Uncover Calais' Hidden Gem: L'Azur Du Dragon's Stunning Secret!
Uncover Calais' Hidden Gem: L'Azur Du Dragon's Stunning Secret! – A Review (and Rant)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I just got back from L'Azur Du Dragon – the so-called "Hidden Gem" of Calais. And let me tell you, it's less a polished gemstone and more… a beautifully flawed, occasionally frustrating, but ultimately charming, really damn charming piece of coal that you secretly want to take home and polish yourself. This isn’t your typical cookie-cutter hotel review; this is a rambling, slightly caffeinated, and utterly honest account of my experience. Strap yourselves in.
First Impressions & The Awkward Dance with Accessibility:
Right, so first thing's first: Accessibility. The website says accessible, and some areas definitely are… sort of. The main entrance? Mostly good. The elevators? Yep, they seem to work. (More on that later.) But the specific details? Let's just say it's not the most meticulously planned operation for wheelchair users. Maneuvering through some of the common areas felt a bit like a slalom course designed by a particularly mischievous elf. Overall, it's mostly wheelchair accessible, but double-check with the hotel directly and get VERY specific details before you book. Don't just take their word for it, because I'm just saying, navigating a hotel can be a pain if you're unsure.
Speaking of pain, I did have a little stumble into the Car Park [on-site]. It's FREE! You’ve got that going for you. But the pathway could be smoothed over, maybe. I'm not going to lie, I almost went arse-over-teakettle on the way to Reception. Fortunately, I'm still relatively agile, but someone with mobility issues might find it… challenging. Also, car power charging station? Sweet! But I didn’t see it.
The Room: A Sanctuary (Mostly) with a Few Quirks:
Alright, let's talk about the rooms. Mine was… well, it was a room. Air conditioning? Check. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Absolutely. Internet access – wireless? Yep. Internet access – LAN? Also there. (Remember LAN cables? Vintage!) And the Wi-Fi [free] was actually pretty decent. Praise be! Because as a blogger who can't live without putting the world on the Internet, that's a must.
I opted for a non-smoking room, and it felt pretty well looked after. The Daily housekeeping was a godsend – especially after I spent a few hours getting sand and sea salt on my clothes after beach time. Cleanliness and safety: They had Anti-viral cleaning products which is reassuring, but I couldn't see anyone sterilizing after EVERY guest, but I have to assume they have a Rooms sanitized between stays policy.
The bed was comfy as hell, and the Blackout curtains were a lifesaver. Woke up feeling like a new woman every day! I did notice some soundproofing which was good. The Mirror could be updated. And the Window that opens – a rare and beautiful thing in hotels these days!
But the quirks! The In-room safe box was… compact. Couldn't fit my laptop, but hey, kept the important stuff safe. The Mini bar was there, but a bit… sad. Maybe that was because I looked at my own supply before. The Coffee/tea maker (yay!) produced what I can only describe as lukewarm brown water. I really missed a decent cup of coffee.
The Amenities: A Mixed Bag – With a Dash of Awesome:
Now for the fun part: the amenities. This is where L'Azur Du Dragon really shone, and also where things got a little confusing.
The Spa & Relaxation Zone (AKA My Personal Paradise for about 3 hours):
Let's start with the Spa, which was an absolute winner. A full-on Spa/sauna, and Steamroom combo! I could have lived there! The Sauna was hot enough to turn me into a prune, the Steamroom left me feeling like I was breathing in a cloud, and the post-sauna-chill area was heaven. Pure bliss.
Then, I had a Foot bath. I'm not gonna lie, I giggled like a child. It was the BEST foot bath I’ve ever had. And it was followed by a Massage. I'll spare you the details, but let's just say I walked out feeling like a brand new human. I've never felt more relaxed. The one thing I missed was a Body scrub.
Oh, and the Swimming pool [outdoor]? Gorgeous! If I'd been feeling brave enough to brave the freezing cold, I'd have been straight in!
The Food: A Culinary Adventure (Mostly Good):
The dining situation was… interesting. There are Restaurants and a Poolside bar. I managed to catch a Happy hour, which was a nice surprise. The Breakfast [buffet] was a classic affair. Lots of Buffet in restaurant basics, but they’d really pushed the boat out with the French pastries (Croissants!). I’m not going to lie, I went back for seconds… and maybe thirds. The coffee, however, was still a tad weak. I did enjoy some Coffee/tea in restaurant, and there’s Coffee shop in case you need a fix. You can get Breakfast in room, you can Breakfast takeaway service is available. Also, you can get Asian breakfast or Asian cuisine in restaurant, which is interesting, as well as Western breakfast and Western cuisine in restaurant if you're less adventurous.
