Tag Archives: Tested

Weekend in Rotterdam: Where Going Out and Staying

Netherlands-Rotterdam-City Guide-Sumatraweg-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014

My City Guide Rotterdam

To give you some ideas for your next weekend! Ok, this year, Rotterdam is one of the best destinations recommended by the New York Times and Rough Guide. But what really inspired me: for last few years, Rotterdam is one of the most dynamic cities in terms of contemporary architecture (post to come). As always walk, walk and discover! And feel free to give me your feedback on these addresses.

Where to stay

Hotel-Ibis-Rotterdam-City Centre-1-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014

Comfortable simple design

the brand new Ibis Rotterdam City Centre is ranked 6th best hotel in Rotterdam by Tripadvisor. The room is small, well thought out (for one person) and very clean (photo above). Bedding and facilities are great and the bathroom has a large shower area. The service is very efficient and smiling. Good location, I could see all the major attractions on foot.

Hotel-Ibis-Rotterdam-City Centre-2-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014

Where going out

Netherlands-Rotterdam-City Guide-Sumatraweg-Kopi Soesoe-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014

Sumatraweg, a charming place 

with several vintage decor cafes and few restaurants (photo 1). My favorite is the Kopi Soesoe: nice and quiet atmosphere with lovely decor (photos above). 

Netherlands-Rotterdam-City Guide-Fenix Food Factory-1-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014

Close to Sumatraweg in a warehouse 

the Fenix Food Factory is a covered market with several restaurants on a dock. This is my big favorite! The place is cozy, tastefully arranged and with a New York touch! Perfect for a late brunch.

On the photo montage above: 1.  & 2. Kapse Brouwers is both a brewery and a coffee shop offering a variety of beers and also Britain cider. 3. Jordy’s Bakery, a bakery. On the photo montage below: 1. & 2. a restaurant that proposes an incredible variety of delicious Dutch cheeses and crottins Chavignol too.

Netherlands-Rotterdam-City Guide-Fenix Food Factory-2-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014Netherlands-Rotterdam-City Guide-New York Hotel-Terrace-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014

Panoramic view of the various banks

from the Hotel New York terrace. I wish I could stay there after a long architecture walk, but as it rained! So I decide to do a quick tour of the hotel located in the former offices of the Holland America Line. A piece of history! Photo below: the really cool toilets for women.

Netherlands-Rotterdam-City Guide-New York Hotel-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014Netherlands-Rotterdam-City Guide-Witte-2-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014

Witte by night

Long street with bars, cafes and restaurants in the arty bohemian atmosphere. Witte is a five minute walk from the Museum Quarter. Photo above: translation of the text on drawing “Suddenly when I was kissing my nipples, I saw hundreds of men looking at me.” Funky! Lol! Photo Montage below: 1 Main Street. 2 the “flying bartender”, this guy kept jumping in the air at the sight of my phone! Lol! 3 & 4 Bazaar, with a DIY decor, really cool coffee and restaurant!

Netherlands-Rotterdam-City Guide-Witte-1-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014

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

Related posts :  

DESTINATIONS & LIFESTYLE 

Thanks to the Accor Hotels to invite me in Rotterdam. As always these are my opinions.

L’And Vineyards: Minimalist Design Skysuite

L'And Vinyard-Hotel-Room-Portugal- Alentejo-1-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014

We drive south to Montemor-o-Novo in Alentejo. 

Torrential rain in the morning in Lisbon and a sawtooth moral: torrential downpours for more than a week now! The sky is cleared early afternoon, when we arrive at The L’And Vinyards for a gastronomic stay. The hotel has a Michelin-starred restaurant.  

We are in a beautiful countryside surrounded by vineyards: no noise, a bit worrying (lol)! I Can’t wait to discover our 120m² skysuite, leave luggages … and walk in the vineyards under a biblical light sky! The uncluttered design is signed Brazilian Márcio Kogan. 

Tonight with any luck, if the weather permitting, I would be able to watch the stars from my bed! Very nice outdoor fireplace on the suite terrace, overlooking the infinity pool, the “garden of vines” and an artificial lake. I really enjoyed the bathroom in wood and black shale too (pictures below).

