Tag Archives: holiday

Chateau De La Resle, France – Luxe old world charm fused with contemporary design

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Driving through Burgundy, France, and the surrounding wine regions is a fantastic break away from the stress and strain of modern life. Rolling hills, fields of dancing sunflowers, vineyards heavy with plump, ripening red grapes and what seems like historic chateaus in every other town. None more stunning or inviting than the 17th Century Chateau La Resle. Driving up the single lane track and seeing the imposing chateau appear in front of you nestled amongst mature trees and countryside, it is a sight to behold.

The oldest part of the Chateau dates back to the 1600’s and that special feeling of stepping into history as you step through the doors and over the worn flat steps is priceless. Knowing that for the next few days you can call it home is so special. The current owners who call this stunning abode home, have gone to great lengths to preserve and modernise Chateau De La Resle but yet inject touches of modern design and their personal art collection throughout the beautiful building as well as the grounds.

Subtly of course. You will not find a television here so do not be expecting one. The blissful silence of the Chateau inside and out is to be cherished. From the old original door keys to your beautifully appointed room, to the creaky old original floor boards that run along the vast hallways. It genuinely feels not only that you are stepping back in time, but that you are somewhere very special, and you really are.

   

You could very easily lose several days swimming in the outdoor heated pool, whilst sipping the Chateaus very own wine. We highly recommend it! Their Chablis is unbelievably smooth. Full spa treatments and facilities including a beautiful steam room and sauna are there for your use if you care for it.

  

A member of Design Hotels, Chateau De La Resle is a must for any travellers seeking the ultimate luxury break away from the norm. Do not expect room service nor front desk. This stunning chateau is someone’s home which is open to limited numbers to enjoy. This along with the on site restaurant on selected evenings for guests if you wish, makes it all the more special. A perfectly decadent and luxurious escape from 5 star hotel breaks. This place needs no star rating as it is in a completely different league from most others around.

  

With quaint traditional French villages and picturesque market towns a short driveway away, and of course Chablis itself close by too for all the wine tasting you could wish for, Chateau De La Resle is perfectly located for exploring as well as perfectly equipped for complete hideaway luxury. We love it, and we know if you try it, you will love it too.

 

Click here for more information and to book a luxury stay in this stunning Chateau

Or visit one of the following – http://www.chateaudelaresle.com or http://www.designhotels.com

 
  
  
  
  

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Six senses Yao Noi, Thailand. A private island retreat

 When Six Senses very own Mercedes picks you up at the airport and hands you ice cold towels to freshen up with, before whisking you away to a private marina for your 40 minute speed boat trip to the Island, you just know your in for something a little bit special. On arrival the manager greets you off the boat and staff are at hand to take your luggage by buggy up the hillside to your very own villa. It is at this point that you are introduced to your GEM for the duration of your stay. They take to do with your every request and programme their mobile into your villa phone in case you need them. This place is paradise. six Senses hotels are all about sustainability and environmentally friendly living. So much so that the very water that you drink is treated and filtered to the highest standards on site. You have a small basket in your villa, not for rubbish, but to collect your free range eggs from the chickens before giving them to one of the chefs to cook to your specification for breakfast.

  A typical day here is yoga at the hilltop lodge before breakfast, a spa before lunch, a stroll on their private beach before relaxing with a glass of their wine by your very own infinity pool looking out over the stunning panoramic vista. We sampled the curry club on the second evening. It was an intimate affair involving eight of us around the head chef at his cooking station. High up above the glass floored restaurant below. He cooked wonderful traditional Thai dishes for us and talked us through the preparation of them and every ingredient he added in front of us. A fantastic culinary experience. We sampled red Thai duck, green Thai soup and beautifully fresh Asian prawns to list a few.

The spa is set deep within the complex in what looks like a bamboo forest! Traditional Thai massages are a must and do not be afraid when they climb on your back before walking down you on their hands and knees. It was a fantastic afternoons relaxation and one we will not forget for a long time. When your buggy arrives to take you back to your villa you literally pour into it your that relaxed and rejuvenated.

Six senses Yao Noi think of everything to ensure your completely catered for. The beach after dinner is transformed into an outdoor cinema. You are over looking James Bond island after all so why not watch the very movie that was filmed on that  actual island. How cool is that?! 
A different film every night is great post dinner entertainment and a perfect place to kick back with a night cap before retiring for the evening.

On our last evening we had dinner served to us in our outdoor lounge. Staff came round before hand and lit candles everywhere to set the mood. Not that much work is needed to set the mood in Six Senses Yao Noi I can assure you. Our waiter for the evening called in every 20 minutes or so to top glasses up, replace water and course after course, it was a perfect romantic evening. You are located right in the middle of Phang Nga Bay over looking beautiful lime stone keys that rise high out of the water. A jaw dropping magical location. A wonderful heavenly retreat to rejuvenate your senses, as close to perfection as you will probably get in every sense of the word. For more  about this fabulous hotel   and others Like it – click this link for more information 

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A weekend in Paris to soothe summer-less souls

A two night weekend break in architecturally stunning Paris is a must for any traveller. Everything is easily accessible by foot and there truly is beauty and dramatic settings on every corner that you turn.   We spent two jam packed days and nights in Hot Gay Paris recently. Staying in The small boutique Hotel Le Tourville, it was perfectly located for exploring and with the hotel situated close to lively pedestrianised shopping streets lined with traditional Parisian cafes and restaurants bustling day and night, it could not have been better positioned. You are just A few minutes walk to the Eiffel Tower and a ten to fifteen minute stroll to The Louvre and Champs de élysées.

We decided on our second and last evening to take river dinner cruise. Highly recommended! A fantastic way to see the most popular sights from an uninterrupted view point, whilst leisurely enjoying a perfectly executed three course meal of your choice accompanied by live music as the sun goes down and Paris comes to life. You do not see the three hours go by.

August is a great time to see Paris. Parisians take their holidays during this month, and quite a few migrate south to the coast for their annual summer vacation.

Click here for more infomation on how to spend a weekend in Paris 

 

 
 

 

 

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