Tag Archives: Spa Tested

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.

Courchevel, France: Fooding And Spa

France-Courchevel-Ski-Resort-Aquamotion-Restaurant-Nikki-Beach-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The Lunch

France-Courchevel-Ski-Resort-Aquamotion-Restaurant-Nikki-Beach-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The Café Nikki by Nikki Beach

After arriving at the White Courchevel 1921 hotel, Nathalie who knows my (simple but sharp) tastes, invited me to lunch at the new Café Nikki (the newest of the Nikki Beach Miami, Saint Barth etc … ). The restaurant is located in the Aquamotion, where I stay the whole afternoon for a day spa.

Wide clear space (with XXL view of the snowy landscape), nice decor and friendly team. I am happy to have a late lunch without the crowd. We meet Jade and Christophe in charge of the press and restaurant. On the menu, a very good chicken satay I struggled to finish as the quantities are large! Time flies and it’s already time to go to my appointment at the spa.,,

France-Courchevel-Ski-Resort-Aquamotion-Restaurant-Nikki-Beach-4-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K France-Courchevel-Ski-Resort-Aquamotion-Restaurant-Nikki-Beach-5-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-Courchevel-Ski-Resort-Aquamotion-Restaurant-Nikki-Beach-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The Spa

France-Courchevel-1850-Ski-Resort-Aquamotion-Aquawellness-Spa-Treatments-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The Aquamotion

I skied nearly every day of the week. So I decided to spoil my legs by a custom program developed by therapists of the Aquamotion‘s Spa-Balneo area. After more than an hour in the wellness area, especially in the outdoor pool (which has views of the peaks), I start my spa treatments.

First treatment in a spacious room with violet light. I plunge my legs in a kind of spa tub, divided into two compartments: one with an ice water and the other one with hot water (photos above). Step two (photo below): lying on the table, I get a scrub based on marine products, while the jets massage the entire body. 

In the bluish light room, my therapist performs a specific massage legs for 30 minutes. It combines several techniques to relax and rest my legs. And final stage, I lay down a water bed that massages the whole body (like the armchair of my Parisian beautician). And here I must confess, I fell asleep :))

When I wake up, it is in 7:00 – 7:30 p.m. and I have to hurry up and quickly go back to the White 1921 hotel, to get dressed before going dinner with a friend. I would love to keep the relaxation vibe and just go to bed!

France-Courchevel-1850-Ski-Resort-Aquamotion-Aquawellness-Spa-Treatments-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-Courchevel-1850-Ski-Resort-Aquamotion-Aquawellness-Spa-Treatments-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K  France-Courchevel-1850-Ski-Resort-Aquamotion-Aquawellness-Spa-Treatments-4-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The dinner

France-Courchevel-1850-Ski-Resort-Dinner-Restaurant-La Saulire-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

La Saulire

The White 1921 hotel doesn’t have a restaurant, so they invited me with a friend at La Saulire, a cult gourmet restaurant in Courchevel (located close to the hotel!). By sitting, I noticed this phrase in Savoy dialect (photo above) that Jacques Trauchessec the owner of La Saulire, translates me : “It’s wedged between two wines that we best have our balance “.

As we say in French : “En bon entendeur” (as a good listener), I tasted at the end of dinner, a tear of Génépi, a Savoyard digestive … And I confirm, I don’t like digestive and always feel swallow alcohol at 90 ° ( lol)!

In the photos below, my excellent dinner started with a delicious cauliflower velouté with truffle, followed by saint jacques (I’ve never eaten as much since my last stay in the 3 Vallees) and finally a fantastic chocolate souflle!

France-Courchevel-1850-Ski-Resort-Dinner-Restaurant-La Saulire-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-Courchevel-1850-Ski-Resort-Dinner-Restaurant-La Saulire-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

Informations  

Tourist Office of CourchevelWhite 1921 Courchevel,  www.les3vallees.com  

DESTINATIONSBEAUTE & LIFESTYLE

Many thanks to the Tourist Office of Courchevel and White 1921 Courchevel for this beautiful invitation. As always these opinions are my own.

Meribel, France: Skiing & Wellness

France-Meribel-Ski-Resort-Hotel-Le-Tremplin-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Skiing

France-Meribel-Ski-Resort-Slopes-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

This Morning It Snows A Lot

Taking breakfast, I doubt if I can ski for my second day in Méribel. At 10 a.m., I start my Skiing For Women lesson (to enjoy skiing in a way less based on performance and arranged for women with children too) with Cécile Crousaz, National BEES 1° Ski at the Ecole de Ski Méribel (Ski School of Meribel).

