Tag Archives: Vacation

Ski And Cocktails In Meribel, France

Posted on January 30, 2016 | Leave a comment

France-Meribel-Ski-Resort-Meribel-Chaudanne-Slopes-14-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Skiing Among The Fir Trees

France-Meribel-Ski-Resort-Meribel-Chaudanne-Slopes-11-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

In The Late Morning

I arrive in Meribel and quickly discover the beautiful resort, with finely carved wooden houses, under a thick blanket of snow and blinding sun. Time to drop off my luggage at the hotel and get my skis and you can find me on the slopes with my globetrotter buddy and emeritus skier, Helen.

Sunny day, I am amazed by discovering the stunning surroundings: mountains and slopes lined with firs (just for us or so, there are not many people, we are off season)! I get used to Val Thorens, where there is no tree on the edge of the slopes. Skiing among the fir trees is magical!

At the end of the afternoon, we stop atop Tougnète (at 2405m, fantastic panorama), at the mountain restaurant, Les Cretes. As I am not really hungry, I choose a walnut tart with tea. And VIP treatment, we go down to the resort into groomer (a big thank you to the team of trackers)! What an thrilling experience!

France-Meribel-Ski-Resort-Meribel-Chaudanne-Slopes-12-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-Meribel-Ski-Resort-Meribel-Chaudanne-Slopes-8-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-Meribel-Ski-Resort-Meribel-Chaudanne-Slopes-6-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-Meribel-Ski-Resort-Meribel-Chaudanne-Slopes-13-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-Meribel-Ski-Resort-Meribel-Chaudanne-Slopes-16-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-Meribel-Ski-Resort-Meribel-Chaudanne-Slopes-15-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-Meribel-Ski-Resort-Meribel-Chaudanne-Slopes-17-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Cocktails & Dinner at The Savoy

France-Meribel-Ski-Resort-Hotel-Le-Savoy-Meribel-Bar-Restaurant-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

A Break In My Hotel

to enjoy a super long shower, I’m exhausted. Towards 8-8.30 p.m. I join the bubbly Elizabeth for a cocktail at the bar of Le Savoy and then dinner at Le Resto. I immediately liked the chiaroscuro lighting and colors of the very cozy lounge.

Comfortably sat in a deep sofa, with a glass of champagne vaguely listening to another lounge music mix. Hovering after a busy day of skiing! The atmosphere is relaxed and a little chic. I really enjoy the fireplace (lol). 

The interior design of Le Resto is really nice too. On the photo montage below, some details that I really liked and the entry of Ravioles de gambas dans un jus de citronnelle et bergamote (Prawn ravioli in a lemon and bergamot juice). Quite a journey … To be continued …

France-Meribel-Ski-Resort-Hotel-Le-Savoy-Meribel-Bar-Restaurant-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-Meribel-Ski-Resort-Hotel-Le-Savoy-Meribel-Bar-Restaurant-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Back To The Hotel

France-Meribel-Ski-Resort-By-Night-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-Meribel-Ski-Resort-By-Night-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-Meribel-Ski-Resort-By-Night-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés.

Informations  

www.meribel.net, www.les3vallees.com

Related posts : DESTINATIONS, HOTEL REVIEWS & LIFESTYLE

Many thanks to the 3 Vallées and Meribel Tourist Office for this beautiful invitation. As always these opinions are my own.

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Back To Val Thorens, France (Part 2)

Posted on January 28, 2016 | Leave a comment

France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-Activities-Ice Driving-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K 1

Ice Driving

France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-Activities-Ice Driving-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Wow Wow!

My baptism of ice driving! I really wanted to do it! On a previous trip, I discovered the circuit de glace Alain Prost in Val Thorens (the highest ice-racing track in Europe) at the Trophée Andros race. I like motorsport, but I couldn’t test with a pilot last time.

So this time, when I was invited to this little session of controlled “steering, counter-steering, braking…” on ice, I was thrilled! The principle is simple. Christophe, a professional driver drives the race car explaining how to take turns (the most interesting for me).

Time to do few turns and the session is already over … Next step: the ice driving course… Photos below: I extend the experience of being a passanger in the classy Mini of the Val Thorens Tourist Office (you guys rock!).

France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-Mini-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-Mini-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The Lunch

France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-Lunch @ Chez-Pépé-Nicolas-Restaurant-1A-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Chez Pépé Nicolas

Lunch in this famous alpine chalet located in between Val Thorens and Les Menuires. We have a little trouble finding the parking … The restaurant is accessible by ski or by car (you will have to walk and it climbs a bit, lol). 

What a great surprise! The place is clear and warm. And we followed the chef’s suggestion: chicken and pasta with truffles and cheese cake. A delight! Gargantuan portion (photo above). And as a light dessert, I chose a chocolate ice cream! LOL!

