On a gorgeous tropical island bristling with beautiful resorts, it’s tricky to differentiate yourself.
But LUX* Grand Gaube in Mauritius is standing out after a €50-million revamp, which saw the resort on the north coast close for eight months while South African interior designer Kelly Hoppen swept through making everything light, bright and luxurious.
Its 186 rooms, suites and villas boast pale wood floors, private balconies, push-button power showers and beds and pillows so comfortable that sweet dreams are inevitable. You won’t want to get up until 9am, but that’s fine, because a lavish buffet breakfast is still waiting at the Palm Court Restaurant. Choosing your meals is an exquisite dilemma with live food stations whipping up dishes from around the world.
The resort is built around pretty coves, and an adults-only section on one peninsular has a swimming pool, a rum treehouse and Creole Smokehouse grill spread around a giant banyan tree. The airy Bodrum Blue Greek restaurant sits on another peninsula, while mouth-tingling Inti is the only Peruvian restaurant on Mauritius.
Enjoy days of watersports, a free fitness assessment, yoga classes, pamperings at the chic spa, and after-dark Cinema Paradiso on the beach. Or just swing in a double hammock and relish the rare luxury of doing nothing.
LUX* resorts love hiding fun, fresh and quirky things to discover around every corner, like a stylish old car revamped as an ice cream bar, a tree to hang your wishes in, or an old red telephone booth for free calls home.
“We wanted to step out of the ‘sea of sameness’ and provide something different, so we held creative workshops with every team member to rethink the customer experience. The aim is to surprise and delight,” says chief sales and marketing officer Julian Hagger.
My favourite things? The two glorious pools and an abundance of tasty treats to try at every meal.
If you want travel & leisure writing that's sassy - but classy you've come to the right place. After 12 years as the IT Editor for Business Day I quit to follow my passion for writing opinionated pieces for any publication bold enough to run them. Contact me or read more.
