Visit auberge de la Fontaine - Pornic

II have visited this property. This 3 star auberge is very unique. With it's own vineyard, farm and garden. It is also situated close to the ocean (200m away). The situation is really stuning and one of the best seen on the Atlantic coast.

Originally this property was owned by monks and is changed into this auberge since 1994. 

Free WiFi all over the place. 

Bikes are for rent 

Dogs are allowed (8eur per day)

Room service provided in the rooms.

Possibility to land by helicopter in the garden.

Breakfast (14,5eur per person) is served from 7.30 till 10.30h (or can be served in the room). This is not included in the prices of the rooms (legal reasons).

Swimming pool outside is heated 20 degrees as of easter till end of season (depends on the weather conditions)

Every saturday they organize a local market with home cultivated products (biological products). 

The vineyard is 1ha and they create there own white wine (chenin blanc).

They have their own bees (50kg honey per hear - which is served during breakfast).

In the garden there is always an exposition and seats are provided for clients to enjoy the big garden which is surrounded by a wall.

Rooms:

2/3- persons rooms (even with connecting doors on both sides possible- to connect 3 rooms). All rooms have a small balcony overlooking the garden and the vineyard with ocean view.

The bathroom is rather small with bath/shower and the rooms are cosy and very typical decorated, which gives a nice atmosphere.

There are also appartments from 3 up to 6 persons with 1 or 2 bedrooms. There is a small kitchen, living room with small tv and a seperate bedroom. 

Restaurant:

The restaurant works independent from the hotel and is opened all day to the public. They serve great food and make a big difference vs the typical food. 

We had lunch in this restaurant and it really was a unique experience. Also the local wine (from their vineyard) is from high quality (but not very cheap: 30eur/bottle).

There is a very nice terrace where you're surrounded by trees. 

HINT: go for a walk through the vineyard and turn right on the sea and walk along the beach (path provided) towards the city centre of Pornic (45 min walk)

Advantages:

- a great property with a fabulous situation and a Unique experience

- the fresh products they grow themselfs.

- the quality of the food is great in the restaurant.

Disadvantages:

- no wheel chair acces

- very small bathroom

- swimming pool is rather cool (20 degrees)

Conclusion:

This is a real couple hotel. As the rooms are rather small with children (even with the xtra bed in the hallway).

I give this property 9/10 as it is a very exclusive and rarely found property. You have to come here for the total package of food, experience and location. Here you have to live outside and that makes you forget the rather small rooms.

Hotel le Beryl 3* - St-Brevin-l'Ocean/Loire-Atlantique/France

Hotel Beryl is located on a beautiful spot along the coast of the Atlantic. This 3* hotel has a great view over the dunes and the ocean. It's also very close to the famous city of Pornic. 

I only slept one night i this hotel in a double room with ocean view, but also enjoyed the half board service of this hotel. A big + were the double windows (twice double glass to avoid the noise of the ocean and the wind)

Rooms:

There are 3 different room types.

There is only a selection of them that have a real balcony (corner rooms).

1. Double room with land view.

These rooms do have the same facilities as all other roomtypes (but do not have a sofa bed), but are less spacious. The bathroom is equale in space.

2. Double room with ocean view. These rooms are more spacious and can be reserved for families with children, as there is a sofa bed in the room.

3. The corner rooms do have a balcony and a seperate room for families with children.

Bathroom:

The bathroom is equal in all roomtypes. It is spacious with a bath (no possibility to take a real shower (even though there is a curtain provided) as there is no hook provided for the showerhead.

There is only a bottle of soap provided and no other amenities. Of course there is a small and a big towel provided per person (good quality). 

There is a hair dryer provided, but with a low quality (you better take your own).

Breakfast:

The breakfast buffet is relative broad with different kinds of broad, brioche, fruit, Fresh jams, yoghurt, ham, cheese, scrambled eggs,...

Unfortunately there is only orange and apple juice from a machine. 

But I couldn't stop thinking of a Mc Donald breakfast due to the trays and the not dressed up tables during breakfast. A  very negative point for me were the dirty plates and glasses on the buffet.

Wellness:

I did not experience the wellness myself, but have visited it during my trip.

