Magical Mauritius
Never were a truer word said. When you’re on the island of Mauritius, the rest of the world suddenly seems irrelevant and quite unnecessary. It is pure paradise, in the truest sense of the word. Located in the vast Indian Ocean just east of Madagascar, this small island (28 miles by 40 miles) offers travellers the chance to experience their own version of heaven. Be prepared to cry when it’s time to leave.
Don’t believe the misconception that Mauritius is just about the beaches, because it has so much more to offer. You can swim with dolphins in the wild, walk alongside giant tortoises, zip line, browse colourful local markets, visit museums, trek sumptuous jungle routes, hire a car and road trip, cycle through lush vegetation, watch the sun setting from a catamaran, whale watch, dive into waterfalls and so much more.
On my latest educational trip to Mauritius, I visited 11 stunning properties, so here’s a snippet of my thoughts:
The Four Seasons Resort Mauritius at Anahita offers villa accommodation, with each villa boasting its own private pool. If you envisage pure luxury, this hotel epitomises it in every facet. I loved this hotel so much I only had two hours sleep the night I stayed here, because I didn’t want to miss a single moment! The food is up there with the best I’ve ever had, and I was blown away by the consistency of the excellent service, friendly attitude and warm welcome. I’ll treasure memories of the exhilarating speedboat ride over to Ile Aux Cerfs where the colour of the water is mesmerising blue and watching the sunrise turn the sky golden.
Constance Prince Maurice is a member of the Leading Hotels of the World, and it’s easy to see why. Gracious, elegant luxury pervades this exclusive resort. There is an impressive wine cellar boasting over 25,000 bottles, ideal for wine tasting. The grounds and rooms are immaculately kept, and the large villas here are ideal for families or groups. Golfers can enjoy a round of golf on the two courses at the nearby sister resort. Maradiva Villas have a picture-perfect view of the Le Morne peninsula in the distance, and the beach here is unforgettably beautiful. Each villa has its own private plunge pool, so it’s ideal for couples who want total privacy and tranquillity. Quirky touches like the Rolls-Royce used for day trips around the island, and well-stocked gin bar, mean that you’ll feel like royalty staying here. Families are equally welcome with a kid’s club and spacious two-bedroom villas to accommodate everyone.
Sakoa is a small, intimate boutique hotel situated on one of the best beaches on the island, Trou Aux Biches. It’s perfect for couples, with such a romantic setting, and has a genuine authentically Mauritian rustic feel to it. The town of Grand Baie is only 10 minutes away, so if you like exploring and eating out, then the location’s ideal. This is the hotel I’ve been dreaming of since coming back!
LUX* Grand Gaube is immaculately designed by Kelly Hoppen and is possibly the most ‘Instagram worthy’ place I’ve ever been! It oozes super chic décor and interiors, as well as being situated on a stunning stretch of beach. The spa is sumptuous, there’s a fun kids club, the food is out of this world, they have a specialist coffee shop, and there are gin and rum bars to tempt you. An adult only pool and wing of the hotel allows couples their privacy, but I’d really recommend this funky hotel to families - this is the hotel I’d bring my son to, any time.
St Regis has a grown-up look and feel and sets the benchmark for what a 5-star property should offer. I loved the private villas here, ideal for families and groups. We had a BBQ dinner with toes in the sand on the beach and the food was superb. The threads of luxury weave through the whole resort, and the spa here is jaw-dropping. Families are welcome, and the kids and teens clubs are also spot on.
Ravenella Attitude is an authentic tropical paradise hotel - completely laid back, relaxed and cool. It’s the perfect place for sundowners and barefoot walks on the beach. I loved the emphasis on cuisine with a wide array of restaurants. Choose from 8 dining venues as well as cooking classes, dinner in a local home, market visits and culture and heritage tours.
LUX* Belle Mare has also been treated to the Kelly Hoppen magic design wand, with funky interiors and public spaces. The rum shack stocks over 150 rums, and it’s home to one of the island’s largest swimming pools. It’s got a family-friendly feel, but there’s also an adults-only area of the beach. I loved the pop-up beach cinema, speciality tearoom and PADI dive centre, and was really wowed by the food here.
Westin Turtle Bay has an excellent coral reef in front of the hotel, providing snorkelling opportunities aplenty - it's called Turtle Bay for a reason! Rooms here are very spacious with signature 'Heavenly Beds' (like sleeping on a cloud) and 'Heavenly Baths', and there’s a peaceful adult only pool area.
Outrigger Hotel offers great family-friendly facilities, a selection of pools and a superb beach. Families are well catered for here with nice touches like a kids-only seating area in the restaurant, and excellent kids club facilities. If staying as a couple, it's worth upgrading rooms to allow access to the private club area, for a more secluded luxury getaway.
Club Med La Plantation D'Albion has all the bells and whistles you’d expect of a ClubMed property. An adults-only zen area provides peace and quiet, but there are so many activities for both kids and adults to partake in, you’ll not be bored for a minute.
You can fly to Mauritius from various UK airports, there are direct services from London Gatwick with BA and Heathrow with Air Mauritius (who are due to renew their fleet next year which is long overdue and exciting news). You can connect via Dubai with Emirates from regional airports - opening the possibility of a twin-centre here. And if you’re considering a safari with a beach break at the end, then flights work out well for combining Mauritius with South Africa.
Having now visited a total of 19 hotels on the island of Mauritius, I am the perfect person to help plan your next trip to this dream island, whether it’s for a honeymoon, anniversary, family break or golf trip. Just call me to discuss! 02920 003530.