Tag Archives: Spa Review

Madeira: Weekend in Porto Santo, Day 1

Portugal-Madeira-Airport-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The Madeira Airport

Portugal-Madeira-Airport-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

One of My Shortest Flight Ever: 

From Funchal to Porto Santo, a dreamy small island with a unique nine kilometer beach of golden sand lined and crystal clear water! I go there for a long sport and wellness weekend, between ocean and spa. I am super excited: it will be my first time in the island! Departure from the Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport (Madeira) with some arty monochrome-corridors, where I am in transit (above photo). 

Of course I didn’t sleep the night before: as always a thousand things to absolutely do! I’m in great shape, if I sit down, I fall asleep (lol)! A little walk to the shopphing corner. Photo below: some Poncha, the ultra strong cocktail of Madeira! The pretty bottles on the top look like sunscreen aerosols flavored with orange, passion fruits etc …

That’s it, we are three passengers to board : ) The small plane could be a private jet (first photo of the post)! 25 minutes flight including the wait on the tarmac, takeoff, landing and probably 10 minutes in clouds. I feel euphoric! No you will not see my tired eyes (lol)! Photos below: beautiful views from my window of the Atlantic Ocean and Porto Santo.

I love the rocky side of this volcanic island! An island is always a little magic!

Portugal-Madeira-Airport-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Portugal-Madeira-Porto-Santo-Flight-5A-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K  Portugal-Madeira-Porto-Santo-Flight-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KPortugal-Madeira-Porto-Santo-Flight-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K  Portugal-Madeira-Porto-Santo-Flight-4A-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KPortugal-Madeira-Porto-Santo-Airport-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KPortugal-Madeira-Porto-Santo-Airport-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The View

Portugal-Madeira-Porto-Santo-Room-View-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

How Many Shades of Blue?

Awesome ocean and beach view from my room balcony! Oops, I lost the key of my suitcase lock and need to take my swimsuit. Nice afternoon program: after a light lunch, I have a treatment at the Hotel Porto Santo spa, a specialty of the island … 

Portugal-Madeira-Porto-Santo-Room-View-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The Spa

Portugal-Madeira-Porto-Santo-Hotel-Spa-Treatment-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K  Portugal-Madeira-Porto-Santo-Hotel-Spa-6-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

A Superb Spa All to Myself!

This is luxury, I know it’s insane! And even crazier: me in this “sandbox” (picture above)! I should say : me, from chin to toe, covered by the island warm sand (40 degree celcius, I believe). Muito obrigada to the therapist to have refreshed my face with a wet towel several times.

The explanation: the volcanic island of Porto Santo is famous for the beautiful 9 km beach. The “biogenic carbonate” (Terramiga) sand of this beach is good for the skin, arthritis and rheumatism among others. In the past, the islanders took sand baths on the beach, but there were a lot of accidents due to the burns. Now in spa, the temperature is controlled.

After the Geomedicin sand treatment and a long cold shower, I can notice the relaxing effect. The body released tensions, is deeply relaxed and flexible. The skin is extremely soft (still a little redish due to the warm). In photos below: the different spaces of the elegant spa with modern facilities and direct access to the beach (photos below). To be continued… 

Portugal-Madeira-Porto-Santo-Hotel-Spa-7-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KPortugal-Madeira-Porto-Santo-Hotel-Spa-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KPortugal-Madeira-Porto-Santo-Hotel-Spa-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KPortugal-Madeira-Porto-Santo-Hotel-Spa-Treatment-5-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KPortugal-Madeira-Porto-Santo-Hotel-Spa-9-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KPortugal-Madeira-Porto-Santo-Hotel-Spa-8-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés.

Informations 

Visit Madeira, Visit Portugal & Hotel Port Santo

Related Posts : HOTEL REVIEWS & DESTINATIONS

Many thanks to Visit Madeira and Visit Portugal for this wonderful discovery of the island of Porto Santo. As always these are my opinions.

