Top 5 Seychelles Gourmet Hotels

Gourmet Experiences

Echoing the grand assortment of people who populate Seychelles, Creole cuisine features the subtleties and nuances of French cooking, the exoticism of Indian dishes and the piquant flavours of the Orient. Here are the top 5 Seychelles Luxury hotels offering the best gourmet experiences: 

Le Domaine de l’Orangeraie in La Digue

Enjoying the relaxed atmosphere of La Digue Le Domaine de l’Orangerie offers all day dining.

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Le Combava Restaurant
Le Combava, which means kaffir lime, is an exquisitely designed roof terrace lounge serving à la carte food only. This epicurean delight serves up the finest meals using the freshest ingredients only, for an upbeat and sophisticated culinary experience.

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Santosha Restaurant
Serves popular international fare and local Creole specialties in eclectic mix live cooking style and buffet with the “Catch of the day”. The outside deck graciously overlooks the Indian Ocean and the crystal clear waters for alfresco dining. The breathtaking view of the sun setting over the Indian Ocean will whet your appetite, marking an exquisite and memorable dinner.

Raffles in Praslin

Combining the best of the local culture and cuisine with dishes from around the world.

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Losean Restaurant
Virtual Tour

Meaning ‘ocean’ in Creole, Losean is open for breakfast and dinner. It features regular themed buffets including colourful Mediterranean, Creole, seafood, and barbecue evenings with live entertainment. There is outdoor and indoor seating, and a garden view. Specialties include roast lamb on the spit, wood-burning pizza oven, whole fish, paella, and cookery classes for resident guests.

Curieuse Seafood Restaurant
Virtual Tour

Named after the nearby island, Curieuse this seafood restaurant offers a breezy, island-chic atmosphere in a relaxed and casual venue. It has outdoor and covered seating areas to keep you close to the beautiful environment and private pavilions available for romantic dinners. Indian Ocean seafood and grill, with meat specialties also available, and an international wine list; vegetarian diets and special requests always accommodated.

Denis Island

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Whether it is breakfast in bed or romantic candle-lit dinner on the beach – the night sky your only roof, an intimate table for two on the deck of your own villa, or dinner in the terrace dining room, the refined cuisine of Denis Private Island is nothing short of tantalizing.
The chef prepares daily the most succulent dishes, creative and extensive buffets with live cooking stations fresh from the island’s estate and fished from the surrounding seas for breakfast and lunch. And in the evenings, Creole speciality night, barbecues on the beach, sushi and sashimi prepared from the day’s catch. Another highlight is the elegantly- presented five-course table d’hôte dinners in the dining room or around the pool deck. Before and after dinner, staying open well into the night, the well-stocked bar provides the meeting point for a tête-à-tête or to get to know your fellow guests.

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Constance Ephelia

Constance Ephelia Resort of Seychelles has five restaurants and bars. Each outlet has its own individual concept, design and décor, thereby maximizing  the possibilities in terms of culinary and bar experiences. Our little gourmets are also well catered for with different menus to appeal to different ages – including gourmet baby food.

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Corossol “Live”
Corossol “Live” is the main half board buffet restaurant on South Beach. The main focus is the live cuisine creating interaction between the chefs and the guests. The buffet offers different sections – an Asian station with wok and Tandoori station, as well as Asian noodles, central station featuring a beautiful pizza oven, pasta station, grill and plancha, to name just a few.

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Helios “Mediterranean” Buffet restaurant 

A casual chic restaurant on the South beach with its main feature being a large wood-burning oven. Open for lunch and based on a buffet service with influences from the South of France, Italy, Spain, Morocco, Lebanon, etc… Tapas, mezze, antipasti, are followed by thin and crispy pizzas, whole fishes and dishes baked in the oven in cast iron dishes. A wide range of creative pasta is also on offer. For desserts, “Helios” boasts a selection of creative ice creams and sundaes. Tea/pancake and ice-cream service from 15h00 to 17h00. Open for dinner for special evenings only.

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Adam & Eve…“Ethnic Grill” A la carte grill on South Beach
The à la carte restaurant on the South Beach. Its open kitchen offers a selection of creative salads, a large selection of skewers and quality meats and fish dishes grilled or cooked “à la plancha” in front of the guests. Another speciality of this restaurant is the “native” breads that are prepared and cooked on site and served with their local signature “chutney”. Beach Menu available between 12h00 to 17h00. Open for dinner for special themed evenings.

