I Tested Huttopia Domaine du Lac: A Nature Campsite Right on the Water at Lac d’Aiguebelette


La vue sur la plage du Domaine du Lac tôt le matin depuis la terrasse d'une tente Bois & Toile - Photo CE

Costa Rica


It only takes a few minutes to understand why Huttopia chose to settle on the shores of Lake Aiguebelette, at Lepin-Le-Lac.

Surrounded by mountains and forests, the Domaine du Lac enjoys a privileged location with direct access to a small beach and the turquoise waters of the lake. An ideal setting for families as well as nature lovers.

From the moment you arrive, you’ll notice that cars stay at the entrance of the domain. A large parking lot allows you to park your vehicle before reaching your accommodation on foot.

Have you come equipped with a paddleboard, an inflatable kayak… and your many suitcases? Fear not, small wheeled carts are provided to easily transport luggage and gear to the accommodations.

A choice that immediately reinforces the sense of calm. Children move about in complete safety and the absence of cars contributes fully to the peaceful atmosphere of the site.


Tents, Chalets, and Hotel Lodges


Chalet Toronto Plus et Tente Bois & Toile, ainsi que les lodges hôteliers en bas à droite sur la photo - Photos CE

The Domaine du Lac offers several categories of accommodations: the famous Huttopia Toile & Bois tents and wooden chalets (two categories available: Toronto Plus 35 m² and Acadia Plus 27 m²).

New hotel lodges (air-conditioned) also complete the offering, not to mention the 13 air-conditioned rooms of the Maison Ronde, the domain’s new 3-star hotel.

We stayed in a family Toile & Bois tent that can accommodate up to five people. It offers real comfort: two bedrooms, consisting of two double beds, one of which has an additional bunk bed, allowing a whole family to stay. The chalets offer the same capacity. The bedding proved comfortable and the nights remained pleasant despite the high heat of our stay.

The living area includes a kitchenette with refrigerator, sink, crockery, and everything you need to cook. A table allows dining indoors, while outside a large wooden terrace hosts a second table, a garden lounge, as well as a plancha and the cooking area.

Their size allows full enjoyment of outdoor life throughout the day. The furniture, made in France, blends perfectly with the natural spirit of the domain.

The only small drawback: there is no wardrobe for clothes. Only a large lockable chest allows storing bags, clothes, and items you want to shield: think tablets or other computers. Because obviously, the tents cannot be locked.

Electrical outlets are not in short supply, several portable lamps can be distributed inside the tent or outside, and an extension cord and multi-outlet are even provided, a practical detail.

Breakfast in the shade on this lakeside terrace (for those with the view) allows you to start the day in complete serenity. Obviously, in a canvas tent, you might be woken a bit early by neighboring children, eager to greet the ducks that take advantage of the calm to come near the small beach.

From around 10 a.m., it gradually fills up until the end of the afternoon. Some even take the opportunity to have lunch on the grass in the shade of the tall trees.


Life Inside the Tent During Heatwaves

Our stay took place during a heatwave. Daytime temperatures easily exceeded 35°C, and, as with any canvas accommodation, it became difficult to stay indoors during the hottest hours.

Our tent was equipped with a ceiling fan, a first for the brand, complemented by two portable fans. A welcome initiative that significantly improves comfort, even if, during the peaks of heat, the best refuge remains the shade of the numerous trees that blanket the domain… or the refreshing waters of the lake located just a few meters away.

Not all tents offer the same equipment. Some tents do not have private bathrooms or toilets and use the communal facilities. It is therefore advisable to choose your accommodation carefully at the time of booking. On the other hand, some border directly on the lake! You will practically have your feet in the water. And that is a real plus!

Philippe Bossanne, president and co-founder of Huttopia, reminded during the inauguration that Huttopia’s philosophy remains to prioritize the outdoors over generalized air conditioning.

Nevertheless, by developing these hotel lodges on the site, Huttopia now offers the possibility of an air-conditioned accommodation.


The Round House, the Heart of the Domain


La Maison Ronde véritable lieu de vie du site - Photo Huttopia

Impossible de manquer la Maison Ronde. Entièrement rénové, cet ancien hôtel accueille aujourd’hui la réception du domaine ainsi qu’un hôtel 3 étoiles de 13 chambres climatisées.

