Tag Archives: Tested

Vitória Stone Hotel à Évora

Portugal-Alentejo-Evora-Vitoria-Stone-Hotel-swimming-Pool-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Un hôtel décoré par Nini Andrade Silva

Portugal-Alentejo-Evora-Vitoria-Stone-Hotel-Breakfast-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Brunch improvisé sur la terrasse

du toit du Vitória Stone Hotel, avec des gâteaux secs et fromage d’Alentejo. Je découvre, ravie, la vue panoramique (rien que pour moi) d’un quartier d’Évora sans touristes (à l’exception des clients de l’hôtel), à dix minutes à pieds de l’intérieur des fortifications.

Ciel bleu, nuages blancs : la luminosité est particulièrement forte ce matin. Après des mois de grisaille, le choc (lol)! J’ai l’impression de “voir” à nouveau les couleurs! Les banquettes sont réparties sur différents niveaux. Tout en haut, se trouve la petite piscine à débordement, où je m’installe happée par la vue (photos ci-dessous).

En partant, je passe devant le sauna tapissé de liège, original. Le liège est un peu – beaucoup – ce qui représente l’Alentejo. D’ailleurs je devrais écrire un guide des saunas, depuis ma rencontre avec le champion du monde des saunas au Sud Tyrol! 

Portugal-Alentejo-Evora-Vitoria-Stone-Hotel-Swimming-Pool-4-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KPortugal-Alentejo-Evora-Vitoria-Stone-Hotel-Swimming-Pool-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KPortugal-Alentejo-Evora-Vitoria-Stone-Hotel-Swimming-Pool-5-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KPortugal-Alentejo-Evora-Vitoria-Stone-Hotel-Swimming-Pool-6-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KPortugal-Alentejo-Evora-Vitoria-Stone-Hotel-Swimming-Pool-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KPortugal-Alentejo-Evora-Vitoria-Stone-Hotel-Swimming-Pool-7-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

La Chambre

Portugal-Alentejo-Evora-Vitoria-Stone-Hotel-Room-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Petite mais très confortable

A mon sens, les décorations (- scénographies) de Nini Andrade Silva (que j’ai eu le plaisir d’interviewer l’an dernier), sont encore plus glamour le soir, avec ses jeux d’éclairage et mirroirs.

Ma chambre m’a fait penser à un film de David Lynch… en partie, à cause du rideau couvrant toute la largeur du mur et des rangements.

L’espace est optimisé : salle de bain blanche, minimaliste qui s’étire sur la longueur, le mirroir XXL. J’aime la douche avec ses détails simplissimes. La literie est aussi impeccable. Le matin, j’ai pu profité du petit balcon.

Portugal-Alentejo-Evora-Vitoria-Stone-Hotel-swimming-Room-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KPortugal-Alentejo-Evora-Vitoria-Stone-Hotel-Room-5-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Portugal-Alentejo-Evora-Vitoria-Stone-Hotel-Room-4-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

L’hôtel

Portugal-Alentejo-Evora-Vitoria-Stone-Hotel-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

J’aime

l’agencement intimiste des espaces communs qui se prête aux rencontres avec les autres clients. On discute dans d’originaux fauteuils, en admirant les photos géantes des mégalithes des environs d’Évora. Salons dans l’entrée de l’hôtel (photo ci-dessus) et bar (photo de gauche ci-dessous).

Le restaurant semble aussi très agréable (malheureusement j’ai dîné dehors), avec sa longue table qui ondule le long de la baie vitrée (photo de droite ci-dessous). Les toilettes sont insolites, comprenant une sorte de lavoir central géant en pierre, des jeux de mirroirs et de lumières basses.

Un petit hôtel très glam et charmant, où je me suis sentie super bien et qui m’a réconciliée avec les boutiques hôtels! En plus le service est top.

Portugal-Alentejo-Evora-Vitoria-Stone-Hotel-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K  Portugal-Alentejo-Evora-Vitoria-Stone-Hotel-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KPortugal-Alentejo-Evora-Vitoria-Stone-Hotel-6-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Portugal-Alentejo-Evora-Vitoria-Stone-Hotel-4-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K  Portugal-Alentejo-Evora-Vitoria-Stone-Hotel-5-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KPortugal-Alentejo-Evora-Vitoria-Stone-Hotel-8-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Portugal-Alentejo-Evora-Vitoria-Stone-Hotel-7-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés.

