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sweet dreams
Published in the January-March 2009 issue.
Mauritius isn’t short of fine hotels and resorts where you can get a good night’s sleep – and find plenty of daytime activities as well, says Elizabeth Markham.
The hotels and resorts of Mauritius are easily a match to any in the world, with the added advantage of being located in some of the most scenic parts of the island: dipping their toes in white sand beaches, and with their backs to the mountains of the interior. Many of the resorts shelter under swaying palm trees, and are set among immaculate gardens and lagoon-style swimming pools. With a range of restaurants and sunset bars, very fine full-service spas and a host of water sports and other activities on offer – some even with their own golf courses – visitors to Mauritius are certainly spoilt for choice.
The Grand Mauritian Resort & Spa
Embraced by the gently swaying sugarcane fields and the warm turquoise water of the Indian Ocean, and adjacent to a marine nature park, The Grand Mauritian invites you to experience the magic of Mauritian hospitality in a truly luxurious setting. Each of the 15 villas is designed to embrace the beauty of the resort’s spectacular beachfront setting, while all of the guestrooms and suites have a classic feel, though not without modern desirables such as flat-screen televisions. Spacious and airy marble bathrooms and dressing areas open up onto generous bedrooms and patio areas, the ideal spot to admire the natural reef below.
Spread over 10 hectares, The Grand Mauritian offers two swimming pools, a luxurious Mandara Spa, floodlit tennis courts and fitness centre with sauna and Jacuzzi. Explorers Club is a fully supervised indoor and outdoor playground catering to children aged between four and 12 years old. The resort also has staff available 24 hours a day to provide assistance with everything from restaurant reservations to sightseeing tours, scuba-diving trips and excursions.
A variety of dining venues harmonizes the work of award-winning Chef Stephane Brallet with indigenous flavours. Brezza offers a feast of Italian-inspired dishes in a casual yet romantic beachfront setting, while the international flare of Season invites guests into its modern kitchen for a truly interactive dining experience. Bar 68 is the perfect perch to take in a spot of live music while sipping an island cocktail, though Reflections’ poolside location makes it a favourite of swimmers looking to cool off with a refreshing drink and snack.
Heritage Golf & Spa Resort
This wonderful resort has drawn its inspiration from the melting pot of cultures and traditions on Mauritius. The architecture incorporates volcanic stone floors set against terracotta tiles and teak parquet floors, roofs clad with shingle and thatch, and sumptuous cabinetry fashioned out of local Filao wood. The resort’s deluxe rooms and suites open onto private terraces, a stone’s throw from the two swimming pools on the edge of a long beach of dazzling white sand. The bathrooms reflect the latest in contemporary design, with their square basins and oval baths framed in black stone. And the resort’s single villa is a true haven of comfort, its décor coming straight from Out of Africa, with its own terrace, private swimming pool and gazebo.
Situated on the magnificent Bel Ombre Estate, a former sugar plantation edged by translucent blue lagoons, the resort is much more than a luxury hotel; it’s a haven of peace and tranquillity. It boasts an 18-hole golf course and two of the most beautiful locations on the Indian Ocean dedicated to well-being: the Seven Colours Spa and Umuzi sports centre which, as well as a fully-equipped fitness centre, offers outdoor activities from table tennis to archery, tennis to volleyball and billiards. At The Boathouse, guests can enjoy a variety of complimentary water sports: sailing dinghies, pedal boats, kayaks, glass-bottomed boat rides and snorkelling. The resort also has a kids’ club for children between four and 12 years of age.
Les Pavillons
Les Pavillons is part of the Naiade group, which has several other wonderful properties in Mauritius. Les Pavillons is located close to the historic World Heritage site of Morne Brabant and bordered by white sandy beaches on a calm, turquoise lagoon. Built in 1997, Les Pavillons has been completely renovated in a sensitive manner that takes care of its surrounding environment. Combining natural and traditional materials and colours with modern amenities, the hotel unites the classic with the contemporary. Each guestroom and terrace provides guests with intimacy, comfort, and elegant but simple contemporary design.