C’est également le véritable lieu de vie du site. Les vacanciers viennent y récupérer les clés de leur hébergement, demander des conseils sur les activités à découvrir autour du lac ou simplement profiter d’un moment de détente. C’est ici aussi que les vacanciers peuvent commander pains et viennoiseries pour le petit-déjeuner du lendemain.

L’intérieur est particulièrement réussi. De grands espaces offrent une vue panoramique sur le lac d’Aiguebelette. On peut s’y installer pour boire un café, lire, jouer au baby-foot ou partager quelques jeux de société. Une petite épicerie de dépannage permet également d’acheter quelques produits locaux ou les indispensables du quotidien sans quitter le domaine.

À l’extérieur, le jardin, les fauteuils relax en bois et les pontons invitent à la contemplation.


Amenities and Activities


Les jeux pour enfants situés dans un espace ombragé - Photo Huttopia

Several facilities are freely accessible during the stay.

Children enjoy a shaded play area while the more athletic guests have a football pitch, a volleyball court, a pétanque court, a ping-pong table, foosball, and a dedicated space for cornhole, this skill game from North America.

But the true star remains, of course, Lake Aiguebelette. Thanks to its direct access, it’s impossible to resist a swim after a day of hiking or simply to cool off during hot spells.

Kayaks can be rented directly on site. But many visitors arrived with their own paddleboards. Access to the lake is a real plus, knowing that the beaches around Lake Aiguebelette are not free.

During our stay, many families with children were able to enjoy swimming on the grassy beach. Just a couple of steps, and your feet are in the water.


Huttopia Domaine du Lac: Rates

Cognac: I Tested the Chais Monnet Hotel & Spa 5-Star


Un espace d'accueil fait de verre et d'acier Photo : PB

Costa Rica


It is at the Hôtel Chais Monnet & Spa, a elegant 5-star with 92 rooms and suites that the monumental portal carved from stone opens, marking the entrance at 50 Paul-Firino-Martell Avenue in Cognac.

A member of the prestigious network The Leading Hotels of the World, this luxury hotel was the first – and, to date, still the only – in the heart of the “capital” of the famous cognac.

It has not always been this way. From 1838 to 1952, these premises housed a renowned cognac distillery. Several owners came and went, but one has gone down in history: Jean-Gabriel Monnet.

Undoubtedly this merchant was, in his time, prudent and highly prosperous thanks to the exceptional quality of his cognacs that had conquered every continent. However, his fame also stems, in part, from being the father of … his son, named Jean.

Born in Cognac in 1888 and entering the family business at a very young age—with success—Jean Monnet later began a career as a banker on Wall Street in the United States, then took the helm of the family business between the two world wars.

After 1945, Jean Monnet would embark on a brilliant political career, becoming one of the “fathers” of European construction, which earned him burial in the Panthéon.


A “Monnet corner”, in homage to the family saga


Une affiche historique présentée au "Monnet Corner". Photo Paula Boyer

Whatever the reason for the stay, anyone who checks into the Chais Monnet Hotel & Spa is confronted with this exceptional destiny.

Near the lobby, a “Monnet corner” evokes the family saga. And in the gardens stands the handsome townhouse of the Monnet family, now devoted to an art gallery and to the works of painter Emmanuel Pierre.

As prestigious as this family saga is, the history of these Chais now sits in another universe. Indeed, the Monnets kept their distillery until 1962.

Afterward, it passed from hand to hand: to the German firm Scharlachberg, then to Hennessy, which ceded it in 2004 to the Cognac municipality.

Since then, various projects, sometimes extravagant, for reconversion circulated until the Anglo-Iranian businessman Javad Marandi, owner of the Soho Farmhouse in England, agreed, in 2016, to invest 60 million euros to transform the site into a luxury hotel. Two years of work were required to reach the goal, in 2018.


A striking architectural gesture


Sur la façade du bâtiment contemporain, des vrilles en acier corten. Photo : Paula Boyer

The least one can say is that architect Didier Poignant, of the Parisian firm Ertim, who was entrusted with the transformation, pulled off a masterstroke.