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Cyann

Cyann “Signature cuisine” is a speciality à la carte restaurant with on North Beach
Cyann is the “haute cuisine” restaurant of the resort, unique in its concept and design. Located at the bottom of the Hillside villas, this restaurant offers a beautiful view over Port Launay marine park. Casual chic for lunch, the restaurant turns into an elegant and refined venue in the evening. Cyann proposes a selection of signature dishes combining French culinary techniques with the lightness and flavours of local and Asian influences. A sushi bar, situated near the pool, offers the best quality fish for lunch and dinner. The Chef’s table experience, allows guests to enjoy the action of the kitchen, as well as a specially created menu. Open for lunch from 12h00 to 15h00. Beach Menu available between 12h00 to 17h00. Open for dinner from 19h30 to 22h30.

Seselwa “Cuisine des Iles”

Casual all day à la carte restaurant  on North Beach. Seselwa is a casual and popular outlet, with a lively ambiance and facing the gorgeous North Beach. Designed with white furniture and brightly coloured cushions, it evokes freshness and the festive spirit of Seychelles. Breakfast is served buffet style. At lunch and dinner, Creole specialities are proposed and the freshest seafood is grilled in front of the guests on the central grill. Flavours of the Islands and the very best ingredients are the words that best describe the Seselwa culinary style. Open for breakfast on a buffet style with à la carte options. Open for lunch from 12h00 to 15h00. Beach Menu available between 12h00 to 17h00. Open for dinner from 19h30 to 22h30.

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Four Seasons Seychelles on Mahe

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RESTAURANT ZEZ

Zez boasts spectacular ocean and sunset views from the top of the hillside.

The breakfast buffet takes you on a journey around the world. Our favourite was the three-egg omelette with crab meat, accompanied with potatoes and tomatoes. Waffles, whipped cream, maple syrup, green banana sauce and french toast, caramelised pineapple, cinnamon, maple syrup

Dinner is a contemporary interpretation of intercontinental cuisine, as well as delicate preparations of local fish.  Specialities to be found are Fines de Claires Oysters, Sautéed Foie Gras, Vanilla Glazed Lobster Tail and Premium beef.

APPETISERS

Fines de Claires Oysters – Half Dozen, Shallots Vinegar, Cocktail Sauce
Yellow Fin Tuna Tartare with Avocado, Mango Coulis
Slow-Roasted Pork Belly with Red Wine Braised Cabbage, White Bean Cassoulet
Sautéed Foie Gras with Takamaka Rum and Banana Flambé, Cinnamon Croûtons
Prawns Al Ajillo with Tomato, Garlic, Potatoes Sautéed
Veal Sweetbread with Eggplant and Tomato Ragout, Crispy Potato
Beef Carpaccio – US Beef Tenderloin, Truffle-Lemon Dressing, Seasonal Greens
Rocket Salad with Fresh Figs, Prosciutto, Pomegranate Vinaigrette Lobster Carpaccio with Baby Greens, Champagne Dressing Caprese Salad – Tomato, Buffalo Mozzarella, Balsamic Reduction
Mixed Vegetable Salad – Bell Peppers, Cucumbers, Mango, Radicchio, Endive, Violet Mustard Vinaigrette

SOUP

Grilled Vegetable Gazpacho with Garlic Croûton, Zucchini Wrap
Creamy Seafood Chowder – Bacon, Shrimp, Scallops, Mussels, Red Snapper
Mushroom Soup with Quail Ravioli, Truffle Foam

MAINS

FISH AND SEAFOOD
Red Snapper with Potatoes, Green Beans, Black Olive Tapenade
Job Fish – Pan-seared, Fava Beans, Cherry Tomatoes, Lemon Preserve Sauce
Mahi Mahi with Lentil Salad, Red Wine Tomato Dressing
Vanilla-Glazed Lobster Tail with Mashed Potatoes, Asparagus, Lobster Emulsion
Seafood Cioppino – Prawns, Octopus, Lobster, Grouper, Garlic Bread

MEAT AND POULTRY
Herb-Crusted Lamb Chops with Potato Croquette, Caramelised Fennel, Mint-Rosemary Reduction
Boneless Beef Short Ribs with Potato Gratin, Haricot Verts, Braising Jus
Angus Beef Tenderloin – Grilled, with Truffle Mashed Potato, Sautéed Spinach, Thyme Jus
Stuffed Chicken Breast with Spinach, Pine Nuts, Tomato, Creamy Mascarpone Polenta
Duck Confit Risotto with Morel Mushrooms, Crispy Parmesan Cheese

VEGETARIAN
Vegetable and Potato Mille-Feuille with Caramelised Onions, Sautéed Spinach, Tomato, White Bean Ragout
Saffron Risotto with Seasonal Mushroom Ragout

DESSERT
Roasted Pineapple with Coconut-Vanilla Ice Cream
Tiramisu
Strawberry Macaroon with Yogurt-Ginger Sorbet
Churros with a Duo of Toffee and Vanilla Sauce
Citrus Salad with Orange Short Bread and Calamansi Sorbet
Trio of Gelato – Berries, Pistachio, Orange, Hazelnut, Mocha, Lemon, Stracciatella

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Restaurant Kannel

Stylish yet informal, Kannel serves Creole and international fare, featuring a variety of fresh fish and seafood. Enjoy its beach-side location, stunning open-air setting and spectacular views of the water.

