Seriously Denamic

New Post has been published on http://seriouslydenamic.com/the-peninsula-paris-give-it-a-try-and-switch-from-your-usual-parisian-palace/

The Peninsula Paris: Give it a try and switch from your usual Parisian palace!

Goodies, goodies, who would have thought that I would have stayed in the Peninsula, me a Mandarin Oriental Paris absolute fan.

Yes I did it, my fellow travellers and I did it for you. Will I go to the moon for you, one day I just might!

Let’s proceed as usual with method and rigour, the topic is serious, the question being can you switch from your usual palace to the new acclaimed Parisian palace, The Peninsula Paris? Can you?

Who else can SeriouslyDenamic could you trust to get an honest opinion a and a precise review?

How did I end up booking Peninsula?

As a fellow reader, you can easily understand that purchasing anything on sales is religiously proscribed! Yet we remain human and us too, weak human beings, we might experience the need to make a good deal once in a blue moon. Here comes the reason of our booking to Peninsula Paris, the freshly arrived Amex Centurion promotion: buy 2 get 3.  Crazy us, let’s be frivolous and let’s experience the pleasure of making a good deal while still remaining in a safe environment. We are booking at Peninsula after all.

Of course, we already had an idea of the Peninsula style, the hotel being previously visited during one of our palace bar cocktail round in Paris few months ago. No use to mention that we have previously stayed in some Peninsula hotels such as Tokyo or New York. We cannot but affirm that Peninsula hotels remain globally a no-risk option. But is it enough for being approved by Seriously Denamic? Being safe is a thing, being glam is another.

The location:

You are far from everything. Expect to get your “Uber” drivers on their toes because you will need them. Otherwise you must be an enthusiastic walker. If that is the case we definitely recommend comfortable shoes as long as its not made at the cost of fashion of course.

Some might say you are next to Champs Elysee, yeah sure, but darling, who wants to be next to Champs Elysee? The delicacy of being harassed by a bunch of beggars might sound delightful at time to time but only on the side of the Mekong and while wearing a white kurta. Otherwise, just avoid.

Though the neighbourhood is still very posh and the real estate rates in this area make the location kind of acceptable.

You are far, thats it. Take it as it is.

The Hotel

The lobby is quite gigantic. The building is in the purest empire style. An art installation is floating in the very middle in order to fill up the space. It is beautiful, it is grand. They definitely meant to do a palace.

Once we leave the splendours of the historical areas, the rooms areas including the kilometres of corridors, are definitely ‘Peninsula’ therefore if you have already experience the hotel chain, you will feel comfortable with this one, they all look more or less the same.

The materials are precious and heavy. The carpets are dense and the doors are in lacquer wood. All the sign of refinement are there. Yet there is a ‘business hotel’ felling.

The suite:

We have booked a Premier Suite, which is around 100 square meters. Composed with a generous entrance, a guest toilet, a well thought living room, a very large bedroom, and an awesome dressing room. The whole thing is surrounded by what we can call a balcony. The bathroom is the typical ‘Peninsula bathroom’ meaning oval shape, convenient and enjoying Toto toilets with heated seat.

Those Toto toilet seat, aren’t they like the old friend we always miss?

The suite is equipped with technology everywhere and the geeks inside of you will be delighted to press buttons from morning to evening to regulate lights, temperature or curtains. Very Peninsula again.

The decoration is absolutely impersonal but nothing will either choke or bother you. It is rich and beautiful, it is expected. The space has been very well thought and is very convenient to live in. You can easily imagine staying a week in such suite though for longer stay I would recommend to go to the superior category.

The suite would easily allow you to receive few guests (4 comfortably or 8-10 in a “denamic” mode) without invading your personal space. The dressing room is killer.

Yes, please note that the dressing room is even better in the lower category of suite, which I think we would probably book next time since the dressing room part is a key aspect for us. Our trips being short we can easily accommodate with a smaller space if we can get ease from our general chaos of our dressing room.

