Tag Archives: Travel

Hotel EKTA in Paris Baby!

Paris-France-Hotel-EKTA-Near-Champs-Elysées-Design-1A-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Yes, Paris is always a good idea!

A few days in Paris with my mother, I took the opportunity to plan rendezvous without having to run in any direction. We needed a hotel with a central location …

As the excellent Ekta Hotel: 60-70’s stylish sharp design by Jean-Philippe Nuel and Natasha Stojkovic. A very relaxed friendly atmosphere with a TOP team! Fantastic hospitality: we immediately felt like at home!

This little gem-hotel with 20 rooms and 5 suites (opened last spring), is ideally located in a quiet street just a minute walk from the Champs Elysees, between Etoile and George V. What could we ask for more? 

Paris-France-Hotel-EKTA-Near-Champs-Elysées-Design-6-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Couture Spirit

We access to the lobby by the staircase inspired Chanel – rue Cambon. So chic! And I easily imagine crossing Karl, lol! On the walls, “very Courrège” fashion photos by Benjamin Deroche (photos below).

            Paris-France-Hotel-EKTA-Near-Champs-Elysées-Design-9A-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K  Paris-France-Hotel-EKTA-Near-Champs-Elysées-Design-12-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K                          Paris-France-Hotel-EKTA-Near-Champs-Elysées-11-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K  Paris-France-Hotel-EKTA-Near-Champs-Elysées-Design-10-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The living room

My favorite common space. Comfortably sit down in one of Pumpkins yellow sofas designed by Pierre Paulin, facing the built-in fireplace in the black and white graphic library, I take a look at a beautiful fashion book with Karl, Carine Roitfeld and so on …

Paris-France-Hotel-EKTA-Near-Champs-Elysées-Design-2A-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KParis-France-Hotel-EKTA-Near-Champs-Elysées-Design-8A-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KParis-France-Hotel-EKTA-Near-Champs-Elysées-Design-4-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

I also really like the Japanese style lighting by Marset, games of mirrors and flat screens scattered in the hotel (photos above).

Other details I liked (pictures below): 1. photo on mirror in the small elevator that leads to the bedrooms and suites (read my post of our suite). 2. Hearty delicious breakfast in the lounge area and comfortable mirrors tables (3). 4. Sorry not sorry … The little black jacket, Chanel.

Paris-France-Hotel-EKTA-Near-Champs-Elysées-Design-7A-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

Informations  

Hotel ETKA

What I wear: a classic black coat with my Palladium (Pampa Peleton L Zip) boots in leather. Less is more.

Related posts :  

HOTEL REVIEWS & DESTINATIONS

A big thanks to all the team of the Hotel ETKA for the very warm welcome, kindness and professionalism.

Umbria, Italy: Perugia, Art Studio, Mansions and Fine Arts

Umbria-Italy-Perugia-View-From-Casa-Museo-Sorbello-4-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Studio Moretti Caselli

Umbria-Italy-Perugia-Studio-Moretti-Caselli-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Refinement and authenticity

Arrived the night before from the little town of Norcia, on our first day of real discovery of Perugia, a city of arts, we follow the PAAST route (Percorsi Arte Artigianato Storia Tradizione: Path Art Crafts History Tradition) that leads us to studio and mansions of noble families.

First visit to the Studio Moretti Caseli Museo, “artistic stained glass”, see the photomontage above: on the first photo, Maddalena Forenza is the fifth generation of this family of stained glass artists. His grandfather Francesco Moretti initiated this activity in 1859.

Beautiful studio with giant drawings made by hand (I am a fan of blavk and white pencil drawings), where dominates classical art in a very old architecture. And you travel in time with taste, refinement and authenticity.

Umbria-Italy-Perugia-Near-Studio-Moretti-Caselli-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Nobile Collegio della Mercanzia

Umbria-Italy-Perugia-Collegio-della-Mercanzia-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Wealth and Power 

When I enter in the Nobile Collegio della Mercanzia (Noble College of Goods), I am impressed with wooden decorative panels covering walls and high vaulted ceilings. 

In 1342, the Noble College of Goods was the most important company of the city, but had not a specific location until 1390, “when the city, in settlement of a debt of 1400 guilders, granted the guild of merchants” a warehouse on the ground floor of the Palazzo dei Priori, Corso Vannucci (source Wikipedia).

On the first picture: one of four figures representing Prudenza, Fortezza, Giustizia, Temperanza (Prudence, Strength, Justice, Temperance). Photo below: San Lorenzo Cathedral.

Umbria-Italy-Perugia-Near-Collegio-della-Mercanzia-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Casa Museo Sorbello

Umbria-Italy-Perugia-Casa-Museo-Sorbello-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Near San Lorenzo Cathedral

For our third visit, we discover the mansion Marchesi di Sorbello Bourbon (Marquis of Sorbello Bourbon), a 17th century palazzo with a collection of paintings, porcelain, books, manuscripts and embroidery, as well as furniture and chandeliers of the 18th century. I am not fond of decorative arts of the 18th, too mannerist for me. 

By cons I really liked the will and action of the entrepreneur woman, the Marchesa Romeyne Robert Ranieri di Sorbello to socially empower women by the embroidery, in the early twentieth century. This work allowed them to acquire a financial autonomy and have a better social position.

