Mauritius is the island of flip-flop shaped footsteps in soft sandy beaches, the rustle of palm trees orchestrating a gentle melody and the turquoise ocean stretching to nowhere. Ahh…. that long-awaited relaxing holiday. Mauritius is for snorkelling, spa and sunsets – the chosen destination for honeymooners, families, couples and adventurers, sitting in the Indian Ocean just east of Madagascar.
Where To Stay In Mauritius
Thatched roofs with wooden beams, volcanic stone, pillars and palm trees create the entrance to the chic vibe of the Dinarobin Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa. Swirls of water pools glint in the sun, polished wood underfoot and beckoning sink-in chairs immediately invite guests to relax. The drive to the resort in this south-western tip of the island journeys through sugarcane fields bordering each side of the road. The golf course comes into view before iron-laced gates open to laid back luxury, 5-star ambiance, Mauritian style. Here is space, privacy and nature in its purity.
The Mauritius Setting
Positioned on Le Morne Peninsula, the long stretch of the white sandy beach fringes the resort allowing for those uninterrupted views of a perfect sunset. All-suite accommodation is low rise topped with thatched roofs and vaulted ceilings and balconies, sitting in well-laid out gardens. Everyone enjoys ocean views. There are villas and suites for families and a dedicated Zen Crescent for couples. And with numerous heated pools dotted around, there’s no need to worry about claiming loungers. Simply relax.
Dining And Drinking
The culinary journey travels from creative Japanese inspired cuisine, a bistronomy concept of local dishes, a colourful international buffet served on outdoor-covered decked terraces, to creole cuisine served to rustic thatched kiosks at the water’s edge at the far end of the resort. During the day there is casual dining at a beach restaurant and drinks at a bar, perfect to watch the sunset. Warm lighting, and decorative water channels add touches of glamour to the trendy Mahogany Bar, a large open space which sets the scene as the social and cultural hub of the resort.
The Spiritual Spa In Mauritius
The Spa has that wow factor. It’s a spiritual sanctuary and a haven of peace and tranquillity. The yoga room is more like a temple with carpets and candles and a golden buddha watching over –serence and calm. Within this haven, there is a choice of wellness experiences as you step over stones laid in water to reach relaxing corners. And it is here where I was introduced to the ancient ritual practised by Tibetan monks to live long, vibrant and healthy lives. But now it’s an open secret, timetabled as one of the weekly spa activities.
For That Adrenalin Fix – Snorkelling And More
Away from the Spa and at a faster pace is the fitness centre with two dedicated rooms for cardio and weights with the latest state of the art machinery. There are tennis courts and the golf course. Hiding behind are ten beehives which serve the honey table at breakfast. Snorkelling, pedal boats and a host of natural water sports are offered and supervised at the beach area.
To escape this enclave of tranquillity, the south of the island has a number of key places to visit:
Chamarel’s Seven Coloured Earth is a natural phenomenon and an emblem of the island revealing 600 million years of history. This geopark is a natural wonder of this volcanic island and includes the Chamarel waterfall which is the tallest single-drop waterfall at 100m high in Mauritius.
Black River Gorges National Park is 16,680 acres of nature with 37 miles of hiking trails. Here there are around 311 species of native and endemic flowering plants and nine species of birds that can only be found in Mauritius.
Flip-Flop Footprints
The resort is encased by turquoise waters on one side and sheltered on the other by the dramatic backdrop of Le Morne Brabant Mountain. This rugged mountain, full of hidden caves, was used as a shelter by runaway slaves and has become a symbol of freedom and named a UNESCO world heritage site in 2008. Safe and secure between the sea and the mountain, with the palm trees waltzing in the breeze, my flip flop footprints trace my journey along the sandy beach. Is it time for you to check out Mauritius for snorkelling, spa and sunsets to relax and let the flip flops do the walking?
When to visit: Mauritius is an all-round destination. June and July are winter months with fresher temperatures and days are shorter. Summer months are November-March.
Beachcomber Resorts & Hotels is a Mauritian hospitality company with over 70 years’ experience. The company has eight properties dotted across Mauritius.
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