After our two days in Monte Carlo we travelled in style over to St Tropez via helicopter, courtesy of Heli-Air. Is there any other way to travel? Definitely not. I think I need a heli pad in the garden now… in Newquay, but of course!
The view from above as we flew over the harbour of St Tropez was amazing, super yachts everywhere, dotting the blue ocean with their white waves of water crashing behind them. I didn’t think it was going to be so beautiful to look at, I won’t lie, I think I want to be a helicopter pilot, especially seeing how chilled out our pilot was… Chillllllled. Or stupid. Ca m'est égal.
But the view was so breathtaking I couldn’t help but take a few snaps on my phone.
But yes, anyway, after the long taxi ride we finally arrived at the Hotel Benkirai. A peaceful little boutique-y hotel haven, away from the hustle and bustle of central St Tropez nestled deep within the quiet country roads, next to all the millionaire's chateau's and rustic pads, ahhh bliss. After the long, tiresome (helicoptering is hard work) journey we were starving, so we dropped our suitcases as soon as we hit reception, and walked straight over to sit ourselves down at a lunch table. The menu looked amazing, as we hurriedly decided what we wanted from the various mouth watering options, the waitress kindly came over to tell us we couldn’t have any of that as it was 3pm and the kitchen had closed. With stomachs grumbling, brows furrowing and tempers running short (I’m not great when hungry) we quickly ordered what we could. I can’t even remember what we ordered now, it was all inhaled in a matter of minutes. The food was actually delicious, allowing us to almost forgive the uppity waitress… Almost! Never deny four hungry women food!
After lunch we checked into our rooms, which were actually quite odd. We couldn’t fault the actual hotel, but the rooms felt a bit like stepping into a room in a hostel, or a caravan. With just a flimsy shower curtain to separate the bedroom from the shower, it wasn’t exactly ideal for friends, or in our case, sisters. The room was painted a sort of baby blue, and the flooring and bathroom felt a little like an airplane’s toilet. Not ideal, and considering the price to stay there for just one night, totally didn’t seem justifiable. But anyway, to make up for the weirdness of the room, the bedsheets and covers were AHHHHMAZZZIIING!!! They were that good. I’ve never felt sheets like them, the softest of the softest of the soft. Pure Egyptian cotton. So, if soft soft, silky soft, pillowy sheets are what you look for in a hotel, then the Benkirai is the place for you!
The poolside was another redeeming feature. Luscious blue, mosaic tiles transform the pool into a mermaid's paradise. The deep end is a favourite of sisters who love to play with diving sticks for hours on end. In my opinion, a pool can make or break a hotel, and this one made it! Surrounded by wooden decking, palm tress and sun loungers it was paradise. Until the rain starts to pour and the thunderclouds chase the sun away. We weren’t the luckiest with the weather, but nonetheless, it was still warmer than England, so you can't complain too much.
As the rain poured, we attempted to see it through by jumping back in the pool dying the rain storm what with our British hardiness! Yet, eventually we caved when the goosebumps wouldn’t disappear. We scuttled back to our blue air-cabins, showered, and got ourselves ready and dressed for an evening in St Tropez.
