Tag Archives: Steam Room

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

France-Meribel-Ski-Resort-Meribel-Chaudanne-Gourmet-Shopping-Bokal-Chef-Laurent-Azoulay-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

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.

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.

Club Med Val Thorens Sensations: Ski, Wellness & Parties


Club Med-Val Thorens Sensations-Ski-Wellness-Parties-Mountain View From My Room-1-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014

Bright mountain and slope views 

from the bedroom for my first wake-up at Club Med Val Thorens Sensations (picture above)! The club is next to the slopes. After visiting the various facilities, I go to the Ski Room, trying “my” ski boots, skis, poles and helmet provided by the Club Med throughout the stay.

I am unable to know in what shoe I feel more comfortable. Thanks to the Skiing G.O.s for the perfect organization! And the material is brand new! On photo montage, the fourth and last fame: the locker with my equipment.

In the early afternoon, I start my ski lesson for beginner with Gaëlle, the instructor of the renowned Ecole de Ski Français (ESF). We are five adults (let’s face it) slightly stressed by what’s going on (LOL)!

Finally, I can fully enjoy the breathtaking panorama, blue sky and pleasant temperature. To my surprise, I’ve quickly had lots of fun to slide, turn and slow down for two hours. We go back the Ski Room really tired but a bit euphoric. Then we’ll drink and relax on the Epicurious couches.

Club Med-Val Thorens Sensations-Ski-Wellness-Parties-Ski Room-1-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014Club Med-Val Thorens Sensations-Ski-Wellness-Parties-Ski Room-2-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014Club Med-Val Thorens Sensations-Ski-Wellness-Parties-Cable Car-1-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014

A Really Deserved Turkish Bath!

Day 2: in the morning, I agree to join a more experienced group that will ski on a blue slope, without understanding the concept of blue slope! For my first time on the chairlift, I am captivated by the view and don’t imagine what awaits me …

At the top: mild panic, the slope is … yes, steep! I take too much speed and can’t control my right turns! Do I need to specify that Val Thorens is the highest ski area in Europe?

A skier friend helps a girlfriend and I (we are the same beginner level). And he suggests us to use the chairlift going down to the station. Ok, we go back to the chairlift (that never stops) while our expert skier friend goes skiing.

And here we are taught it was impossible to get back to the station with the chairlift. What? Here’s the choice: skiing or walking on the green slope, “the green not the black one”. Seriously? “It will be half an hour walking.” Oh yeah, we had 1:30 by skiing to get back to the station, L-O-L! Okay the view is stunning from the top …

I couldn’t see the end and me and my muscles were fed up. We arrive so exhausted that we take a light lunch to the Main Restaurant, where we find our anxious group! Then we head to the Turkish Bath of the Club Med Wellness Center. We dreamed of steam bath on slopes! And I continue with a back & legs massage at the Club Med Spa by Carita

Club Med-Val Thorens Sensations-Ski-Wellness-Parties-Mountain View From My Room-2A-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014Club Med-Val Thorens Sensations-Ski-Wellness-Parties-2-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014

Party time baby!

Club Med-Val Thorens Sensations-Ski-Wellness-Parties-Opening-Fireworks-1-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014

Beautiful fireworks for the opening night 

of the Club Med Val Thorens Sensations (picture above and last picture)! Needless to say, I am much more comfortable on a dance floor than on a blue slope! LOL!

As always, after the shows: the disco. On the photo montage below: the neon evening. And a picture of the team with torches to welcome us the evening of our arrival, enjoy : )

Club Med-Val Thorens Sensations-Ski-Wellness-Parties-Parties-1A-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014Club Med-Val Thorens Sensations-Ski-Wellness-Arrivals-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014Club Med-Val Thorens Sensations-Ski-Wellness-Parties-Opening-Fireworks-2-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014

Photos : Mademoiselle Le K – copyright 2014, tous droits réservés.

Informations   

Club Med Val Thorens Sensations  

Related posts :  

LIFESTYLEDESTINATIONS & HOTEL REVIEWS

Many thanks to the whole the team of Club Med for this invitation and as always these are my opinions! Thanks to Isaline, my new BFF for this epic skiing experience!