I was privileged to join the Beachcomber Experience to Mauritius, where I got to visit 8 beautiful hotels on the island. Let me invite you to read my experience of it all. Sixteen other agents and I flew overnight on the Air Mauritius direct service from London Heathrow and arrived in Mauritius the following morning at 8 am. This is where our first surprise experience took place.
We were treated to the Yu Lounge experience; as soon as you step off the plane, the lounge concierge will lead you to the very stylish lounge where you can freshen up, relax, have a nice cup of tea or coffee or even a glass of champagne. Delicious light snacks are served to your table whilst your baggage and immigration formalities are taken care of. Prices for this facility start from £156 per person, depending on the season.
Our first hotel inspection and overnight stay were at the ever-popular Shandrani Resort & Spa. The Shandrani is surrounded by 70 acres of gardens, has three beaches to enjoy, a fantastic spa, and plenty of free land and water sports. There are four restaurants to dine in, and the food is just amazing.
A warm welcome was received from the hotel manager, Raphael, before we were taken to the beautiful garden area and given our “Aprons”. We were then introduced to a number of chefs, each specialising in a different work of art such as cake decorations, fruit sculptures, canapés and flower arranging. Little did we know at the end of each demonstration, we would have to try and replicate what each chef had made look so easy to do. It was hilarious, and really did make you appreciate how talented the chefs were!
Our second hotel inspection was the beautiful Trou Aux Biches, where we spent 2 nights. Situated on the west coast near the lively Grand Baie and Port Louis, it is one of the best stretches of beaches in Mauritius. There are a total of 333 suites at this resort, including 27 two and three bedroomed Villas. Perfect for upmarket families and luxury weddings and honeymoons. Guests can choose from various board basis: Bed and Breakfast, Half Board or Full Board Plus. The hotel manager, Fatima, treated us to the most amazing evening BBQ, which took place in one of the Beach Front Senior Suites. Fatima ensures that all her guests are made to feel welcome, and nothing is ever too much trouble for her, however big or small.
During our stay at Trou Aux Biches, we went on an excursion to “Casela Adventure Park”, which is a great fun day out for adults and children alike. There is a safari kingdom where you will see wild animals such as hippos, lions and tigers to name but a few. There is the Nature Kingdom, which has a children’s playground, an Avalanche Mine, Pony Rides and a Bird Park. The highlight of my day was the Mountain Kingdom, where the adrenaline really did reach its peak on the famous zip wire! This was an unforgettable experience and I was so pleased to go through with it.
Our third hotel inspection was Le Victoria Hotel. All 254 rooms look towards the ocean, and there are three restaurants to enjoy. Every day there is a set activities programme which children aged between 3 and 12 can dip in and out of at the complimentary Bob Marlin Mini Club. The opening times for the Mini Club is 9am until 10.30pm, seven days a week. This enables them to not only enjoy the Club but also spend some time with their family whenever they choose.
Our fourth hotel inspection was Le Canonnier Hotel, just a short drive from Grand Baie. The hotel boasts a stunning view overlooking the Indian Ocean towards a number of inlets. Le Cannonier has a fantastic Wellness Centre which is built around the branches of a huge, ancient banyan tree. I had a lovely complimentary hand massage and would have been very happy to stay there all day, but hey, this experience was classed as “work”. We had lunch at Le Canonnier, which was prepared by the very talented chefs who cooked a selection of sumptuous dishes.
Le Canonnier has 104 Standard Rooms which are either sea or garden facing, 112 Superior Rooms, 20 Family Apartments and 4 Honeymoon Suites. There are 3 restaurants to choose from – a la carte, international buffet and Italian cuisine.
Our fifth hotel inspection was Le Mauricia Hotel, just a short walk along the beach to Grand Baie. Le Mauricia gives guests the best of both worlds, as they can be as relaxed as they wish and enjoy the beautiful beach, or explore and enjoy the shops and nightlife in Grand Baie. It is a perfect for young couples, families and honeymoons.
We had an amazing lobster meal on the beach in the evening, and were entertained by Mauritian musicians before lighting Chinese lanterns and sending them out to sea with a special wish. I am sure we all made the same wish, and that was to return again soon!!
Our sixth Hotel inspection was the world famous Royal Palm Mauritius. This was the very first hotel in the Indian Ocean to become a member of the Leading Hotels in the World, and continues to be today! The Royal Palm offers 69 intimate Suites, including 3 Presidential Suites and 1 Royal Suite, set on the most beautiful stretch of beach, and in close vicinity to Grand Baie.
The Royal Palm offers superb cuisine from an array of internationally recognised chefs. There are three restaurants to choose from and a fantastic Spa by Clarins. This is the most beautiful hotel I have ever visited, and to describe it in one word – “WOW!”
Beachcomber really did pull out all the stops and treated us to a helicopter ride to our seventh hotel, the Paradis Hotel & Golf Club. The Paradis is a premier resort surrounded by 5kms of beautiful beach and has a superb 18-hole golf course. There are beautiful Deluxe rooms and Suites, as well as 12 Executive Villas and 1 Presidential Villa. The Paradis Hotel and Spa features a truly a picture perfect beach with crystal waters.
We were taken on a magnificent catamaran sunset cruise for unsurpassable sights of our surroundings, where we were fascinated to see dolphins playing in their natural habitat. As we sipped our champagne and watched the sunset, we all looked at each other in total silence, knowing just how lucky we were to experience this.
Our eighth hotel inspection and 2-night stay was at the Dinarobin Hotel Golf & Spa, which is located along the beach from the Paradis. Golf buggies run every 30 minutes between the two hotels. There is a choice of 8 restaurants to choose from between the two hotels. The Dinarobin has a total of 172 suites, including 3 Villas. Guests can enjoy an abundance of land and water sports as well as a fantastic Clarins Spa.
Our last full day in Mauritius was very special, as we helped to plan a wedding at Dinarobin. The culinary skills we learnt on our first day proved to be more than helpful, as we had to make the bride’s bouquet and groom’s buttonholes, as well as decorate the wedding cake and make canapés. The fake wedding took place on the beautiful beach, and it brought home how privileged we are to actually arrange our clients’ special day.
I am now totally confident in selling Beachcombers eight hotels in Mauritius and look forward to arranging many dream holidays and weddings in the very near future. I cannot thank Beachcomber enough for this everlasting memory, with many tears of joy and surprises along the way, and look forward to sharing these with my past and future clients.
For more information about any of these hotels in Mauritius, please call directly on 0121 213 0012 or visit us at Travel Club Elite! A quick call or email to Travel Club Elite could bring you huge savings!