On this throw back trip to Provence (Part 1 Here) we visited our wedding venue Chateau de Massillan for a menu tasting and to agree on some of the wedding plans. 

We first discovered this gorgeous Chateau when we did our first road trip around the south of France. It will forever be one of our favourite vacations, for so many reasons. Finding the chateau was one of them. 
We feel in love with its quirky design, its beautiful antique furniture and its twinkling chandelier's. It was so very my style. No garish colours to contend with, no carpets with bold designs to clash with, it was the preferably aesthetic canvas to create a vision. We loved that it felt like someone's beautiful home, rather than a hotel.  And we loved that it has bucket loads of Character. 

When my husband proposed, we both immediately wanted to get married here. We didn't even look at anything else, and that made it all the more special because it felt totally organic and almost like the venue choose us. 

We wanted something that we could hire exclusively for our entire wedding weekend, so we could celebrate in complete privacy with our friend and massillan was perfect for this. The fact that it wasn't a wedding venue also had great appeal as it only made itself available for a handful of dates over the year. This was a big selling point to us as it felt a little bit more natural and unique.     

It also had an amazing gastronomic restaurant, with absolutely incredible chef (Frédéric de Bourlout) and its own organic kitchen garden meaning all of the catering could be achieved in house (wedding cake aside) and would make this relatively stress free. The only difficult we did have was making the final choices...

As its coming up to our 5th wedding anniversary I will be sharing more from our wedding in Provence, so stayed tuned!

Belle 
​Xx

What do you do when you stay at a super cute, and incredibly relaxing interior design oasis in the middle of august when it literally sweltering (Note to self, Marrakesh in August is not for the faint hearted)

You take it easy and take it all in, thats what. 

When booking the trip, we knew it might be a little too hot for us so we made sure we booked somewhere we wouldn't tire of and that would keep us entertained on the too hot to go out afternoons (it was 43 degrees at some points)

I really couldn't imagine how anyone could get bored here. There are so many areas to explore, and when your done exploring you can sit back and enjoy. 

The rooftop is the place to head to if you fancy being a little more social. It had changed vastly since the last time we were here (see the post here) which is once of the things I love about El Fenn, its always evolving. 

And heres another thing I adore. The deserts. 

They really are incredible! All of the food here is fantastic, but the deserts really are stand out. So much so, we found ourselves shamelessly heading to the roof in late afternoon for something sweet, indulgent and totally calorific! 

This is my final post from our trip to Marrakech, one of my favourite places in the world to visit. So much so, we've just booked another trip... 

Belle
Xx

So I showed you around our suite at El Fenn at night (See the post here), but its only right you see it in all its daytime glory because it was just so freakin cute... and pink! 

I loved that this suite had its own terrace and fireplaces galore, with amazing sweeping views over one of the hotels many pools. Its such a tranquil place, and you barley notice there are other guests staying here!

You can always tell how much I love a hotel by how many photos I take of it! I just could not stop snapping away at this place... It is such a unique place to stay. The use of light space and colour are really something special. ​

We woke up to the morning light streaming through the stain glass windows and birds singing as they flew through the riad. 

Of course, the fact that this suite comes with its own private roof terrace and pool don't hurt! Its the prefect place to order a mint a tea and take a slower pace for the day. 

The views of The Koutoubia Mosque (the largest mosque in Marrakesh) are just breathtaking and  punctuates the sea of beige rooftops that go on for miles from this height. 

Its fair to say that El fenn has been added to my ever growing favourite hotels in the world list! I do think that for me, hotels in Marrakech in particular are a sure win because I just love the french infused Moroccan interiors but that aside, El fenn is a truly special place. 

Do you have a favourite hotel or riad to stay at in Marrackech? 

Belle 
Xx

You know your going to have a great day when it starts with a swim in a roll top bath and the most delicious breakfast ever! That's how everyday starts at El Fenn. 

I finally dragged myself out of the tub and the hub's and I headed to the roof top for quite the breakfast experience. 

The rooftop is adorned with fiddle leaf fig trees and cactus in rustic terracotta pots and kind of feels like your dining in the tree tops!

I REALLY love how breakfast is served at El Fenn. You are presented with a giant tray filled with breakfast goodies... Home made granola (best iv ever tasted, and they'll even give you the recipe) eggs cooked to order, freshly baked pastries, fruit bowls and homemade yogurt. Its really quite the feast and quite the event.

Breakfast was really one of the things that set El Fenn apart for me. I'll confess that i'm so not a fan of the breakfast buffet. This was a welcome and indulgent treat, and was actually one of things I really looked forward to each day.

It was also here that I discovered Amlou -  a thick brown paste with a texture similar to peanut butter obtained by grinding roasted almonds mixed with honey and argan oil. Amlou is known as a speciality from the South of Morocco and is usually used as a healthy dip or spread since its key ingredient is argan oil

​Luckily the riad is big enough (and interesting enough) to take a stroll around and work off some of those breakfast calories...

