With jungles, mountains and calm lagoons as well as sandy beaches, turquoise sea and a rich culture, it is little wonder Mauritius remains one of the most sought-after destinations in the Indian Ocean. Many of the world’s leading hotel brands have a presence here, and the island’s varied landscape means your experience can differ entirely depending on where you stay. I checked into Constance Prince Maurice on the north-east coast for a family holiday to see what all the hype is about.
After a surprisingly easy 12-hour flight from London (thanks to British Airways direct overnight service) saw us arriving fresh faced at Prince Maurice. The hotels position was immediately impressive: a leafy, sheltered spit set within a calm lagoon. The main thatched building has high ceilings and opens onto sweeping views across the infinity pool to the beach and lagoon beyond. There are 89 suites and villas in total, mostly under thatch, scattered throughout 60 hectares of manicured tropical gardens that linger with fragrant jasmine in the evening. One arm of the hotel stretches into the mangroves, with distant mountain views, while elsewhere the hotel and its suites sit on stilts above a natural fish reserve.
Our spacious family suite (of which there are 12) was tucked into the gardens a short walk from the beach. It came with an adjoining bunk room complete with its own bathroom for our two toddlers, which made all the difference. Interiors are classic rather than contemporary, with silk fabrics, varnished wood and generously sized beds. Out front, a shaded patio was ideal for early suppers via room service.
It quickly becomes clear that guest comfort is a priority in this hotel. With almost two staff per guest, service strikes that elusive balance of attentive and intuitive, yet relaxed. Within days, staff knew our children’s names, and fresh fruit and ice lollies would appear before we’d even thought to ask. Before long, the hotel began to feel like a very luxurious home from home.
The infinity pool is among the most impressive on the island, with cabanas large enough for the family and friendly staff bringing drinks and snacks throughout the day. On the beach, the same easy rhythm continues, with loungers well spaced and service just as seamless (with plenty of cocktails on offer).
Days can be as active (or lazy) as you like. There’s paddleboarding, waterskiing and kitesurfing in the lagoon, as well as access to two nearby championship golf courses. Tennis lessons are available for all ages, and we spent one afternoon cycling as a family along the long drive through the verdant grounds. The spa offers a full range of relaxing and anti-ageing treatments using Sisley products which is particularly welcome after a long day in the sun.
Of the hotel’s three restaurants, Le Barachois is the most memorable. Set over the lagoon and reached by a lantern-lit boardwalk through the mangroves, it’s a wonderfully atmospheric spot for dinner or a sundowner at the adjacent floating bar. The setting is particularly striking at dusk, when the mountains are silhouetted against pink sky in the distance, and the sea remains lit enough for children to busy themselves with spotting fish in the water below. Elsewhere, an intimate Asian restaurant by the beach serves everything from sushi to curries, while L’Archipel offers an à la carte menu of seafood and Mauritian dishes, alongside a generous buffet breakfast. A wine tasting in the extensive, 25,000-bottle cellar (incidentally, the largest in the Indian Ocean) is well worth booking.
As the mother of a baby and two toddlers, it would be remiss not to mention the excellent kids’ club, free for ages 4–11 years and open to younger children with adult supervision (nannies can be arranged). Set in its own space, it includes a pool, climbing frame, trampoline and plenty of open green space. Our toddlers were looked after by the wonderful Dipa and spent happy hours bracelet-making, painting wooden dolphins, doing yoga, splashing in the pool and even a little gardening.
Smart, luxurious and refreshingly relaxed, Constance Prince Maurice offers discreet, intuitive service in a setting that works just as well for couples as it does for families. I'm already plotting a return visit.
British Airways Holidays offers seven nights at Constance Prince Maurice from £2,079pp, inc. flights from London Gatwick, B&B in a Junior Suite based on two sharing. www.britishairways.com ; www.constancehotels.com
