QUIET MOMENTS
Quiet Moments - Luxury Travel Magazine
 | |||||
Quiet Moments | |||||
| By: Alice Coomans, Issue 33 – Summer 2008 | |||||
| (Club Med – Mauritius) | |||||
| WITH THE OPENING OF THE FIRST FIVE ‘TRIDENT’ RESORT IN MAURITIUS, CLUB MED IS ACTING ALL GROWN UP. | |||||
| It is a moment of quiet: I am floating in a turquoise infinity pool in the south of France. Perfect green grass carpets the undulating golf course in front of me, and an olive grove stretches across the slope behind. The sun is setting on this hot Summer’s day, the last rays of light are gliding across the still water in a golden dance, and there is not a child in sight – I can’t even hear one. What makes this very adult moment most extraordinary is the fact I am staying at Club Med Opio en Provence, a 15min drive from Cannes, it is Bastille Day weekend, and the Club is fully booked. The last thing I was expecting upon checking into Club Med was an adults-only pool, aptly titled the ‘Calm Pool’, perfect for a moment of quiet reflection. Club Med fosters a strong family-friendly environment – when I arrived at Club Med Opio there are pirates and fairies swarming reception, and more sounds of laughing children float from the nearby doorway – but since 2003 there has been a shift, to include more ‘adult’ comforts to cater for the discerning traveller. For the luxury traveller this still means positioning yourself in the top-end suites, and being ready to fetch your own dinner from the buffet, but it also definitely means a Club Med experience with a difference. The new La Plantation d’Albion, on the west coast of Mauritius, is the flagship Club Med for this new level of deluxe experience. It opened in August 2007, with 266 rooms. It is the only Club Med rated five ‘tridents’ (a self-rating given to all of its properties worldwide by Club Med), and d’Albion does not provide supervision for children – although they are welcome. How does five trident compare to five star? While some of the requirements are the same, it is not a direct comparison, and some of the services you would expect to find at a regular five star resort are not available at Club Med, for example 24-hour room service. The Club Med requirements for five tridents are: an exceptional location; an innovative architectural concept; spacious rooms; the option of personalised services, and an exceptional range of sport, relaxation, and discovery activities. This is combined with the traditional Club Med all-inclusive experience, so luxury-lovers will still find much to appreciate. Club Med have branded their experience ‘friendly luxury’. Sitting in the main restaurant at La Plantation d’Albion looking out over the Indian Ocean, visitors are sure to agree Club Med have chosen an exceptional location. There is a large stretch of beach, and Club Med has added to the expansive water sports menu, with two pools (one the ‘peaceful’ pool – for those quiet moments). The Cinq Mondes Club Med Spa also looks out over the ocean, and comes complete with sauna, Zen tearoom, and a relaxation terrace. There are also three bars – one poolside, one-beach side, and one under the palms – so there are plenty of places to recline in style and watch the waves. The 30 suites are decorated in warm colours, and have a main bedroom, ensuite, lounge, and deck. They all have a private garden (some facing the sea), large skylight in the bathroom and a deep freestanding bath, a king-sized bed, mini bar, and flat screen TV. Suite guests also have the option of room service for breakfast only. To complete the experience there are private taxi transfers for those staying in the suites, and your room key will be given to you midtransfer to ensure no waiting around on arrival. The Albion resort also introduces a new concept for those who require more space and privacy: 40 villas all with private swimming pools. The villas will be sold privately, and then rented to guests who will be able to wander across to the nearby resort. For all those who imagine they know what Club Med is about, La Plantation d’Albion may be the reason to reconsider your expectations – at this resort Club Med is acting all grown up. | |||||
| Details: Club Med, Mauritius: www.clubmed.com.au | |||||
|
