Looking for a truly magical escape from it all in tropical paradise? Look no further, two very special Mauritian resorts offer the ultimate Indian Ocean retreat
Some places steal your heart irretrievably, for me, Mauritius. It has been over thirty years since I visited as a child, but I’ve often dreamt about going back. Mark Twain once wrote that, “Mauritius was made first and then heaven, heaven being copied after Mauritius,” and it’s clear that he had the country’s measure.
Sitting in splendid isolation in the Indian Ocean, 2,000 kilometres off the south-eastern coast of East Africa, the volcanic island offers the ultimate holiday escape. It is a glorious blend of the familiar (almost everyone you meet speaks English, cars drive on the left and street signs are English), and the exotic (untouched beaches, lush tropical vegetation and colourful coral reefs). And, unlike other Indian Ocean holiday hotspots, direct flights from the UK, coupled with an oh-so manageable three-hour time difference, make it especially desirable to Brits.
So, it is with great excitement that I finally plan my return to the land of seemingly eternal sunshine. Seeking that elusive mix of activity, relaxation, and, of course, pampering, I have chosen a twin centre break at the island’s two Constance resorts; having experienced Constance’s exceptional hospitality in the Seychelles, I know that it will be a very special break indeed.
Fresh off my overnight Air Mauritius flight, I am met by a driver from Constance Belle Mare Plage and whisked away in air-conditioned comfort. His pride in his homeland is evident, and the hour that it takes to drive to the resort, on the island’s east coast, is filled with fascinating facts and anecdotes about the local landscape and customs.
Set along a 2km stretch of palm-fringed white sand beach, this is the larger of the island’s two Constance properties, with 270 rooms, suites and villas. From the entry level prestige rooms to the junior suites and the pool villas, all the accommodation is housed in low-built, Mauritian style thatched buildings, and most offers stunning sea views. My beachfront junior suite is decorated in a soothing nature-inspired palette, and features a huge shady balcony, perfect for taking in the view as the sun sets, a beautiful bathroom with stunning soaking tub, and a walk-in wardrobe.
Spread throughout 15 hectares of beautifully planted tropical gardens, the resort has been designed in a way that ensures that even at full capacity, it never feels crowded, and with no less than eight restaurant choices, and four swimming pools (one heated, though you probably won’t need it, and one allocated as a quiet, adult-only area), there’s more than enough space here to spread out in style. Other facilities include a full-service spa, air-conditioned gym, flood-lit tennis courts and not one, but two 18-hole championship golf courses. And it goes without saying that there is a full programme of watersports on offer, too.
After a delicious first dip in the sparkling sea, I waste no time heading to the spa – keen to shrug off the stresses of everyday life and soothe muscles that are aching after my flight. Tucked away in a serene spot, the beautiful spa is truly a little slice of heaven. With the doors of the treatment room open onto a small private garden, a gentle breeze stirs the air, and I fight to stay awake during my blissful massage, determined not to miss a moment. Feeling well and truly rejuvenated, I vow to start every holiday in this way.
My muscles are crying out for another massage a few days later, after I have sampled the hotel’s fitness class schedule, which includes sweaty early morning circuits, a challenging yoga class and a surprisingly vigorous aqua aerobics session. And I don’t stop there – one day, I even borrow a bike and venture into the nearby village, cycling along the pine-shaded beachside track. Exercising on holiday? I barely recognise myself, but with eight restaurants on site, as tempting as it is to flop on a sunbed and stay put, doing something a little more active to counteract the calories is necessary. And you really don’t want to miss out on the full foodie offering, trust me…
From the global buffet in La Citronelle, offering an extraordinary spread of breakfast options, to the exquisite fresh sushi served in chic Asian restaurant, Blu Sushi Lounge, and the creative Mediterranean fare on offer at the charming, al fresco La Spiaggia, nothing here disappoints. I enjoy a particularly memorable evening in Blue Penny, the hotel’s fine dining restaurant, located in the wine cellar. The meal is preceded by a sommelier-led tasting, and a fascinating tour of the cellar. There are around 35,000 bottles from over 2,300 wineries worldwide here, the most expensive (kept securely under lock and key) with a staggering €25,000 price tag – unsurprisingly, that particular wine does not feature in the tasting flight, though everything we do sample is very special. As is the food.
I am no golfer, but it feels like it would be criminal to come here and not pick up a club, so I book a lesson at the putting green one afternoon. I honestly had no idea how much thought goes into making the perfect swing – I might be the family mini golf champ, but I am certainly no golfer. It seems the closest I will get to the immaculately manicured and extraordinarily verdant golf courses here is a leisurely lunch at Deer Hunter, in the clubhouse of The Legend course, and I am OK with that.
All too soon, it is time to move on, though I don’t have far to go. The next stop is Prince Maurice, one of Constance’s Leading Hotels, just a 10-minute drive down the road from Belle Mare Plage. Blissfully peaceful, this luxury hideaway boasts an idyllic lagoon-side location on a leafy spit on the island’s north-east coast, on the outskirts of Bras D’Eau National Park.
Much smaller, and more exclusive than its sister site, there are just 89 suites and villas here. The accommodation options include beachfront and garden suites, overwater lagoon suites that sit on stilts above the mangrove, and private villas with pools, each offering the ultimate escape from it all.
My airy suite is traditionally decorated with wooden floors and colourful Mauritian textiles, while the luxurious bathroom-cum-dressing room is vast, and features a huge marble-topped double vanity, rainfall shower and sunken bathtub. The terrace leads straight out to the tropical gardens, with the pool and the seashore beyond.
It seems barely possible, but the beach here is even more magical than the one at Belle Mare Plage – loungers draped in distinctive orange towels (a tribute to the Dutch Prince Maurice) and palm-fringed parasols line the main stretch of sand, where a watersports centre offers complimentary paddleboarding, water skiing, snorkelling, and kayaking – or, for the more adventurous, there’s the opportunity to try kite surfing, or scuba diving. Protected by the coral reef, the waters are still and calm, making it the perfect spot for novice paddleboarders. I borrow a board on the first afternoon and paddle out for a different view of the resort. Discovering my water wings, I also book a snorkelling trip aboard the resort’s luxurious catamaran. The waters around the reef where we stop are teeming with sea life and swimming amongst the colourful fish is truly unforgettable.
That aside, the days here are quieter and pass in a deliciously lazy blur of lounging in the sun with a book, listening to the sea gently lap on the sand, and getting up only to cool off in the sea, or take a few gentle laps of the pool.
I still manage to work up an appetite though, and find time to experience all three of the resort’s excellent eateries, enjoying international dishes with a Mauritian twist at Archipel, and more exquisite sushi at Asian. Most memorable is the romantic Barachois; set on decks over the lagoon, it is Mauritius’ only floating restaurant, specialising in authentic flavours from the Indian Ocean.
Rounding off my trip in the way it began, I arrange a visit to the elegant spa on the last afternoon. The extensive menu here offers classic treatments that use organic products from the Indian Ocean and exclusive Sisley phyto-aromatic treatments. I choose another massage to bookend my holiday, pre-empting any plane related muscle pain. This time, I allow myself to drift off to the sound of the tropical birdsong outside, tomorrow, it is back to reality for me, and I will only be able to dream of taking blissful, indulgent afternoon naps. This is the life…
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