Sometimes, you step into a world, and you realise that, until then, you didn’t even know the meaning of luxury. Royal Palm Mauritius is that world. A hotel that goes above and beyond the call of duty for a truly 6* experience, Royal Palm Mauritius is a luxury getaway in the Indian Ocean like none other – attentive staff, incredible sea-facing suites, sumptuous ocean-to-table cuisine, the hotel truly has it all. If you’re looking for a very special holiday in Mauritius, here’s what you need to know:
Royal Palm Mauritius is widely considered the best hotel in Mauritius – step inside the stunning resort, and you’ll see why. The location cannot be beaten; hidden away on a stretch of pure, white sandy beach on the north-west coast of the island, it’s a total tropical haven, complete with fresh coconuts and cold towels waiting to greet you. Think: palm trees, crystal clear blue ocean and perfect sand as far as the eye can see. The hotel is committed to creating a holiday that you’ll remember for years to come; from deep tissues massages at the Clarins spa to catamaran cruises at sunset, Royal Palm Mauritius is a place of sheer wonderment.
There’s a natural charm about the resort, with its glittering infinity pools, ocean-facing restaurants and modern, luxury facilities. What makes Royal Palm Mauritius unique? Well, for a start, the sun-drenched location of the resort means you’ll get all the sunshine you’ve been craving. It’s protected from the trade winds, meaning ultimate long, lazy beach days. The hotel boasts 69 spacious suites, which all face the sea (for the ultimate breakfast in bed experience, I say), as well as a Royal Suite for ultimate luxury. There’s also 3 heated pools, a stunning Clarins spa, fantastic gym, a helipad and probably the best food in all of Mauritius. The hotel’s award-winning chef takes inspiration from the local surroundings and seasonal produce of this stunning island to create the most beautiful Mauritian food, which positively tastes of sunshine. Island heaven.
Royal Palm Mauritius: The Rooms
There’s truly nothing better than waking up with a incredible view – all 69 suites at Royal Palm Mauritius have a view of the ocean. The rooms range from the Junior Suite to Royal Suite, including a modern-feel Senior Suite, ground-level Palm Suite, two-bedroom Garden Suite and four-people Royal Suite. A common theme through all is the feel of warmth and calm, each boasting a focus on soft furnishings, luxury amenities and unique design. The Junior Suite, of which there are 27, has an inviting, soothing look, bathed in soft lighting and peachy tones, with a stunning terrace for watching the sunrise, coffee in hand. The rooms boast flat screen TVs, free WiFi (not that you’ll need it, hello beach nap), walk-in wardrobe and unique outdoor space. An entry level room with a different, the Junior Suite is perfect for first-time holiday-makers in Mauritius.
The 15 Ocean Suites are one of the finest rooms for sea-lovers; located on the ground level, directly in front of the stunning turquoise ocean, this is a great suite for a view. The Ocean Suite features an airy bedroom, its own lounge, marble bathroom and a double terrace, perfect for al fresco dinner, opening onto the gardens and the sea. Moments from the ocean, matched in beige, bronze and turquoise tones, this is a fantastic room for popping between the sea and the comfort of your own room.
If you’re looking for ultimate luxury, the top level room is the Royal Suite. A truly once-in-a-lifetime experience, the suite is decked out in wood and leather, with lush rugs and Indian-influenced design, for an opulent, luxe feel. The suite boasts a private infinity pool, indoor living area, high ceilings and private gazebo, simply made for a personal candle lit dinner. The infinity pool has views over the Indian Ocean and beach, with its own whirlpool feature, and the suite plays host to its own hammam, as well as private terrace, valet, and beautiful master bedroom. Pure luxury.
Royal Palm Mauritius: The Food
If you’re a foodie, you’ll totally fall in love with Mauritius. The sunshine-filled island is full of beautiful natural produce, simply bursting with flavour and freshness. From juicy mangos to freshly cut palm of hearts, the pure, healthy goodness of this island is what attracts holiday makers here, year on year.
Royal Palm Mauritius is, simply put, a foodie’s dream. They have three sensational restaurants – all overseen by French Chef Michel de Matteis, who has been at Royal Palm over 12 years. This chef is no stranger to the kitchen; with 30 years of experience in fine dining, he won the coveted title of ‘Best Craftsman in France’ in 1991, and has worked at Michelin star kitchens around the world, bringing his experience to sunny Mauritius.