The flowers are beautiful yet very boring, white roses everywhere with 2 pink orchids placed here and there. The flowers gave me a corporate feeling again. Nothing thrilling, the arrangements are beautiful and efficient but quite flat.

  The service

As my fellow readers you must be used to getting everything even before your sophisticated mind has thought about it. Sometimes long or confused, the service at the Peninsula might at time to time destabilised you.

Though the team is so adorable that it becomes quite difficult to get upset with them. At the end everything is coming the way you want and it gives a little thrill in your day, reminding you again how you globally do things better than others.

Unfortunately (did I really write that, hmmmmm) I will have to mention however that the porch team did not deliver a very customised service. Starting from the point that no one knew your name or who you are – DRAMA! – and this even after three days in the hotel. We even had a night security guard who almost refused us the access – DRAMA RED CODE! –

I mean, to not remember a ‘room’ client is already difficult to understand in these kind of hotels, but to ignore the ‘suite’ clients…. I feel this is a luxury they took which simply killed mine! This was a dark point that I am sure will be fixed as soon as the review is published.

Bad point! As a suite customer you definitely call for an immediate recognition and this from the very first moment you enter to check in.  Make no mistake, the porch team is still very nice and courteous but it is strange that they never great us with our names.

I might also admit that I enjoyed repeating loudly like an old auntie “that would never have happened at Mandarin” but it was just to pull them off a little. The service is still very good, very close to excellent in fact.

The Concierge

Back to the excellence, the concierge team is simply genius! They are “palace” that’s for sure! I just love them. They definitely understand what the word ‘assistance’ means.

They have recommended us with a very judicious selection of restaurants. Your wardrobe is at its right place and all your expensive taste in fashion are finally making sense. Thanks for that!

Regarding our usual ‘little shopping’ (meaning sending the concierge to go and get random things that do not deserve any minute of our time) the list was completed as we were filling it up. The style is “Fast and Furious”, never seen the concierge team that fast!

The concierge desk is really amazing and if I recall well I can thank Vanessa, Mael, and Maxens who made me laugh a lot.

The food:

I have tried few things only so I rather not speak without knowing fully the subject.

So far the breakfast has been done. I would say it was okay-ish. Nothing to gag on. The egg Benedict, which is of course and eternal quest, has been tested. It was okay-ish again, not sure why the bread has been removed from them.

I recall to ask my Benedict without brioche (I mean what non-sense to put brioche in a egg benedict!) and to replace it with normal bread, as a result I had no bread at all. Another small confusion, just illustrate what I mentioned above.

Their macaroons and pain au chocolat are close to divine. Yes, I said even the macaroon! Take that Laduree!

The Spa:

The space is okay again. It is beautiful of course but nothing to vibrate on either. The pool is large, I had a glimpse to the gym room but soon my eyes were itching and I headed to my burning eyes to the Spa reception. At the desk you will find Remi who is brilliant and very sympathetic.

All my treatments and therapy were performed by Fernando, who is just the best massage therapist slash beautician ever! I am totally addicted!

The decoration of the therapy room is bof-bof, quite expected but the massage tables are making it up while offering an extremely comfortable mattress and after all comfort is what we need. It hit the spot and the Peninsula spa has become a ‘top 3′ massage stop-over worldwide. SeriouslyDenamic approved!

Conclusion:

I feel you would be tempted to tell me “ But what is this review? All this sounds so-so!” Should I book or not? Should I go crazy or no and switch from my usual palace to Peninsula for a try?

To make short: YES!

Fellow readers, always remember that SeriouslyDenamic is the most difficult blogger in terms of hotel and therefore an address can fall down just for an dirty ashtray (i.e. Raffles Singapore, yes they did that!)

The Peninsula is palace for sure but with a fragile soul. The personality of the place is somehow missing. Of course to be a Peninsula Hotel compromises seriously the boutique approach. In my opinion, the hotel should definitely consider to pimp up the very expected style with some creative touches, for instance some daring and colourful flower arrangements.