The entrance for the wellness is 20eur pp per day. Then you have acces to the pool, sauna, hammam and shower experience.next to that the hotel also provides wellness treatments a la carte.

Casino:

The casino in the hotel is a nice experience. It is rather small, but very busy (even on a weekday).

Advantages:

- silent rooms without carports in the room.

- the view is stuning from the restaurant and the rooms with ocean view.

- there is a shop in the neighbourhood

- spacious rooms (with possibility of connecting rooms)

- casino connected to the hotel

- free parking at the back side of the hotel.

Disadvantages:

- No real shower possibility

- acces to the swimming pool has to be paid (20eur pp per day)

- the food is not of very high quality (but correct for a 3* hotel)

- the fact the tables are not set for breakfast and you have to being it all by a trays from the buffet to your table (Mc Donald impression with trays).

This is mainly a couple hotel for those who're willing to enjoy the city of Pornic and the great dunes/beach in front of the hotel.

As the rooms were clean and due to the great location (esp. when you have a room with ocean view), I'd give this 3* hotel 6,5/10. The negative breakfast and rather poor diner experience make me give this rather poor score.

Les jardins du chateau d'Olonne 5* - Chateau d'Olonne/Vendée/France

I just visited this domain and did not experience it myself. But happy to share what I saw during my visit.

This domain is a large village with modern villa's. All villa's do have a swimming pool (ecxept 8 of them).

They can all enjoy the big public pool (opened 15/6 - 15/9), tennis court, mini-golf, table tennis, play garden, restaurant and snack bar.

There are 3 types of villa's:

1. Acacia - 3 rooms with 1 bathroom (bath/shower) - 2 beds (90cm) next to each other. This is the only villa with everything on the groundfloor.

2. Sophora- 4 rooms with twin beds - 2 bathrooms (1 with shower and bath separate and 1 with shower). There are 2 rooms on the first floor with the 2nd bathroom. There is a huge terrace and garden with large swimming pool.

3. Sequoia: 4 bedrooms + sofa bed in the living room. 3 bathrooms (2 with shower only) + large living room and garden with swimming pool.

Of course the largest villa's are the most spacious and best equiped villa's. But all of them are having modern furniture and are good looking.

Hint: you can ask for a specific villa to rent. So I'd personally prefer one of the villa's where the swimming pool is not situated near the road (even though they're not public). So you can have a look on the map to select your favoriete location:

Advantages:

- very modern and large villa's (well equiped)

- several facilities for children

- most of them do have a private swimming pool + garden (this last one is always the case)

Disadvantages:

- this domain is rather isolated (3km from Sable d'Olonne) and 2km away from the beach.

- high extra cost for cleaning (150eur)+ bed linen

- heated pool must be reserves in advance (xtra charge)

- a lot of gardens are situated along the road (less privacy)

This domain is more for families with children (also ideal for families with grandparents, parents & children)

I'd give these accommodations 8/10 as they are modern, clean and do have a nice garden with swimming pool (when the pool is not situated along one of the private roads of this domaine (as I don't like passer-by's when I'm at the pool :-))

Hotel Thalasso Atalante 4* - Ile de Ré/France

I've stayed one night in this hotel on one of the islands of France in the Atlantic. 

This hotel is really worth visiting for several reasons. There is a great Thalasso which is pretty new, great food and spacious/ well equiped rooms!

This is mainly a couple hotel that are willing to enjoy the thalasso, calmed, nature & the island of Ile de Ré.

This hotel is located direct at the beach, but you need a bike/car to get to one of the city center. It is really in the middle of nature. 

You can not swim directly in front of the hotel, as this is to dangerous (you need to go 1 km further).

There is a large parking in front of the hotel which is free of use.

Rooms:

I was lucky to stay in the suite (roomnr 304) of this hotel with separate living room incl. leather sofa (which could be transformed in to a bed). 

You have a view on the dunes from your room (strange to say, but after them there is the ocean - the dunes are created to protect the island), which is also nice. Espacially as there is a large terrace with comfortable seats and sun beds.

The bedroom was spacious with a king size bed. Next to the bed there is a bottle of lavendel mist to spray on your pillow (great idea!)