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Visit PortugalVisit Alentejo & Vitória Stone Hotel

Autres articles : HOTEL REVIEWSDESTINATIONS & LIFESTYLE

Un grand merci à Visit Alentejo et à Visit Portugal pour cette superbe invitation. Merci aussi au Vitória Stone Hotel et tout spécialement à l’équipe de la réception. Comme toujours, ce sont mes opinions.

My Summer Skin Care Essentials

My-Summer-Beauty-Essentials-Face-Skincare-L-Occitane-Payot-Vichy-1A-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K  My-Summer-Beauty-Essentials-Face-Skincare-Sunscreens-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

I Really Like Oils!

Here are two super gentle oils to cleanse and remove makeup that I apply with light massages and rinse with cold water. I try not to use cotton except when I have to remove heavy make-up. 

L’Occitane Shea Cleansing Oil (above left picture, 2) and the Huile Fondante Démaquillante (Milky cleansing oil with avocado oil extract) of Payot (above left picture, 3), in handy travel size. This mini product lasts I brought with me in several short trips recently. 

Last winter, after a treatment, the My Spa By Payot in Meribel (French Alps) offered me some products, including a travel kit. I knew the brand by name. The products are excellent, with dreamy textures and scents. They perfectly match the needs of my skin! 


As a moisturizing tonic, I spray all over my face the Eau thermale minéralisante de Vichy (a pure mineral-rich water / above left picture, 1). Without waiting for the water to completely dry on the skin, I apply my cream mixed with little shea oil, organic olive or coconut oil. I use this mist anytimes of the day.  

Targeted Skincare

My-Summer-Beauty-Essentials-Face-Skincare-Garancia-4-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K  My-Summer-Beauty-Essentials-Face-Skincare-Estée-Lauder-3A-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

In Summer, My Combination Skin Overheats

between sun, sweat, sea water, sand, dust, sunscreen applications and cleansing in the morning+before and after the beach+evening (too much!). So I need to boost my routine with a gentle peeling and a recovery mask.

I have finally discovered the famous French brand, Garancia, with the Pschitt Magic New Skin (above left picture, 1). This micropeeling without abrasive particles nor glycolic acid is a foam for daily use to cleanse and refine skin texture. “Its active ingredients “melt” the dead cells and give the skin the ability to regenerate itself from the inside out.

As I have a very sensitive skin, I prefer to use it 2-3 times in the week, usually at night after removing the make-up. Or before going to a dinner. In this case, after applying my moisturizer, I add the new Garancia Hallucinogen, 4-in-1 Sheer Veil Foundation – Liquid powder (above left picture, 2) to brighten the complexion.

Good base for a light makeup that I finalize with the Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess Powder Bronzer. And the Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess Shimmering Nudes – Pure Color’ All-Over Illuminator (above picture right, 2) which is also my subtle pearlescent pink lipstick and eye shadow. A little bit of black mascara and pencil and basta! I’m not into I don’t do contouring makeup, nor Cleopatra eyebrow.

When I do a peeling, I like then to apply a mask. So I tested the Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Concentrated Recovery Powerfoil Mask with 2X Hyaluronic Acid. La pause du masque demande une certaine dextérité (c’est mon premier masque façon “coréenne”). Putting the mask requires some dexterity (well, it’s my first “Korean style” mask). The texture is thick and the skin tingles during the 10 minute pause (!). But what a surprise by removing the mask! My skin is plumped like a baby. 

Serums and creams

My-Summer-Beauty-Essentials-Face-Skincare-Estée-Lauder-La-Roche-Posay-L-Occitane-2A-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

I simplify

I love to test many products of the same range. So let’s start with two moisturizing creams for day and a night, with very pleasant textures and discreet scents : L’Occitane Shea Face Soothing Fluid  (1) and La Roche Posay Toleriane Ultra Intense Soothing Care (2).

