Tag Archives: Winter Holidays

France, Arcs 2000: Hotel Taj-I Mah

A Room With A View

The Pleasure of Mountain

Long live the skiing season! Few years ago, I’d never imagined I could like the mountain and ski as much! I am back in the French Alps, for the inauguration of the Taj-I Mah, the first 5-star hotel of Les Arcs 2000 at the foot of the slopes.     

Blue sky, snowy peaks bathed in bright light. It’s pretty difficult to leave my terrace. The air is invigorating with hypnotic view. The comfortable room is well soundproofed, a cocoon with impeccable bedding. The interior design reminds me the rooms of the Koh-I Nor in more intimate version (the same owners).  

The bathroom with its deep large bath, opens onto the bedroom and mountain view (a large sliding glass door allows to separate the two spaces, picture left above). I like the separate toilet in the entrance of the room.

  

Lunch at L’Atelier d’Eric

Between Activities,

I sit down at one of the hotel’s outside terraces (great!). Picture above: the long terrace of the lounge, where I am rocked by the warm rays of the sun. It quickly becomes really complicated to leave (LOL)! Except for discovering the menu of L’Atelier d’Eric, one of the two restaurants of the Taj-I Mah, under the leadership of the Chef Eric Samson.

I had lunch there a few times (pictures below): tasty simple inventive cuisine nicely presented. Excellent tuna prepared with scallops. I love  the Valrhona chocolate with pear dessert (picture below), a treat!

A Massage at The Spa

The Swimming Pool and Jacuzzi

have a panoramic view to the slopes and the peaks! The last two days, I made a long stop at the Cinq Mondes and Carita spa: 400 m2 including a sauna, hammam, jacuzzi, salt wall, showers, relaxation area and treatment rooms. The icing on the cake is the Cinq Mondes facial massage (inspired by Shiatsu) that relaxed my tensions in the neck and shoulders.

Dinner at The Diamant Noir

Voluptuous Dessert

The second evening, I have a dinner with a journalist friend at the Diamant Noir, the gourmet restaurant of the twice starred Chef Eric Samson. We start with an apetizer of raw tuna with egg yolk and cream. 

I don’t take any first meal. While reading the menu, I recognize one of the Koh-I Nor’s first meal I really recommend you: Grilled foie gras acidulated with the passion fruits and Savoy wine, Mango and Litchi. A surprising extremely fine dish! So delicious!

I choose the Supreme of Farm Poultry filled with foie gras, Périgueux sauce and potatoes. Really good and not greasy. When the dessert The Chocolate Caraïbe at 66% in Different Textures arrives, I capsize! It looks like a haute couture piece and tastes fantastic! Gorgeous!

  

The Ski

Finally!

Energic wake-up to the aurora and meditation on the empty icy main terrace of the hotel. I am happy, I will ski from 9 am to 11. I haven’t had the opportunity to discover the Paradiski ski area (which includes Les Arcs) yet. The previous days, I visited as a pedestrian a bit of the Arcs 2000 (altitude 2100 meters) and 1800

I couldn’t leave without making at least a morning of skiing! After being equipped at the ski shop of the hotel (picture below), I follow the ski instructor on slopes. First, we head to Les Arcs 1950 and cross the village in ski. Then we take the chairlift to the Col de la Chal (altitude 2600 meters). From where we ski to the Arc 2000 surrounded in a beautiful panorama. To be continued…

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés.

Informations   

Taj-I-Mah, Les Arcs

Related posts : DESTINATIONS, HOTEL REVIEWS & BEAUTY

Many thanks to the team of the Taj-I Mah and the Tourist Office of Les Arcs for this beautiful invitation! As always are my opinions.

Skiing & Driving a Ski Trail Groomer in La Tania, France

France-La-Tania-Ski-Resort-5-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The Arrival @ La Tania

France-La-Tania-Ski-Resort-4-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The Small Resort That Rises

ideally located between Courchevel and Méribel. When I arrive from Meribel, it snows a lot. The drive was fast. And I decide to do a walking tour in the station crossed by the slopes and surrounded by fir trees (pictures below). I love fir trees! A real addiction!

I discovered La Tania or La Tagna meaning “the den of bears” in Savoyard dialect. The resort will celebrate its 25th anniversary in April. This is the newest of the 3 Vallées, the largest ski area in the world. Less known than Courchevel, but very near Courchel, La Tania offers accommodations at more affordable prices.