L'And Vinyard-Hotel-Room-Portugal-Alentejo-2-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014L'And Vinyard-Hotel-Room-Portugal-Alentejo-3-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014L'And Vinyard-Hotel-Room-Portugal-Alentejo-4-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014L'And Vinyard-Hotel-Room-Portugal-Alentejo-5-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014L'And Vinyard-Hotel-Room-Portugal-Alentejo-6-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014L'And Vinyard-Hotel-Room-Portugal-Alentejo-7-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014L'And Vinyard-Hotel-Room-Portugal-Alentejo-8-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014L'And Vinyard-Hotel-Room-Portugal-Alentejo-9-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014

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

Informations   

L’And Vineyards   

Related posts :  

   

  

HOTEL REVIEWSDESTINATIONS & LIFESTYLE 

Many thanks to the L’And Vineyards for this lovely invitation, as always these are my opinions. Besides, who else could they be? : )

Four Seasons at Sayan, Ubud: Amazing Luxury Spa

Four Seasons Sayan-Bali-Ubud-Spa-1-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014

For my first visit to Ubud and its surroundings,

I stopped by the luxurious Villas Spa of Four Seasons Bali at Sayan to discover the famous Muladhara treatment, especially recommended for travelers and those who have back problems.      

The resort is huge. At the entrance, I cross a bridge leading to a large pool with water lilies overlooking a jungle crossed by a river (picture 6). The view is stunning!     

Very quickly a kart drops me to the spa (picture 1). Down the stairs, I saw the wooden villa with a traditional roof in the middle of a pond covered with water lilies and lined by lush nature, where my treatment will take place (picture below)!

Four Seasons Sayan-Bali-Ubud-Spa-4-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014

A beautiful villa for my spa! 

After a ginger-lemon tea, I take a shower to get ready to the treatment. The sliding doors of the villa open onto a lush natural environment. It is xtremely relaxing!       

Before starting the 2 hour Muladhara treatment, my therapist, Widiani shows me the different products and accessories that will be used (pictures below).         

Pink Himalayan salt scrub for energizing and detoxifying foot, benzoin resin (Far Eastern tree) and incense burning.        

The “Muladhara / Earth” Oil massage composed of argan, vetiver, ginger and jatamansi oils. Poultices. Quartz crystals (with a heart shape, photo 4). The singing bowl and Pengasapan utensil.

Four Seasons Sayan-Bali-Ubud-Spa-2-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014Four Seasons Sayan-Bali-Ubud-Spa-5-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014

Tibetan techniques for a treatment designed in London              

Once my feet washed, I sit with my bathrobe on this strange stool which escapes smoke benzoin resin and incense to cleanse and purify the Muladhara chakr : the “chakra of the essence of being located at the base of the spine (picture below).

This chakra governs instincts, mental balance and sensuality. Balance the Muladhara, calm the mind and body.”  While the therapist vigorously  massages my neck and shoulders, I look at the garden.

The following is more “conventional” with the kunye massage, a  Tibetan massage style with pats, pressures more or less strong and a technique of kneading the body.

Taps are made along the meridians once to get the negative vibes out and a second time to restore confidence and tranquility.”

Then Widiani puts on my body hot small quartz crystal stones. She also applies and a warm poultice of Himalayan salt. And I felt asleep to the sound of singing bowl (vibrations) that stimulates the Muladhara chakra.

Four Seasons Sayan-Bali-Ubud-Spa-3A-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014

When I wake up, the massage is finished.

I feel deeply rested, and filled with an Olympian calm. The whole body is relaxed, completely relaxed! I feel refocused, as after a heavy session of Tai Chi. Susksma Widiani!

Through beautiful gardens, I slowly head to the lounge of the Four Seasons Bali at Sayan. Enjoying the amber light of late afternoon, I sit on one of the armchair facing the lush jungle. Thinking of nothing (photo below).

YES, you have to try this amazing treatment! I recommend the Muladhara treatment for the thoroughness and professionalism of the therapist who treats each part of the body in depth and for the combination of complementary techniques and of course for the unique setting! One of my best treatments!

Four Seasons Sayan-Bali-Ubud-Spa-6-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014

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

Informations 

Four Seasons Bali at Sayan Ubud 

To go to Bali with Qatar Aiways, for more informations how to prepare your travel, click here.      

Related posts :

 

BEAUTEHOTEL REVIEWS & DESTINATIONS  

I was a guest of the Four Seasons Resort at Sayan, Ubud. As always these are my opinions! Many thanks to the Four Seasons Resort at Sayan, Ubud, the spa team and Qatar Airways.