Splendia

On Tuesday 26th May, we did our fourth live interview with a travel blogger on Twitter. Jenlaceda is a true lover of travel and photography so even with a two-year-old in her arms, she still manages to live her passion to the full.  Read on to find out how…

Good afternoon everyone, we are more than pleased to welcome @jenlaceda from myfolieadeux,  how are you?

It’s 10 C degrees in Toronto (to know more about Toronto: Wikipedia) right now, but I am feeling fabulous about this twitterview!

I guessed you would prefer to be in Europe! Could you tell us a bit about yourself? Why your blog, adventures, how do you travel?

Meet Jenlaceda!

I think many will be surprised to know that I am a full-time worker in the healthcare industry, but my passion lies in TRAVEL. I get the requisite 5 weeks vacation/year but I try my best to stretch that out as far as possible by vacationing over Canadian holidays so that I get an extra day here or there. I started travelling when I was 2 years old and my dad would work his behind off to send me everywhere. He himself didn’t travel much, but he made sure I did! For my 16th birthday, my parents asked if I wanted a big party with my friends, but I said, “ NO, I would prefer a trip to Europe.” That’s when a love affair with Europe started. My blog is my creative outlet on pursuing a life long passion and love affair with travel.

We have a question from @velvetescape : When did you get started with photography? Your blog is full of beautiful pictures (more…)

The Splendia team had a fantastic few days in London at The Luxury Travel Fair, taking the time to meet with our customers and to “spread the word” to those who had yet to discover our selection of hotels.

We also gave everyone we spoke to the chance to enter our rather tempting prize draw to win a luxurious weekend for two in Paris, including flights courtesy of Air France, three nights in the sumptuous Murano Urban Resort, a personal shopper and shopping vouchers in Printemps and much more…

Kirsty Loftus from Royal Tunbridge Wells was the lucky winner.  We managed to catch up with her just after her trip.  Here’s what she had to say… (more…)

We recently got a question on Twitter from one of our customers asking for best spa addresses in Paris. We thought it was an interesting idea and so decided to make our own selection.  We have based our choice on our own experience as well as recommendations from online experts in this field, particularly the french blog bestspaofparis, a great source of information for Spas in Paris.

Here is our selection of Spas in Paris.  Please feel free to use the comment area to propose any other spas that we may have overlooked or to give us your feedback on the ones we have selected. (more…)

Bar le Forum (For couples, business, friends / not for families)

Bar le Forum, picture by Jean Villain

Have you just walked down the Champs-Elysées, taken photos from every possible angle of La Concorde, spent hours in Le Louvres or in the “Grand Magasins” (Printemps, Galeries Lafayettes…)? Then the Bar le Forum, next to La Madeleine, is for you (click here to see it on Google Maps). Founded in 1918, this Bar is considered to be the oldest American bar in Paris. Favorite hideout of the employees of the American Ambassy, they have an almost unlimited selection of cocktails (226 cocktails & 123 whiskies to be precise).  This bar is also famous for having won numerous international cocktail competitions and for creating some quite unique mixes.

The waiters are the best I ever met. Their know-how and professionalism is amazing and they will offer you the exact drink you fancy if you politely ask them to help you. The music is jazzy without being loud, the leather seats incredibly soft. If you are going there, ask for the table at the end of the bar, on the left, next to the two 50 year old jukeboxes. For more information about Bar le Forum, click here.

Kong Bar/Restaurant: (For fashion followers / not for families)

Picture from leguideduluxe.com

Being in Paris, you can’t miss the Philipp Starck touch! Maybe you are staying at the Mama Shelter hotel and you already have had enough of Starck… But I guess you wouldn’t mind discovering another unique place with a stunning view over Paris.

After a visit to Le Louvres or Notre Dame de Paris, you may be in urgent need of relaxing before continuing your adventure. Facing Le Pont Neuf (click here to see it on Google Maps), Kong has one of the most beautiful views of Paris imaginable (without having to wait for two hours under the Eiffel Tower…). An intriguing mix of design, classicism, French and Asian touch, Kong offers you a restaurant, a bar and some soothing lounge music by Béatrice Ardisson.

If you just want to have a drink, you probably won’t get a table on the top floor. However, if you have some time and would like to enjoy the fusion cuisine, why not try the restaurant.  My advice? Make sure to book a table in advance and ask specifically for a table on the top floor… that way you are sure you’ll be able to enjoy that oh so lovely Parisian skyline. For more information about Kong, click here.

Mathis Bar: (For young couples & friends / not for families)

Entrance of the Mathis (bar on the right)

While going down the Champs-Elysées after a long hard day of shopping or if you fancy going somewhere special after dark, you might want to stop by the Mathis Bar. (To see it on google maps, click here).

Ideally located at 3, rue de Ponthieu in the 8th district of Paris, this bar is hidden behind a discret and “difficult” door right after the entrance of the Mathis hotel (by the way a nice hotel for spending a trendy week-end in Paris).  Open all day long, do not expect it to be quiet after 10 PM. At night, this bar becomes the most exclusive place of the capital. Opened by Gérald Nanty in 1996 with the help of Françoise Sagan, the Mathis has never stopped being the rendez-vous of the intellectual elite of Paris. You may end up next to Edouard Baer or Bertrand Delanoë without even realizing it. Just one thing, if you are more of a show-man than an intellectual leader, you might find yourself staying outside… (it already happened to Madonna and to John Malkovich) Read this interview of Gérald, the owner for some extra details (in French).