Africa-Press – Mauritius. You know those people that book flights after any minor inconvenience in their lives? I am ‘people’. I usually try to keep things as budget friendly as possible, however, that is not to say that every once in a while, I can’t treat myself to a long-haul trip to a utopian, heavenly destination to really, well and truly, unwind.
The moment I saw pictures of The Residence Mauritius, I was hooked. Much like fish need water, my melanated skin needs sun, my body needs nutritious hearty food and my mind needs to be fuelled with history and knowledge, so by default, I wanted to pick my latest family vacation somewhere rich in culture and even richer in sun.
Being of African descent, it meant that stepping toes into an African island was a no brainer. Mauritius also features beautiful landscapes, the friendliest of people, the most eclectic mix of food, white sandy beaches, I could go on.
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. I stayed at The Residence with my two sisters.
Although people often see Mauritius as being a couple or honeymoon destination, on the contrary I thought it was a very family friendly destination perfect for groups of all ages, and to be honest, I felt right at home (and the locals must felt it too, as they often addressed us in their native Creole dialect).
Upon arrival on the island, we were greeted by the friendliest cab driver. Who took us on an hour long drive to the hotel. The journey itself felt a lot quicker though, as we were distracted by the poker green and mountainous surroundings, serene crystal clear waters, and the vast sugar cane fields.
The hotel is located in the beautiful Belle Mare area of the island and is surrounded by epic tropical gardens, making it the perfect place to relax and unwind.
As far as the property itself, as soon as you set foot in the entrance you’re greeted with the most breathtaking sky high ceilings, with a direct view b-lining the sea.
As you walk around you can see the immaculately manicured gardens, and a beautiful long stretch of private beach. The decor was elegant, luxurious but still cosy and homely, maintaining the heritage on its architecture.
The family room we stayed at was extremely spacious, bright and airy. Split between two rooms with a sitting area, a balcony facing the beach and a XXL Bathroom.
The decor was tasteful and elegant, with a gentle mix of traditional Mauritian style and contemporary design. The beds were so comfortable it made the sunrise wake-up call that little bit harder.
The bathroom was particularly impressive, with both a large jacuzzi tub, double sinks and a separate rain shower. Being a foodie, naturally one of the things we looked forward to the most was the food, and I am glad to report that it did in fact not disappoint.
The hotel’s main restaurant serves a delicious range of international and local cuisine that is bound to suit all dietary requirements. The sea food was a dream and they had a fresh BBQ going in the outside dinning area which was too irresistible to ignore (sorry to my veggies mates).
The service was impeccable, as the staff were friendly and attentive. There are also a number of bars and lounges on-site, offering cocktails, mocktails, soft drinks, snacks, the lot. When it came to breakfast time, we were pretty impressed too.
The days that we didn’t opt for a pack lunch for any early start adventures, we took a very peaceful walk down the beach to The Plantation restaurant which served an impressive breakfast buffet, including hot foods, cold food and freshly made eggs and pancakes made and served straight from Teppanyaki flat grills.
There you could also try private cooking classes, for guests looking to improve their cooking skills.
The classes are led by experienced chefs who will guide you through the process of preparing a variety of local and international dishes. We personally put our new found Michelin star skills into a delicious chicken curry.
The hotel also has a beachfront bar and grill which is the perfect spot for a casual lunch or a sunset cocktail. The main attraction or the hotel is probably the beautiful white-sandy beach though.
It’s perfect for swimming, sunbathing and snorkelling or simply for soaking up the sunrise. If you prefer chlorine waters over the salty ones, then you also have the main swimming pool facing the beach and it’s a stone throw away from the bar which in my eyes is a win-win.
The hotel amenities don’t stop there. At The Residence Mauritius Spa, you will be showered with comfort and relaxing treatments that can be customised to each individual’s needs, from top of the class, highly skilled and attentive therapists. The interiors are decorated to offer a peaceful surroundings, making it the perfect place to unwind and recharge.
For those of us who are keen to keep up their training schedules even on a relaxing holiday (that was us) the hotel also offers a well-equipped gym, which is open to guests 24 hours a day, as well as a range of exercise classes such as yoga, Pilates and even Zumba.
The hotel also offers a wide range of activities, which include water sports (kayaking, snorkelling, paddle boarding amongst others).
They also have an epic golf course and tennis courts, as well as a kids club filled with games, toys and activities for toddlers, tweens and teens. Want to explore the island? No problem.
In addition to the cab service, the hotel also offers a shuttle service to take guests to the main town, so you can easily explore the local shops and restaurants. The hotel is also located near a main road which makes it easy for the guests to book a cab or a bus and explore the island.
For anyone looking for a luxury holiday in a tropical paradise while still enjoying culture, good food and even better weather I can’t think of a better getaway than The Residence in Mauritius.
The facilities, service, staff’s friendliness and the quality of the food are all excellent, and the hotel has a great reputation for providing guests with an unforgettable experience which is rare.
The island is small and easy to explore, and the hotel’s location makes it easy to get around and see the many sights and attractions that the island has to offer. This luxurious and relaxing escape was truly the home away from home I needed.
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