From the palace terrace, the panoramic views of Perugia and Assisi valley are gorgeous.

              Umbria-Italy-Perugia-In-Front-of-Casa-Museo-Sorbello-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K  Umbria-Italy-Perugia-In-Front-of-Casa-Museo-Sorbello-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Casa Museo degli Oddi Marini Clarelli

Umbria-Italy-Perugia-Casa-Museo-degli-Oddi-Marini-Clarelli-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

In Porta Santa Susanna Neighborhood

The Palazzo degli Oddi (one of the oldest and most powerful noble families of Perugia) was built in the 16th century. On the first picture of the photo montage above, the beautiful painted wooden ceiling from the early 17th century, of one of the rooms on the ground floor.

Time flies and we head towards the Museo dell’Accademia di Belle Arti (Museum of Fine Arts).

              Umbria-Italy-Perugia-Near-Casa-Museo-degli-Oddi-Marini-Clarelli-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K  Umbria-Italy-Perugia-Around-Museo-dell'Accademia-di-Belle-Arti-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Museo dell’Accademia di Belle Arti

Umbria-Italy-Perugia-Museo-dell'Accademia-di-Belle-Arti-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

In the Academy of Fine Arts

founded in 1573: the museum presents in its main gallery, the plasters of famous artists such as Michell’Angelo and in the two other galleries, paintings, drawings and prints.

I lingered long among the plasters (some with giant proportions). The inspiring nice space also boasts a lovely natural light.

Déjeuner à l’Umbrò

Umbria-Italy-Perugia-Lunch-Umbro-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

At the beginning of the afternoon I am happy to finally sit down and have lunch at the Umbrò, a friendly modern place, both fast food and fine grocery of Italian products. To be continued …

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

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Regione Umbria, PAAST route and Alitalia

Related posts : DESTINATIONS & LIFESTYLE

Many thanks for this beautiful invitation to Regione Umbria et Alitalia. As always these opinions are my own.

Weekend in The Hague: Shopping, Coffee & Tea Room

Netherlands-The-Hague-Hofkwartier-Molenstraat-Shopping-Cake-du-Fortin-The-Makery-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Goedemorgen Den Haag!

After a quick and comfortable journey by Thalys to Rotterdam, I deposit my bluggage at the hotel in Hofkwartier, the Court Quarter, one of the oldest and central parts of the city.

In the Prinsestraat, the Minions make me crack for the pastry and tea room Cake du Fortin, specialized in big cakes for events (photos 1 and 2 on the above photo montage).  

In the Molenstraat, intrigued by miniature structures of wooden seats, I enter The Makery (photo 4). The owner of the workshop-boutique helps you to design your own creations. Example: on a small block of wood “with wheels”, you draw the car of your dreams that you will shape in the workshop (photo 3). Creative design …

Netherlands-The-Hague-Hofkwartier-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Noordeinde

Netherlands-The-Hague-Hofkwartier-Molenstraat-Shopping-Parkhotel-Den-Haag-Garden-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Art Gallery and Antique Stores

A short stop at the garden of the Parkhotel Den Haag to retrieve my umbrella (pictured above), then I continue in Noordeinde, famous for its art galleries and antique shops.

Photo montage below: 1. in a window shop, a modern wink to the famous Vermeer painting, Girl with a Pearl Earring you can see in the Mauritshuis Museum. 2. I still don’t understand the concept of mixing real shoes – fresh croissants and pasteis in the same window! Lol! 3. A very nice cafe where working with a laptop, the Coffee Company

Netherlands-The-Hague-Hofkwartier-Molenstraat-Noordeinde-Shopping-Coffee-Company-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Denneweg

Netherlands-The-Hague-Denneweg-Shopping-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Relaxed Chic Neighbourhood,

close to the excellent Escher in Het Paleis Museum, it feels good. I  really enjoy strolling surrounded by beautiful shops and restaurants. 

It’s more the atmosphere than shopping (strictly speaking) that I like! By taking a small street, I discovered a canal and outdoor cafe. Too bad it rains …

Netherlands-The-Hague-Denneweg-Shopping-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Netherlands-The-Hague-Denneweg-Shopping-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Grote Markstraat et Spuistraat

Netherlands-The-Hague-Grote Markstraat-and-Spuistraat-De-Bijenkorf-Shopping-Parkhotel-Den-Haag-Garden-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

For Shopping Addicts

In these shopping areas, you can find Gucci accessories, 7 All Mankind jeans or the giant H & M, located in a kind of Haussmann building, the former Maison de Bonneterie (2).

Photo 1: Markstraat on Grote, the Dutch deparment store De Bijenkorf, near Chinatown, the Asian district. Photo 3, De Passage built between 1882 and 1885, inspired by the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan. Photo 4, an overview of the Spuistraat.

Have a fantastic shopping!

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

Informations   

Den Haag Marketing, Holland.com and Thalys (www.thalys.com/be/fr/)

To go to The Hague : take the Thalys to Rotterdam Central (1h10 from Brussels-Midi), then the Dutch metro RET to Den Haag Central (more and less 30 minutes).

Related posts : DESTINATIONS & SHOP MY SELECTIONS

Many thanks for this beautiful invitation to Den Haag Marketing, Holland.com and Thalys. As always these opinions are my own.