 I really like the area of wooden chalets, all different from each other (photo above). As the surfaces are large with modern amenities and concierge service, renting a chalet with friends or family is interesting. In the first picture of the post: the view, firs, snow from a superb chalet … isn’t it beautiful?   

France-La-Tania-Ski-Resort-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K France-La-Tania-Ski-Resort-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K France-La-Tania-Ski-Resort-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Cross Country Skiing

France-La-Tania-Ski-Resort-Cross-Country-Skiing-Nordic-Skiing-Meribel-Altiport-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The Magic of The Landscape

The last (and unique) time I did cross-country skiing, I was a pre-teen! So when in early afternoon I pick up my equipment, I was so surprised by the light weight of my boots and skis! Then I joined Adeline Girard, my ski instructor which is a former ski champion.

We drive to Meribel Altiport / La Tania, where we park in front of Le Blanchot restaurant, the starting point of the routes in the forest, with trails of various levels (blue, red … like in Alpine skiing). Nature is fantastic! And Adeline immediately knows how to put at ease.

What a fantastic afternoon in cross country, everything is magic! I also learnt that cross-country ski trails are groomed (in the pictures below, you can see the rails on each side of the track). And when I lift my head, I can admire the top of trees … Even cross country skiing is more physical than skiing, you forget the effort in the scenery. And we ski until the dusk.

France-La-Tania-Ski-Resort-Cross-Country-Skiing-Nordic-Skiing-Meribel-Altiport-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-La-Tania-Ski-Resort-Cross-Country-Skiing-Nordic-Skiing-Meribel-Altiport-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K France-La-Tania-Ski-Resort-Cross-Country-Skiing-Nordic-Skiing-Meribel-Altiport-4-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K France-La-Tania-Ski-Resort-Cross-Country-Skiing-Nordic-Skiing-Meribel-Altiport-5-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-La-Tania-Ski-Resort-Cross-Country-Skiing-Nordic-Skiing-Meribel-Altiport-8-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-La-Tania-Ski-Resort-Cross-Country-Skiing-Nordic-Skiing-Meribel-Altiport-6-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K  France-La-Tania-Ski-Resort-Cross-Country-Skiing-Nordic-Skiing-Meribel-Altiport-11-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-La-Tania-Ski-Resort-Cross-Country-Skiing-Nordic-Skiing-Meribel-Altiport-12-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K  France-La-Tania-Ski-Resort-Ski-Slope-Machine-Snow-Groomer-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Driving The Ski Trail Groomer

France-La-Tania-Ski-Resort-Ski-Slope-Machine-Snow-Groomer-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The New Experience!

Yes I did it! Around 6 p.m., I meet the professional driver of a ski trail groomer to have a ride and see in real conditions how tracking the ski trails and driving a 700,000 Euros machine (if I correctly remember)!

I am like a kid, super excited to be behind the scenes! And when the driver asks me if I’d like to drive the machine, I was so happy! So I start driving on trails that lead to Courchevel. I am so focused (a bit too much, lol!) … And the machine is so sensitive that I dare not step on the accelerator!

Then around 8 p.m. I go back to La Tania through deserted slopes! I’m SO tired that I let the restaurant and directly go to bed! It was an exciting endless day!

France-La-Tania-Ski-Resort-Ski-Slope-Machine-Snow-Groomer-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés.

Informations  

www.latania.comwww.les3vallees.com  

For cross country skiing or skiing lessons, you can contact the ESF La Tania : +33 (0)4 79 08 80 39 and Adeline Girard: +33 (0)6 30 36 56 13.

Related posts : DESTINATIONSHOTEL REVIEWS & LIFESTYLE

Many thanks to the 3 Vallées and La Tania Tourist Office for this exciting invitation. Big thanks to Adeline Girard and the ski trail groomer driver. As always these opinions are my own.

Meribel, France: Skiing & Wellness

France-Meribel-Ski-Resort-Hotel-Le-Tremplin-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Skiing

France-Meribel-Ski-Resort-Slopes-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

This Morning It Snows A Lot

Taking breakfast, I doubt if I can ski for my second day in Méribel. At 10 a.m., I start my Skiing For Women lesson (to enjoy skiing in a way less based on performance and arranged for women with children too) with Cécile Crousaz, National BEES 1° Ski at the Ecole de Ski Méribel (Ski School of Meribel).

