Mauritius Laid Back Holiday Options
Mauritius Rest Easy
Believe it or not it is possible to go camping in Mauritius but for 99 per cent of visitors the big appeal is the island’s collection of luxury hotels. There is plenty of all-inclusive too.
Mauritius has a long established reputation for offering the ultimate in hotels and resorts. Combined with a steadfast policy of schedule-one flights, this Indian Ocean hideaway has resisted the mass marketing and gone for quality over quantity with hospitality at the top of agenda. However that does not mean to say that it’s only the rich and famous who relax by the pool, eat gourmet cuisine and indulge in spa treatments, though of course the do!
Les Pavillons Resort Mauritius Pool By Night
Along with the exclusive five star resorts, there is an enticing range of three and four star properties, a few high-end-all-inclusive, and increasing number of rustic lodges, self-catering villas and bungalows.
In the current economic climate, there are many good deals to be had, especially at the top hotels such as room upgrade, free nights and spouse-goes-free offers.
Flagship resorts such as One&Only Le Saint Geran, Le Touessrok and the Royal Palm have held the high ground in opulence for many years, though there are many new contenders. The luxurious St. Regis Mauritius opens its doors later this year, while the Maradiva Villas Resort & Spa. The Oberoi, The Residence, Grand Mauritian Resort & Spa and the Four Seasons Resort Mauritius at Anahita are all serious contenders for the ultimate luxury.
And it’s not all high flies and honeymooners who check in. these resorts are surprisingly well balanced with facilities for families, sporty types and those just looking for a laid back holiday.
There are a handful of hotel groups which dominate the island. Beachcomber Hotels has eight properties on the island including the five-star Dinarobin Hotel & Spa which has just been refurbished.
Naiade Resorts has six hotels in Mauritius and a further two on Reunion ranging from five-stars like Les Pavillons to the trendy all-inclusive Tamassa which combines traditional architecture with contemporary flair.
Le Touessrok Mauritius North Pool
Constance Hotels has Le Prince Maurice and Belle Mare Plage, both beautiful high-end properties, while Sun Resorts has Le Touessrok, Sugar Beach Resort and La Pirogue.
Veranda Resorts has re-branded its upmarket offerings Heritage Resorts with the birth of the Heritage Awaii Golf & Spa Resort.
The Maritim Hotel has reopened after a £25 million refurbishment. Newly extended and designed rooms have more of a Mauritian feel and there is a new fine dining restaurant called Chateau Mon Desir, a Tropical Flower Spa and equestrian centre.
Previously managed by Tag Exotica, Maradiva Villas Resort and spa is back under family management. Private villas have plunge pools and open dining terraces. There is an extensive kid club complete with priate ship and a wide range of spa treatments and healing therapies.
Although Mauritius has far from embraced the all-inclusive concept, it does not exist if you look hard enough. Beachcomber hotel’s Shandrani became the first five-star all-inclusive resort in Mauritius. Many resort offer premium all-inclusive style package such as Naiade’s ‘Our Gourmet Tour’ package at Les Pavillons.
Mauritius has never fallen for the ubiquitous fashion for boutique hotels, but it does have the lovely Paul & Virginie, owned by Veranda Resorts and 20 degrees Sud, both close to Grand Baie in the north. Calodyne sur Mer, also near Grand Baie, re-opened last year as a three-star plus resort with a brand new spa and fitness centre, a la carte restaurant, two bars and kitesurfing centre.
Mid range or three-star hotels include the Blue Lagoon Beach Hotel, Coin de Mire, Silver beach, Le Tropical and Merville Beach.
You can find a self-catering bungalow or villa near Trou aux Biches beach, though be aware, that as an island nation, most food are imported, so western style food is anything from 25% to 185% more expensive here. If you are prepared to go more local with dals and vegetables, thing are very cheap.
A Coeur Bois is a forest village near the Piton de La Petite Riviere Norie, the highest peak in Mauritius (828m) where you can lay your head in Les Chalet en Champagne, a complex of mountain cottages.
If you want something a bit more Ray Mears, Domaine Anse Jonchee has African style bungalows you can stay in overnight or you can bring your tent and camp in the Black River Gorges National Park.
you said:
Although Mauritius has far from embraced the all-inclusive concept, it does not exist if you look hard enough.
I think you mean:
Although Mauritius has far from embraced the all-inclusive concept, it does exist if you look hard enough.
Well there are option but still very limited as this is very luxury destination, i was checking around for all inclusive and managed to find some and one good one which La Palmeraie Hotel Mauritius 4* plus “7 nights from £899 per person, Superior Room – ALL INCLUSIVE – Air Seychelles”