matin, je retrouve ma BFF des neiges, Lo, pour prendre un thé au Village Igloo Les Arcs. 

A dix minutes à pieds de l’hôtel, nous marchons sous un superbe ciel bleu! Quel plaisir de se promener sur les chemins piétions des pistes vides, fraîchement damées : voilà pourquoi j’aime les débuts de saisons!

Féerique grotte de glace

    

En entrant dans l’igloo,

je m’attendais simplement au traditionnel ice bar agrémenté de quelles tables. Quelle surprise en découvrant aussi une grotte de glace de 150 m²! On suit des couloirs plus ou moins étroits, ornés de sculptures, inspirées de légendes nordiques.

Nous avons eu la chance de rencontrer l’équipe de sculpteurs en plein travail. Vous pouvez prolonger la magie en passant une nuit dans l’une des deux chambres (pas de sanitaires sur place). On se sent hors du temps…

    

Entre deux sessions de ski

Déjeuner à l’Atelier d’Eric

Durant de ce week-end détente, j’ai pris mes deux déjeuners avec vue sur les pistes à l’Atelier d’Eric (dans l’hôtel Taj-I Mah) : à chaque fois, excellent! Si vous me suivez sur ce blog, vous sauvez ô combien j’aime la cuisine simple, légère et inventive (où chaque saveur est reconnaissable) du Chef Eric Samson.

Photos ci-dessous : à gauche, premier jour, premier déjeuner composé de thon et champignons aux saveurs japonaises. A droite, deuxième jour : thon et noix de Saint-jacques avec un tian de légumes. Même dessert les deux jours, au chocolat Valrhona et à la poire, j’en suis fane!

Et si vous ne savez pas où dîner, je vous recommande le Diamant Noirle restaurant gastronomique du Taj-I Mah, sous la houlette du Chef Eric Samson.

L’après-ski aux Arcs 1800

Tea time au Lodge

Nous descendons aux Arcs 1800 en voiture. Photo ci-dessus : les immeubles classés de l’architecte Charlotte Perriand. Puis nous prenons le téléphérique jusqu’au Mille8, où se trouve le Lodge : restaurant-café à la décoration moderne et influences scandinaves.

Ici, pas d’effervescence façon la Folie Douce, mais j’ai tout de suite flashé sur le lieu, l’espace, la déco, l’ambiance, la vue. Merci Lo! On s’y sent aussi bien à l’intérieur qu’en terrasse, d’ailleurs nous avons eu un mal fou à repartir, lol!

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés.

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Taj-I-Mah, Les Arcs, Le Village Igloo Les Arcs, Le Lodge

Autres articles : DESTINATIONS, HOTEL REVIEWS & BEAUTE 

Un grand merci au Taj-I Mah et à l’Office du tourisme des Arcs, pour cette belle invitation! Comme toujours ce sont mes opinions.

Portugal, Évora: Vitória Stone Hotel

Portugal-Alentejo-Evora-Vitoria-Stone-Hotel-swimming-Pool-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Interior Design by Nini Andrade Silva

Portugal-Alentejo-Evora-Vitoria-Stone-Hotel-Breakfast-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Improvised Brunch


in the Vitória Stone Hotel roof terrace with Alentejo biscuits and cheese. Delighted, I discovered the panoramic view (just for me) of this Évora neighborhood without tourists (except for hotel guests) and close to the old city (ten minutes walk).

Blue sky and white clouds: high brightness this morning. After months of greyish skies, the shock (lol)! I have the feeling to “see” in new colors! The seats are distributed on different levels. Attracted by sight, I move at the top level and stay near the small infinity pool (photos below).

Leaving, I go in front of the original sauna with walls lined with cork. Cork represents the Alentejo. Besides, I should write a sauna guide, since my meeting with world champion saunas in the South Tyrol!

Portugal-Alentejo-Evora-Vitoria-Stone-Hotel-Swimming-Pool-4-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KPortugal-Alentejo-Evora-Vitoria-Stone-Hotel-Swimming-Pool-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KPortugal-Alentejo-Evora-Vitoria-Stone-Hotel-Swimming-Pool-5-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KPortugal-Alentejo-Evora-Vitoria-Stone-Hotel-Swimming-Pool-6-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KPortugal-Alentejo-Evora-Vitoria-Stone-Hotel-Swimming-Pool-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KPortugal-Alentejo-Evora-Vitoria-Stone-Hotel-Swimming-Pool-7-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The Room

Portugal-Alentejo-Evora-Vitoria-Stone-Hotel-Room-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Small But Comfortable

I’ve always found the decorations of the famous interior designer, Nini Andrade Silva, even more glamorous at evening with the different lighting effects and mirrors.

My room reminds me of a David Lynch movies … in part because of the thick curtain covering the entire width of the wall and dressing.

The space is optimized especially in the minimalist white bathroom that stretches the length, wuith an XXL mirror. I like the shower with its simple details. Bedding is also impeccable. In the morning, you can benefit of the small balcony (hidden behind the curtain).

Portugal-Alentejo-Evora-Vitoria-Stone-Hotel-swimming-Room-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KPortugal-Alentejo-Evora-Vitoria-Stone-Hotel-Room-5-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Portugal-Alentejo-Evora-Vitoria-Stone-Hotel-Room-4-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The Hotel

Portugal-Alentejo-Evora-Vitoria-Stone-Hotel-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

J’aime

the intimate arrangement of the common areas. It allows to meet with other clients. We chat sat in the comfy amchairs while looking at the giant photos of megaliths surrounding Évora. Photo above : lounge in the hotel lobby and bar (left photo below).

The restaurant looks nice too (unfortunately I dined in the old city), with a long table that undulates along the bay window (right below). The toilets are pretty unusual with a huge stone bin for handwashing, mirrors and shadows game. Great!

This small hotel is really glam and charming with a smiling efficient service. I felt great!

Portugal-Alentejo-Evora-Vitoria-Stone-Hotel-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K  Portugal-Alentejo-Evora-Vitoria-Stone-Hotel-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KPortugal-Alentejo-Evora-Vitoria-Stone-Hotel-6-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Portugal-Alentejo-Evora-Vitoria-Stone-Hotel-4-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K  Portugal-Alentejo-Evora-Vitoria-Stone-Hotel-5-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KPortugal-Alentejo-Evora-Vitoria-Stone-Hotel-8-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Portugal-Alentejo-Evora-Vitoria-Stone-Hotel-7-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés.

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Visit AlentejoVisit Portugal & Vitória Stone Hotel

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Many thanks to Visit Alentejo and Visit Portugal to this beautiful invitation. Also thanks to the Vitória Stone Hotel and especially the reception team. As always, these are my opinions.