Indeed, this architect boasted serious references: the Royal Monceau, the Grand Hôtel Intercontinental and The Hoxton in Paris, the Hôtel du Jeu de Paume in Chantilly, etc. He faced a formidable challenge, since it involved converting an industrial building (rare) from the first half of the 19th century, listed as French Industrial Heritage, into a hotel complex.

Rather than demolish, Bernard Poignant set about preserving and rehabilitating the site’s treasures — the Grand Chai des foudres and the two spacious aging cellars of 1500 m² — to valorize the robust framing, then to open up the perspectives and volumes.

The four existing cellars are now connected by a glass-and-steel passage, where today all the main hotel reception functions are gathered. A metal staircase leads to the upper floor.

Starting from there, a long journey under a glass roof, flanked on both sides by a vegetated basin where the sound of water can be heard, leads to a courtyard where the only contemporary building of the hotel complex proudly rises.

The glass façades of this building are covered with spectacular corten steel tendrils, evoking grapevines. It houses rooms, a conference hall as well as a vast wellness area including a spa awarded by the renowned Condé Nast Johansens guide.

Its massage rooms (three standard, one double) offer personalized treatments based on the organic products of Kos Paris.


Classic French chic


Dans les chambres, les puissantes charpentes sont bien mises en valeur. Photo : Paula Boyer.

Spread across several buildings, all bright and pleasantly spacious, the 92 rooms and suites feature a décor in chic French classical style. Yet, the blend of noble materials and natural textures keeps alive the traditional Cognac charm.

The elegant spaces (28 to 38 m2) of the 50 Deluxe rooms (from around €280) are distributed between the contemporary building “Les Ceps” — on the first or second floor — and the historic building, “Les Chais,” either on the first floor or on the ground floor.

The 21 first-class rooms (39 to 47 m2), equipped with a bathtub and a shower, are also split between “Les Ceps” and “Les Chais.”



The 21 suites
which can accommodate up to three adults, are likewise distributed between the two buildings.

If the 11 “Junior” rooms range from 49 to 62 m2 (from around €500), the 9 “Suites” are precious 68 to 87 m2 enclaves, featuring a private lounge that allows for both private meetings and business appointments.

As for the presidential suite named Jean-Gabriel Monnet, it aims to offer, over 170 m2, the essence of the Chais Monnet hotelier know-how, with privileged access to a private treatment cabin.


Cognac’s only Michelin star


"La distillerie" abrite une brasserie à l'offre culinaire travaillée. Photo : Paula Boyer.

The Chais Monnet & Spa hotel also offers a varied array of spaces for indulgence and relaxation.
In “La Distillerie”, the atmosphere is half brasserie, half loft. It is a place where you gather beneath imposing beams for a refined breakfast buffet, then for lunch (from 12:00, 38 € package) and, later, for dinner (from 19:00, a 47 € menu) in a warm and convivial setting, enhanced by the vast glass roof and the cement tiles on the floor.

The cuisine, unfussy and bold, draws from the great French tradition; plates are generous, well crafted, and punctuated by delightful surprises—this amuse-bouche with crystal bread, salmon rillettes, and oyster gel decorated with a playful pink flower.

Gourmets, for their part, treat themselves to the restaurant “Les Foudres,” which since 2021 has earned Cognac’s sole Michelin star. Elegant attire is required. Expect around €80 for a three-course menu.

Housed in a building steeped in history, under centennial foudres, this gastronomic table invites, from Wednesday to Sunday inclusive, from 19:00 to 21:30, to meet the men who elevate the terroir and its traditions.

Chefs Mathis Debize and Alexandre Mornet distill a symphony of flavors in dishes that aim to be works of art.


Undeniable strengths… but a delicate context


PAULA BOYER Publié par Paula Boyer Responsable rubrique LuxuryTravelMaG – TourMaG.com
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We Tested the Legend of the Seas: Videos


Jason Liberty, président-directeur général de Royal Caribbean Group et Michael Bayley Président- CEO de la compagnie en conférence de presse lors de l'inauguration du bateau le 29 juin 2026, à Malaga - Photo : RS

CroisiEurope


In Malaga, on June 29, the mood had all the trappings of a Hollywood-style launch.

