02 November 2022

This summer I jetted off with the family to Mauritius, an Indian Ocean island that had been on my bucket list since visiting the Maldives several years ago. With long-haul holidays having been off limits for some time due to Covid and having a young family, I was itching to be back on faraway land. As it was a family trip, there were several boxes that needed to be ticked. Family-friendly hotel. Delicious food. Reputable kids club. Exciting excursions. Warm weather. After much research we settled on Sugar Beach Resort, a five-star hotel located on Flic en Flac beach on the West Coast of Mauritius promising all of the above and more. Following a seamless 12-hour overnight flight with British Airways and a 45 minute transfer, we arrived at the resort feeling surprisingly fresh-faced. The friendly staff greeted us in the stylish, recently-renovated lobby with a homemade iced tea and as I stood soaking up the spectacular views of the pool and beach beyond, I felt a lump rising in my throat - perhaps in the realisation that our holiday was actually happening after years of Covid chaos and cancellations. Here I was finally back in my happy place, experiencing the magic of travel once again. From that moment on, everything about our 12 days away was idyllic. From the immaculate accommodation, gorgeous grounds and beautiful beach of Sugar Beach, to the extensive range of island excursions available across the island, there was something for everyone. Between Sugar Beach and its sister hotel La Piroque next door (guests can use the facilities of both hotels), there was more than enough to keep the whole family entertained day and night. Our children revelled in the freedom that the resort allowed them, running freely to and from the kids club where they enjoyed crab hunting, glass bottom boat trips, treasure hunts, crafts, cinema screenings and more with the friends they met along the way. The pools, though fresh in temperature, were a huge hit as were the complimentary water-sports on the beach. We even used the hotel gym which is the largest on the island. As a special treat for my little boy’s 6th birthday, we booked a full-day boat trip to swim alongside wild dolphins followed by a BBQ lunch on a remote paradise island. To be within touching distance of dolphins felt like a once-in-a-lifetime experience and certainly set the birthday bar very high! We also paid a visit to Casela Nature Park where the children got up close and personal with giraffes, giant tortoises and many other exotic animals, alongside adventure rides and zip wires. Holidays are all about creating magical memories and we came home with a suitcase stuffed full of them. Mauritius well and truly stole our hearts as a summer holiday destination, so much so that we came close to rebooking for next year, but with so many other places still on the bucket list we might have to save it for another year.