MAURITIUS
Mauritius - Luxury Travel Magazine
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Delicious Mauritius | |||||
| By: Susan Gough Henly, Issue 38 – Autumn 2009 | |||||
| (Mauritius) | |||||
| WANTING A DELECTABLE ISLAND HOLIDAY ESCAPE? CONSIDER SOME FIVE STAR OPTIONS ON MAURITIUS. | |||||
| Mauritius may be just a tiny emerald green dot in the Indian Ocean but it punches well above its weight with charms, both physical and cultural. From the plane on the trip in, I marvel at the sights below: lush green fields of sugar cane, framed by a necklace of jagged volcanic mountains, and surrounded by aquamarine lagoons rimmed with some of the longest unbroken coral reef in the world. At ground level, I get a crash course on this island nation’s fascinating multicultural heritage as my taxi driver zips down the left-hand-side of the road, past colourful Hindu temples, mosques and churches, not to mention pretty white-sand beaches, the strains of mellifluous Creole music on the radio courtesy of the French-speaking disc jockey. Just exactly where are we, I wonder. First discovered by Arab traders and settled successively by the Dutch, who brought sugar cane and Java deer, then the French, who gave their language and their culture, and finally the British, who abolished slavery and introduced the Indians, Mauritius has been an independent democracy since 1967. Since then, the country has amassed an impressive array of five star resorts offering golf, spas, beaches and fine cuisine, not to mention alluring tax incentives and Mauritian citizenship for foreigners who decide to buy a piece of paradise. Yet while Mauritius might remind you a little bit of everywhere, it is the passionate gyrating rhythms of its unique Sega dancing, performed by beautiful young men and women in flower bright ruffles, that seduces all who come under its spell. So no matter how fancy your resort, you must seek out the Sega dance in order for Mauritius to touch your soul. Four Seasons Resort Mauritius at Anahita An Ernie Els designed golf course, the longest in the country, is the centrepiece of the brand-new all-suite Four Seasons Resort, which also offers home and condominium ownership, on the island’s east coast. Its golf academy with full-service stroke analysis based on video footage from every angle, is so appealing it helps me get over my novice jitters. The sleek-lined resort foyer has striking sculptures and water features created from a traditional Mauritian barrachoisor fish corral. Open-air thatched-roof pavilions house a reception area, bar, and the Beau Champ flagship restaurant, offering southern French cuisine and an impressive wine cellar. Located on the hotel’s own island, Ile aux Chats, 123 stucco shingle-roofed villas are set amongst fragrant gardens overflowing with colourful tropical indigenous plants. I love the orange-draped day beds, slate terraces, cloud-like king size beds and spacious bathrooms with spa baths, and indoor and outdoor showers in private courtyards. Also on the island is the palm-tree-dotted pool beside the man-made lagoon beach, a water sports centre and the casual Bambou beachfront restaurant. Nearby, overlooking the lagoon is the Four Season’s Spa as well as Acquapazza, the resort’s Italian restaurant specialising in seafood. Every hour a free shuttle takes guests over to the nearby Ile aux Cerfs, which offers more pretty beaches. In addition to a state-of-the-art fitness centre and lap pool, the resort also offers impressive facilities for the younger set, including a Hobbit village complete with drama and cooking classes and a teen centre with DJ booth, pool table, Xbox, Wii and lounge. Luxury Loves: the call-up snack cart and holes 4, 17 and 18 on the Ernie Els course, which have marvellous views. Luxury would like: yoga classes elsewhere than the very hot, unshaded deck of the Spa. Luxury tip: Villas 48 – 52 are close to everything...the beach, the restaurants, the spa. | |||||
| Le Telfair Golf and Spa Resort | |||||
| I feel like I’ve walked into a colonial estate as I enter the foyer of Le Telfair with its wooden cathedral ceiling, antique writing desks and intricate mosaic-tiled floors. And that would not be far from the truth since the resort is named after Irish botanist, Charles Telfair on whose Bel Ombre sugar plantation the resort now stands, its veranda balustrades and white shutters exuding an airy Empire meets-the-tropics charm. A member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, Le Telfair has 158 rooms and 20 villas, furnished in classy understated tones, set amidst lush gardens of palms and frangipanis on the south-western tip of Mauritius. We enjoy relaxing over cocktails to the strains of a jazz quartet at the open air Cavendish Bar, its high ceilings whimsically patterned with Irish crests. A large central pool overlooks a long sandy beach with plenty of day beds for lounging and boats of all persuasions at the water sports centre. Annabella’s is the airy main restaurant specialising in Italian dishes. Down by the beach, Ging’ko offers Japanese and pan-Asian cuisine while across the road, the Chateau de Bel Ombre homestead, built from volcanic stone under a spreading Chinese banyan tree, offers Mauritian- inspired cuisine in its wood-panelled dining room and romantic verandas. The spacious Six Senses Spa exudes a bucolic calm amidst pretty gardens. There are floodlit tennis courts, a fully-equipped gym and the golf course undulates on green fairways beneath volcanic peaks. Luxury loves: the couples’ spa retreats with central massage area surrounded by a moat, plus open-air spa bath and day bed. Luxury would like: larger outdoor shower spaces in the downstairs suites. Luxury tip: Enjoy dinner at the atmospheric Chateau Bel Ombre watching the sunset over manicured lawns. | |||||