Madère: week-end à Porto Santo (J1)

Portugal-Madeira-Airport-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

L’aéroport de Madère

Portugal-Madeira-Airport-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Un des plus courts vols  

que j’ai jamais pris : Funchal-Porto Santo, petite île idillique à l’unique plage de neuf kilomètres de sable doré, bordée d’eaux cristallines! Je pars pour un long week-end sport et bien-être, entre océan et spa. Suis super excitée, car je ne connais pas! Départ depuis l’aéroport de Madère, Cristiano Ronaldo, aux couloirs arty-monochromes, où je suis en transit (photo ci-dessus). 

La veille bien sûr, je n’ai pas dormi : toujours mille et une choses à faire absolument! Je suis en super forme : si je m’assoie, je m’endors (lol)! Petite virée au free shop. Photo ci-dessous : la poncha, cocktail ultra fort et mega sucré made in Madeira! Les jolies bouteilles du haut ressemblent à des aérosols de crèmes solaires arômatisées orange, fruits de la passion etc…

Ca y est, on embarque : trois passagers dont moi : ) L’avion prend des allures de jet privé (première photo du post)! 25 minutes de vol : attente sur le tarmac, décollage et atterrissage compris, avec probablement 10 minutes à peine dans les airs. Suis humblement euphorique! Non vous ne verrez pas mes yeux (lol)! Photos ci-dessous : superbes vues d’en haut de l’océan Atlantique et de Porto Santo. 

J’aime le côté rocailleux, assez abrupt, de cette île volcanique! Une île, c’est toujours un peu magique!

Portugal-Madeira-Airport-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Portugal-Madeira-Porto-Santo-Flight-5A-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K  Portugal-Madeira-Porto-Santo-Flight-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KPortugal-Madeira-Porto-Santo-Flight-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K  Portugal-Madeira-Porto-Santo-Flight-4A-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KPortugal-Madeira-Porto-Santo-Airport-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KPortugal-Madeira-Porto-Santo-Airport-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

La vue

Portugal-Madeira-Porto-Santo-Room-View-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Cette déclinaison de bleus!

Magique, la vue de ma chambre sur l’océan et la fameuse plage! Oups, j’ai perdu la clé du cadenas de ma valise, sympa pour récupérer mon maillot de bain. Programme chargé en ce milieu de journée : déjeuner léger, avant de me rendre au spa de l’Hotel Porto Santo, pour un soin très particulier, une spécialité de l’île…

Portugal-Madeira-Porto-Santo-Room-View-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Le spa

Portugal-Madeira-Porto-Santo-Hotel-Spa-Treatment-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K  Portugal-Madeira-Porto-Santo-Hotel-Spa-6-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Le luxe

Un superbe spa pour moi toute seule, c’est fou! Et encore plus fou, c’est moi dans le bac à sable (photo ci-dessus)! Je devrai dire recouverte des pieds au menton, de sable chaud (à 40° si je crois). Merci au thérapeuthe de m’avoir rafraîchie avec une serviette gorgée d’eau frioide à plusieurs reprises.

Explication : Porto Santo est une île volcanique, réputée pour la superbe plage de 9 km, dont le sable “carbonaté biogénique” (Terramiga) a des vertus thérapeutiques sur la peau, l’arthrite et les rhumatismes entre autres. Dans le passé, les insulaires prenaient des bains de sable directement sur la plage, mais il y avait des d’accidents dûs aux brûlures. Ici, la température est contrôlée.

Une fois le Geomedicin sand treatment (le nom du soin) terminé, suivi d’une longue douche froide : j’ai pu vraiment constater de l’effet relaxant. Le corps, libéré des tensions, est profondément détendu et assoupli. La peau est aussi extrêmement douce. En photos ci-dessous : les différents espaces de l’élégant spa, aux installations modernes et nickel, avec accès direct sur la plage (photos ci-dessous). A suivre…

Portugal-Madeira-Porto-Santo-Hotel-Spa-7-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KPortugal-Madeira-Porto-Santo-Hotel-Spa-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KPortugal-Madeira-Porto-Santo-Hotel-Spa-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KPortugal-Madeira-Porto-Santo-Hotel-Spa-Treatment-5-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KPortugal-Madeira-Porto-Santo-Hotel-Spa-9-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KPortugal-Madeira-Porto-Santo-Hotel-Spa-8-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés.

Informations 

Visit Madeira, Visit Portugal & Hotel Port Santo

Autres articles : HOTEL REVIEWS & DESTINATIONS

Un grand merci à Visit Madeira et Visit Portugal pour cette superbe découverte de l’île de Porto Santo. Comme toujours ce sont mes opinions.

