Boundless beauty in Mauritius
Just before Christmas I was lucky enough to be invited by Hosmark Hotels to visit the beautiful Indian Ocean island of Mauritius. The chance to grab a few days of sun and discover more about this tropical island. I jumped at the chance.
I flew from London Heathrow with Air Mauritius, travelling with a small group of other event agents. An upgrade to Business Class was the perfect start to the trip. Eleven and a half hours later, we touched down at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport, where we were met by the lovely team from destination management company, Mautourco.
Our home for the first two nights of our trip was the Paradis Beachcomber Golf Resort and Spa on the southwestern tip of the island. Picture pure white sandy beaches, the island’s largest lagoon and a spectacular mountain backdrop. We were greeted by the General Manager and his team and served refreshments on the beach. I had an airy ocean beachfront room, with stylish but unpretentious décor, en suite bathroom, lounge area and terrace.
After freshening up, we set out on bikes to explore the resort’s facilities, which include an 18-hole golf course and golf academy, luxury spa, pool and restaurants, selection of rooms, plus 13 private beachside villas. There’s also a wide range of land and water sports activities on offer.
We stopped for lunch at La Plage Restaurant at the neighbouring Dinarobin Beachcomber resort. The menu here matched its casual setting, offering light meals with a slight accent on fresh fish and seafood. I was then treated to a full body massage at the Spa at Dinarobin, which was total bliss. That evening, listening to the waves lapping at the shore, we dined at the Blue Marlin restaurant back at the Paradis.
After a leisurely breakfast, th Chateau de Bel Ombre, a superb 19th Century colonial mansion which offers a range of culinary experiences, from gourmet lunches and dinners, to wine tasting, picnics and sundowners in the garden, providing a fantastic location for off-site events.
From here, we travelled on to Saint Aubin Colonial House to learn about the island’s history of vanilla production, see its rum distillery and enjoy a delicious taster. The afternoon was spent at La Rhumerie de Chamarel, where we had lunch, toured the distillery and learned how to make the perfect Mauritian Mojito. Our last stop of the day was the phenomenal Chamarel’s Seven Coloured Earth, an 8.5-hectare park that is a must for geology and nature lovers, with its geopark, tortoise park and spectacular Chamarel Waterfall. Back at the resort and we rounded out the day with a speedboat trip to watch the sun set, champagne and canapés at hand.
After a leisurely breakfast, th Chateau de Bel Ombre, a superb 19th Century colonial mansion which offers a range of culinary experiences, from gourmet lunches and dinners, to wine tasting, picnics and sundowners in the garden, providing a fantastic location for off-site events.
From here, we travelled on to Saint Aubin Colonial House to learn about the island’s history of vanilla production, see its rum distillery and enjoy a delicious taster. The afternoon was spent at La Rhumerie de Chamarel, where we had lunch, toured the distillery and learned how to make the perfect Mauritian Mojito. Our last stop of the day was the phenomenal Chamarel’s Seven Coloured Earth, an 8.5-hectare park that is a must for geology and nature lovers, with its geopark, tortoise park and spectacular Chamarel Waterfall. Back at the resort and we rounded out the day with a speedboat trip to watch the sun set, champagne and canapés at hand.
“The service was impeccable, in fact we each had a dedicated member of staff to check us in and look after us during our stay.”
The next morning, we headed north, stopping first for a site visit at the Victoria Beachcomber Resort, conveniently located between the tourist hub of Grand Baie and the island’s capital, Port Louis. With its laid-back atmosphere and wealth of activities on offer, it’s popular with families.
After a leisurely breakfast, th Chateau de Bel Ombre, a superb 19th Century colonial mansion which offers a range of culinary experiences, from gourmet lunches and dinners, to wine tasting, picnics and sundowners in the garden, providing a fantastic location for off-site events.
Next up was Canonnier Beachcomber with its 17 acres of tropical gardens. Venture in and you’ll find a wealth of hidden delights, including the ruins of a lighthouse and fortress and a treetop spa built in the branches of a banyan tree! We had lunch at Le Navigator Restaurant, which enjoys commanding views of the beach and sea across to the northern islets.
