Mauritius Welcomes You!
Our first stop and overnight sleep was at 4 Star La Pirogue on the West Coast. What a lovely hotel. I was most impressed that all rooms were at ground level. This hotel has will suit the honeymoon and family clients alike. It shares restaurants and water sports with its sister hotel, 5 Star Sugar Beach. Aptly named Sugar Beach as the colouring of the rooms remind me of tea/coffee and sugar! The colonial feel of Sugar Beach left a warm feeling in my heart not to mention the bath that is situated so you can see the ocean whilst relaxing in bubbles!
After a night at Sugar Beach, we made our way to the One&Only Le Saint Geran on the East Coast. This hotel will not disappoint you if you are expecting to be pampered. Almost everything from Nespresso coffee to Aromatherapy fragrances whilst you sleep to DVD's are all complimentary in your room. While Dad plays a good round of golf, Mom can be pampered in the Spa and kiddies can be taken care of at the Kiddies club with theatre, movies, snorkelling, lunch and even a little arts and crafts.
Whilst on our way to Saint Geran, we popped into the Veranda Hotels around the North East Coast. These hotels are all 3 Star and offer superb 3 Star qualities! Point aux Biches is a barefoot concept hotel, offering a foot blessing and encouraging guests to walk without shoes feeling the sand between your toes. They cater for both families and honeymoon couples alike. This was by far my favourite 3 star hotel. We then moved onto Veranda Grand Baie. As this hotel is not known for its beach, I would encourage guests to stay here if you like shopping and the buzzing of the small village life. It is typical Creole architecture and very vibey and lush with thousands of coconut trees all around the property. From there we stopped off at Paul & Virginie Hotel, famously called this for the "Romeo & Juliet" Mauritian myth. This hotel favours couples. It has a good but small stretch of beach, but the infinity pool which looks like it rolls into the sea is perfect for cocktails and a little R&R.
Our next night was spent at my other favourite hotel, the new 5 Star Long Beach Hotel on the East Coast. It is completely different to what you would expect to find in Mauritius. Fine lines, contemporary style, white and balau wood with different colours lighting up the hotel, it has its own world inside the gates. 3 Pools (heated and un-heated), 5 restaurants from pizza to fine dining, 3 bars - you are spoilt for choice. All rooms are built so that each guest will have a view of the Indian Ocean. Everything has been thought of in this hotel and you are likely to meet some management as they interact with their guests at every moment making sure you are well taken care of.
Our last stop and night was spent at the famous Top 100 Leading Hotels of the World, Le Touessrok. It is world known for its Bernard Langer designed golf course on Ilse aux Cerf Island and the romantic getaway on the private island of Ilse Mangerie - both a complimentary 10 minute boat ride away! For those guests with children, this hotel has a great kiddies club, and for mom wanting some R&R, spoil yourself at the Givenchy Spa. If for a honeymoon, the Frangipani side is quiet and tranquil or reserve your very own Villa, with butler and personal chef and private beach. I would suggest you take a catamaran cruise along the reef to view the spectacular waterfalls or try your hand at Para-Sailing whilst enjoying a typical Mauritian "Braai" on the boat!
We also had a quick visit to the Veranda Palmar Hotel. This hotel is plain and simple and will suit the lower budget but still offering all that a 3 Star hotel can offer.
Saying "Goodbye" to Mauritius is always difficult and you will want to go back very quickly!