France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-Lunch @ Chez-Pépé-Nicolas-Restaurant-2A-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Or Try The Gastronomic Brasserie

Warning, Gourmets! The Vallée des Belleville is a breeding ground for the Michelin starred chefs! During a lunch in the resort at the Montana Restaurant, I had the chance to taste the bubbly and delicious cuisine of Chef Jérémy Gillon (photos below).

Ooops, I don’t remember the exact names of our different dishes, but the photos (below) speak for themselves! It’s beautiful, colorful (to the eye and palate) and delicious!

France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-Lunch @ Le-Montana-Brasserie-Restaurant-Michelin-Starred-Chef-Jeremy-Gillon-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

A Nice Boutique Hotel

Hotel-Le-Val-Thorens-France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

In The Center of The Resort,

facing the slopes, you can stay at Le Val Thorens hotel with cool friends. Lovely interior design with a few art works (picture 4 below), the style is a mix of contemporary mountain and minimalist Scandinavian design.

The architecture of the lobby is a bit surprising, but the furniture creates a warm atmosphere (photo 5 below). I loved the view and the cozy atmosphere of my room (too bad the bathroom is very narrow). I felt so good that I skipped the dinner to not leave my bed!

Well, I still made the final push to join some friends for a drink … The breakfast room is also very nice. Unfortunately I haven’t enough time to discover the pool and spa. I have to finish my suitcase for the next resort … 

Hotel-Le-Val-Thorens-France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KHotel-Le-Val-Thorens-France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Hotel-Le-Val-Thorens-France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-4-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Hotel-Le-Val-Thorens-France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-5-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Hotel-Le-Val-Thorens-France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-6-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Val Tho Party

France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-Nightlife-Bar-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-Nightlife-Bar-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés.

Informations  

www.valthorens.com, www.les3vallees.com

Related posts : DESTINATIONS, HOTEL REVIEWS & LIFESTYLE

Many thanks to the 3 Vallées and Val Thorens Tourist Office, for all of these stunning surprises, including the ice driving. As always, these opinions are my own.

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The Koh-I Nor in Val Thorens, France

Posted on December 28, 2015 | 1 comment

Val-Thorens-France-Koh-I-Nor-Ski-Hotel-Room-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

My Room

During this long weekend in Val Thorens, I was really happy to discover the Koh-I Nor. The 5-star hotel overlooks the station. And in the morning I looked at the fog from my room balcony (photo 4 on the photo montage above). I was about to cancel my ski lesson, thinking there was no visibility on the slopes. While I equip myself, (obviously) fog disappeared!

The day before I went out until late. And as it was snowing, I couldn’t recognize the way back to the hotel (epic)! Fortunately, thanks to the impeccable bedding, I slept like a baby a few hours. The well-damped room is very comfortable. 

I also liked the woodwork, the view (beautiful late afternoon light on the mountains) and the Cinq Mondes amenities. Photos: 1. the hotel logo, 2. bedroom and 3. in the corridor, the carpet “surfs” between rooms. Fun!

The Spa

Val-Thorens-France-Koh-I-Nor-Ski-Hotel-Spa-Wellness

A Customized Massage

I arrived tired and tense at my spa appointment, without any idea of I wanted. I finally chose a facial massage and let my therapist, Manon decided what kind of treatment.

She mixed some: “ko bi do (the ancient technic of Japanese beauty), Chinese medicines and dermapuncture (acupuncture where needles are replaced with thumbs) technics” and a massage to relax the nervous system, with the Cinq Monde cosmetics. 

Fantastic! I felt asleep! Upon awakening, my face and neck are super relaxed. And my traits are deeply subsided, all tension is gone. This excellent massage is incredibly relaxing, thank you Manon!

Dinner @ Le Diamand Noir

Val-Thorens-France-Koh-I-Nor-Ski-Hotel-Diamand-Noir-Restaurant-Dinner-French-Gastronomy-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Divine cuisine

For dinner, I joined a friend at Le Diamand Noir, one of the restaurants of the Koh-I Nor. Without being the finest gourmet, I appreciate novelty and originality: what about that dinner? Delicious!

What a pleasure to discover the cuisine of the Michelin starred Chef Eric Samson mixing different fine flavors with aromatic mountain herbs. The dishes are beautiful to look at and the service and decor are really good.  

As a starter, I took the seared foie gras with a lychee sorbet, the combination of the two is to die for! For the main course, fish with carrots and potimaron (photo 1 on the above assembly). And dessert, a beautifully presented chocolate-lychee ice cream (photo 4).

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés. Photo 2 du premier montage photo, et photo 2 @ Koh-I Nor.

Informations  

Koh-I Nor, www.valthorens.com

Related posts : HOTEL REVIEWS & DESTINATIONS

Many thanks to the Koh-I Nor and Val Thorens Tourist Office for this very nice stay! As always these opinions are my own.

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