Mauritius is renowned for its natural beauty, its glorious tropical climate and its top class hotels - designed to impress from the moment you arrive, often via sweeping palm-lined drives to large open-plan marbled lobbies with views across enticing swimming pools to the sparkling Indian Ocean. Careful planning ensures an unspoilt waterfront and exclusive ambience around the whole island.
Mauritian hospitality & service – what is Mauritius doing so right?
You will receive a welcome as warm as the sun from professional, globally respected staff, who have chosen luxury tourism as their career. Along with the development of hotels, Mauritius has cleverly embarked on parallel staff training that includes, the Ecole Hôtelière Sir Gaëtan Duval (formerly Hotel School of Mauritius), Beachcomber’s Training Academy, set up in 1988, and Westin (part of the global Starwood brand) through its world-class training and development programme.
Easy to get to – easy to get around
In less than 13 hours you can fly direct from London to Mauritius with airlines such as British Airways and Air Mauritius. With just one stop your selection expands to Emirates via the Middle East (ideal for a two centre) with departures from regional UK airports too and Air France and Turkish Airlines also offer good services. Once landed at SSR International in the south-east you will find speedy car transfers with even the furthest north east area taking just 1.5 hours which is worth noting if you have tired children after a long flight. If you fancy hiring a car this is easily arranged and they drive on the left; the roads and signposting are generally good and apart from the busy capital of Port Louis traffic, is light. If you prefer to be chauffeur driven this is easily arranged and a driver for the day is very reasonable – he will also act as a great guide!
Where to stay
The choices are numerous and you are unlikely to make a ‘bad’ selection however let us make a few suggestions that may narrow it down a little.
Looking for honeymoon bliss
Looking for luxury with a generous sprinkling of romance? We’d suggest that Trou Biches Resort & Spa on the north-west coast is on your shortlist. This hotel is naturally sheltered from the trade winds and is set in a tropical garden along a pristine beach; facing west there are dramatic sunsets to accompany an early evening cocktail. Your accommodation will be in a stylish bungalow or villa reminiscent of a Mauritian beach house; the spa is pampering on another level, the sports are plentiful both in or out of the water and at most times of the year there is a fragrance that seems to caress your soul!
Seeking grown-up perfection?
One of the most prestigious addresses in Mauritius is The Royal Palm, and this fine, all-suite property sets itself in the distinctly superior category. Benefiting from a recent upgrade it is now even more impressive; accommodations evoke timeless elegance with fine fabrics, custom-crafted woods and atmospheric lighting. The resort is also home to award-winning cuisine in each of three outstanding restaurants presided over by French Chef Michel de Matteis. If you seek world-class service in every aspect of your holiday then you will be thrilled with this choice.
Like adult company and golf?
At an advantage from the off with a backdrop of the dramatic Morne Brabant Mountain, the high-status, celebrated property of Dinarobin Hotel Golf & Spa with its suites and villas is perfection for grown-ups with a passion for the links. You will find a tranquil, village style setting bordered by a sandy beach and exquisite lagoon; then there is the lure of a spectacular 18-hole, par 72 golf course in the hotel grounds as well as access to the golf academy and club at the neighbouring Paradis. To assure you of a totally grown up environment you can take one of the Club Suites in a dedicated adult-only area with private beach, swimming pool, Club, restaurant and other over 18’s benefits – bliss!
Taking the whole family?
Holidays for Mum & Dad are inextricably linked to content children. You will know what best suits the needs of your family however consistent across the board will be suitably comfortable accommodation – we love the great Deluxe Family room offered by Westin Turtle Bay Resort & Spa. You’ll find a generous 66 square metres plus a good sized balcony; we also like the thoughtful extra touches such as the Westin Kid’s Discover Kit along with daily cookies and marshmallows – yummy! Once out and about you’ll find a bright and spacious kid’s club for 4’s & above, a dedicated kid’s pool, a nice sandy beach which gently slopes to the sea and if you have older ones then the water sports will definitely appeal. Horse-lovers in your party? Excellent there are hacks from the Maritim next door which can be reached in a few minutes along the beach – look out for the giant tortoises that live in an enclosure by the stables.
Baby on board?
Children’s clubs and hotels with child-friendly facilities are plentiful however infants have different requirements and there are some great specialists. Heritage Resorts on the south coast offer superb amenities in the beautiful properties of Heritage Awali and Heritage le Telfair; they provide an exclusive Baby Club for the under 2s run by six highly trained nurses, 7-days a week and include a dedicated baby concierge to help you with all those necessities such as milk, wipes and nappies. So that you enjoy a totally carefree time you can advance order on larger items such as cots, car seats, changing tables, pushchairs etc. so it is worth doing a little advance planning.
Seeking beachfront with outdoor living?
The privilege of staying in a spacious island suite directly on soft white sands with the ocean only feet away is easily arranged on Mauritius. Take a look at the butler serviced, St. Regis Resort which sits on the glorious Le Morne Beach on the south west coast; this elegant five star property radiates light throughout its graceful colonial style buildings. Covering a massive 80sqm and sitting tantalisingly close to the water are their Beachfront Junior Suites which offer uninterrupted sea views from your bed, your sitting area and your outdoor terrace; the Beachfront St. Regis Suite adds another 4sqm and provides you with an additional indoor living area. For a family we’d recommend the even larger (152sqm) Beachfront St Regis Grand Suite with a host of extra features including a double width veranda. The ultimate, however, has to be the fully staffed St Regis Villa with its two suites, infinity pool, plunge pools, gym, hammam and close proximity to the ocean!
Whoever is in your party and whatever style you are looking for, you will find yourself spoilt for choice in Mauritius where hotels have set their standards high in every sector.