Les Pavillons has several restaurants offering worldwide cuisine, from Thai and Mediterranean to Mauritian. From the veranda of the Nautilus, which opens out onto the lagoon, to the thatched roofed terrace of Obergine, the luxurious soberness of the Nipa and the show cooking of the Horizon, all the restaurants are a testimony to the hotel’s emphasis on delicious cuisine. Guests can also pamper themselves at the Nymphea Spa, which celebrates all the benefits of water. The spa retreat features the sound of waterfalls intertwined with a fusion of botanicals and minerals. Guests can enjoy the hydrotherapy and thermal suite with steam room, sauna and hot tub, or just relax by the infinity pool against the magnificent backdrop of Le Morne Mountain.
Les Pavillons also offers a variety of water sports, table tennis, tennis and volleyball, and the kids’ club Twinkle for children aged between 3 and 12 years of age, as well as the Djemble teens’ club.
Constance Le Prince Maurice
Le Prince Maurice is a luxurious five-star hotel set within 60 hectares of unspoilt land, amidst rare and luxuriant vegetation. Protected from the winds, this peninsula is a peaceful location offering a real sensation of exclusivity. Among the facilities is the adjacent Legend Golf Course at Belle Mare Plage, the innovative and cutting-edge Guerlain Spa, and the kids’ club Les Petits Princes, which welcomes children aged between four and 12 for organized activities under supervision.
The resort also has several dining venues. Laguna Bar overlooks the pool and beach, just the spot for some unique cocktails. L’Archipel Restaurant also overlooks the water, with some romantic al fresco areas and light, spicy à la carte gourmet meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner. With its spectacular setting and entrance navigated via a snaking gangplank through the mangrove trees, Le Barachois is a unique floating restaurant offering grills, seafood and Mauritian specialties for dinner.
The resort’s expansive Junior Suites offer beach-facing thatched accommodation, some on stilts over a natural fish reserve, with a bedroom and separate sitting area, terrace or balcony, and separate shower and bath. They include a bedroom with an indoor sitting area and a terrace or balcony, and a bathroom with double vanities, and separate shower and bath. Junior Suites with connecting corridors are also available. Senior Suites addditionally have an outdoor soaking bath and dining area, and some have private heated swimming pools. But for the full splurge, the Princely Suite comprises three consecutive suites with garden patio, mini kitchen for staff use, dining terrace and two swimming pools, all in a secluded part of the resort grounds.
The Residence Mauritius
The decoration of the oversized guestrooms and suites at The Residence is cool and elegant. The sun dances on the shutters creating shadows over the white and beige décor, honey-coloured wood and wrought iron. Guestroom bathrooms, of wood and marble, combine modern convenience with elegance. A butler is assigned to each guestroom to unpack luggage, run a bath and take care of laundry and ironing. In the evening, in a nice touch, warm ylang-ylang by the bedside casts a wonderful scent.
The resort’s 600-square-metre spa is a temple of relaxation dedicated to the wellbeing of mind and body, offering a wide choice of massages, custom-made programs and skincare treatments. Among the complimentary sports activities are tennis, volleyball, water-skiing, windsurfing, kayaking and snorkelling. Deep-sea fishing, scuba diving and catamarans are also available. Kids can make use of the complimentary Planters Kids’ Club, with a huge range of supervised activities, among which are glass-bottom boat tours, theme days, pony rides, and evening shows and movies.
The Residence also prides itself on its cuisine, in which native island produce is blended with diverse recipes from around the world in the three restaurants. The Bar is the pace to enjoy breakfast, high teas and evening live entertainment, and The Dining Room features the heady spices of Mauritius. The Verandah has light snacks overlooking the pool, while The Plantation on the oceanfront offers Creole and seafood dishes.
