Tag Archives: Relax

Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Hamra Beach

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.

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.

An Elegant Suite At The Sublime Comporta

Portugal-Sublime-Comporta-Luxury-Hotel-Review-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

After A Beach Day

Portugal-Comporta- Beach-Alentejo-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Today, The Water Is Chilled And Stirred In Comporta

After some swimming in powerful waves and rolls, we chill out in comfortable chairs. Wrapped in sweet fleece blankets (yep, freezing cold wind), silent I look at the ocean and beautiful beach.

Twenty minutes later (by car), we arrive at the Sublime Comporta: a n exclusive hotel with 14 rooms and suites in an posh country house with a Mediterranean influence. This retreat is nestled in the center of a vast pine forest (17 acre-estate). The architecture tastefully blends into the setting.

By discovering our suite (the Owner’s suite), I am nicely surprised! Refined furnishing chosen with taste, a mixture of handcrafted items and famous designers pieces, the attention to detail, intimate spacious airy volume with lots of light and a peaceful view overlooking part of the property.

Portugal-Sublime-Comporta-Luxury-Hotel-Review-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KPortugal-Sublime-Comporta-Luxury-Hotel-Review-7A-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KPortugal-Sublime-Comporta-Luxury-Hotel-Review-4-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Portugal-Sublime-Comporta-Luxury-Hotel-Review-6-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Portugal-Sublime-Comporta-Luxury-Hotel-Review-8-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K  Portugal-Sublime-Comporta-Luxury-Hotel-Review-9-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Portugal-Sublime-Comporta-Luxury-Hotel-Review-10-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K  Portugal-Sublime-Comporta-Luxury-Hotel-Review-11-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

A View To The Pine Trees And Swimming Pool

Portugal-Sublime-Comporta-Luxury-Hotel-Review-14-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Time Froze

A short stop at the spa and already 8 p.m. something … Back to the suite, warm soft light of an endless late afternoon. In the garden, a wooden hut for yoga and meditation. I have to prepare myself for dinner, but I slouch.

Extra zen, I like to hang out and the concept of having nothing else to do: the Mediterranean part of my mix. Just the pleasure of being, observing and disconnecting.

There is also a jacuzzi in the other terrace of the suite, which overlooks the shower and large bathroom. Okay, I have to hurry up, our table is reserved for 9 pm, well let’s say 9.30 p.m. (lol). Tomorrow I will test the glamorous pool before the beach.

Portugal-Sublime-Comporta-Luxury-Hotel-Review-13-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K  Portugal-Sublime-Comporta-Luxury-Hotel-Review-12-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KPortugal-Sublime-Comporta-Luxury-Hotel-Review-15-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K  Portugal-Sublime-Comporta-Luxury-Hotel-Review-16-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KPortugal-Sublime-Comporta-Luxury-Hotel-Review-18-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KPortugal-Sublime-Comporta-Luxury-Hotel-Review-17-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KPortugal-Comporta- Beach-Alentejo-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés.

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Sublime Comporta

Related Posts : Hotel ReviewsDESTINATIONS & LIFESTYLE

Many thanks to all the team of Sublime Comporta, for this beautiful invitation. Do I still need to precise that these opinions are mine?