Paradise just keeps getting better

Published Nov 27, 2015

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Port Louis - My Mauritius experience went from great to grand. We left Constance Belle Mare Plage for Constance Le Prince Maurice.

The two are minutes apart – though our route took in a Hindu temple and a wonderful fresh produce market in Centre de Flacq.

According to stallholders Yash and his mother Mala, they have about 20 mango varieties. I sampled their giant olives, which are different from what we are used to – briny and slightly sweet.

Sweet flavours and fragrances from the many flowers abound in Mauritius. Some sweet smiles too and, boy, sweet places. Perhaps none more so than Constance Le Prince Maurice. When you arrive, you know you have arrived.

There’s a family resemblance in the two hotels, but Constance Le Prince Maurice is more intimate, more refined, contained and tranquil.

The differences are in the simple, elegant architecture which gives a wonderful impression of open, endless space – what with layered infinity pools leading the eye from the lobby out to the beach and sky.

You can’t help but pause to admire the fittings and the many little things that elevate the hotel above even its five-star sibling, such as the extravagant, beautifully designed notes and complimentary reef shoes at the beach hut.

The surf is a little further off, as the hotel is on the edge of a clear lagoon. The layout is really something, with villas on stilts above a fish reserve, walkways leading from the main buildings through mangroves to the floating Le Barachois bar and restaurant. Sundowners while unwinding here are hard to beat.

The other restaurants are tops too – and I liked the adherence to the dress code. L’Archipel restaurant has a varied menu with an island take, be it à la carte or the buffets, which easily beat any other I’ve enjoyed. The Asian restaurant was very good too, especially the Godzilla sushi and the dim sum.

The macaroons were sublime.

Fine food deserves fine wine and you can understand why head sommelier Jerome is happy in his work. Constance Le Prince Maurice has the largest cellar in the Indian Ocean. It was a treat to sample fine vintages.

Exercise might be in order if you have difficulty saying no. Apart from all the outdoor activities, the gym deserves a mention.

I have not seen one like it in any hotel or resort. It is opposite the tennis courts and in the same complex as U Spa by Constance – bigger than down the road and a retreat within a retreat.

Ragini had me snoring in minutes, after which I enjoyed something healthy alongside the spa pool in my robe and slippers. Bliss.

Back in action, the Links and Legend golf courses were easy to access by shuttle. The Tuesday scramble, run by the staff, is great fun and a wonderful way to get to know them and guests.

Snorkelling and a few goes on a catamaran (free) in the lagoon were great too. Being a little back from the shoreline makes for shelter from high winds – relatively high, not Cape gales. A squall meant I got to play in my feng shui principled Junior suite with the nifty mini multimedia centre with portable mouse track pad which connects to the TV. The closet-cum-bathroom was enormous, the high bed superb and, ordering in, the service surprisingly quick. If you get better service anywhere, drop me a line.

l Visit www.constancehotels.com for more about all their offerings.

 

Flights and packages

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Air Mauritius offers all passengers travelling to Perth, Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Hong Kong and many more, 40kg of luggage, one free date change and a free night stop-over in Mauritius on all non-connecting flights including accommodation, transfers and selected meals.

Contact Air Mauritius on 011 601 3900 or [email protected] for reservations.

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Adrian Rorvik, Sunday Tribune

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