Fireworks, performances on every deck, hundreds of journalists from around the world, influencers…

Royal Caribbean spared no expense and all eyes were on the Legend of the Seas, the third ship of the Icon class.

But behind the spectacle, the message is far more strategic. “Europe is a very important market for us,” declared Jason Liberty, Chief Executive Officer of Royal Caribbean Group.

“The Legend of the Seas’ arrival in the Mediterranean is not simply a new fleet deployment. It signifies the world’s second-largest cruise company’s intent to deepen its presence in a European market where demand continues to grow.”, he added.


Une inauguration européenne

For Michael Bayley, President of Royal Caribbean International, this decision reflects an obvious truth, since until now, ships of this new generation had been reserved for the North American market.

Indeed, the calendar speaks for itself. After a first nearly fully booked summer season this year, the Legend of the Seas will, in 2027, operate a full Mediterranean season from April to late October.

Royal Caribbean also plans to gradually expand its European offering, with a second Icon-class ship also positioned in the Mediterranean. “The second ship will have more embarkation ports, notably Lisbon, with itineraries including Morocco, the Canary Islands and a large part of the Western Mediterranean,” the president, Michael Bayley, confirmed at a press conference.

“France clearly features among the targeted markets, however our product is not intended for a single nationality. We are seeking international guests. Wherever you are in the world, you can probably board a Royal Caribbean ship within five hours’ flight,” added Gianni Rotondo, head of the EMEA markets.

This global strategy remains one of the group’s main strengths, now present in North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and South America.


L’Icon comme vitrine du modèle Royal Caribbean

The Legend of the Seas naturally impresses with its size. Among the largest cruise ships in the world, its capacity can reach nearly 7,600 passengers.

But Royal Caribbean stresses another point: size is not a goal in itself.

“It’s a ship capable of delivering an excellent vacation experience, both extraordinary and intimate in the quality of its offerings, for a solo traveler, a couple, a family or a multigenerational family.” insists Jason Liberty.

To achieve this, the company started from a clean slate.

The Icon class does not merely reuse the codes of Oasis or Quantum.

It introduces an entirely new organization around eight themed neighborhoods, designed for different customer profiles… even though the emphasis here is clearly on families.

“80% of Icon-class cabins can accommodate three or four people, compared with only 30 to 35% on other classes of the company.” recalls Gianni Rotondo.

Surfside, a district entirely dedicated to young families, the new Ultimate Family Townhouse on three levels, and the proliferation of shared living spaces illustrate this orientation.

Teenagers themselves also influenced the ship’s design. Studies by Royal Caribbean show that they are now seeking more social spaces than clubs reserved for their age group.


L’expérience comme moteur économique

According to Royal Caribbean, up to 20 to 30% of guests now choose to stay onboard during certain port calls. This trend has led the company to rethink its ships, designed as genuine destinations in their own right.

The Legend of the Seas offers 28 food and beverage options, including about ten complimentary, more than 40 culinary and entertainment experiences, seven swimming pools, the largest water park ever built at sea with Category 6, Crown’s Edge or the Aqua Dome, now one of the ship’s architectural signatures.

Social networks now directly influence design. “They changed everything.” acknowledges Michael Bayley.

Jason Liberty adds: “We deliberately create places where guests will want to take photos and share them.”

The Pearl, an immense sphere at the heart of the ship, perfectly illustrates this logic.

For Jason Liberty, the real challenge today “is no longer to promote cruising, but to persuade those who think it isn’t for them.” According to the group, a guest who discovers cruising is five times more likely to sail again.


Royal Caribbean prépare déjà l’avenir, entre technologie et développement durable

If the spectacular draws the eyes, the most significant investments are often invisible.

The Legend of the Seas carries thousands of sensors capable of continuously analyzing the ship’s operations. “We consider artificial intelligence a superpower,” states Jason Liberty.

AI now enables a vessel to optimize energy consumption, air conditioning, predictive maintenance or even supply management.