Royal Palm
The elegant Royal Palm is situated alongside one of the most beautiful beaches in Mauritius on the northern coast, and set in tropical gardens. A member of the Leading Hotels of the World, the Royal Palm delights guests with its hint of nostalgia and peaceful atmosphere. All 84 suites are decorated in soft natural tones, and have walk-in wardrobes and luxurious marble bathrooms. The interiors feature an eclectic fusion of traditional and modern, East and West, and private terraces offer spectacular views. Junior Suites feature one-bedroom accommodation, while lavish Tropical and Palm Suites, located on the first and ground floors respectively, feature a spacious living room. Garden Suites feature two bedrooms equipped with an elegant, en-suite bathroom, ideal for families travelling with children. For extra space and added luxury, there are also Senior, Penthouse and Presidential suites.
Celebrated for its award-winning cuisine, Royal Palm offers a tantalising culinary experience in any of its three restaurants, all of which offer à la carte menus with a choice of gourmet dishes. Royal Palms also has a Sports Centre with the latest in fitness equipment, tennis courts and squash, Pilates, steps, cardio and circuit training. Those who prefer water sports will enjoy the lagoon and its variety of water sports.
Royal Palm has also recently launched its new Spa by Clarins set in lush vegetation and sparkling water features, with cabins open onto private patios set in walled gardens.
Sugar Beach Resort
With over half a kilometre of sandy beaches, Sugar Beach covers more than 12 hectares featuring beautiful landscaped tropical gardens with contemporary plantation-style architecture. The buildings comprise the central reception, the Manor House and 16 villas, 10 with 12 rooms each and six with 10 rooms each.
Standard rooms have bath-with-shower, while Superior rooms have separate bath and rain shower. The resort also has two villa suites. Interior design complements the plantation theme of the resort, while maintaining a contemporary feel. Real mahogany furniture and magnificent king-size beds harmonise with the soft finishes in tones of pale green and beige.
Mon Plaisir Restaurant offers live cooking buffets featuring a variety of themed dinners and breakfasts, while the adjacent Mon Plaisir Bar is inspired by a typical French pavement café and is the ideal place for drinks.
Sugar Beach offers a large array of complimentary land and water activities, while other activities such as diving, horse riding and golf are also available for a nominal fee. The Spa comprises both single and coupes treatment rooms and has a dedicated Shiatsu treatment area. For the ultimate therapy, try the deluxe Hammam treatments including an exotic black soap massage. Sun Kids Club is free for all children aged between two and 11 years of age and has a variety of imaginative daily programs. Guests also have access to the facilities of La Pirogue, which is within walking distance.
Le Telfair Golf & Spa Resort
Located on the southwest coast, Le Telfair Golf & Spa Resort has been developed on the former sugar estate of Bel Ombre, adjoining one of the most pristine stretches of beach on the island. On the one side, the foothills of the Plaine Champagne mountains descend in a sheer drop of over 500 metres, while on the other side, the Indian Ocean stretches. The resort takes its inspiration from the colonial architecture of Mauritius’ grand sugar estate mansions, and exudes an atmosphere of elegance and romance. The guestrooms and suites are accommodated in villas of six or eight rooms, with butler service available 24 hours.
The resort offers a variety of restaurants – and guests are welcome to inspect the catch at the jetty brought in fresh by the fishermen, choose the seafood, and discuss with the chef how they would like it prepared. The signature restaurant, Annabella’s, offers a daily changing five-course choice dinner. Each dish is based on a taste of Telfair with an historical theme. The pleasure of dining is enhanced by stunning views of the mountains and the river from the restaurant.
Most activities at Le Telfair are complimentary, and include unlimited golf on the 18-hole championship course, a fitness centre, tennis courts, mountain bikes and the Ti’Marmite kids club for children aged between 2 and 11 years old. Water sports enthusiasts can try water-skiing, windsurfing, kayaking and pedal-boating, or discover the wonderful marine life on scuba diving, snorkelling or glass-bottom boat excursions. •
Photography courtesy Mauritius hotels and resorts.
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