The warmth in the hotel is globally missing. The architecture is definitely a “cosiness killer”. The double entrance leads to an impersonal welcome at the porch and to a circulation sometime confusing. I prefer my palace more “homy”.  I would definitely shut the Kleber entrance down and warm up the lobby.

The team however is absolutely compensating all those architectural experimentations with their kindness, professionalism, dynamism.  They bring the warmth as much as they can. The homy feeling can also be found somehow with the housekeeping team who has also been precious and very palace.

The suite has been extremely convenient to live in and this is also giving them a very big “plus”. The Spa and the Concierge team are definitely calling for a second round, both are beyond excellent.

My few days were magical and I keep a very good memory of it all. I will surely give a second try to the Peninsula Paris and confirm or not if it is my new Parisian “Pied a Terre”. I will of course let you know all about my second stay and we ll check together if the bad points have been corrected.

On your side, be spontaneous and go for it! Peninsula Paris does deserve a try. If you are not too lazy, please share your experience on our facebook page, it is always nice to hear other opinions (not really)

New Post has been published on http://seriouslydenamic.com/the-lalit-bekal-my-detox-getaway/

The Lalit Bekal : My Detox Getaway

My very good friend, famous French fashion editor called me recently and begged me for a little time together here in India. Both tired with our hectic lives and our delirious amount of travels, work, hotels, we had to get a break and we had to get a quality time together.

  After my delicious experience this last January at the Lalit Goa I was considering trying another property of the Lalit group. In need for coconut trees and sea my eyes went straight to their very promising property in Kerala.

  The hotel is an Ayurveda luxury retreat! Of course it is what we needed! Only Ayurveda could fix us! It was decided, Kerala, Here we come!

  The hotel:

  Straight from the entrance the Lalit Bekal announces a luxurious stay. The chain definitely likes impressive entrance and dramatic alley. I must confess I am quite found of those myself. As usual the horticulture is pristine. As you go through the alley the resort reveals itself.

  The architecture of the resort is Kerala in its purest form and displays the local artefact at its best. Entirely an open space and surrounded by a lagoon, the gigantic lobby seems to be floating. It is just beautiful!

  I told myself, Darling, you at the right place again! Goodbye earth, hello heaven! Let the detox weekend begin!

  The check-in

  I knew I was in heaven and it seemed that the front desk team could read my mind when they suggested the check-in. Such formalities are mandatory and extremely annoying and therefore someone (and we must find this genius) has designed a very unusual check-in process.

    We handed our passport and my card and we were immediately invited to sit in a little deck, apart from the main lobby, under a nonchalant fan, while a spa therapist is giving us a mini foot massage. We also had a few minutes of a traditional dance. The check-in was done and I was only bothered when my card was returned to me.

  Isn’t it divine? That’s what I call a smooth check-in. Our detox weekend promises to be delicious.

  The suite:

  As usual I booked the presidential villa. Where else two fabulous people like us could decently stay?

The villa offers two huge bedrooms, a spacious living room and a private pool. As in Goa, while you book the villa the hotel is providing a private butler. It makes thing just easier, don’t you think?

    The main bedroom enjoys a walk in closet and a large bathroom built around a large Jacuzzi, the whole thing has also been pimped up with a personal Ayurveda massage room. Totally decadent! Totally me!

  The other bedroom is located on the 1st floor, smaller than the master bedroom; it is composed like a large studio. The bathroom is equally equipped of a Jacuzzi. The whole arrangement is very convenient to the ‘resort life’. What the room of the first floor is loosing in space and commodity is soon compensated by the beautiful view it offers on the property and the estuary.

  Ravi our butler took care to unpack our luggage while we are already brainstorming on our detox schedule. Soon we decide to be pro-active and to walk to the Spa in order to dash all our accumulated stress.

  The Spa:

  We arrived in the lobby and two doctors, one lady and one gentleman are welcoming us. I just love that everyone already knew my name, it makes things so fluid!

