Mauritius - not just for honeymoons!
It is also the perfect twin centre for Dubai. We took the Emirates 7 hour overnight flight from Dubai to Mauritius having spent a fun few days in the Emirate. The transfer took just over an hour to our resort passing through the country’s capital, Port Louis – great for market shopping and close the Pamplemousse Botanical Gardens. On arrival at Zilwa Attitude we were greeted by the hotel manager, a coconut juice and cold towels and were checked in on an iPad whilst enjoying the most fabulous view from the open air reception area. Perfect for families we had two rooms, connected by a private entrance hall, each with its own walk in shower room and balcony.
All inclusive is such a great idea when holidaying with teenagers – particularly a hungry 14 year old boy – and it starts from the minute you arrive and ends the minute you leave at Zilwa. The buffet breakfasts were good and plentiful served in the Karay restaurant and we enjoyed the local buffet cuisine there in the evenings too - particularly the curry night. We tended to have the buffet lunches at Lor Disab – which in creole means ‘right on the beach’ or grab a sandwich at Taba-J – of course we returned there each afternoon for afternoon tea and pancakes (crepes)…..who could resist!
The entertainment was low key and just enough – the children dipped in and out of spending time either on the beach, windsurfing, kayaking and paddle boarding out to the lagoon and or with the teen club taking part in the odd game of boules or the mini Olympics. Each evening there was live music from a few local bands and Sega and Indian dancing for the Mauritian and Indian evenings. Two nights a week they showed a movie on the beach and we all enjoyed snorkelling from the complimentary glass bottom boat on the complimentary trip.
Geoff topped up his diving log and went out three times with the dive centre at the hotel. The windsurfing equipment was a little lacking as with most hotels but had the winds been stronger he could have taken advantage of the facilities at Club Mistral – a short boat ride away (they pick up!).
Apart from taking a lovely private boat trip, out to the mangroves and to one of the islands off the coast for a BBQ for a day, we didn’t venture outside the hotel. We were so relaxed and had enough to keep us entertained and busy that we just didn’t feel the need!
The only disappointments were the man-made beach (although who wants a bed full of sand?) and the fact that my favourite cocktail, a mojito, was not included in our all-inclusive package (although we knew they wouldn’t have been as good as Geoff’s anyway)!
A fabulous destination to grab some winter sun, re-charge your batteries and spend time with the family…..perfect!