48 Hours at the Terre Blanche Resort, Provence

To be honest, I was a bit scared that the resort is no longer managed by Four Seasons (I also had bad experience with it in Budapest). Luckily I could recognize that this was just a bad illusion of me. When we arrived everyone from the bellmen greeted us friendly, took care of the luggage and the car and accompanied us to the Lobby where we were welcomed by Claire and her colleague (which name I do not know, sorry for this!). Check-in was excellent and also the welcome tour was informative and smooth.

Afterwards we were driven to our Suite (1812), a Deluxe Suite with terrace, living room, separate bedroom, bathroom ensuite and walk-in wardrobe. I was so lucky that I received a Suite with amazing views of Fayence and its landscape. The whole suite was flooded by daylight, even the bathroom was overlooking the countryside. I love the toiletries which are especially created by Fragonard for the Terre Blanche Resort. The beds were amazingly comfortble (of course it was still the Four Seasons Bed) and also the Housekeeping and Turndown Service was perfect as it should be for a hotel of this caliber. Our terrace was already bedded and offered two sunbeds with two chairs and a dining table beside. Also, the televisions were quite qood and I much appreciated the Bose iPhone Docking Station.

As we wanted to discover the countryside we decided to have dinner in a restaurant outside the hotel. Unfortunately I forgot that it was Saturday and all nearby restaurants were fully booked, but the amazing Concierge Eladia was so kind and organized a table for us in an excellent restaurant (Le Catellaras) 15 minutes away. It was a truly magnificent experience and fully met our expectations concerning the French Haute Cuisine. At the second evening she recommended the Nearby Restaurant Table d'Yves, which was more casual and therefore perfect again!

At breakfast we had the pleasure to be served by Emelie, who was truly kind and always made us welcome every morning. When the day starts in such an excellent way, there is no possibility to end in a bad way. She even remembered which coffee we want and what kind of eggs. This was truly amazing, so we always tried to sit in the area where Emelie was working to receive such an excellent service every day. 

The Spa is situated a bit hidden on the half way from the entrance gate, which is controlled like a G8-peak meeting, and the main building where the lobby and the front desk is situated. The indoor pool is very huge and there is also a very warm vitality pool in the middle of a typical Provencial garden. Beside the pool there is also a Spa Restaurant, a small fitness centre, an area with sauna, steam bath and relaxation room as well as lots of treatment rooms and impressive Spa Suites on the first floor of the Spa building. By the way, the spa is accessible by walking from the main building within 5 minutes or by Golf Cart, that's also how you can access your suites all day.

Unfortunately all dreams have an end, so I had to leave to go to Avignon. I won't forget this luxurious resort and will try to come back soon. A very special thanks to Mrs. Ripoll for the informative and nice tour around the resort and the Management of the Terre Blanche Resort, as well as all the staff members for being so friendly and helpful.

The Terre Blanche Resort provided us a special rate, due to the fact it was high season. All extra expenses were charged as full. Our above written review is our personal opinion and hasn't been influenced.

My Trip to Paris - Part 1

As I reported in the prvious post, I was going to Paris last Monday. Now, after a week, I settled again back in Austria and I am glad to report you from my stay at two of Paris' most memorable hotels and also two of the more extraordiary restaurants!

As we were flying to Brussels, due to business reasons, we decided to take the Thalys train to the capital of France - Paris. To be honest, this was a great choice - after 1 hour and 20 minutes we reached the Gare du Nord in the center of Paris, without any stress. Of course Paris would not be Paris without a bit of stress, the taxi drivers striked and so the metro was the only (affordable) way to reach our hotel - and believe me, it was not the most luxurious way! 

Our first hotel to be tested was the Fouquet's Barriere, one of the latest five-star hotels, opened in 2006 in addition to the famous Fouquet's restaurant which already existed before the opening. We were impressed of the warm welcome, where we could let all the hustle and bustle of the city behind us, outside this modern Parisian Palace. After doing the check-in in the wonderful lobby, we were accompanied to the spacious room. 

The room itself was very generous, with a spacious entry, separate toilet, walk-in wardrobe as well as an oversized bathroom, including double sinks, an enormous separate shower and a tub with built-in television. In my opinion there could be better toiletries or even branded ones, but they will be replaced every day! The beds were excellent and there was no noise from outside. After a day of walking in Paris, you can refresh with a choice of 22 beverages from the minibar, which is included in the room rate!

As one of few Parisian hotels, the Fouquet's has an indoor pool, which is the perfect place to escape and relax after a rainy and cold winter day. Due to the fact that there are only four lounge chairs, it might look crowded at peak hour, but the pools (beside the normal indoor pool there is also a hydrotherapy pool) are spacious enough to immerse yourself. 

The best way to start the day is with a perfect breakfast at the Le Diane restaurant. The buffet, with high quality products, is on the small side, but everything you need can be ordered upon request. 

We would also like to mention the wonderful concierge staff, who made it possible to get to the top of the Eiffel Tower without waiting in the queues for 1-2 hours and without booking a ticket online 1 month in advance. They even reserved a table at nearby Market restaurant. 

As one of Paris most elegant and most stylish places to stay, the Fouquet's is the perfect place for everyone seeking to be in the heart of the shopping district of Traingle d'Or and all those loving modern French design paired with perfect service.

Click here to view more information about this hotel!

Travel Diary: My Summer holidays Part 7

Just arrived home now after a beautiful 3-week trip through the very South of Italy.

My last stop for this trip were the Marches, a region between Emilia Romagna and Abruzzo, famous for the shoe outlets. I stayed once again at the majestical Villa Lattanzi in Torre di Palme (within 20 minutes driving to Tod's and Prada outlet). The service was perfect again and the room clean, modern with a touch of luxury as well as excellent Etro Relent toiletries. Sea view and a very nice breakfast is always guaranteed! I had also a nice last evening with some italian friends at a very cool place, called Cobá Beach, directly on the beach of Porto San Giorgo, about 5 minutes by car from the Villa.

Before I went to the Marches, I have been in the modern region of Apulia/Puglia, where I checked out the new Borgo Egnazia Resort, famous for the Million-Dollar wedding of Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake. 

The resort itself is beatiful and everyone is polite, helpful and friendly. I love the system to be a "Hotel-for-every-kind-of-guest": They have the La Corte area, where they only have double rooms and suites - perfect for couples and on the other hand they have the very nice Borgo area, where I stayed - with the optic of an old italian townhouse. I got a room on the first floor and it therefore had a rooftop terrace with views of the Adriatic sea and the sunrise!

The location is not really good, because the hotel's own golf course devides the hotel from the private rocky beach! That's why they have a shuttle every 20 minutes. They have also a beautiful sandy beach (my favourite place during my stay!), which is about 10 minutes by complimentary shuttle every 20 minutes, too.

If you do not want to eat inside the hotel and you are able to get out of the hotel, then you should book a table at either Osteria del Porto (Excellent dinner 4/5 points) or at Saporedisale, which serves also seafood and really good Pizza - for me 4/5 points, too!

When I left Puglia to go to the Marches, my last stop, I was sure to come back in the near future as the Borgo Egnazia is just the perfect resort for a summer holiday and the temperatures are not very high in Puglia.