  They offer us to visit the premises as to get for ourselves a good overview.

  Okay, now lets be serious, this is one of the top five spas I have ever seen in my life!

  A full part of the facility is dedicated to “medicated” therapies, where the latest technologies are available for weight loss and skin tightening.

  The other part is a more traditional spa which offers Ayurveda room, western room and a unique Turkish room with a table that allow you to be directly rinse after a scrub, directly from the table. Just loved it.

  All the room have a private courtyard and therefore allow you to get you massage with the door open or to simply rest after your tiring treatment directly in your mini garden.

  Lets make clear and plain. Its divine!

  The detox plan:

  Soon our doctors escort us the relaxation room in order to conduct a diagnostic. The Lalit is offering very serious therapies; we were quite impressed with that in fact. More used to relaxation spa, I never had a doctor conducting a diagnostic before my treatment.

  Believe it or not but my friend and I got exactly the same result, very rare said both the doctors but the stars must have made us friends for a reason and the Ayurveda has just proven it. We are both totally Kapha, less pitha and a little Vatha. The diagnostics were certain!

  Soon both doctors designed us respective treatment programs of intensive care. Even the chef in the kitchen has been immediately informed about this Kapha Vatha situation to make sure that during all our stay our menus should follow our kapha/vatha/pitha situation.

  Of course we totally loved that! Two VIP like us in detox in this luxurious Ayurveda madness and now even the chef were on the same page!

  The treatments:

  My therapist Vinod was amazing. So smiling and so proper, I met him everyday and everyday he performed with excellence and professionalism. I had treatments only with Vinod during my entire stay, which I found very convenient. You feel ‘homey’ after the first treatment, and since we had 6 (yes in only 3 days!) I really appreciated having the same therapist all along.

  I have been scrubbed, stamped, wrapped, massaged, steamed and every other possible therapy, it was crazy. And after each treatment you just feel like digging into a little nap, ho God that’s what we call relaxation! Even napping is not enough and every night we were in bed at 10 PM, so relaxed that in fact you can t move!

  Result: in 3 days I do look fresher, younger and slimmer! If it was possible, and yes it was!

  Other hotel Facilities:

  The Lalit group has definitely understood how people should indulge and the hotel is again equipped with a helipad, therefore feel free to book the helicopter to transfer your divine person from Mangalore airport to the Lalit Bekal.

  We could unfortunately not book it this time because the helicopter was in Goa. I am not sure it was very clever to mention this facility it in my Goa review, it has obviously inspired few people. Anyhow!

  Activities:

  A fantastic trekking had been booked for us. We had an unbelievable afternoon where our very funny guide, owner of a farm, taught us on how to survive in the jungle, pick up fruits and make hat and bag directly with banana leaves! The landscape was breath taking; it was a really fun afternoon! It is a must do!

  Around the hotel:

  Sometimes a man can be silly and such a pick of madness took me one day, maybe an Ayurvedic delirium! I decided to invite my friend for a dinner at the Taj Vivanta located next to my delicious Lalit Bekal.

God knows why I had such strange idea. It was a waste of time and money.

  I must confess that I also wanted to checkout the place, you know just to check.

Conclusion: there is nothing to compare. Its simple and its plain.

  Taj Vivanta is displaying a confused style, which is giving a very clutter feeling. The staff is random and no one greet us while we were visiting the hotel. We visited some rooms, which quickly annoyed me, not to mention the claustrophobic feeling growing inside of me.

  We soon head for the dinner where I had to apology to my friend for. The cooking was poorly executed and our Ayurveda designed menu was totally high jacked. Soon we headed back to the Lalit and confessed our sins to our therapists. We needed to start immediately a detox treatment! Very kindly the spa therapists acknowledge of the serious of the situation and accepted to give us our treatments at 9.30 PM. They were really adorable! Phewwww!