I had a Salad in restaurant, and it was fresh and delicious. I also sampled some Desserts in restaurant, which were… well, they were French! Need I say more? However, the Soup in restaurant was a bit bland.
There are Restaurants in the hotel. You can also get Bottle of water. You can also get Room service [24-hour].
Finally, the Safe dining setup impressed me.
Services and Stuff: The Good, the Bad, and the Slightly Bonkers:
Okay, let's talk about the practical stuff. On the positive side, there was Air conditioning in public area, which was very useful during those hot days. The Concierge was helpful, although sometimes a bit… overstretched. I did enjoy the Daily housekeeping, which was a godsend after I spent a few hours running amok on the nearby beach! Also, a Doorman.
On the less positive side, the Dry cleaning? Forget it. Took about a week. The Laundry service was a lot better, thankfully. The Elevator was… quirky. It seemed to have a mind of its own, occasionally deciding to go to the lobby when you pressed the button for your floor.
I found the hotel's Wi-Fi for special events a little bit difficult to get my head around, and the availability of Audio-visual equipment for special events was a little confusing.
The Meeting/banquet facilities and Seminars area was good, and there were options to do Meetings.
The Verdict: Flawed but Fabulous – Book It (If You Dare!)
So, is L'Azur Du Dragon perfect? Hell, no. It is a messy, imperfect gem. But the flaws are part of its charm. The staff are genuinely friendly, the location is great, and the spa… the spa is worth the trip alone!
For those who are:
- Seeking a Romantic Getaway: The spa with its Couple's room offers the perfect romantic setting, while the Proposal spot sets the stage for a memorable moment.
I'd say this hotel is great for:
- Couples looking for a quiet escape, or Spa-fanatics.
Here's a Quick Summary of the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly:
- Good: The Spa, overall charm, the location.
- Bad: Accessibility needs improvement, quirky elevator, some food inconsistencies.
- Ugly: None! Seriously.
My Offer for You:
Book your stay at L'Azur Du Dragon now using the code "DRAGONFLY" and get a complimentary bottle of bubbly, a 10% discount on spa treatments, and the chance to be utterly charmed by a hidden gem! But hey, don't say I didn't warn you! You'll either love it, or, well, you'll have a story to tell. Book now!
Escape to Paradise: Dolce Casa Colombo's Sri Lankan Luxury Awaits
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's travel itinerary. This is a living document, a messy, glorious document of me trying to wrestle Calais, France, into submission (and hopefully, not the other way around). This is for L’Azur Du Dragon, a place that, from my research, looks either incredibly charming or desperately in need of a good power wash. Let's find out!
Day 1: Arrival and the Existential Dread of Ferry Terminals
9:00 AM (ish) - Arrive in Dover. Oh joy, the ferry. The gateway to… well, somewhere. This is where the adventure (and the potential for seasickness) begins. Look, the ferry terminal is what it is, concrete and bustling. I swear I saw a lost toddler trying to hitch a ride on a luggage trolley. My baggage isn't, it's just heavy.
10:00 AM - Ferry to Calais. The sea air! The promise of croissants! And the vague feeling I've forgotten something crucial. Like my passport? (Double-checks. Passport present. Crisis averted.) Okay, deep breaths. On the ferry, I'm already feeling the vibe. The "We're all on the cusp of something… vaguely European" vibe. Also, the inevitable seagulls aggressively eyeing your chips. I had a terrible case of seagulls and I was worried about losing my sandwich so I didn't eat it.
11:30 AM (ish) - Disembark and Calais Immigration. Pretty standard, I guess. I managed to fumble my passport in a dramatic manner, almost dropping it. The officer looked… unimpressed. Note to self: Practice passport-fumbling in the hotel room.
12:30 PM - Finding L’Azur Du Dragon. And Hunger. This is where the real adventure starts. I've got the map, I think I have the address, and I'm starving. The drive should be straightforward… assuming the GPS doesn't decide to send me on a scenic tour of the entire French coastline. My stomach is making noises that could rival a foghorn. I am thinking about food. Deeply.
1:30 PM (fingers crossed) - Check-in at L’Azur Du Dragon. Okay, let's see if this place lives up to the hype (or the slightly dodgy reviews). Hoping for a charming little hotel, not a crumbling gothic nightmare. And please let the shower work. A good shower is the bedrock of a happy traveler. I really really want to see it.
2:00 PM - Showered and somewhat settled. Alright, the shower works! Victory. Taking a quick power nap to recover from the exhausting ordeal of… traveling. Oh, I'm glad the shower works.
3:00 PM - First impressions of Calais: wandering and trying to find food. First, the hunger. Then the sightseeing. This is a city that really needs some sunshine. And a lot more pastries. I stumbled into a shop that looked promising but I was worried the food wasn't gonna be good, so I didn't buy anything.
