Tag Archives: Relaxing

France, Arcs 2000: Hotel Taj-I Mah

A Room With A View

The Pleasure of Mountain

Long live the skiing season! Few years ago, I’d never imagined I could like the mountain and ski as much! I am back in the French Alps, for the inauguration of the Taj-I Mah, the first 5-star hotel of Les Arcs 2000 at the foot of the slopes.     

Blue sky, snowy peaks bathed in bright light. It’s pretty difficult to leave my terrace. The air is invigorating with hypnotic view. The comfortable room is well soundproofed, a cocoon with impeccable bedding. The interior design reminds me the rooms of the Koh-I Nor in more intimate version (the same owners).  

The bathroom with its deep large bath, opens onto the bedroom and mountain view (a large sliding glass door allows to separate the two spaces, picture left above). I like the separate toilet in the entrance of the room.

  

Lunch at L’Atelier d’Eric

Between Activities,

I sit down at one of the hotel’s outside terraces (great!). Picture above: the long terrace of the lounge, where I am rocked by the warm rays of the sun. It quickly becomes really complicated to leave (LOL)! Except for discovering the menu of L’Atelier d’Eric, one of the two restaurants of the Taj-I Mah, under the leadership of the Chef Eric Samson.

I had lunch there a few times (pictures below): tasty simple inventive cuisine nicely presented. Excellent tuna prepared with scallops. I love  the Valrhona chocolate with pear dessert (picture below), a treat!

A Massage at The Spa

The Swimming Pool and Jacuzzi

have a panoramic view to the slopes and the peaks! The last two days, I made a long stop at the Cinq Mondes and Carita spa: 400 m2 including a sauna, hammam, jacuzzi, salt wall, showers, relaxation area and treatment rooms. The icing on the cake is the Cinq Mondes facial massage (inspired by Shiatsu) that relaxed my tensions in the neck and shoulders.

Dinner at The Diamant Noir

Voluptuous Dessert

The second evening, I have a dinner with a journalist friend at the Diamant Noir, the gourmet restaurant of the twice starred Chef Eric Samson. We start with an apetizer of raw tuna with egg yolk and cream. 

I don’t take any first meal. While reading the menu, I recognize one of the Koh-I Nor’s first meal I really recommend you: Grilled foie gras acidulated with the passion fruits and Savoy wine, Mango and Litchi. A surprising extremely fine dish! So delicious!

I choose the Supreme of Farm Poultry filled with foie gras, Périgueux sauce and potatoes. Really good and not greasy. When the dessert The Chocolate Caraïbe at 66% in Different Textures arrives, I capsize! It looks like a haute couture piece and tastes fantastic! Gorgeous!

  

The Ski

Finally!

Energic wake-up to the aurora and meditation on the empty icy main terrace of the hotel. I am happy, I will ski from 9 am to 11. I haven’t had the opportunity to discover the Paradiski ski area (which includes Les Arcs) yet. The previous days, I visited as a pedestrian a bit of the Arcs 2000 (altitude 2100 meters) and 1800

I couldn’t leave without making at least a morning of skiing! After being equipped at the ski shop of the hotel (picture below), I follow the ski instructor on slopes. First, we head to Les Arcs 1950 and cross the village in ski. Then we take the chairlift to the Col de la Chal (altitude 2600 meters). From where we ski to the Arc 2000 surrounded in a beautiful panorama. To be continued…

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés.

Informations   

Taj-I-Mah, Les Arcs

Related posts : DESTINATIONS, HOTEL REVIEWS & BEAUTY

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

Pashmina Hotel: A Suite With A view

Val-Thorens-France-Pashmina-Hotel-Ski-Resort-Small-Luxury-Hotel-of-the-World-Opening-Room-With-A-Mountain-View-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Stunning Mountain View

Val-Thorens-France-Pashmina-Hotel-Ski-Resort-Small-Luxury-Hotel-of-the-World-Opening-Room-With-A-Mountain-View-9-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The Dull Luster Of The Luxury  

What a pleasure discovering in my room (a Junior Suite), space and light! This particular brightness is found only in altitude. The photographer in me feels lucky and happy!

Large windows open onto a dream setting, as if the omnipresent mountain was the VIP guest of the hotel room! On the small balcony, my gaze is lost on the ski slopes not busy, but we are at the beginning of the season.

I really enjoy using the spacious bathroom: extremely simple, very clear and functional (above photo montage). A mountain picture covering two walls of the shower. In the large mirror above the wide block to wash hands and face, I can see the reflection of the (“real”) mountain.

Val-Thorens-France-Pashmina-Hotel-Ski-Resort-Small-Luxury-Hotel-of-the-World-Opening-Room-With-A-Mountain-View-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K  Val-Thorens-France-Pashmina-Hotel-Ski-Resort-Small-Luxury-Hotel-of-the-World-Opening-Room-With-A-Mountain-View-4-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KVal-Thorens-France-Pashmina-Hotel-Ski-Resort-Small-Luxury-Hotel-of-the-World-Opening-Room-With-A-Mountain-View-5-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K  Val-Thorens-France-Pashmina-Hotel-Ski-Resort-Small-Luxury-Hotel-of-the-World-Opening-Room-With-A-Mountain-View-6-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

I feel cuddled and had a hard time leaving my bed: no noise, elegant flannel curtains and impeccable bedding.

