12 May 2020

There’s no escaping it, it’s a strange old time. Who knew that just a few months into 2020 we’d be in ‘lockdown’, unable to enjoy even the small day to day things such as a quick coffee with friends or popping in to see our parents, let alone our holidays, travel and far flung adventures. Things we used to take for granted now seem more precious than ever. So when we are allowed to travel again it’s more important than ever that we get the very most out of our trips; and that’s where hotel hopping comes in. OK, it does mean you have to pack your suitcase a couple of times, but bear with me - it's well worth it, I promise! My first trip to Mauritius in 2014 was just 9 nights and in the midst of a very busy year my partner wanted it to be a typical ‘fly and flop’ holiday. He is also half Mauritian, lived there as a kid, and had visited several times since then, so his appetite for exploring and adventure wasn’t quite the same as mine! It wasn’t a huge problem, give me a cocktail (or three) and a good book and I’ll happily lie on the beach for most the day basking in the sun. But it did seem like a bit of a wasted opportunity. Sixteen hours on two planes to this amazing country, just to lie on the same beach, with the same view, the same restaurants, the same room... Surely there’s a way to see more of the island without spending all our time on day trips. And this is where hotel hopping comes in. It had never occurred to me to stay at more than one hotel. When you go on a typical beach holiday you pick a destination and then pick a hotel and that’s it right? OK it might be different when you plan an adventure holiday but when you’re planning a ‘fly and flop’ trip you just stay in the same place for 7, 10, 14 nights don’t you? But why? Why not stay at 2 or 3 or even 4 different hotels and experience so much more of the country you’re staying in? It can also be a great way to make your budget work even harder for you. Maybe that incredible but eye wateringly expensive hotel is out of budget for 10-14 nights but if you’re clever selecting your other hotel(s) you might be able to get a couple of nights there to start or end your trip in style! We spent the first 3 nights of our Mauritius trip at The Royal Palm, our budget wouldn’t stretch to a 9 night stay there but it was an amazing way to start our holiday and I’m so pleased we were able to sneak a few days there. It’s a small, adults only, boutique hotel on the north coast of the island with just one restaurant, and although it’s one of my favourite places in the world, it actually might have been a little bit too small for me if we had stayed for all 9 nights, so moving onto the much bigger Trou aux Biches hotel was the perfect next stop. The vibe, the restaurants, the views, the people, the staff, the drinks, the room, the snorkelling were all completely different and it felt like being on an entirely different holiday. After 3 nights there I couldn’t wait for the next part of our adventure! We travelled through the capital, spending a day there, before landing in the very South West of the island at Beachcomber Paradis Hotel nestled at the foot of Le Morne mountain. What a spectacular view. Those that know me know I’m rarely speechless, but the first time I sat on the hotel’s boat and looked back to the shore towards the hotel sat in the shadows of this incredibly impressive mountain, even I was lost for words – briefly!! We made the most of our new location and spent a morning up the mountain enjoying breathtaking views before settling down for a picnic. We were also able to visit Tamarin and Black River, over an hour and a half away from our first hotel but just 30 minutes from Le Morne. Since that trip I’ve only been on one long haul trip that hasn’t involved at least one hotel hop, and I really missed my mid week adventure to a new destination! I know it might seem a bit daunting, especially if you’re traveling with little ones, and it won’t be right for everyone, but next time you’re booking a trip why not at least have a chat with me about it? I can organise all of your transfers, make sure your hotel check in’s are as smooth as possible, print and deliver all of your hotel vouchers and travel documents before you go, make sure you have access to your itinerary on the Travel Counsellors app and be available for any questions or issues at all times of the day and night. Let me know if you’re a hotel hopper and if it worked for you! I’d love to hear from those of you who have done this kind of thing before.