Just another reason to love El Fenn...

Belle
Xx

I had to start this post with the image that sticks in my mind when we first saw our suite at El Fenn. Our roof terrace looked and felt so magical under the full moon, I’m sure I’ll never forget it.

The week before I found out that The Madonna (yes, the actual one) has not only hired out the whole of El Fenn for her birthday but had actually stayed in the very same suite and the Sunday Times once votes this suite one of the sexiest room of all time. Definitely all added to the fabulous vibes!

​The moment I saw this pink suite I was in love. The second I saw the roll top bath I knew this was going to be the most incredible stay

​Its a truly unique space, with hand stitched camel leather floors and coloured glass lamps bathing the room in glittering light. Even a log fire for colder evenings.

Venetian mirrors and luxurious bath products amp up the romantic vibe  

El Fenn is truly the most romantic and inspiring backdrop for exploring the magical city of Marrakech, I really couldn't recommend it more!

Belle
Xx

For part one this Moroccan adventure see here  

We arrived back in Marrakech on one of those glorious hot and balmy summer evenings!


Im going to let you in on a little secret. I hate arriving at my destination in the evening. Firstly, it usually means you've paid a fortune for a hotel room you'll only sleep in that night. Secondly, if you're like me and you have to take a photo of EVERYTHING, you'll know how hard it is to do that when its a) dark b) you are too tired to want to take a photo, so you just get in bed and mess up the room or you have reservations somewhere and you mess up getting ready (do these confessions make me weird?)

But on this occasion, arriving as the sun was setting was pure magic. 

You see, El Fenn is a beautiful hotel. But at night time its magical. 

Every lantern is lit by the hotel staff (trust me there are hundreds!!!)  turning the entire hotel into an Aladdin's cave of glimmering candlelight beautifully framing the design and styling of every corner.

You find yourself exploring secret spaces and passages, all set up beautifully should someone happen stumble upon them. That's what I love about El fenn, every corner is loved, beautiful and living its best life. 

If you are ever stuck in an inspirational rut, a trip here will no doubt stimulate you creatively.

I first saw El Fenn on our last visit to Marrakesh and it instantly went onto my hotel wish list (I wrote about it here)

After my little exploration down El fenn's magical corridors, we made our way to the roof terrace for dinner. The night air was sweet with jasmine and warm in the best possible way. Don't you just love hot summer nights!

And what do you do when you arrive on your first night of hollybobs? Order some ice cold cocktails, that's what!

We discussed our plans for the trip over candle light and the most delicious dinner of feta salad, quinoa and a roast vegetable tagine followed by the most delicious and decadent chocolate desert. 

Is there anything better than the first night of your holidays? Perhaps, know this is home for a while just wins just about tops it...

If you pop back, i'll show you around our suite

Belle
​Xx

When looking for somewhere to stay for our trip to Amsterdam I really wanted to find somewhere that felt like, well... Amsterdam. 

And what is more Amsterdam than a loft style hotel? 

So it seems that el hombre and I have started a new tradition with an annual date weekend to Barcelona. Its quite a nice little tradition. After all, its just an hours flight away and is one of the most beautiful city's in Europe

I have wanted to visit the Ritz Paris for afternoon tea for quite some time now, so I was delighted when my husband surprised me with a reservation for my birthday. If you have followed me for a while now, you'll know that not only am I obsessed with Afternoon tea but with my favourite city too, Paris! 

When we ex pats get bored of the beach and crave some cold weather we head to the Spanish mountains of Sierra Nevada. 

Id never even heard of Sierra Nevada before I moved to Spain, but apparently its a thing and our friends spend most of the early part of the year there. So naturally we had to get in on the action and its fast become a favorite

A favorite, massively due to the fact we have El Lodge... 

El lodge is so cool. The hotel interiors, the service, the apres ski, the food. The list is endless

The rooms are so stylish and cosy you don't want to leave them. Until you catch a glimpse of the heated pool right outside your door... that's really all the persuasion you need!

In Fact I love El Lodge so much, I turn our terrace at home into "Belle Lodge" ... an alpine inspired winter space totally inspired by El Lodge. Cute eh!?

The sundeck is the place to hang out when your not skiing. Chairs draped in the chicest blankets to keep you warm (there are heaters too) and watch the skiers fly against a backdrop of snow covered mountains while you enjoy the most delicious lunch (cheese features heavily on the menu) so I was in heaven

And in the evening head to the Grill 

Watch the sunset over the mountain as fireplace roars over a glass of wine. This place has a very special place in my heart. It was here that we decided on and toasted to our home which we affectionately call Provence in Espania  

Aren't we so lucky to have a ski resort so close to home?

If you're visiting Sierra Nevada, I highly recommend El Lodge, its simply the best place to stay

Belle
Xx