Saturday, December 15, 2012

Palace Les Airelles, Courchevel

Located on the edge of the slopes in the Jardin Alpin area of Courchevel in Les Trois Vallées,
 the largest ski area in the world.
An enchanting sojourn in the centre of the Jardin Alpin and the most glamorous of French ski resorts: Courchevel. A network of pistes crossing the famous Three Vallées, (Courchevel, Meribel and Val Thorens) winds like 600 km of white ribbon at an altitude of 3,000 metres around this cosy refuge, where the term luxury is simply redundant. The Palace Les Airelles is imposing in its architecture, location and palatial appearance, where every detail has been carefully thought through, considered and executed.
This is a palace hotel, where every whim is catered for in a fun, family-friendly environment. It is both rare and special. With its 37 rooms, 14 suites and 550 m2 private apartment opening out onto the terrace overlooking the valley, the Palace Les Airelles, recently awarded the title of “Luxury Hotel”, has a comforting essence of the past, but simultaneously projects itself into the future.
Pierre Gagnaire, the great three star Michelin chef from Rue Balzac in Paris has set up his flavour laboratory in Les Airelles and designed a signature menu for his restaurant
 “Pierre Gagnaire pour Palace les Airelles”, distinguished by three Michelin stars. 
Pierre Gagnaire
 3 star Michelin chef
Surrounded by several grand cru wine cellars and covered in wooden panelling, this gastronomic restaurant is as if suspended in time. An alcove reserved for intimate dining is homage to the Empress Sissi. On the Louis-Philippe side tables, you will find glassware designed by Hermès.

. From the ceiling sculpted with wooden cupolas hangs a custom-made Saint Louis chandelier. Around the tables, sit armchairs by designer Olivier Gagnère, also to be found in the Pierre Gagnaire restaurant in Seoul. This treasury of elegance and refinement serves only twenty people in the evening, all of whom will discover the successful alchemy of traditional, revisited cuisine.

The magic at the Palace Les Airelles begins in the morning: two breakfast buffets, straight out of a Perrault fairytale, are a delight to behold: pastries, including the famous Saint Genix praline brioche, freshly-made pancakes and waffles, eggs cooked to order, tarts, giant baskets of fruit, hot chocolate made in the old-fashioned way… Even Palace Les Airelles honey! The master pastry chef will take you on a wonderful journey through sweetness.

At lunchtime, you can dine indoors or on the terrace which you can ski straight to via la Gloriette ski run and the ski chalet, and where another gourmet buffet awaits: tempting rotisseries, seafood platters, local and Italian charcuterie, colourful salads and of course, the phenomenal medley of desserts.
In the Bar des Airelles, consisting of a refined smoking room and a whole series of cosy little salons, time has no hold. The Bar invites you to enjoy a gourmet supper or intimate conversation to the pure notes of a grand piano brought to life each evening by a talented musician.
At lunch and dinner, inventive, refined gastronomy and local cuisine is served in “Le Coin Savoyard”, overlooking the Jardin Alpin forest. There, thirty or so lovers of fondues, raclettes, gratin dishes made with Beaufort cheese, tartiflettes and cuts of meat cooked over a wood fire, will discover genuine mountain cuisine.

More Info







Friday, December 14, 2012

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Constance Moofushi Resort, Maldives

The wonderful Maldives await you with blue skies, endless turquoise waters, pristine sandy beaches, a gorgeous lush tropical vegetation, and numerous 5-star resorts. One such paradisiacal destination is the Constance Moofushi Resort, with 110 superb land and water accommodations.
The villas are spread over a large area and offer access to beaches, sandbanks, woodlands, and crystal clear lagoons. For a continuous connection with the superb surroundings, guests here are invited to walk barefoot on the fine sand, enjoying a completely carefree lifestyle.
The resort is ideal for romantic getaways, but it is also great for other types of vacations. Six different restaurants and bars will answer to all your drinking and eating whims, in a constant effort to make sure that you don’t want for anything.
This is also one of the best diving spots in the world, so if you want to explore the waters, this is definitely a great place to start! Get a glimpse of the magical Constance Moofushi in the photo gallery below.
 

 

 More Info & Online booking

Porsche Unveils the Improved 2014 Cayman and Cayman S

The 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show has seen a lot of automotive goodies. One of them is the 2014 Porsche Cayman, based on the Porsche Boxster. The new ride is lower, wider and longer than the previous version, and it flaunts a new lightweight body as well.

Engine wise, the automaker did some magic and obtained a six-cylinder engine that is both more powerful and more efficient than before. It has a 15% lower fuel consumption, and 10 extra horsepower. The base version is powered by a 2.7-liter flat six engine with an output of 271, which can be coupled to a 6-speed manual transmission for a 0-62 mph time of 5.7 seconds; a PDK dual-clutch unit for 5.6 seconds; or a Sport Chrono kit for 5.4 seconds.

More info