Val-Thorens-France-Pashmina-Hotel-Ski-Resort-Small-Luxury-Hotel-of-the-World-Opening-Room-With-A-Mountain-View-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The lounge is very nice with this incredibly comfortable sofa topped by an XXL mirror … which reflects the mountain outside! This sofa is my meditation corner when I relax between my different activities.

The room is spacious and very well arranged with two wardrobe to store clothes and luggages. The colors are both neutral and warm with some walls and partitions covered with wood.

The furniture is simple and charming, two wooden tables and a chair with raw finitions, and a modern leather ottoman. The whole creates a smart warm environment: a relaxing universe especially after skiing or some other sports.

Val-Thorens-France-Pashmina-Hotel-Ski-Resort-Small-Luxury-Hotel-of-the-World-Opening-Room-With-A-Mountain-View-7-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KVal-Thorens-France-Pashmina-Hotel-Ski-Resort-Small-Luxury-Hotel-of-the-World-Opening-Room-With-A-Mountain-View-8-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Val-Thorens-France-Pashmina-Hotel-Ski-Resort-Small-Luxury-Hotel-of-the-World-Opening-Room-With-A-Mountain-View-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

A Must Do!

Val-Thorens-France-Pashmina-Hotel-Ski-Resort-Small-Luxury-Hotel-of-the-World-Opening-Igloo-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The Igloo

Who has not dreamed of spending a night in a (luxury) igloo … please (lol)? The Pashmina owners are mountain fans. And they wanted to share with us the bivouac’s thrill with more comfort.

Sleeping – or almost – watching the stars, the dream!  

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

Informations  

Pashmina Le Refuge

Related posts :  to discover the other parts of the hotel

HOTEL REVIEWS & DESTINATIONS

Many thanks to the team of the Pashmina Le Refuge for this great stay. I was invited by the Pashmina Le Refuge and as always these are my opinions.

5 terraces to relax in Zagreb, Croatia

Croatia: 5 Terraces in Zagreb_13_Photo Mademoiselle Le K_copyright 2013

One of my greatest pleasures in spring

is to spend time at outdoor cafes, watching the sky, street, people and movement … In a city like Zagreb, impossible to ignore outdoor cafes: there are many absolutely everywhere!  

1. Galeria Lav

Croatia: 5 Terraces in Zagreb_14_Photo Mademoiselle Le K_copyright 2013

Behind the parliament, I really like this little raised terrace which adjoins the famous Stone Gate (Kamenita vrata), dedicated to the Virgin Mary, where believers and tourists stop. Opaticka ulica 2.

2. Jutro

Croatia: 5 Terraces in Zagreb_2_Photo Mademoiselle Le K_copyright 2013Croatia: 5 Terraces in Zagreb_1_Photo Mademoiselle Le K_copyright 2013

A homemade atmosphere in this discrete courtyard which also houses the Maks Studio. Absolutely not bling bling and without any tourist: an intimate terrace to delve into the life of the neighborhood. Teslina 9 (u dvoristu).

3. Strossmatre

Croatia: 5 Terraces in Zagreb_6_Photo Mademoiselle Le K_copyright 2013Croatia: 5 Terraces in Zagreb_7_Photo Mademoiselle Le K_copyright 2013

I had a big crush for this terracce that looks like a French guinguette  and Montmartre in Paris baby … Amelie Poulain (the movie) and you are really near the Museum of Broken Relashionships (a must see!). Better to come by funicular (last pictures) in the evening. Strossmayer Promenade, Upper Town.

4. Cica Bar

5 Terraces in Zagreb_11A_Photo Mademoiselle Le K_copyright 2013Croatia: 5 Terraces in Zagreb_10_Photo Mademoiselle Le K_copyright 2013

This is THE bar that I liked the most! An underground arty flav, like in the Paul Auster’s Brooklyn Boogie movie! A terrace with an attitude more rock than purely fashion, located in a pittoresque pedestrian street. Near ModusTkalčićeva 18. 

5.  Basement

Croatia: 5 Terraces in Zagreb_3_Photo Mademoiselle Le K_copyright 2013Croatia: 5 Terraces in Zagreb_4_Photo Mademoiselle Le K_copyright 2013

Nice teak deck of a wine bar, with  a direct view of the famous funicular! I like the street that reminds me of Montmartre (bis!). The perfect place to quietly write my posts of Zagreb! Here the wifi is free throughout the city ; )   

Photos : Mademoiselle Le K – copyright 2013, tous droits réservés. 

Informations

www.visitcroatia.beZagreb Tourist Boardwww.zagrebtalks.com   

Discover my whole trip in the CROATIA page and follow my TWITTER. ENJOY!  I was hosted by the Office National Croate du Tourisme and obviously all my opinions are mine.

Related posts : 

Esplanade Zagreb: The Oleander Terrace and Le Bistro Esplanade  

Shopping Design and Fashion in Zagreb, Croatia   

DESTINATIONS, LIFESTYLE & HOTEL REVIEWS