2 bottles of free Evian water is provided in the room.

HINT: there is also a connecting door should you want your children to have a real separate room with bathroom.

There are also 8 standard rooms with connecting doors.

Bathroom:

The bathroom is rather small compared to the surface of the suite in general, but still spacious enough.

It is equiped with bath/shower and all amenities needed (soap,shampoo,lotion,cottons,shower cap), but also a good hair dryer (strong).

The toilet was seperated (which is the case in all roomtypes).

Breakfast:

Very good buffet with several local products. The bread is baked regularly so it remains a bit fresh.

the fresh orange juice is a big plus!

There is 'gluten' free food provided.

Thalasso:

The thalasso is connected via the underground with the hotel. It is modern and well equiped. It is not the usual spa, but they're not the typic clinical thalasso as most of them in France.

There is a pool inside with several activities organized (older impression and no jets nor whirlpool) and a brand new swimming pool outside (small and long with salt water).

There is also a sauna and steambath.

This thalasso is mainly equiped to enjoy several treatments.

HINT: enjoy the 'plat de fruit de mer' in this hotel. It is a great experience and of very good quality!!

Hotel Best Western - les Roches Noires 3* - Sables d'Olonne

This 3* hotel is located at the beach side of sable d'Olonne. Only a selection of room types do have ocean view.

Rooms

The rooms are rather small. Especially my room as I had a room on the 'patio'. This means no view, as the window of the room was also the door where everyone could look into. The only way to not be watched, is to draw down the manual 'volet'. This was really scary, because I don't know what will happen if there is fire or just even a visitor... The time it takes to open it...

The room is so small, you can't even open your luggage.

It has to be said the room is totally new with Philips flat screen, airco, free coffee & tea facilities and a free bottle of water. 

There is also a small wardrobe. 

But the size of the room and the view are having such a negative impact, I can not be very positive about the rooms. On top of that all rooms do have a carpet and french size beds (140 wide and 180 long = small for a couple), which is strange in a renovated hotel.

Bathroom 

The bathroom has a bath/shower and toilet in the same space. The room for the toilet is also very small and to much in the corner, which is not comfortable.

There are tissues and free soap (big bottles attached in the bath and sink) provided. Also 1 big and 1 small towel per person (new and good quality). 

The hair dryer is of a good quality and pretty strong. 

The bathroom was not very clean as there were long hairs all over the walls (6 counted)

HINT: make sure you have no room on the patio (roomnumber 115-116-117).

The sea view rooms are a bit larger and have separate toilet (the one I saw from my colleagues (101)

This is the map of the first floor to have an idea:

Breakfast:

The breakfast is definitely one of the best things of this hotel. They work with a small buffet where all local products are provided. There is a good variety of products so everyone can find sth.

There is a coffee and orange/apple juice machine.

Disadvantages:

- small rooms, small beds with the disadvantages already mentioned for those on the patio.

- shower is way to low (only 170cm high)

- You have to switch off all the lights individually at the bottom of each bulb (even in this small room there is 5)

Advantages:

- hotel direct at the beach 

- modern furniture

- good and eco friendly breakfast

Hotel Victoria 4*- Maishofen bei Zell am See (Austria)

During my business trip to Maishofen bei Zell am See, I've stayed in the Victoria hotel 4*.

This hotel is only 20 min by bus from the ski area of Zell am see on the one hand (Schmittenhohe skigebiet) and 20 min in the other direction to Saalbach-hinterglemm skigebiet. Busses are passing by every 20 min and are free to use all day long. 

This is a very good alternative for those hotels situated in the ski area, as you can combine both ski area's and your stay is much cheaper.

The hotel is a traditional austrian hotel and has very large rooms. Which is a big advantage for families with children. 

View from the parking lot on the ski area of Kaprun

Info: the Kaprun ski area is 20 min. further away than the Zell am see ski area (Schmittenhohe). The ski area of Kaprun is almost all year opened due to the glacier (but is only connected by skibus)

Rooms

The familie rooms (where I've stayed)do have a double bed and a sofabed for the children.

Between both parts in the room there is a curtain to close.

The rooms are equiped with automatic blinds, which makes the rooms 100 % dark at night. 