Germany: Wellness and Spa in The Black Forest

Germany-Baden-Wutemberg-Bergfried-Wellness-Hotel-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Perfect Massage at The Erfurths Bergfried

I discovered this small cozy boutique hotel during a long weekend in Bade-Wurttemberg (where is the famous Black Forest, picture 2). The smiling welcome in the beauty area (and throughout the hotel) is really pleasant and makes you feel at home. The setting is modern, with Babor, the German high end cosmetics. I am intrigued by the Herbal Stamp Massage..

Lying on my stomach, the massage begins with the application of one hot herbal stamp on the right foot (picture above, on the top right). Alternating hot herbal stamps and manual massages (with warm oil), Clea, my therapist releases the body tensions. Her movements are firm and soft and the whole body is treated.

The feeling of warmth spreads on the meridians which is extremely relaxing. I doze, the massage lasts 50 minutes plus 5 minutes of rest at the end of massage. Followed by tea at the reception, where I found my girlfriends (lol). I would liked to know what herbs and oils were used … Excellent massage lavished by expert hands, you have to try it! Thank you Clea! 

Germany-Baden-Wutemberg-Black Forest-Bergfried-Wellness-Hotel-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Photomontage above: the attic suite 302 in which I slept, is really nice and comfy. Large and bright, spotless bedding and bathroom, with a large dressing room, nice view (photo below) and gifts (Babor products offered). 

Germany-Baden-Wutemberg-Bergfried-Wellness-Hotel-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The service is efficient, smiling and discreet. The food is simple and good (photo montage below): delicious breakfast. The wellness area is small but offers an outdoor foot spa (a trail with different grounds). I especially enjoyed the steam room, my skin and hair were thrilled! LOL!

Germany-Baden-Wutemberg-Black Forest-Bergfried-Wellness-Hotel-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Nice Spa in The Wadhotel Grüener Baum

Germany-Baden-Wutemberg-Wadhotel-Gruener-Baum-Wellness-Spa-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

This small hotel offers a friendly modern spa with a salt room and two saunas, including one at 65 degrees. A spa route is suggested on a poster written in German only! An English version would be welcome (last picture). The spa area and the indoor pool open onto a beautiful garden. The setting is bucolic like in a country house.

I swim overlooking the flower Japanese cherry trees (Photos 1 and 3). Particularly invigorating early morning: a real treat! Then I spent a long time in the jacuzzi. And I also tested a facial massage for 20 minutes in the beauty salon (with Comfort Zone products). 

I really liked the modern amenities of the spa and the indoor pool, the garden and the beautiful surrounding countryside. But I found the hotel room not my taste: a single bed, furniture and decor. 

Germany-Baden-Wutemberg-Wadhotel-Gruener-Baum-Wellness-Spa-4-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KGermany-Baden-Wutemberg-Wadhotel-Gruener-Baum-Wellness-Spa-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KGermany-Baden-Wutemberg-Wadhotel-Gruener-Baum-Wellness-Spa-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Swimming opposite the hills of the Black Forest in the Elztalhotel

Germany-Baden-Wurttemberg-Black Forest-Elztal-Hotel-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The view from the Elztalhotel is relaxing: beautiful panorama with green hills covered with trees. The 25 meters long outdoor swimming pool overlooks a peaceful natural setting (above photo). The hotel is surrounded by nature. To swim and enjoy the outdoors. 

The 6000 m2 wellness area, in textile-free part, offers various “saunas of the world”. Photomontage below: rustic cottage and chair in the nudist part of the spa. And some decorative elements of the hotel: sofa in my room and dolls in the buffet room.

Germany-Baden-Wurttemberg-Black Forest-Elztal-Hotel-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés  

Informations 

Wellness Stars, The German National Tourist Board, the hotels : Erfurths BergfriedWadhotel Grüener Baum & Elztalhotel

Related posts : BEAUTY, HOTEL REVIEWS & DESTINATIONS

Many thanks to the Wellness Stars and The German National Tourist Board for the invitation and the Erfurths Bergfried’s team too. As alwyas these are my opinions.