We reach the Rhodos gondola. The weather remains overcast, but visibility is better. And the pleasure of skiing is back! Same place, but the decor has completely changed … a different beauty, fog blanketed the peaks. Since the beginning of my stay (in Val Thorens), I’ve had less fear on skis and improved. Cecile is very patient and motivating too. 

When we arrive for lunch at La Folie Douce Meribel-Courchevel, the fog is denser, creepy on slope (photos below). Without comparison: nothing to do with La Folie Douce Val Thorens, much more festive. Here, the atmosphere is more relaxed. 

France-Meribel-Ski-Resort-La-Folie-Douce-Restaurant-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-Meribel-Ski-Resort-La-Folie-Douce-Restaurant-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-Meribel-Ski-Resort-La-Folie-Douce-Restaurant-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The Hotel  

France-Meribel-Ski-Resort-Hotel-Le-Tremplin-A- Room-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Back To The Hotel Around 3 p.m.

to let my equipment in the ski room and get changed for my spa session this afternoon. Le Tremplin hotel is located close to the slopes and the center of Meribel (the hotel’s facade on the first photo of the post).

The 40 tastefully decorated rooms have just been redone. Mine is simple and comfortable. And the efficient smiling service make you feel good.

On the above photo montage: my room with a really good bedding and large bathroom with Pascal Morabito products. On the bed (1), a lovely travel beauty kit that the institute My Spa by Payot Meribel offered me. I will use for sure in a future trip!

France-Meribel-Ski-Resort-Hotel-Le-Tremplin-View-Room-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The View

My room’s terrace has two sides, allowing me to enjoy different views, both of the city (above) and slopes (below)! The hotel also offers an outdoor pool, open until 8 p.m. 

France-Meribel-Ski-Resort-Hotel-Le-Tremplin-View-Room-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-Meribel-Ski-Resort-Hotel-Le-Tremplin-Swimming-Pool-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The Outdoor Pool 

To go to the pool surrounded by bars and protected from view by a small wooden fence, you wear a bathrobe on your swimsuit and slippers (lol). At night, while you bathe, you can see the lights of the bars and town. I really liked (photos above and below).

France-Meribel-Ski-Resort-Hotel-Le-Tremplin-View-Room-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K  France-Meribel-Ski-Resort-Hotel-Le-Tremplin-Swimming-Pool-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The Wellness  

France-Meribel-Ski-Resort-Spa-Payot-Hotel-Le-Tremplin-Swimming-Pool-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

My Spa by Payot

is located in the Olympic Centre, five minutes walk from the Le Tremplin hotel. The benefit of being in a central location, you are near everything! I recommend the jacuzzi overlooking the slopes! Before my customized massage, I “navigate” between steam room, cold shower and jacuzzi.

Then I choose a relaxing neck-shoulder-arm massage: as a skiing beginner, I contract the upper body muscles too much. My therapist applies an oil with essential oils: I am pleasantly surprised, I don’t have skin reaction. This is the first time I used Payot products.

During the massage, I fall asleep (good sign). Leaving the spa, I stop at the outdoor pool of Le Tremplin to swim while it snows. Awesome!

The Exclusive

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Gourmet Jars

After skiing, spa, massage and pool, I just want to stay quiet in my room. Eating a light dinner of vegetable soup and sleeping.

Looking for a soup bar, I came across the gourmet grocery store of a Michelin starred chef, Le Bokal by Laurent Azoulay. The shop opened since mid-December, has style: sober with black walls and a central wooden table for the tasting.

France-Meribel-Ski-Resort-Meribel-Chaudanne-Gourmet-Shopping-Bokal-Chef-Laurent-Azoulay-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés.

Informations  

www.meribel.netwww.les3vallees.com  

For the ski lessons (all levels), or Skiing For Women (group lessons and weekend or week packages), you can contact the ESF de Méribel : +33 479 08 6031, [email protected].

DESTINATIONSHOTEL REVIEWS & BEAUTY

Many thanks to the 3 Vallées and Meribel Tourist Office for this beautiful invitation. Big thanks to the Hotel Le Tremplin team, Cécile Crousaz and the Spa By Payot. As always these opinions are my own.