The matras of the beds are quiet hard, which neefjes some adaptation during the first night, but I slept very well during my 2nd night.

The pillows on the other hand are soft, which i like a lot!

And the rooms were really clean!

Bathroom

The bathroom is spacious with shower and bath, 2 sinks and a toilet.

Towels are from good quality and also the hairdryer is powerful.

Breakfast

The breakfast is not as broad as i'm used to have in Austria. But there is even though a wide range of fresh products:

- scrambled eggs

- bacon

- cookies eggs

- french bread

- brioche

- 3 kinds if fresh marmelade

- 5 kinds of pre-packed jams

- chocolade spread (Haas)

- honey

- fresh yoghurt

- pre-cutted pieces of fruit (not fresh)

- 3 kinds of prepared yoghurt in indiv packages.

- cornflakes

- coffee/ tea/ hot chocolate (good quality) machine

- orange juices are from a tab and are of a very poor quality.

The breakfast room has a view on the garden (with outside pool in summer) and the mountains, which is a great view.

wellness area

The wellness area is equiped with:

- sauna for 6 persons (recent one)

- steam bath for 2 persons

- showers 

- swimming pool (3*5 meter -1,5 deep)

- several water beds

- fitness with 5 different equipments

- possibility to walk outdoor

- free mountain water (with grenadine)

Wellness towel and bathrobe is provided in the room.

The wellness is rather small for the number of rooms and a bit 'kitsch' with the wall paintings, different colors in the pool and mixture of budha and greek statues. But it's something special ;-)

Hint: if you're really into a wellness treatment, you should go to the Tauern spa. This wellness area is one of the biggest complexes in Austria and is brand new (2010). There is 2000m2 of wellness area with lots of sauna's, swimming Pools,...

FYI, connected to this wellness area there is also the Tauern Spa hotel. This hotel is a 4*+ luxury hotel and has next to the free entrance to the big wellness area also a spacious private wellness area for hotelguests only. The swimming pool is on the rooftop with a glass floor. (Read more about this hotel on this blog).

Restaurant

I can not rate their restaurant, as I did not have dinner during my stay. 

There are plenty of restaurants in Zell am see (5 min by personal car) which serve good food for reasonable prices.

In general I would give this 4* hotel a score of 7/10, as it has all facilities needed for a good price/quality. But it is very traditional (which means flower prints everywhere) and as the beds are always one of the most important things for me personally.... 

Without this, I'd give it a 7,5 for the whole package and situation (as it is not really in a city centre, but as I said this is much cheaper and a good alternative for Zell am see or Saalbach/Hinterglemm)

Visit Kho Phi Phi islands

One of the excursion we did with departure from Patong was the one to the Phi Phi islands by speedboot.

We've booked this excursion in a kiosk on the street and paid 1200BHT per person for the whole day including transfer from the hotel, speedboot and lunch/drinks included. 

You can also take a normal boat (which is cheaper), but then you have less time to spent per island.

After pick up from our hotel, we could take some cookies and orange juice at the pier before leaving. You can also rent flippers (which is advisable - there are lots of see eagles where you're going to dive) for 400 BHT (which you get back when returning). Snorkling materiaal is on board available. 

First we drove to 'THE beach', which is famous from the movie with leonardo di caprio. There where like 1000 persons over there at the same time and about 50 boats in that bay. So the view and the atmosphere were not what we've expected.

After that we went for a dive, but unfortunately the sea was wild and the view was not as beautiful as we've experienced before when visiting the Similan islands.

We've visited 3 islands and went twice snorkling, but in general I have to say we were a bit disappointed in this excursion due to the fact there was a crowd everywhere. We've enjoyed the day, but the image you have from the phi phi islands is not what we've seen that day.

So i would advice you to make this trip by a private boat (long tail boat) and ask your driver to drive you to those islands at these moments when the big boats leave. Cause i really have the intention all boats are making the same tour. 

The islands are beautiful, but because of the masks of people on this beachesx it is not feasable to enjoy them to the max.

The beach

Monkey beach

The last beach (forgot the name), where we've stayed 1,5 hours and enjoyed several beers in the see with friends we met during that excursion.