Tag Archives: Vacations

Club Med Val Thorens Sensations: Great Restaurants & Bars

Posted on December 10, 2014 | Leave a comment

What about a ski weekend in Val Thorens?

Sorry for the long silence, I had some technical issues on the blog. And I just returned from a wonderful ski weekend at the new Club Med Val Thorens Sensations 4 tridents (in Savoy, France), where I was invited to the inauguration. I haven’t set foot in a Club Med for ages (yes I was DJ in another life)!

Still the same winner formula: as soon as you are in the Club, you feel good. Arrived around 11:30 p.m. (after a trip with 3 hour bus), my first discovery was the main restaurant.

The Main Restaurant

User-friendly graphic Yurts

I really discovered the main restaurant at the breakfast, the next morning of my arrival (above photo montage).

Big crush for the yurts scattered in different rooms of the restaurant. They create a sort of intimate cocoon, where I really like to eat and chat under a subdued light.

The dishes are nicely presented. And as always there is many choice and something for everyone. During my short stay, I really enjoyed fresh or dried fruits, ice creams and Kusmi Tea. Shame on me : )

On the photo montage below: No. 3, fish stew in a small red pot, so chic! No. 2, a set of starters elaborated by star chef Edouard Loubet. No. 1, owls gallery at reception and No. 4, the bench of the Canadian (woodcutter) cousin at the gourmet lounge Epicurious.

Breakfast At The Epicurious, Gourmet Lounge

Cozy Atmosphere At The Epicurious

When I finished my first ski lesson in the late afternoon, I joined a part of the group for a drink at the Gourmet Lounge: Epicurious. The outdoor terrace offers panoramic views of the snowy peaks (first photo).

Almost sleepy in a comfortable armchair, while listening some music (photo 7) … when I notice that there’s a live musician and not a soundtrack (LOL!). The space is dedicated to the restoration and local products, including a really nice wine cellar.

The Epicurious restaurant and wine cellar are decorated by Sophie Jacquemin, in charge of the interior design of the whole Club Med Val Thorens Sensations. The tasting dinner is designed by the chef Edouard Loubet, a native of Val Thorens, with 2 Michelin stars, 5 Gault & Millau toques and chef of the year in 2011.

The morning of departure, I take a late breakfast with a view of the mountains. There is less choice than in the main restaurant, but it’s the quieter and more exclusive, with a great service. On the photo montage below: a plate made of cheese, smoked ham and fresh cereal bread.

Tea time At The Main Bar

Yummy break at the main bar: few snacks after skiing! We’re lazily laying in the lounge, with a choice of excellent macaroons, chocolate cakes etc … Before getting ready for dinner, LOL!

Informations

Club Med Val Thorens Sensations

Dinner at The Michelin Starred L’And Restaurant

Castel Fragsburg: A Fantastic Gourmet Restaurant In A Charming Hotel

HOTEL REVIEWS, DESTINATIONS & LIFESTYLE

Many thanks to all the team of Club Med for this invitation and as always these are my opinions!

Hillside Beach Club: The Sanda Spa and Serenity Beach

Posted on July 19, 2014 | Leave a comment

Lovers of the Mediterranean claim

that the blue of the Mediterranean Sea is unique: this is so true (picture 1)! I could spend hours gazing at this bright dense blue.

But I have to cross the Hillside Beach Club to go to the Sanda Spa, nestled on a hillside in the heart of a luxuriant vegetation.

The setting is extremely relaxing with comfortable wooden cottages, such as massage rooms.

The Sandi Spa’s therapists are from Bali:

great! Finally I’ll discover the famous Balinese massage! Even I am addicted to Asian massages, I haven’t had yet the opportunity to experience the Balinese massage.

As always I prefer to be fasting for massages. When I took my RV, I didn’t really read the massage menu and just asked for a similar massage to a traditional Thai massage.

Ie a massage a little painful at the time that stretches all the muscles of your body and makes you feel great the next day.

And I was recommended the Asian Nirvana,

that lasts one hour and treats by pressures: ” Deep tissue therapie using elbow pressures” and performed with oil.

Another new detail for me: at the end of treatment, the therapist pats my back with these two warm instruments (picture above, left side), which I forgot the name (oops)! The feeling is very soothing, because the heat spreads throughout the spine.

After the treatment, I sloth in a comfortable large white chair, rocked by the sound of a small waterfall (picture 2). Then I head to the Serenity beach at the extreme opposite of the Sanda Spa (LOL!).

A small beautiful cove

where the beach is super quiet. You can access it either via a path that borders coast (picture above) or by boat (picture 4).

Children are not allowed, neither revelers or noisy games and animations … And you can really relax with a sense of being far far away from the real world!

Few chairs, few people. Most are with a book in hand. In the afternoon, it’s even better: as the beach is in shadow, there is almost no one.

You can have lunch on the beach.

On the menu: healthy light kebabs with grilled chicken wrapped in thin bread. Good for my diet ; )

There is no vegetarian menu, but there are tasty vegetables and extra fresh fruit juices (pictures above).

To return to the main beach and lounge of the club, I decided to try the boat … Lovely! Almost like in Venice, LOL!

Informations

Hillside Beach Club

Hillside Beach Club: Room With a Soothing Seaview

Scuba Diving @ The Hillside Beach Club, in Fethyie, Turkey

BEAUTY, HOTEL REVIEWS & DESTINATIONS

I was invited by the Hillside Beach Club at the Sanda Spa and Serenity beach. As you already know, this does not change my opinion! Thanks to Hillside Beach Club.

Hillside Beach Club: Room With a Soothing Seaview

Posted on July 13, 2014 | Leave a comment

The view, light & peaceful landscape!

After a long journey – my first flight landed at midnight, followed by the boarding of my second flight at 4 a.m. – I decide to spend the next three hours in the coffee at the airport arrivals. What a surprise, a nice waitress and an outlet to recharge my laptop!

Once seated on the plane to Fethiye, we wait more than an hour before taking off, lulled by the hysterical cries of a temperamental kid! A nightmare!

So you can imagine THE pleasure when early afternoon I finally open the door of my room at Hillside Beach Club! I am immediately caught by the sight (pictures 1 & 2)!

Difficult not feeling on holiday!

Every details, materials and colors of the decoration (recently renovated) encourage a certain indolence which frees the mind.

Offering free Wifi throughout the club, me and my computer (digital nomads) declare the couch facing the sea: our new workspace (picture 1)!

We can access to the bathroom (very well equipped wirh separated toilets) through the terrace. The bathrobes are soft and I loved the detail of wooden curtain, with eyes that protect from bad luck (pictures 4 & 5).

Each day, the maids creates a small flower arrangement, like the bougainvillea flowers in heart shape on the bed! Thank you for this delicate attention that have put me in a great mood!

Homely contemporary decor

White walls and comfortable huge bed, facing the soothing view to the landscape. Some nights, I could admire the starry sky or the moon reflection on the sea from my bed wedged into soft pillows!

This allowed me to avoid mosquitoes (through the bay window closed). Everywhere they love me! But here, much less than in Poland for example, LOL!

I also enjoyed the lighting with dimmer, plugs everywhere, including on each side of the bed, and behind sliding doors, a discreet large dressing with a long mirror.