  Conclusion:

  Back to the divine, the real you, my fellow readers. Travel faux pas are giving me nightmare and I am so glad that I booked at my Lalit Bekal.

  Push the boundaries and get an even better version of yourself! Fresher, detoxed, revived and terribly glam. I was surprised to not glimpse here and there celebrities; soon this hotel should turn into a Hollywood Ayurveda retreat. Mark my words.

New Post has been published on http://seriouslydenamic.com/2015/02/208/

Aman-i-Khas – Ranthambore, The perfect gift to your beloved.

There comes a time in life where one needs to gift the exceptional to his/her beloved. The many reasons to this might be:

You might have something you need to be forgiven quickly for (this article is for you!)

You are a true romantic at heart and to celebrate your love is a natural affliction (this article is for you!)

It is Wednesday and you are already bored. The weekend is too far away to come and you urgently need to be entertained (this article is for you!)

When this time of emergency arrives, Seriously Denamic delivers!

Not far from you (if you live as I do in New Delhi) lays down a paradise, a secret haven, elaborated by Aman Resorts: Aman-i-Khás, a divine complex of 12 ultra private tents where luxury is smoothly eroded by the simplicity of the features.

Aman-i-Khás is definitely one of the most beautiful hotels I have stayed in so far.

* Packing *

Regarding your wardrobe for this journey. Select carefully the few pieces you will take along. Limit your luggage to one trunk maximum ( refer next paragraph ‘To Go There’)

Remember you are going for a safari excursion. The first day you might want to wear this Borsalino hat of yours, hand made with straw and combine it with a jodhpur pant and a white shirt.

A four thread Loro Piana babe cashmere cardigan might be handy if you feel chilly. Remember that you are fragile.

Your selection should be composed of 50% ‘colonial’ tonality; beige, camel, light brown will be at their best in Aman-i-Khas environment during the sunset. Your shatoosh: natural colour is ‘must’ at night while you sip your evening cocktail around the campfire.

If you are going to the village for some local shopping do not hesitate to break the rules and to surprise your audience. For instance a vintage neon green Chanel tracksuit can be perfectly appropriate for the situation.

At Aman-i-Khas the ‘simple you’ at its fullest. This destination is yours.

* To go there *

Indian roads can be hectic so take the air!

The airport being too small doesn’t let normal jets land (lets say around 12 seat), the only way to go is to charter a mini jet (lets say 4 seat).

Unfortunately, you will not be able to use your family jet. But do not worry about that, it’s no rocket science to rent a private jet, the evidence is right there, your assistant can do it for you!

This journey aboard the mini jet will add a lot of glamour to your romantic escape. Here you are, in the air, going to Ranthambore with your beloved one.

Though, be prepared for a turbulent flight. These kinds of mini aircrafts, the one able to land in Ranthambore football land (sorry I meant landing ground), cannot fly at too high an altitude. Your flight through the clouds will be a delicious mix of body organ compression and air depression.

Your landing on the Ranthambore ‘airport’ is glorious. You are the joy of the day for the locals, who soon shall run behind the jet and celebrate your arrival. Remember to wear your dramatic sunglasses before leaving the aircraft.

Your landing is glorious and the Aman team is of course waiting for you on the landing ground with fresh and wet hand towels delicately perfumed with a local essence, which itself would come from a plant that would have grown organically and produced equitably. An Aman hand towels in few words.

* The Resort *

You are soon arriving at Aman-i-Khas, on the way you can see a board ‘Oberoi ‘ and already you feel sorry for those who have booked there. We cannot blame them too much, Oberoi is a very serious hotel chain, but darling when there’s an Aman you don’t question yourself a second and go straight for the real stuff.

Anyhow let’s skip the depressing subject of Travel Faux Pas. This is not your case today. You are in the hands of Aman.

Straight at the arrival in the camp you will be warmly welcomed by the General Manager. The same should sympathetically explain to you that there are simply no rules at Aman-i-Khas. Swimming pool timing and other non-sense do not take place at Aman! You are a few special people. You are not a client, you are family! Who would prevent a family member to have a swim at midnight if so one wishes?

