Away from Amman: a couple of days at the Residence

We had the pleasure to spend two nights at the Residence Hotel in Mauritius. It was a pure pleasure, we had an amazing time. The hotel is located about 45minutes from Port Louis, on the East cost. Now the only real problem with that coast is the wind. There is always wind, all year around - during the summer month it doesn't matter, but the rest of the year it can get a bit chilly when the sun is not out and shinning. Having said that, it was still a fabulous stay.

The hotel has a lovely colony style and the feeling in the hotel is great. We were upgraded to a gorgeous junior suite and got some really nice amenities as well, including a bottle of Champagne, fresh fruit and some small almond muffins with banana compote. There is also a butler available, he can come an help you unpack your luggage, get your trouser pressed or anything else you can think of.

The pool and the beach now: the pictures speak for themselves. The beach is amazing, I guess it's about 1km long, and it is wonderful to walk by. The tides are quite strong and when it is low it is possible to walk really far out or stay by the rocks and find small crabs.

The sea...

And more sea...

The pool area is not so big and can get fairly crowded in the early afternoon. We were told it is heated, so the temperature of the pool should also be nice during the winter months. There is an outdoor jacuzzi as well. 

The pool area

The hotel as a very nice garden as well, as well as a kids club and of course a boat house where you can book snorkelling, glass bottom for free or scuba diving for a fee.

Kids Club

@ the boat house

I think the only thing the hotel is lacking is the sunset - but there isn't anything they can do about that, since they are on the wrong side of the island. But then, I love to walk on the beach at sunrise as well, so quiet. The service was terrific, all staff very helpful and friendly. We have stayed at quite a few hotels in Mauritius and I have to say that this one is one of our favourites so far.

"There is more to life than increasing its speed" - Mahatma Gandhi

How true is that? And that's exactly the reason such places as the Hot Springs in Ma'In and The Six Senses Hotel exist. To forget that we live in a world where everything must always go faster and faster. In a world where we don't take the time to truly appreciate all the things we enjoy. It is the second time we visit and are still as impressed by the tranquility of the place. You feel serene as soon as you enter the resort. Despite having brought my walking shoes and my friend's backpack for Bibs I didn't get to do the walks I wanted - time just goes so fast and it's difficult to plan with a baby isn't it? Well is actually mission impossible! But I keep faith, I will succeed before we leave Jordan to get up at the top of these mountains and see what's up there. I have always liked walked around in the mountains, the village where I grew up in France is surrounded. Anyways back to Ma'In. Never the less I have brought back some pictures of this gorgeous place. You can read about our first visit here.

Like most hotels, in order to save money they propose you to not change your sheets, your towels everyday. At this hotel they are very eco minded and I feel they are going the "extra mile" to preserve the environment.

I like this much more than the boring fliers large hotel chains use!

The information board, outside the hotel. All boards used are in wood.
I know that you wouldn't expect to see wooden boards in a business hotel.

Most of the furniture (maybe all the furniture!) in the hotel is in wood.

The Lobby

The Brown Bar

I just can't get enough of the views

That mountain on the right is the one I want to get up on

As last time we had an amazing dinner. They have a Thai chef staying for 18months, so if you crave for some good Thai food you know where to go.

We had a red duck curry, a green chicken curry and sauteed beef.

Because of Bibs, we always have room service. A part from the Thai main courses we also shared some traditional cold mezze. The red curry was definitely the best, but all were really good. 

We enjoyed some really nice massages and of course a swim in the Hot Spring before leaving the next day. I find the road absolutely amazing as well, so here are some pics! 

It is not only rock mountains you see on the road...

I would guess that this was also a spring, unfortunately there is no water running there now

And then... we saw these camels out for a walk!

Notice the Baby Camel in the middle!

Hope you have all enjoyed your week-end. We certainly did!

My sis-in-law is flying back home. tonight. It is going to be strange not to have her around anymore. It was easy when we were in the UK. My sister and her kids just up the road. Now we are all over the place again. Europe, Middle East... Am not nostalgic at all, but it is a strange feeling when you don't really know when is the next time you will see your loved ones! 

A day at the Kempinski Hotel Ishtar

Now I couldn't have my sis-in-law visiting and not bringing her to the dead sea, could I? So yesterday morning with left straight before Bibs' nap so she could sleep all the way down there. I have to say that my daughter is a treat to take somewhere: she slept in the car both ways, had a super time in the pool and enjoyed sitting at the table the whole time we had lunch! I hope it will continue, lol! It makes it so much better and easier to go somewhere.

View of the terrace on the lobby level at the Kempinski Hotel

After the Marriott last time, we decided for the Kempinski Hotel; and what a good choice. We really had a lovely day.

We met up with one of Bibs' friends little M. The girls had a swim together at the one of the hotel's many many pools... I think Bibs stayed in the water for at least 45 minutes. It was nice and with the palm trees there is a little (tiny, tiny bit!) of shade.