After a leisurely breakfast, th Chateau de Bel Ombre, a superb 19th Century colonial mansion which offers a range of culinary experiences, from gourmet lunches and dinners, to wine tasting, picnics and sundowners in the garden, providing a fantastic location for off-site events.
Next up was Canonnier Beachcomber with its 17 acres of tropical gardens. Venture in and you’ll find a wealth of hidden delights, including the ruins of a lighthouse and fortress and a treetop spa built in the branches of a banyan tree! We had lunch at Le Navigator Restaurant, which enjoys commanding views of the beach and sea across to the northern islets.
Our final stop - and our home for the night - was the outstanding Royal Palm Beachcomber Luxury and it’s fair to say this resort really blew me away. An elegant, but homely beachfront resort, with thatched roofs, open-air pillared public spaces and eye-catching views across emerald Grand Baie, it’s a favourite with celebs and former presidents alike.
The service was impeccable, in fact we each had a dedicated member of staff to check us in and look after us during our stay. Mine was an Ocean Suite, which included a spacious bedroom, large separate lounge, palatial bathroom and double terrace opening onto the gardens and the sea. There was even my own personalised stationery in the room!
Courtesy of the hotel, we enjoyed an afternoon snorkelling in the wonderfully warm and sheltered waters of the lagoon. Later that night, we dined at the hotel’s La Goélette restaurant, a gastronomic affair. I chose the fresh crab, followed by lobster, with Crêpe Suzette for dessert and it didn’t disappoint! One of the highlights of the restaurant is the walk-in wine cellar and the Head Sommelier hosted a wine tasting session to help us choose our wine.
The service was impeccable, in fact we each had a dedicated member of staff to check us in and look after us during our stay. Mine was an Ocean Suite, which included a spacious bedroom, large separate lounge, palatial bathroom and double terrace opening onto the gardens and the sea. There was even my own personalised stationery in the room!
Courtesy of the hotel, we enjoyed an afternoon snorkelling in the wonderfully warm and sheltered waters of the lagoon. Later that night, we dined at the hotel’s La Goélette restaurant, a gastronomic affair. I chose the fresh crab, followed by lobster, with Crêpe Suzette for dessert and it didn’t disappoint! One of the highlights of the restaurant is the walk-in wine cellar and the Head Sommelier hosted a wine tasting session to help us choose our wine.
“We were shown how to Saber a bottle of champagne and as luck would have it, we happened across a pod of dolphins on our way back to the resort.”
It was with reluctance that I checked out of the Royal Palm and we headed to our final location, Trou aux Biches Beachcomber on the northwest coast. After arrival cocktails, we toured the resort, taking in its luxury villas, beachfront suites, spa, tennis club, diving centre and modern conference room.
A speed boat tour was the perfect opportunity to view the island from the sea and of course we snapped up the chance to get back into the crystal-clear waters for a little more snorkelling. We were shown how to Saber a bottle of champagne and as luck would have it, we happened to come across a pod of dolphins on our way back to the resort. The perfect ending to our trip. Our final dinner was at Indian restaurant Mahiya, one of the resort’s six restaurants.
What a truly memorable trip with a superb group of event professionals. Big thanks to Imogen McCarthy-Fry from Hosmark Hotels, Beachcomber Hotels and all the staff who looked after us so brilliantly. To Air Mauritius for our very comfortable flights and to our fantastic guide Jessica from Mautourco.
There’s so much more to Mauritius than pristine sandy beaches and I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to experience it for myself.
If you’d like to know more, please do get in touch.
A speed boat tour was the perfect opportunity to view the island from the sea and of course we snapped up the chance to get back into the crystal-clear waters for a little more snorkelling. We were shown how to Saber a bottle of champagne and as luck would have it, we happened to come across a pod of dolphins on our way back to the resort. The perfect ending to our trip. Our final dinner was at Indian restaurant Mahiya, one of the resort’s six restaurants.
What a truly memorable trip with a superb group of event professionals. Big thanks to Imogen McCarthy-Fry from Hosmark Hotels, Beachcomber Hotels and all the staff who looked after us so brilliantly. To Air Mauritius for our very comfortable flights and to our fantastic guide Jessica from Mautourco.
There’s so much more to Mauritius than pristine sandy beaches and I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to experience it for myself.
If you’d like to know more, please do get in touch.