We reach the Rhodos gondola. The weather remains overcast, but visibility is better. And the pleasure of skiing is back! Same place, but the decor has completely changed … a different beauty, fog blanketed the peaks. Since the beginning of my stay (in Val Thorens), I’ve had less fear on skis and improved. Cecile is very patient and motivating too. 

When we arrive for lunch at La Folie Douce Meribel-Courchevel, the fog is denser, creepy on slope (photos below). Without comparison: nothing to do with La Folie Douce Val Thorens, much more festive. Here, the atmosphere is more relaxed. 

France-Meribel-Ski-Resort-La-Folie-Douce-Restaurant-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-Meribel-Ski-Resort-La-Folie-Douce-Restaurant-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-Meribel-Ski-Resort-La-Folie-Douce-Restaurant-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The Hotel  

France-Meribel-Ski-Resort-Hotel-Le-Tremplin-A- Room-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Back To The Hotel Around 3 p.m.

to let my equipment in the ski room and get changed for my spa session this afternoon. Le Tremplin hotel is located close to the slopes and the center of Meribel (the hotel’s facade on the first photo of the post).

The 40 tastefully decorated rooms have just been redone. Mine is simple and comfortable. And the efficient smiling service make you feel good.

On the above photo montage: my room with a really good bedding and large bathroom with Pascal Morabito products. On the bed (1), a lovely travel beauty kit that the institute My Spa by Payot Meribel offered me. I will use for sure in a future trip!

France-Meribel-Ski-Resort-Hotel-Le-Tremplin-View-Room-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The View

My room’s terrace has two sides, allowing me to enjoy different views, both of the city (above) and slopes (below)! The hotel also offers an outdoor pool, open until 8 p.m. 

France-Meribel-Ski-Resort-Hotel-Le-Tremplin-View-Room-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-Meribel-Ski-Resort-Hotel-Le-Tremplin-Swimming-Pool-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The Outdoor Pool 

To go to the pool surrounded by bars and protected from view by a small wooden fence, you wear a bathrobe on your swimsuit and slippers (lol). At night, while you bathe, you can see the lights of the bars and town. I really liked (photos above and below).

France-Meribel-Ski-Resort-Hotel-Le-Tremplin-View-Room-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K  France-Meribel-Ski-Resort-Hotel-Le-Tremplin-Swimming-Pool-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The Wellness  

France-Meribel-Ski-Resort-Spa-Payot-Hotel-Le-Tremplin-Swimming-Pool-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

My Spa by Payot

is located in the Olympic Centre, five minutes walk from the Le Tremplin hotel. The benefit of being in a central location, you are near everything! I recommend the jacuzzi overlooking the slopes! Before my customized massage, I “navigate” between steam room, cold shower and jacuzzi.

Then I choose a relaxing neck-shoulder-arm massage: as a skiing beginner, I contract the upper body muscles too much. My therapist applies an oil with essential oils: I am pleasantly surprised, I don’t have skin reaction. This is the first time I used Payot products.

During the massage, I fall asleep (good sign). Leaving the spa, I stop at the outdoor pool of Le Tremplin to swim while it snows. Awesome!

The Exclusive

France-Meribel-Ski-Resort-Meribel-Chaudanne-Gourmet-Shopping-Bokal-Chef-Laurent-Azoulay-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Gourmet Jars

After skiing, spa, massage and pool, I just want to stay quiet in my room. Eating a light dinner of vegetable soup and sleeping.

Looking for a soup bar, I came across the gourmet grocery store of a Michelin starred chef, Le Bokal by Laurent Azoulay. The shop opened since mid-December, has style: sober with black walls and a central wooden table for the tasting.

France-Meribel-Ski-Resort-Meribel-Chaudanne-Gourmet-Shopping-Bokal-Chef-Laurent-Azoulay-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés.

Informations  

www.meribel.netwww.les3vallees.com  

For the ski lessons (all levels), or Skiing For Women (group lessons and weekend or week packages), you can contact the ESF de Méribel : +33 479 08 6031, contact@esf-meribel.com.

DESTINATIONSHOTEL REVIEWS & BEAUTY

Many thanks to the 3 Vallées and Meribel Tourist Office for this beautiful invitation. Big thanks to the Hotel Le Tremplin team, Cécile Crousaz and the Spa By Payot. As always these opinions are my own.