“We have reduced food waste by more than half thanks to AI, and when we realize savings, we reinvest them into product improvement,” explains Jason Liberty.

In terms of product improvements, the leader emphasizes environmental impact, a topic that can still deter some potential customers.

Propelled by LNG, the Legend of the Seas also incorporates heat recovery systems, shore power connections and technologies designed to prepare for the eventual use of synthetic fuels. “Our ultimate mission is to offer the best vacation experiences in a responsible way,” he adds.

These innovations enable Royal Caribbean to prepare the future Discovery Class, develop new Royal Beach Clubs, continue expanding Perfect Day and even prepare its entry into the river cruise market.

Paris to Milan: I Tested Trenitalia’s Executive Class


Au départ de la gare de Lyon, l'hiver, il fait encore nuit - Photo : PB

IFTM TourMaG Party


6:28 a.m. It is still night when the Frecciarossa (Red Arrow) of Trenitalia stirs on the platforms of Gare de Lyon.

9281, is the train number that leaves Paris each morning for its terminus – the central station of Milan – after stops at Lyon Part-Dieu, Chambéry, Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, Modane, Oulx and Turin.

With two daily round trips, the Italian company Trenitalia opened, in December 2021, the field of competition in France on the high-speed lines (LGV), against SNCF.

After nineteen months of interruption due to a landslide in Maurienne in the summer of 2023, rail traffic between France and Italy resumed just a year ago. Since then, Trenitalia’s experiment has continued successfully.

It is true that the Paris-Milan service in the “Frecciarossa” offers, as the company willingly notes, “optimal connectivity for travelers while facilitating privileged access to mountain regions”.

It is also, Trenitalia insists, “the only service to connect Lyon directly to Italy without a transfer”. However, on this mid-March morning of 2026, what truly mattered to us was to settle in quickly to sleep a little longer.

Fortunately, the Car 1 – dedicated to the Executive Class in which we are traveling – was located very close to the departure platform. After climbing aboard, placing our suitcase in the dedicated space, we were greeted by a smiling onboard attendant who spoke perfect French.

Immediately, she helped us settle into one of the ten luxurious champagne-colored leather seats with a leg rest, after rotating our seat 180° (electric control) to face the direction of travel. Thus, we would travel even more comfortably as these seats, 74 cm wide, are spaced one and a half meters apart.

Cradled comfortably in our seat, slightly reclined, we quickly drifted back into Morpheus’ arms. After, nevertheless, placing our bag on the overhead bag rack below the armrest, at the level of the individual power outlet to charge our phone.


Breakfast at the seat and a business meeting


Pour la classe "Executive", une voiture spacieuse et dix sièges hyper-confortables - Photo : PB

When we reopen our eyes, Trenitalia’s Frecciarossa strides vigorously through the still pale landscapes of Burgundy. The carriage is silent: the impeccably dressed young woman seated opposite me still dozes. The businesspeople seated at the far end of the car, too.

The urge for a coffee arises. Then, the flight attendant promptly asks for our breakfast: croissant? yogurt? ham? fruit salad? It’s your choice and unlimited.

For now, a double espresso and a croissant suffice. As soon as the fold-down table integrated into the lateral armrest is extended and a napkin laid, coffee and croissant are brought by the onboard attendant.

Paris. Two hours have slipped by since our departure. We drift back to sleep a little, but near Chambéry the wagon comes alive.

Two businessmen seated behind me begin talking rather loudly, the young woman opposite me converses with the flight attendant in a Slavic language—Russian, perhaps?—orders her breakfast, then, in her language, and at very high volume, undertakes a phone call that seems endless.

In the small rear compartment of the car reserved for business meetings, two of my neighbors settle in. Their exchanges will be brief. Then, this room equipped with a table, a flats-screen that can connect, and five seats (it is privatizable provided you buy a dedicated ticket) will remain empty for the rest of the journey.

Car 1 stays a busy hive as the train threads through narrow valleys, surrounded by towering, snow-covered peaks. That said, one can still enjoy the panorama and read a bit thanks to the two LED spotlights positioned on either side of the headrest of my seat.