As usual the resort is not equipped of television. This is trademark of Aman and I can only compliment them on such a brave initiative.

Of course there is also no menu. Simply express your wish and the chef will strive to accommodate to the closest according to what has grown in their organic farm. The rule is simple: if it has not grown locally it will be imported from a place where it has. If it cannot be imported it will simply not be served. Here again I do compliment Aman. It is showing real respect to their clients by being clear. Every delicacy served was absolutely fresh and delicious.

* The tent *

You are walking to your tent, the path is magical, made of old stones and surrounded by wild high grass. Aman has decided to let the garden grow naturally. For the first time I discover that an untouched field can be as divine as the most manicured garden. The whole thing is of course genially directed by Aman architects.

The tent is gigantic; the high ceiling is impressive, the furniture is at the minimal. The ambiance is warm and the wooden parts have this elegant cognac colour. It is divine.

In the morning your breakfast will be breath-taking. In the freshness of morning dew ,the forest is taking life while you are drinking a cappuccino. The egg benedict is excellent. I have ranked them in my “Egg Benedict – The top 3 worldwide” (a very crucial article coming soon).

* The activities *

Of course Aman has planned a safari for you at the Ranthambore National Park where few of wild tigers are still living.

The activity was very nice. We have seen a part of the tail of a tiger. But who cares, the thrill was there.

Aman also masters the art of private dinner. Remember that this escape is devoted to romance, and romance will be served!

We had two private dinners, one organised close to the lake, deliciously romantic and the other one taking place on the poolside where some sitar and tabla players were giving an exotic touch to the evening. Something very “glamorous India” of the olden times.

The Resort also offers a spa facility. Here again Aman is delivering the excellence only. It was superb.

* The bill *

The subject is absolutely irrelevant. When you deal with the exceptional the rest does not matter. Do not hesitate to inform Aman that you are absolutely not interested with the bill that they can directly send it to your accountant.

* Conclusion *

Aman-i-Khas is a must do. Once in your lifetime.

This conclusion will probably be the same after each Aman resort review. Thank you Aman for being there. You changed my life and gave it one of its most treasured guilty pleasures.

New Post has been published on http://seriouslydenamic.com/2015/02/208/

Aman-i-Khas – Ranthambore, The perfect gift to your beloved.

There comes a time in life where one needs to gift the exceptional to his/her beloved. The many reasons to this might be:

You might have something you need to be forgiven quickly for (this article is for you!)

You are a true romantic at heart and to celebrate your love is a natural affliction (this article is for you!)

It is Wednesday and you are already bored. The weekend is too far away to come and you urgently need to be entertained (this article is for you!)

When this time of emergency arrives, Seriously Denamic delivers!

Not far from you (if you live as I do in New Delhi) lays down a paradise, a secret haven, elaborated by Aman Resorts: Aman-i-Khás, a divine complex of 12 ultra private tents where luxury is smoothly eroded by the simplicity of the features.

Aman-i-Khás is definitely one of the most beautiful hotels I have stayed in so far.

* Packing *

Regarding your wardrobe for this journey. Select carefully the few pieces you will take along. Limit your luggage to one trunk maximum ( refer next paragraph ‘To Go There’)

Remember you are going for a safari excursion. The first day you might want to wear this Borsalino hat of yours, hand made with straw and combine it with a jodhpur pant and a white shirt.

A four thread Loro Piana babe cashmere cardigan might be handy if you feel chilly. Remember that you are fragile.

Your selection should be composed of 50% ‘colonial’ tonality; beige, camel, light brown will be at their best in Aman-i-Khas environment during the sunset. Your shatoosh: natural colour is ‘must’ at night while you sip your evening cocktail around the campfire.

If you are going to the village for some local shopping do not hesitate to break the rules and to surprise your audience. For instance a vintage neon green Chanel tracksuit can be perfectly appropriate for the situation.

