Two‑Centre Value: Mauritius & Dubai with A Free Stay at The St. Regis
When I was lucky enough to win 2 free nights at The St. Regis Dubai, The Palm during the Covid period, I knew I wanted to make the most of it. Like many people, I had been watching flight prices climb, so I started looking for a way to stretch the value of this prize and still enjoy a proper winter‑sun escape. The solution was a twin‑centre holiday. Often, you can add a second destination for not much more than the cost of a single‑centre trip, and the added bonus is that your holiday does not feel “over” after the first stop. For this mid‑June getaway, outside school holidays, I chose a combination of Mauritius and Dubai and took my wife, Becky, with me. We flew with Emirates from Stansted in economy, spent 4 nights at Sunrise Attitude in Mauritius on an all inclusive basis, then finished with 2 nights at The St. Regis Dubai, The Palm on bed and breakfast.
Sunrise Attitude, Mauritius: Slow‑Down, Switch‑Off, Swim‑Up
The journey to Mauritius took around 12 hours via Dubai, and the flights were surprisingly busy for a non‑school holiday period. On arrival we were met by our driver for the 90‑minute transfer to the hotel, travelling through lush countryside and traditional fishing villages that immediately set the scene.
At Sunrise Attitude, we were welcomed with chilled towels and a refreshing drink. Even better, our room was ready despite us arriving early in the morning. The team were warm and genuine throughout our stay, and we even had the chance to meet the General Manager.
Our Private Pool Room
We stayed in room 3008, a private pool room that quickly became our little sanctuary:
- Spacious, stylish interior with a relaxed, modern island feel
- Beautiful bathroom with thoughtful details
- A private pool just for us, ideal for a quiet dip at any time of day
If your budget allows, this room type is absolutely worth it.
One of the most impressive aspects of Sunrise Attitude is how flexible it is with arrival and departure. As soon as you are checked in, you can start using your meal plan; there is no waiting until mid‑afternoon. There is also no fixed check‑out time, so you can continue to enjoy meals right up until you leave. On a late departure day that makes a massive difference and, in my opinion, is a real unique selling point.
Adults‑Only, Eco‑Friendly & TV‑Free
Sunrise Attitude is a 4‑star, adults‑only hotel on the east coast near Belle Mare, just across the road from a beautiful beach. There is a “no TV” concept, which encourages you to genuinely switch off and enjoy your surroundings.
Key features include:
- 8 private pool villas
- 28 swim‑up rooms
- Several other room categories
- A strong sustainability focus, with no plastic allowed on property
It feels relaxed, contemporary and very much in tune with its environment.
Food: From Buffet to Street‑Food Style
The hotel offers a really appealing mix of dining options:
The Market (main restaurant)
Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, The Market has live cooking stations and
a mix of local and international dishes. You do not need reservations and lunch
is served a la carte, which we really enjoyed.
The Social House
A great option for healthy dishes, vegan choices and traditional buffet
breakfasts. In the evening it turns into a tapas‑style restaurant with a laid‑back
lounge atmosphere. Dinner does require a reservation.
Kot Nou (signature restaurant)
Open for dinner only, Kot Nou specialises in Mauritian classics with a creative
twist, served as tapas. Think green papaya salad, chilli cakes and chicken
skewers with tandoori spices. You can sit indoors or outdoors and, again, you
need to book for dinner.
Taba‑J (local street food)
This is where Sunrise Attitude really brings Mauritian street‑food culture to
life. Rotis, faratas, dholl puris and traditional sweets are served from 3–6 pm
by the sand. It is casual, authentic and a real highlight if you want to eat
like a local.
Experiences & “Dinner with a Local Family”
There is a full programme of land and water sports, as well as more immersive experiences. One that really stood out to me, but which we sadly missed because it fell on our departure day, was “Dinner with a Local Family”.
You are welcomed into the home of an Attitude “Family Member” for an evening of cooking, eating and chatting together. You can help prepare dishes like chilli bites or faratas if you want to, and each family offers something slightly different. At around £40 per person it is not only good value, but guests often describe it as the best part of their stay. It is firmly on my list for next time.
The resort also has 3 bars, 2 swimming pools and a spa. Overall, Sunrise Attitude felt perfect for couples and honeymooners looking for a relaxed, eco‑conscious escape with a real sense of place. After 4 very easy days there, it was time to swap palm‑fringed beaches for a glittering skyline.
The St. Regis Dubai, The Palm: Suite Dreams & Skyline Scenes
Our onward flight from Mauritius to Dubai took just over 6 hours and we landed just before midnight into a balmy 35°C. We had arranged private transfers, which made arrival at that hour very smooth.
Around 30 minutes later we pulled up at The St. Regis Dubai, The Palm and checked into room 722, a Deluxe King City View.
Room With A View
Our room was exactly what you imagine from a St. Regis:
- Floor‑to‑ceiling views out over the Palm and the Dubai skyline
- A beautifully designed bathroom with a real sense of luxury
- Elegant, comfortable furnishings and thoughtful touches throughout
Breakfast the next morning lived up to expectations, with an excellent spread of hot and cold options and plenty of choice whether you prefer something light or a full cooked start to the day.
I met with Fady, who had organised my prize stay, and he kindly showed me around a variety of room types, including the presidential suite. The standard of the rooms and the level of service really impressed me.
“The View” & A Mall On Your Doorstep
Fady also arranged tickets for The View, the 360‑degree observation deck on level 52 of the Palm Tower, 240 metres above Palm Jumeirah.
From the outdoor terrace and lounge area you get incredible panoramic views over the Palm, the Arabian Gulf and the city beyond. It is the best way to appreciate the sheer scale and design of Palm Jumeirah, and to pick out both famous landmarks and lesser‑known corners of Dubai. At the time of our visit tickets were around 100 AED per person, though prices are subject to change.
One of the big advantages of staying here is the direct connection to Nakheel Mall. You have:
- Over 140 shops, including Waitrose and Marks & Spencer
- A food hall
- More than 30 restaurants and cafés
All of this is within the same complex, so you can shop and dine without needing to leave the Palm. We also ate in Dubai Mall and were pleasantly surprised by how reasonably priced many of the food options were.
We did not manage to visit KYMA Beach Club, which is linked to the hotel, purely due to lack of time. It is another reason we would love to return for a longer stay.
The St. Regis Dubai, The Palm works beautifully for couples, families, solo travellers and business guests. It feels glamorous yet welcoming, with everything you need right on your doorstep.
Why I Would Do It Again
We both came away wishing we had at least one more night at The St. Regis Dubai, The Palm. It is a genuinely impressive property and one we would happily revisit.
Combining Mauritius and Dubai on one itinerary gave us the best of both worlds:
- Laid‑back, sustainable island life with a strong local flavour at Sunrise Attitude
- Slick, city‑style luxury with iconic views and world‑class shopping at The St. Regis Dubai, The Palm
All wrapped into a twin‑centre holiday that made my prize stay go further and turned rising air fares into an opportunity to see more.
For anyone looking to stretch their budget, experience two very
different destinations and avoid that “post‑holiday comedown” after just one
stop, a twin‑centre like this is well worth considering.