All-you-can-eat lunch


Pour les hommes d'affaires, une salle de réunion privatisable - Photo : PB

As noon approaches, the calm returns. One begins to feel that Trenitalia’s Frecciarossa is delivering on its promises.

Certainly, it is not a symbol of extravagance. Yet, for travelers who value space, quiet, and service, the “Executive” class offers a truly refined travel experience.

Soon, the onboard attendant re-deploys the foldable table and covers it with a napkin before presenting us the menu (renovated every month). It is only a matter of choosing from dishes signed by the star chef, Carlo Cracco, a renowned figure in Italian cuisine recognized by the Michelin Guide.

This partnership, which began in 2013, reflects Trenitalia’s “commitment to offering a culinary experience that blends refinement and Italian authenticity.”

Alongside a selection of club sandwiches, cheese and charcuterie boards, etc., the day’s menu offers as a starter either asparagus cream with its tips or a Mozzarella di bufala. And as a main, chicken with yogurt and turmeric or fillet of sea bass with herbs and fennel.

Our choice is quickly made: mozzarella and sea bass. Both prove delicious, accompanied by a glass of Sicilian white and followed by a fruit salad and the inevitable espresso.


Crossing the Alps without constraints


Des menus savoureux signés du chef star, Carlo Cracco. Ici, daurade au fenouil - Photo : PB

While we were having lunch, the train gradually left the deep valleys behind it, venturing into broader, flatter, and greener landscapes.

After this effortless crossing of the Alps, we were already approaching Turin, a northern Italian city crossed by the Po River.

Upon arriving at Turin’s station, the idea arose of a quick excursion in this city renowned for its museums (Egyptian Museum, Cinema Museum, Automobile Museum, etc.), its palaces, and Porta Palazzo—the largest open-air market in Europe. And also a stay by the major Italian lakes nearby.

For this time, Milan was our destination. An hour later, the 9281 Frecciarossa train stopped at Milano Centrale. Departing from Paris – Gare de Lyon at 6:28, it arrived right on schedule.

Already, a taxi waited for us. Welcome to the Lombard capital, also the fashion and design capital and a very active business city!


An Executive Class well suited to a high-end audience


Trenitalia met Milan à quelque 7 heures de Paris - Photo : PB

Concretely, the Executive Class of this direct service that places Milan about seven hours from Paris lets you travel in comfort, without stress or transfers. It is well suited for business professionals as well as a high-end audience that requires comfort and attentive service.




In Executive Class, the catering (breakfast and lunch served at your seat and unlimited) is included in the ticket price. Expect from €305 for a one-way.

For professionals who might need to alter their trip due to a meeting cancellation or delay, the “Serenità Pro” offer allows altering the ticket without any fare adjustment, whatever the reason. The ticket is also refundable up to the scheduled departure time.

Tickets and schedules will be available on trenitalia.fr, via the Trenitalia France app, in-station ticket offices, and on self-service kiosks.



Trenitalia also aims to reach all publics. In Standard class, a Paris-Milan one-way can be found from €35. And from €49 in Business. In both cases, catering is not included in the price.


Moreover, to prepare summer trips while keeping to budget, travelers can pay in up to four installments via Paypal. They can also use Chèques-Vacances Connect, accepted at ticket offices and by phone.

Another boost for purchasing power, in these times made difficult by soaring fuel prices: the referral offer.

It allows you to obtain 10% off for yourself and 10% off for your referred friends or family. The occasion, Trenitalia emphasizes, “to introduce family or friends to a Frecciarossa journey and enjoy a benefit in return.”


Venice: I Tested the 5-Star Almar Jesolo Resort & Spa


Venise : j'ai testé l’Almar Jesolo Resort & Spa ***** - Une allure résolument contemporaine Photo : PB

IFTM


En ce début mai, la vaste terrasse baignée de soleil de la suite Prestige 703 ouvre sur la plage privée en contrebas où s’échouent les vagues de l’Adriatique. L’air marin est vif, le calme absolu.