The restaurants has something for everyone. The breakfast buffet is one of the finest things I’ve ever experienced, with delicious papaya, made-to-order omelettes, seasonal juices, stewed fruits, and divine crepes, slathered with local banana jam and flaked almonds. For casual dining, I loved the beach-side restaurant Le Bar Plage. Located moments from the lapping waves, the food at this unassuming restaurant is so fresh and delicious. It’s truly romantic, in a quiet, understated way – set on wooden decks, with a unique charm, underneath an age-old badamier tree.
The food is divine; from the palm of heart salad with fresh crab and avocado and spicy tuna tartar, to giant grilled prawns, served with traditional Mauritian colourful rice, huge lobster with buttery sauce and catch of the day, simply grilled with fresh lemon and olive oil. Simple food, done so, so well.
The resort’s main restaurant is La Goélette, which is a more classy, formal affair. The setting here is simply stunning – overlooking the sea, with ocean views day and night. There’s also a walk-in wine cellar, so you can choose the perfect bottle to compliment your meal. Expect modern gastronomy with a twist – their tasting menu features perfectly pink lamb with basil oil, local fish with cauliflower puree and possibly the best bread basket in Mauritius. Foccacia of dreams.
If you love pasta, you’ll die for La Brezza – the resort’s third restaurant, the place for an Italian extravaganza. La Brezza, run by Alessandro Morino, has two terraces just a few yards from the lagoon – named after the late afternoon breeze in Mauritius. The restaurant uses ingredients imported from Italy, and uses the local seafood for something truly wonderful – get the seafood tagliatelle, you won’t regret it. There’s fantastic antipasti on offer, including local squid, chargrilled vegetables, tuna salad, fried artichokes and the best cheese croquettes in town. Heaven.
Royal Palm Mauritius: The Spa
This island resort is simply made for rest and relaxation. The lavish 1,000 m2 Clarins spa is exactly what you need after a busy day on the beach, with a majestic entrance leading to a haven of stillness within. The spa is home to 18 massage and treatment rooms, with a wide range of Clarins treatments, as well as reflexology, yoga, meditation, Reiki, beauty salons, hairdressers, Ayurvedic treatments and a bar, for that all-important post-massage fresh juice. The modern, sleek double treatment rooms themselves are a feast for the senses; set amongst natural beauty of Mauritius, with large bay windows, bathed in natural light and private patios for relaxing.
This stunning spa is the place to come for a whole new level of serenity, peace and tranquility – with beautiful indoor and outdoor spaces, featuring cascading pools, sun decks and outdoor beds, you’ll experience calm like never before. For a total zen out, opt for a full day of spa-ing, trying out the various treatments on offer. There’s everything from Swedish massages to Ayurvedic facials, each with a unique Mauritian twist.
Royal Palm Mauritius: The Activities
Some people go to Mauritius to totally crash out on a sun lounger – which is A-OK by me. But after a few days of beaching and Pina Coladas, you may want to get active. Well, the great news is that at Royal Palm, the watersports are complimentary, so you can paddle and pedal to your heart’s content. The watersports on offer include: water skiing, windsurfing, kayaking, sailing, glass-bottom boating, snorkelling, private boat excursions, stand-up paddle boarding and pedal boats. Is there anything better than paddle-boarding followed by a beach cocktail? We think not.
For a cruise with a different, The Royal Princess is the hotel’s own luxury yacht, where you can take a day charter around the island, a sundowner cruise with bubbly or a sailing adventure around Mauritius. For the little ones, Royal Palm has a great kids club, with its own private pool, and the jam-packed schedule include cookery classes for kids, beach trips and so much more.
If you like staying active on holiday, there’s a great gym, with cardio, weights, power plate and personal trainers on hand. There’s classes such as yoga, pilates and HIIT to keep you in shape after all those glasses of vino, and a hammam for sweating it all out, too. If you prefer to stay on terra firma, the hotel also boasts tennis, squash and bocciball courts, as well as private tennis lessons. But if you’d rather nap on the beach, a good book in hand, that’s rather lovely too.
Royal Palm Mauritius: Our Verdict
Expect perfection from start to finish, with every level of detail to your stay taken care of. Whether that’s a specific beach lounger than you love, or a dish you’re simply craving, the staff at Royal Palm want you to have truly the best holiday possible. This is so much more than a resort; with sublime cuisine, the best facilities, and spacious, stunning suites, the hotel is the perfect place for a break you will never forget. From the sensational spa to the endless sea activities, there’s something to excite you with each day that passes here. And man, what a breakfast buffet. Take my word for it: just go.
Royal Palm Mauritius – 7 nights in a Junior Suite on a Bed & Breakfast basis, Economy Class flights from the UK and private hotel transfers from £2010 per person sharing. Visit Beachcomber Tours www.beachcombertours.co.uk or call 01483 445 685
