TRAVELING IN STYLE !

 

ESCAPADE : ZEN GETAWAY FOR SAINT VALENTINE’S

 

In the midst of the world’s turmoil, some fresh air from a zen haven is quite tempting and will make a change from the truckload of zen quotes we swallow :

discover  the HOSHINOYA KYOTO HOTEL :

This hybrid ryokan-hotel, a series of low buildings inspired by traditional Japanese houses, clings to the banks above the Hozugawa River in the temple-rich Arashiyama district, and is accessed by a lazy boat ride in a hinoki (Japanese cedar) vessel.

Its 25 elegant rooms too are redolent of cedar, and although they don't have TVs, they do have heated wooden floors, hand-blocked wallpaper, shoji-inspired sliding glass doors and picture windows (all the better to lean out and watch the foxes, deer, and occasional monkey that prance through the forest), deep cedar soaking tubs, and lofty duvets that sigh when you flop down on them.

 

 

 

 

Once you have dealt with the enthrolling beauty of this hilly meditative area, you will discover the contemporary lines of your hotel : soft lighting as in the  XVII th century tea rooms, cedar and bambou furniture all hand made.

 

 

 

 

 

From the iron lanterns that light the moss-traced stone walkways to the lashed bamboo fences, every detail has been well considered. In lieu of a bar, there's a library, refreshed throughout the day with complimentary snacks by the gracious staff (who speak excellent English). As in a traditional ryokan, there are some restrictions—the boat back to the docks runs only from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.—but Hoshinoya is a retreat not only from town but from modernity.

 

 

 

 

At night, after you've eaten an excellent Japanese or French meal and changed into the provided lounging clothes (complete with raw-silk robes), you can sit in the Zen rock garden, look up at the star-smeared sky, and forget what century you're in.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This hotel is the perfect place to regain some calmness, some serenity, to take time to think, it is very inspiring and makes for a humble retreat.

Nonetheless, you still WANT to do something ! Don’t worry , oh boy, you’ll be doing activities far from our European little life ! You will learn and wear the kimono in the streets of Old Kyoto, you’ll learn how to create a real Japanese bouquet, as wel as how to meditate in zen temples. With the 2000 temples of Kyoto, you’ve got tough work ahead !

Prices : from 514€ the Tani room to 1343€ the Tsuki maisonnette.

 

 

Hoshinoya Kyoto
11-2 Genrokuzancho
Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto
Kyoto Prefecture 616-0007
Japon
T.: +81.50.3786.0066
info_kyoto@hoshinoya.com

TRAVEL NEWS: “INDIGO PEARL” PHUKET

 

THAILAND, land of contrasts and utter luxury .

 

Raw sensuality and industrial chic at INDIGO PEARL.

 

Wake up in one of the designer lavish suites.

Taste the beautiful life with the Martini Sunday Brunch.

Let your cares elapse while you reunite with a soothing couple’s massage in the luxury spa.

Savour romance in each of the casual yet elegant dining venues.

And relish a chilled cocktail while unfolding each picture-perfect summer day.

Sounds OK ?

Picture perfect you right there on the ebb.

 

 

Discover bold luxury, where historic details and surreal twists meet Thai warmth - rough timber and sleek polished metal, sun-kissed beaches and a palette of ochre and rouge.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You’ll be amazed !

 

 

 

 

 

Indigo Pearl. Unique design in a unique setting.

A luxury resort unhindered by imagination.

Indigo Pearl
Nai Yang Beach and National Park
83110 Phuket
Thaïland
T: +66 (0)76 327 006 ou 66 (0)76 327 015

 

Much info via my beloved Hoosta Magazine

FISHING IN LAS VEGAS

 

Welcome to a world of fish !!!!!!!

 

Chinese Las Vegas restaurant BEIJING 9 immerses you in a world of fish, and more fish, a crisp world of metallic lace, a wet world of water.

 

Feel like drowning ?!

 

Walk through a dramatic entrance flanked by gigantic fishtanks into an authentic taste of Northern Chinese cuisine at Beijing Noodle No. 9.

Beijing Noodle No.9 is the kind of casual noodle shop you'd expect to find on the bustling streets of Shanghai, Hong Kong or Beijing.