| Taj Exotica Resort and Spa | |||||
| The Taj Exotica on the west coast of Mauritius was the first property in the country to offer an all-suite experience. Needless to say, couples are the predominant clientele. On arrival, I feel immediately transported to the exotic with the resort’s heady mixture of Mauritian, Indian and Moorish architectural influences. Sixty-five 163 square-metre suites, fashioned from khaki stucco with steeply pitched Mauritian wood-shingled rooves, have plunge pools, day beds and spacious outdoor living areas, in addition to large bedrooms and bathrooms, including outdoor showers. Coast2Coast is the delightful multi-purpose lounging and dining area that opens onto an infinity pool and a wide sandy beach with splendid views of Le Morne mountain in the distance. The décor is modern eclectic with a fusion of exotic influences, while the cuisine offers a blend of Mediterranean and Mauritian dishes. There are no buffet meals; even breakfast is a la carte. Cilantro is another dining and bar area surrounding a pretty courtyard and offers pan-Asian cuisine. We enjoy watching the chefs in action in the special teppanyaki pavilion. The Jiva Spa is set around a tranquil internal courtyard and pool, with a yoga pavilion, a laconium and hamam as well as a fitness centre. The highlight here is a comprehensive Ayurvedic wellness program. Luxury loves: the laid back vibe at Coast2Coast, and the pretty beach. Luxury would like: a few more trees dotted around the property as it can get pretty hot. Luxury tip: Have a private dinner in your suite’s spacious outdoor living area and pop in and out of your plunge pool. | |||||
| One & Only Le St. Geran | |||||
| Located on one of the finest coastal properties in Mauritius, a spectacular spit of land on the east coast, the One & Only St Geran was one of the first five star resorts in the country and maintains a loyal coterie of repeat guests. Upon arrival, we immediately sense the self-assurance that comes from a long history of success. Completely refurbished in 1999, the resort still features an airy two-storey arched foyer reached by crossing a moat replete with water birds and tropical fish. A mile-long fine white sand beach wraps around the peninsula to the lagoon, which is a perfect location for water-skiing. There are extravagant dining options including Alain Ducasse’s Spoon des Iles offering foods of the world matched with fine wines, and beside the lagoon, Vineet Bhatia’s atmospheric Indian restaurant Rasoi, with its theatrical kitchen complete with Indian grill and open tandoor. A bevy of designer shops are also on offer. All the 148 junior suites, 14 two-room ocean suites and one villa overlook either the Indian Ocean or the lagoon and have 24-hour butler service. There is a Gary Player-designed nine- hole golf course, tennis courts and luxurious spa facilities and a free daily activity plan including adventures such as glass bottom boat excursions, snorkelling and windsurfing. | |||||
| Le Constance Prince Maurice | |||||
| Named after the Dutch prince after whom Mauritius is named, Le Constance Prince Maurice is located on a gorgeous 60-hectare waterfront property not far from Le Saint Geran on the East Coast. We enter via a grand open-sided thatched-roofed entrance foyer, which overlooks a large infinity pool that appears to empty right into a tranquil lagoon. Immediately we feel enveloped in an atmosphere of understated luxurious calm. There are 76 junior suites, 12 senior suites and one princely suite. All are spacious; some have plunge pools while others are located on stilts above the lagoon. Also floating on the lagoon is Le Barachois, a romantic restaurant that makes you feel like you are floating on the very edge of the earth. The main restaurant, L’Archipel, has both a la carte and themed menus while a Japanese lounge bar rounds out the offerings. The Guerlain Spa offers all the style and rigour of this famous Parisian house of beauty. We enjoyed treatments after days sailing the balmy Indian Ocean and playing tennis. | |||||
| Details: | |||||
| Four Seasons Resort Mauritius at Anahita | |||||
| Le Telfair Golf and Spa Resort | |||||
| Taj Exotica Resort & Spa | |||||
| One & Only Le St Geran | |||||
| Le Constance Prince Maurice | |||||
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