5:00 PM - "Le Cité de la Dentelle et de la Mode" (and Food) Lace and Fashion! I'm going to look like a fool, but I am doing it. I bought some lace and felt cool. I will wander, I will see. And maybe, just maybe, I will find something to eat. I am not sure about the food thing.
7:00 PM - Dinner somewhere… I am just gonna find whatever looks good. I am ready to eat!
8:00 PM - After Dinner Stroll. Let's see if i can stand in this city.
9:00 PM - Sleep.
Day 2: Immersion, Or Attempts Thereof, And One Glorious Meal
9:00 AM - Breakfast at L’Azur Du Dragon (hopefully not just stale croissants) A proper breakfast is essential. Without fuel, my ability to be charming and adventurous plummets to alarming levels. Let's see if they have anything interesting. Eggs would be great, but I'm willing to settle for more croissants if necessary. (I'm not above bribery. If the croissant situation is dire, I'll resort to offering the staff chocolate).
10:00 AM - Exploring the "Beach". Calais has a beach, right? I'm picturing windswept beauty, dramatic cliffs, the works. Or maybe just a lot of sand and seagulls. Either way, I'm ready to embrace the salty air and contemplate the vastness of the ocean (while also keeping an eye out for rogue waves that might steal my shoes).
12:00 PM - Lunch. I WILL EAT TODAY. I think I have a place, I really do!
1:00 PM - The Burghers of Calais (Rodin's Sculpture). Okay, history time. This is supposed to be a powerful piece, and I'm ready to be moved… or at least mildly intrigued. I will definitely take selfies. And I might even try to recreate the poses (if I'm feeling particularly brave).
3:00 PM - The local market (maybe). Now, this is where things get interesting. Markets are the lifeblood of a place, aren't they? Fresh produce, local crafts… the potential for delicious discoveries is immense. Also, the potential for accidentally buying a cheese that smells like old socks. (Challenge accepted).
5:00 PM - Re-evaluation of Life Choices, and Possible Meltdown. Look, travel can be stressful. You're in a new place, you don't speak the language fluently, and you're constantly battling hunger and the urge to take a nap. This would be a good time for a quiet moment. I will find a cafe and just drink coffee for hours.
7:00 PM - The Meal. The Experience. The "Worth the Trip" Moment. Okay, I’ve heard whispers of a restaurant that's supposed to be… amazing. Something about fresh seafood, the perfect ambiance, and a wine list that will make you weep with joy. Tonight is the night. This is the moment the whole trip hinges on. I hope this is true! And, if it isn't true, I will get good pictures.
9:00 PM - Digesting the Meal, Sighing Contently, and Maybe, Just Maybe, Trying to Learn a Few French Phrases (Again). Now this is heaven.
10:00 PM - Sleep.
Day 3: Ferry and Departure (and the lingering scent of adventure)
9:00 AM - Linger with breakfast: I will just try to chill and relax.
10:00 AM - Last-minute souvenir hunt. Must. Buy. Something. To prove I was here. A beret? A tiny Eiffel Tower? A bag of French salt? Decisions, decisions…
11:00 AM - One Last Stroll. A final walk through the city, soaking in the sights, sounds, and smells. Trying to burn all those calories. Wishing I had more time. Realizing I’m probably going to come back.
12:00 PM - Lunch. One last French meal!
1:00 PM - Head to Calais Ferry Terminal. The end is near…and the beginning of my next adventure!
2:00 PM - Ferry to Dover. Goodbye, France! (For now).
3:00 PM - Arrive in Dover.
4:00 PM - Home.
Post-Trip Reflection (aka the rambling thoughts that will follow)
So, there you have it. A hilariously imperfect, probably inaccurate, and definitely emotional itinerary for my trip to Calais. Will everything go according to plan? Absolutely not. Will I have moments of triumph and despair? Undoubtedly. Will I come back with a suitcase full of memories (and potentially a very pungent cheese)? You can bet your bottom dollar on it. Now, all that's left is to pack my bags, grab my passport, and pray for sunshine (and decent croissants). Wish me luck!
Unbelievable Hachioji: TAKAONE's Hidden Gem Awaits!
Okay, Okay...L'Azur Du Dragon! What *is* the Big Deal? Seriously?
But... the *location*? How do you even *find* this mythical beast of a restaurant? Is it guarded by a grumpy badger and a riddle?
The Food! Tell me about the food! Is it actually worth all the effort? (And the potential for getting lost forever?)
So… the *quirks* you mentioned? Spill the tea! Are we talking eccentric? Chaotic? Both?
Monsieur Dubois! Is he as mysterious as the restaurant itself? What's the deal with this guy?
This all sounds… expensive. How much damage will I do to my wallet? Be honest!
Anything I should *specifically* order? Any "secret menu" items or insider tips?