Notice the tiny bit of shade! 

We then had a lunch at what I would call the main pool, the Akkad Pool Grill. The lunch was nice, the price was a little expensive (2 soft drinks & 2 main courses: JD42). I have to share the picture of my sis-in-law lunch, we thought the presentation was definitely worth a photo!

The presentation is funny! (it's the mixed grill)

After that we went down to the sea - the hotel is very nice to walk around in. Lot's of trees, a nice path - very stroller friendly!

To the left: main pool - which is very, very deep; to the right a view of another of the pools

The beach at the Kempinski is far better than at the Marriott as well as is the access to the sea. I went for a swim... didn't have any magazine with me - but my sis-in-law tried with her "Glamour" magazine and I think it remained dry for about 15 seconds! It is not an easy task to keep the balance...

My sis-in-law reading her very wet magazine!

When we left, we had complementary bottles of water as well as some tissues in the car. I thought that was a very nice touch! Specially, considering the external temperature marked 40 degrees in the car, as we were on our way back to Amman.

High Tea in Amman

The Sheraton Hotel

Yesterday I went for afternoon tea with a friend and her daughter, who is the same age as Bibs. We chose the Sheraton and had a lovely time in their Green Lounge. I have always liked High Tea, there is something indulgent about it! The first time ever I went for tea was at the Savoy Hotel in London, my sister took me along with my boyfriend at the time (who happens to be Bobs!) as well as one of my nieces. I loved it and have ever since.

This is the entrance at the Sheraton - The Green Lounge is just up the stairs

We got lovely small sandwiches, as my friend says, it tastes so much better when they are cut out in small pieces and the crust is off! There was cheese, egg, cucumber, salmon... And then small scones with cream and strawberry jam. The tea selection is really nice, they have the usual Darjeeling or early grey, but also some more exotic ones, named Paradise or 1001 nights.

The "Perfect Tea Timer" - Love it!

And of course high tea would not be complete without cakes. And let me tell you the cakes at the Sheraton are Yummy, I mean real Yummy!! There was in particular this small strawberry tart, with a short crust and then a light cream underneath.

Yummy cakes!

The girls behaved, sitting in the sofas and enjoying themselves, playing with their toys and tasting some of the sandwiches. They are very baby friendly and don't mind the bit of mess and high talking those small darlings can do. Oh! forgot the price, 7.5JD (plus tax and service charge), so really not expensive for a lovely couple of hours spent in a nice environment.

Un coin de paradis

as we say in French. Six Senses Spa in Ma'In is a corner of paradise. It's exactly how I picture it, I mean Paradise: peaceful, relaxing, good food, lovely surroudings, with my loved ones. And that's it. Ah and free of course, cause if you have to pay as much to stay for eternity in Paradise, it's going to be an expensive one! Seriously, it was near to perfection.

Ma'in is located an hour and a half from Amman, lost in the middle of nowhere. You drive from Madaba, and drive. Suddenly it goes from green fields to a rock and desert environment and you drive some more and you drive down and down and down till you reach 200m below sea level and you get to the entrance of the site.

And then guess, yes you drive some more. The hotel is located at 260m below sea level.

View of the hotel from the Spa

We checked in and got escorted to our room. Well, our suite. We got upgrade to the honeymoon suite located on the top floor with the most amazing terrace and view.

The Spa

The main waterfall & swimming pool

The terrace!

I had pre-booked a treatment at 3pm so I rushed down to the Spa. I had a lovely massage and then we took advantage of the hot springs! The water is 39 degrees with a source coming out in the pool which is 65 degrees. That was absolutely amazing.

There are a total of 3 waterfalls, all hot springs. One of them is public, so it is possible to come and enjoy even though you are not staying at the hotel. The main waterfall is closed for security purposes at the moment. Unfortunately there is a big crack in it. The last one is located at the spa. There is also a natural sauna, it is a cave where you walk in and the source is creating the heat. They also have a small pool for women only.

After Bibs was put to bed, we had an amazing dinner which we ate on the terrace. What a treat to be able to sit outside!

The dinner was composed of mezze, then a sort of curry, which was amazing

and deserts - fresh fruit, different cakes and of course libanese sweets

Don't worry we couldn't eat everything!

The next day we were just very lazzy by the hot spring at the spa. There are many things to look at but one night is not enough and we need something to carry Bibs around in, there are many walks to do. It is possible to go all the way up on the top of the waterfalls.

Before we left we had lunch at the Panoramic restaurant. It's a restaurant managed by the hotel as well but located a few kilometers away with the most amazing view of the Dead Sea.

You can have look at the webside for the rates. For the spa the prices are approx 65 JD for an hour - and they are good at it! We really had a fabulous time, Bobs has promised we are going back!