At Aman-i-Khas the ‘simple you’ at its fullest. This destination is yours.

* To go there *

Indian roads can be hectic so take the air!

The airport being too small doesn’t let normal jets land (lets say around 12 seat), the only way to go is to charter a mini jet (lets say 4 seat).

Unfortunately, you will not be able to use your family jet. But do not worry about that, it’s no rocket science to rent a private jet, the evidence is right there, your assistant can do it for you!

This journey aboard the mini jet will add a lot of glamour to your romantic escape. Here you are, in the air, going to Ranthambore with your beloved one.

Though, be prepared for a turbulent flight. These kinds of mini aircrafts, the one able to land in Ranthambore football land (sorry I meant landing ground), cannot fly at too high an altitude. Your flight through the clouds will be a delicious mix of body organ compression and air depression.

Your landing on the Ranthambore ‘airport’ is glorious. You are the joy of the day for the locals, who soon shall run behind the jet and celebrate your arrival. Remember to wear your dramatic sunglasses before leaving the aircraft.

Your landing is glorious and the Aman team is of course waiting for you on the landing ground with fresh and wet hand towels delicately perfumed with a local essence, which itself would come from a plant that would have grown organically and produced equitably. An Aman hand towels in few words.

* The Resort *

You are soon arriving at Aman-i-Khas, on the way you can see a board ‘Oberoi ‘ and already you feel sorry for those who have booked there. We cannot blame them too much, Oberoi is a very serious hotel chain, but darling when there’s an Aman you don’t question yourself a second and go straight for the real stuff.

Anyhow let’s skip the depressing subject of Travel Faux Pas. This is not your case today. You are in the hands of Aman.

Straight at the arrival in the camp you will be warmly welcomed by the General Manager. The same should sympathetically explain to you that there are simply no rules at Aman-i-Khas. Swimming pool timing and other non-sense do not take place at Aman! You are a few special people. You are not a client, you are family! Who would prevent a family member to have a swim at midnight if so one wishes?

As usual the resort is not equipped of television. This is trademark of Aman and I can only compliment them on such a brave initiative.

Of course there is also no menu. Simply express your wish and the chef will strive to accommodate to the closest according to what has grown in their organic farm. The rule is simple: if it has not grown locally it will be imported from a place where it has. If it cannot be imported it will simply not be served. Here again I do compliment Aman. It is showing real respect to their clients by being clear. Every delicacy served was absolutely fresh and delicious.

* The tent *

You are walking to your tent, the path is magical, made of old stones and surrounded by wild high grass. Aman has decided to let the garden grow naturally. For the first time I discover that an untouched field can be as divine as the most manicured garden. The whole thing is of course genially directed by Aman architects.

The tent is gigantic; the high ceiling is impressive, the furniture is at the minimal. The ambiance is warm and the wooden parts have this elegant cognac colour. It is divine.

In the morning your breakfast will be breath-taking. In the freshness of morning dew ,the forest is taking life while you are drinking a cappuccino. The egg benedict is excellent. I have ranked them in my “Egg Benedict – The top 3 worldwide” (a very crucial article coming soon).

* The activities *

Of course Aman has planned a safari for you at the Ranthambore National Park where few of wild tigers are still living.

The activity was very nice. We have seen a part of the tail of a tiger. But who cares, the thrill was there.

Aman also masters the art of private dinner. Remember that this escape is devoted to romance, and romance will be served!

We had two private dinners, one organised close to the lake, deliciously romantic and the other one taking place on the poolside where some sitar and tabla players were giving an exotic touch to the evening. Something very “glamorous India” of the olden times.

The Resort also offers a spa facility. Here again Aman is delivering the excellence only. It was superb.

* The bill *

The subject is absolutely irrelevant. When you deal with the exceptional the rest does not matter. Do not hesitate to inform Aman that you are absolutely not interested with the bill that they can directly send it to your accountant.

* Conclusion *

Aman-i-Khas is a must do. Once in your lifetime.