 

By the way, they make the best hand-made noodles in town.

Caesars Palace
3570 Las Vegas Blvd S
Las Vegas, NV 89109
Neighborhood: The Strip

Hotel News : ESCAPADE ALONG THE CANAL

 

Amsterdam and its canals, Amsterdam, capital of Design.

THE CANAL HOUSE, a Luxury Design hotel will keep you in the same frame of mind : 3 typical XVII th century merchant houses glued together for the zest of German art and history and design furniture and modern comfort for the spice.

The three XVIIth century old  merchant houses overlooking the Keizersgracht Canal ( what an unpronouncable name )

 

The CANAL HOUSE bar for a calm moment reading the  newspaper or Wallpaper,

Relax at the bar with captivating views over the Keizersgracht Canal with a delicious cocktail in hand. Dark sofas, unusual lighting for the decor.

 

 

 

Wood beams, moldings and fireplaces mixed with trendy colours : lots of black and purples for the 23 glamourous rooms ( check out the size of the showers ).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE CANAL HOUSE is ideally set as it is 10 mns away from Anne  Franks house and 5 mns from the Tulip Museum.

Prices : ranging from 215 € for the Good Room and 595 € for the Best Room. 

 

THE CANAL HOUSE

Keizersgracht 148 – 152
1015 CX, Amsterdam
Pays-Bas
T.: +31 (0) 20 622 51 82
stay@canalhouse.nl

http://www.canalhouse.nl/explore-canal-house/bar/

 

Keep in mind to check out Wallpaper city guides web site  for the best the world has to offer with their phone apps.

Wallpaper 

and TRUFFLE PIGS for their spirited approach in Travel.

http://www.trufflepig.com/

All photos from Hoosta Magazine.

ESCAPADE : LOST IN THE DESERT OF INDIA

 

MIHIR GARH  : majestic loneliness in the Desert of MARWAR.

Your hotel :

Dramatically lying on a sand mound on the edge of the desert, Mihir Garh Fort is located in a desert wilderness south of Jodhpur. Mihir Gahr means ‘sun fortress’, and has been the traditional way: with wattle, mud and wood

 

 

 

Your room :

Each incredibly spacious and airy suite contains a large bathroom with separate bathtubs and showers. The ground floor suites have private courtyards and plunge pools, and the first floor suites have private terraces to enjoy the unspoilt and enchanting desert vistas. All rooms have large plasma TVs, DVDs and the usual parapherrnalia of high-tech.

 

Why you will like it :

Mihir Garh is owned by one of the keenest horsemen in Rajasthan, making it an ideal base for riding beautiful Marwari horses. The hotel provides fantastic horseback safaris through the desert allowing you to race into the wilderness, and really get a feel of the culture as well as meeting some of the charming, hospitable

 

 

 

 

 

Prices : from  210€for the  Black Buck Suite to 489€ for the  Mihir Suite.

Mihir Garh
C/O Rohet House, P.W.D. road
Jodhpur
Rajasthan
Inde
T.: +91.291.2431161
F.: +91.291.2649368
reservation@mihirgarh.com

CAN’T REACH AUGUST WITHOUT :

 

1/  THE TOP 4 DESTINATIONS :

MIAMI :

The Setai Hotel – Miami Beach

 

- for the palm trees swaying over Biscayne Bay

- for the pastel coloured boutique hotels of South Beach

 

- for the fun and arty life mixed with a pint of chilled pina colada

The Mondrian – South Beach

 

 

 

SAINT BARTH :

Saint Barth’s

 

- for the freeking-out small jet only crab- like  landing on that teeny strip of airfield

 

- for the no-key low-key exclusivity

 

- for the exceptional flour-like sandy beaches

 

 

MARTHA’S VINEYARD

 

- for the grey and white shingled houses tucked away in the greenery

 

- for Menemsha postcard harbour

 

 

- for the blueberry pancakes and bloodymary on Sunday morning

 

- THE LUBERON ( FRANCE)

- for the stifling hot weather and shrieking crickets

- for the density of castels and pittoresque villages per square km.

 

Gordes – Luberon

- for the pissaladière and tapenades while pick nicking in a lavender field

 

 

Pissaladière