Alors que s’ouvre la Biennale d’art contemporain qui attire à Venise en Italie des foules du monde entier, à quelques kilomètres de là, le Resort de luxe Almar Jesolo Resort & Spa***** continue, lui, d’offrir, son habituel cadre apaisant, idéal pour prendre du recul pendant un long week-end ou une semaine de vacances avec une perspective assez inédite : profiter du grand air, des bains de mer, d’une offre bien-être très étudiée, tout en filant, si l’envie vous en prend, découvrir quelques joyaux de la Vénétie.


Une aventure familiale


Une plage privée où il fait bon s'attarder. Photo : PB

En quelques décennies, Jesolo, petite localité baignée par la mer Adriatique à une quarantaine de kilomètres seulement de la mythique Place Saint-Marc de Venise, est devenue une station balnéaire prisée. Ses 15 km de plage pavillon bleue y ont évidemment contribué.

Installé directement sur cette immense plage de sable blond, face à la mer, à proximité d’une pinède, l’Almar Jesolo Resort & Spa***** a été son premier cinq étoiles.

Ce complexe est, depuis 2014, entre les mains du groupe italien HNH Hospitality qui, spécialisé sur le segment haut-de-gamme (4 et 5 étoiles), gère actuellement 19 d’établissements (quatre autres sont en projet) en Italie, notamment à travers des franchises : Best Western, IHG, Hilton…

HNH, c’est une aventure familiale démarrée à Jesolo, en 1962, par Angelo Boccato et, développée, depuis, par son fils Loris puis par son petit-fils Lucca en collaboration avec fonds d’investissements et grandes chaînes hôtelières internationales.

L’Almar Jesolo Resort & Spa qui a désormais deux frères quasiment jumeaux (un en Sardaigne, l’autre en Sicile) est, à n’en pas douter, le flag ship de sa marque ***** Almar.


Un design “Made in Italy”


Des chambres et suites baignées de lumière. Ici, une suite premium.Photo : Almar Jesolo Hotel & Spa

Agrandi en 2022, cet élégant complexe s’ouvre sur un vaste lobby ponctué de fauteuils et canapés confortables et agrémenté de touches bleues. La réception est ouverte 24h/24.

Il propose 156 chambres (de deux catégories) et 28 suites (de cinq catégories) au design contemporain «Made in Italy», épuré, aux couleurs claires, et à la literie très confortable.

Fleurs fraîches, corbeille de fruits et bouteille de prosecco rosé (normal, la zone de production n’est pas loin !) y attendent les clients qui peuvent, à tout moment, faire appel au room service.

Chambres comme suites sont baignées de lumière. Les unes ont vue sur la mer, les autres sur le jardin, toutes sont spacieuses et dotées d’une terrasse.

La chambre standard fait tout de même 28 m2 et sa terrasse –la plus petite- 10 m2. Compter à partir de 350 € la nuit.

La plus grande suite, la Loft Suite Aria, mesure, elle, pas moins de 110m2. Elle abrite un sauna privé, une vasque d’hydro-massage, et 30 m2 de terrasse ! Juchée au dernier étage, elle offre des vues spectaculaires sur la mer.

La suite Prestige 703 où j’ai logé, accueillait dans ses 52 m2, un salon (le canapé peut se transformer en lit), une salle d’eau, une salle de bain, deux toilettes, un petit dressing et une chambre. Sa terrasse de 20 m2 vue mer était idéale pour s’imprégner du paysage ou lire, en écoutant le bruit des vagues !


Un cadre idéal pour décompresser


Une piscine chauffée exceptionnelle. Photo : PB

Idéal pour décompresser, l’Almar Jesolo Resort & Spa***** permet de s’offrir un bon bol d’air marin pur, sans jamais s’ennuyer !

Sur sa plage privée, les clients trouvent des chaises longues et des parasols pour papoter et (ou) bronzer. Les plus actifs jouent au ballon ou nagent.

Bon à savoir : sur une longue distance, la mer est peu profonde, ce qui rassure les familles avec enfants.

Si la mer est, comme en ce début mai, encore un peu fraîche, l’hôtel offre une appréciable alternative : sa piscine extérieure longue de 70 mètres – partiellement couverte– est chauffée de 27 à 30 degrés.

Bien mieux, il est possible de déjeuner sur la terrasse du restaurant qui la jouxte et d’aller piquer une tête de temps en temps, si l’envie vous en prend.