This conclusion will probably be the same after each Aman resort review. Thank you Aman for being there. You changed my life and gave it one of its most treasured guilty pleasures.

New Post has been published on http://seriouslydenamic.com/madrid-the-perfect-three-day-weekend/

Madrid, the perfect three day weekend!

http://seriouslydenamic.com/mandarin-oriental-paris-a-home-away-from-home/

Mandarin Oriental Paris - A home away from Home.

A home Away From Home

Here it is, my first review. Be ready fellow travellers, a drama queen is writing.

Traveling is a part of my life and not just a little. Fortunately for you readers, you will enjoy reviews from someone who is traveling extensively and traveling high end only. A real Gallivanter Guide’s addict, going from one place to another.

What to say about Mandarin Oriental Paris? Being client of Ritz for many years, you can imagine how gobsmacking it was for my partner and me when they announced a two-year closure for renovation. The end of the world! The feeling of being homeless!

The army of palace of Paris chasing the Ritz clients, we had quite a lot of tempting alternatives. We tried the Meurice, which happened to have much attitude, I mean more than me! That we had to cancel the booking even before checking in. The concierge does not understand a thing and the assistant GM is a really annoying person. Just avoid this pseudo place.

The real thing is here, at the Mandarin. First you can’t think that such a contemporary design will never match the cosiness of velvet curtains and Parisian columns that Ritz was offering. Not at all, the Mandarin offers you details that you discover little by little; nothing is obvious everything is subtle. Luxury and high tech, everything the young generation can expect. They surprise you and what a pleasure to be surprised when you’re so blasé like us!

Now, let’s not forget what globally matters in life! Location, location, location, here and as a Parisian, I confirm, there is no better location in Paris. My darlings you are in THE Street. Forget taxi, you won’t need any, get you best fashion and show it off right from the porch of the hotel! You can walk everywhere or at least everywhere it makes sense to walk in Paris.

More important not to say the essence of a great hotel: the service! The team is young but on the spot! Excellent service, going beyond expectations. Always kind and easy without being familiar. They are excellent and I love them. You feel at home, it’s not staff, it’s family.

The concierge makes your life easy, Anne, Patrice, Stephane, Gisele and sorry for those I forgot! They are my heroes and trust me we are demanding. The front desk is also super efficient. The in-room dinning is just too delicious and super fast.

Problems here and there, I happened to have, but guess what? We have problems everywhere! Drama Queen traveling always has problems. It’s a lifestyle! What matters though is the way a problem is solved. And here again they have just impressed me so much that I am even more addicted to this hotel. Charlotte the front office manager is amazing. Problem? No-No, only solutions!

Having tried almost all the suites and just two times some rooms (yes when I travel alone, I do a room! Shush!) I would recommend any couture suites, for a room, ask the corner room, slightly bigger, if you can afford go straight for the Oriental Suite. For those traveling with a lot of luggage, please always check at reservation that you have a room/suite with enough cupboards (any normal travellers would be fine, on our side we travel with A LOT of luggage (remember Drama Queen?) therefore we have already got problem of cupboard.

My last trip we stayed at the Oriental Suite, which is also highly recommended for a “seriously denamic” evening where you can invite few selected friends to make a little party. They also recently pimped-up the terrace which is super high tech, with curtains and heaters! Delicious!

If you have read my review, I think you definitely deserve a treat. Please ask the barman for a Red Velvet cocktail. It is not on the menu so only for you my fellow travellers. The most delicious cocktail ever made so far for those who enjoy red berries. But aren’t they the most tempting fruits?

Here you go, now you know where to sleep and why. Now you know that the indecent bill they present at your check-out is worth every penny. Spend it, have fun and enjoy Paris in your new home.

Coming soon more reviews, expect only the best addresses from me. Stay tuned.

Cheers

Mandarin Oriental Paris 251 rue Saint Honore 75001 Paris Tel: +33 1 70 98 78 88?