LYA started the year pretty well as we took off, my grand-parents, my boyfriend and I, to Mauritius!! Yes, 2013 started in a sunny way  You can’t imagine what a relief it was to escape the grey and cold sky of London. After having struggled and stressed about the apartment research, we were off for 1 week of relaxing and healthy holiday. Direction the Prince Maurice, newly refurbished 5*+ by the Constance hotel group. We took the British Airways flight from London in the evening and arrived the day after, around 13:00 (local time). The flight was direct and lasted 11 hours. The Prince Maurice was a Relais&Chateaux until December and changed to a Leading Hotel of the World since January 2013 (very recently).

Arrival

As soon as we got out of the cab, in front of the hotel, our mouths DROPPED. “OMG…. Waouw….”  Speechless…. I am sure the staff has so much fun every time they see white little aspirins (us) arriving!!!! The design of the hotel is fresh, the restaurants are all “open air”, the atmosphere is relaxing and you can feel the peace entering your body and soul while you are climbing the little stairs separating you from the reception. The check-in is very smooth and in order for you not to wait impatiently, the staff offers you a delicious passion fruit welcome drink, setting you in the holiday mood and hotel’s spirit. You are then redirected to your room or suite and can start undressing, getting into your swimming suit to jump in the blue Indian ocean

The Restaurants & Bars

You only realize how well you have been eating and drinking when you arrive in the airport at the end of the holiday and discover the mauritian fast food in front of the boarding gate…. Indeed, the Prince Maurice which was a Relais&Chateaux until December 2012 is keeping the gourmet orientation of their dishes: sophisticated and creative presentation, healthy associations in the plate and on the menu, and a wide diversity of outlets and cuisines (the menu of the main restaurant changes everyday). 

Sushi Restaurant

Croques Madame on the Beach

Impressive dessert at the main restaurant: apple, palet breton, ginger, salted caramel…Mmmhhh…

Choco Birthday Cake

Oeuf croustillant – artistic dish

For the Epiphany, I was happily surprised by the room service which organized a warm and fresh twelfth-night pancake (galette des rois) in every room. These details really make the difference and spice up your holiday and experience. These details you remember and make of your stay a memorable one.

La galette des rois

The Barachoix is a “floating” restaurant located in a hidden part of the resort. You can access it via a nice little promenade on the wooden bridges. The japanese restaurant offers a very interesting choice of sushis, sashimis, and traditional dishes. The fish is AMAZINGLY FRESH and almost melts in your mouth. Concerning the drinks and the bars, I was very happy to discover that they offer healthy drinks and low-calory items which have crazy exotic and appealing names that make you want to drink them all. My favourite one was the “Basil Blush”: mango & basil refreshing and light drink (it may look very green, but trust me, its VERY GOOD).

Basil Blush

The Rooms

We had the privilege to sleep in a room with a beautiful view on the turquoise Indian Ocean and the white sanded beach. The bathroom was impressively large and the beds perfectly comfortable. On pour first day, we received complimentary orange and raspberry macarons and a bottle of red wine which were very much appreciated

Our suite

Details, details, details

Master bathroom

Cozy bath: scented candles, lavande soaps, bath pillow and little Dodo

Activities

After a week of testing any water activity, the water-sports staff knew us well ^^ The guys at the waterski hut are so nice, especially Jean Michel haha. We tried the standing paddle, the wakeboard, mono-ski, sailing, etc… We also hit the gym and discovered some nice little details in there too: on every machine, you have a towel, headphones, iPhone plug, and fresh lemon water and daily juices on the bar. One activity we unfortunately did not take advantage of was the Yoga. Indeed, the hotel is now benefitting of the presence of a very famous Yoga teacher who I would have loved to be initiated to this practice with. 

Beach

Breakfast room service

The Bellemare

The Bellemare is also part of the Constance group and is a 5* hotel in Mauritius. The atmosphere of this hotel is more family oriented and there are more entertainments organized such as dancers and shows in the evening. We have been advised by the F&B Manager of the Prince Maurice to go try the Blue Penny restaurant, gastronomic outlet of the Bellemare. And so we went, and again, our expectations have been met and exceeded  

Strawberry Martini

Raspberry Millefeuille

As Prince Maurice guests, we could choose any dish of the menu, regardless the “selections” and other formulas. As it is a gastronomic restaurant, we were already afraid of feeling sick after the meal, due to the size of the proportions on the plates. But actually the dishes are magnificently thought of so you can have starter-main dish- dessert and feel good afterwards. The restaurant does not have many tables and the atmosphere is young, contemporary and modern. We highly recommend you to go test it and have an nice evening there. The best dishes we had were the lobster risotto, the sea bass and for the dessert, the ones shown above At the end of the meal, the waiters ask you to sign a book at the entrance, leave a nice note and they offer you a cute pot of local spices as a souvenir.

General Atmosphere, Service & Clientele

As soon as we arrived in the hotel, we were welcomed by smiling people and they smiled during the whole stay. We really appreciated the service which was impeccable and tailored. Moreover, we discovered a very original job at the Prince Maurice: the Sun Buttler. What does a Sun Butler do? The SB brings you fruit in the morning, takes care of the orders on the beach front, takes care of your hydration (brings you water), and the best part: he will bring you fresh sorbets in the afternoon…. My favourite one? passion fruit  

Little note from the Housekeeping

Overall, the stay at the Prince Maurice will stay in our head and hearts for a long time ♥