Manifestement, la clientèle raffinée et exigeante qui fréquente ce complexe ne s’en prive pas ! Parmi elle, beaucoup d’Italiens, d’Autrichiens, d’Europe de l’Est et aussi de Français que l’Almar Jesolo Resort & Spa espère attirer en plus grand nombre à l’avenir.


Une intéressante offre MICE


Des salles MICE adaptées à tous les formats. Photo PB

Si couples et familles composent le gros de la clientèle, l’Almar Jesolo Resort & Spa***** s’adresse aussi à la clientèle MICE.

Il dispose de 10 salles pour accueillir réunions d’affaires, défilés de mode, conférences médicales, session de formation, présentations d’entreprise…

Lorsqu’elle s’agrandit des deux galeries installées en mezzanine, la plus grande de ses salles met à disposition 600 m2 et peut accueillir jusqu’à 530 personnes. Avec possibilité de la déployer en format auditorium ou, au contraire, d’y installer de nombreuses petites tables.

A proximité, le River Lounge Bar permet d’organiser aisément coffee break ou repas.


A table, de délicieuses tentations


Venise, presque sans la cohue ?


Place Saint-Marc, à Venise. Photo PB

Cela vaut le coup aussi d’expérimenter une autre promesse de l’hôtel : profiter de la beauté intemporelle de Venise et de sa lagune, tout en échappant pour l’essentiel à son agitation !

Tout comme pour les transferts depuis (et vers) l’aéroport, le réception de l’Almar Jesolo Resort & Spa réserve, à la demande, un taxi pour vous conduire à l’embarcadère de Punta Sabbioni, d’où la Moto Nave (20 € l’aller-retour) mène en une demi-heure jusqu’à la place Saint-Marc, à Venise.

La Serenissime s’offre alors à vous. On la retrouve toujours avec émotion. Attention quand même : pour lutter contre la surtourisme, la ville impose désormais aux excursionnistes d’un jour le paiement d’une taxe (5 €) à régler d’avance sur le site internet dédié : un QR code est à présenter en cas de contrôle.

Attention aussi : mieux vaut également acheter à l’avance -en ligne- les billets d’entrée pour les « incontournables » Palais des Doges et Basilique Saint-Marc. Même chose pour se hisser (avec un ascenseur, tout de même !) jusqu’en haut du campanile de Saint-Marc, d’où la vue est sublime sur la ville, la lagune et ses îles. Ceux qui ont déjà tenté l’expérience, ont souvent envie de la renouveler. Evitez tout de même, l’heure où sonnent les cloches !


Et aussi Trévise, Padoue, Vicence…


Le café Florian, un "must" de Venise. Photo PB

Du haut de ce campanile, on s’approprie mieux cette cité mythique, avant de sauter dans un vaporetto pour remonter le Grand canal pour admirer la façade des palais vénitiens.

On musarde ensuite de petites rues en placettes jusqu’à la Place Saint-Marc pour s’attabler à la terrasse du mythique Café Florian ! Ouvert depuis 1720, il a vu défiler un nombre incalculable d’écrivains et de musiciens.

Bien sûr, cette année, les amateurs d’art ne rateront pas la 61e Biennale d’art contemporain qui se tient jusqu’au 22 novembre aux Giardini, à l’Arsenal, dans les palais, les galeries d’art et même les églises !

Même si Venise reste fascinante, un séjour à l’Almar Jesolo gagne aussi à être enrichi par une escapade (toujours en taxi, sauf si l’on dispose de son véhicule personnel ou d’une voiture de location) jusqu’à Trévise, la « petite Venise » aux nombreux canaux. Ou jusqu’à Padoue, la ville de saint Antoine, voire même jusqu’à Vicence (Vicenza en italien).

Bien que plus éloignée, Vicence vaut vraiment le coup : ses superbes palais et villas ont été conçus par Andrea Palladio, le célèbre architecte de la Renaissance. Ce véritable joyau reste un visage trop peu connu de la Vénétie !


PAULA BOYER Publié par Paula Boyer Head of LuxuryTravelMaG – TourMaG.com
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