I use them all the time! And when my skin is reactive, I stop everything except La Roche-Posay Toleriane (specific for intolerant sensitive skin). I also like their airless container, more hygienic.

I’ve almost stopped using my anti-aging cosmetics for few weeks. I will go back to my anti-aging routine next fall, to repair the sun damage. Nevertheless, several times a week, I apply the Estée Lauder New Dimension Shape + Fill Expert Serum and Expert Liquid TapeThey have a firming effect and I remain faithful to Estée Lauder.

Sun, Sun!

My-Summer-Beauty-Essentials-Face-Skincare-Sunscreens-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Please, I Need Sun Without Wrinkles!

I am both lazy and active and I really enjoy outdoors activities and water sports! My selection of sunscreens is very limited but super effective. I’ve almost never travelled without a sunscreen of La Roche-Posay Anthelios (thanks to my acne past!) or Vichy!

My favourite for the face is the Anthelios XL SPF50+ Gel crème Anti-brillance de La Roche Posay (in Belgium and France) / La Roche-Posay Anthelios Clear Skin Face Dry Touch Sunscreen SPF 60 (in the US / picture below, 1). Great for my combination skin that turns oily in summer!

I also really like the body sunscreen Anthelios XL SPF50+ Spray Ultra Légère de La Roche Posay (in Belgium and France) / Anthelios 60 Ultra-light Lotion Spray (in the US / picture below, 2). Nice texture, easy to apply and no white marks. 

For the late summer, I also added in my bag two new products of the Vichy Ideal Soleil range : for the body, the Gel de lait ultra-fondant sur peau mouillée ou sèche SPF30 (in Belgium and France). And for the face, the Soin anti-taches teinté 3-en-1 SPF50+ (in Belgium and France, photo below 3). As always with Vichy, textures are really nice to apply. 

My-Summer-Beauty-Essentials-Face-Sunscreens-La-Roche-Posay-Vichy-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés.

Related posts : BEAUTY & DESTINATIONS 

Portugal, Évora: Ecorkhotel

Portugal-Alentejo-Evora-Ecorkhotel-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

A Californian Vibe

Portugal-Alentejo-Evora-Ecorkhotel-8-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The Suite

After a long day drive, we finally arrived at the Ecorkhotel Suites & Spa on the outskirts of Évora. The concept of this new 56 suite hotel, is based on the optimum use of cork as insulation.       

What a joy discovering my 70 square-meter suite in an independent bungalow with a small terrace – patio. The architecture is awesome. And I don’t know why it makes me think of L.A. ( first photo of this post)!      

The decoration is very simple and nice! Few elements almost rudimentary. Perfect. Not overlooked with other bungalows. And trees, centenary olive trees, cork oaks and nature everywhere!

Portugal-Alentejo-Evora-Ecorkhotel-5-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KPortugal-Alentejo-Evora-Ecorkhotel-6-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The Dinner

Portugal-Alentejo-Evora-Ecorkhotel-7-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

I’m late

for the dinner at Cardo, the hotel restaurant where our large table is already full! Oops, I lingered by the pool with a real Californian twist (photo below). Unfortunately it was too late to test the spa.      

The dishes are very good: a mixture of Portuguese and Mediterranean cuisine. Then, with two friends we stay a while at the bar. Very cool, we are the only ones (lol). And I discovered a new Portuguese artisanal gin named FriendsWhat a coincidence!     

The next day: I am in hurry, I didn’t hear the alarm clock. A fruit as a quick breakfast in the large patio covered with white sails (above photo). At 9 a.m. sun is strong and my dream team is already on the bikes. Wow!    

We start our little tour through the countryside towards the Évora historic center (in sweat and fun …). But that’s another story (bicycle and I, we are not exactly friends) LOL!

Portugal-Alentejo-Evora-Ecorkhotel-4-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KPortugal-Alentejo-Evora-Ecorkhotel-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Portugal-Alentejo-Evora-Ecorkhotel-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés.

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EcorkhotelVisit Alentejo & Visit Portugal

Related posts : HOTEL REVIEWS & DESTINATIONS

Many thanks to Visit Alentejo and Visit Portugal for this amazing invitation. As always these are my opinions.