APPETISERS

Mediterranean Salad – Tomato, Bell Pepper, Avocado, Cucumber, Onion, Feta Cheese, Coriander, Crispy Bread, Olive Oil and White Vinegar Dressing

Grilled Asparagus with Mixed Bean Salad, Egg and White Balsamic Dressing

Scallop Fritters with Salsa Verde and Avocado Dip

Niçoise Salad with Soft Poached Egg

Caesar Salad – Romaine Lettuce, Crispy Bacon, Toast, Egg and Caesar Dressing

With Grilled Chicken

With Grilled Prawns

Grilled Octopus Skewer with Sweet Chili Glaze

Tuna Tartare with Spicy Okra Salad

Sliced Raw Fish Marinated in Coconut Dressing with Crab and Spring Onion Cakes

Thai-Style Beef Salad with Tomato, Spring Onion, Cucumber, Coriander, Fresh Chili and Garlic

SOUPS

Spicy Lentil Soup

Ginger Fish Soup with Coconut Milk

Wild Mushroom Soup

MAIN COURSES

Penne Pasta with Tomato Tuna Bolognese

Linguine Al Olio with Green Vegetables and Parmesan

Reef Fish Slow-Cooked Creole-Style with Palm Heart Pickle

Mixed Seafood Grill with Arugula and Baby Spinach Salad

Whole Grilled Catch of the Day with Green Papaya Salad and Creole Rice

Steamed Red Grouper in Light Soy Broth with Wok-Fried Bok Choy

Grilled Beef Sirloin with French Fries and Béarnaise Sauce

Lamb Cutlets with Biryani Rice, Masala Potatoes and Onion Raitta

Oven-Roast Pork Loin with Spicy Honey and Stir-Fried Noodles with Pineapple

Creole – Curry Served with Local Chutney and White Rice

With Prawns

With Chicken

With Fish

Creole Dishes

DESSERTS

Vanilla Pannacotta with Exotic Fruit and Mango Sorbet

Pineapple Crumble and Lime-Piña Colada Sorbet

Passion Fruit Crème Brûlée

Warm Chocolate Brownie with Vanilla Ice Cream

Tapioca with Coconut Milk and Banana Marinated in Rum

Creamy Chocolate with Raspberries and Lychee Sorbet

Homemade Ice Creams and Sorbets

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What to see on Mauritius East Coast

The east coast of Mauritius is my favourite coast. From the quiet creeks of Roches Noires in the north, past the wind swept beaches of Poste Lafayette to the mangroves and down to Belle Mare’s soft sandy beaches there is a surprise at every turn of the coastal road. The public beach of Palmar offers a wide expanse of rock and sand, a great place to take the kids for a picnic enroute. Down in the south east is the quiet sleepy village of Trou d’aux Douce with its friendly inhabitants and the wonderful off shore island of Ile Aux Cerfs. Here are highlights of spots to visit on the east coast or within driving distance.

 

Flacq marketFlacq Market
Flacq is one of the most important villages in Mauritius. This meeting point for inhabitants of the East boasts the country’s largest open air market. The extremely colourful market attracts a large number of people.

 

waterparkThe Waterpark Leisure Village
Enjoy unforgettable moments sliding on the giant chutes, with family or friends. Relaxation and pleasure guaranteed.

 

ile aux cerfsIle aux Cerfs
Ile aux Cerfs is a paradise for water sports and has the most beautiful beach in Mauritius. You cannot afford to miss this tiny island, delicately poised on the ocean, a real pearl in the Mauritian landscape.

 

eureka  mauritiusEureka
Although not technically in the east but the centre of Mauritius in Moka, I have included the drive from the east through to the heart of old colonial Mauritius which can easily be taken in along with a visit to the markets at Quatre Bornes. An old Creole residence built in 1830, Eureka is an essential place to visit during your stay in Mauritius if you wish to immerse yourself in the past.

Situated at Moka, in the fresh and lush climate of central Mauritius, the famous residence “Eureka” was built during the French colonial period and once belonged to a very well known Mauritian family. The main part of the estate has been turned into a museum, and they offer guided tours through this magnificent colonial house, its lush gardens and down to the cascading river.

It is their aim to have their guests experience an extended glimpse of history and they offer three self catering guesthouses on the premises; situated in the vicinity of the main own residence in a quiet corner of the vast gardens and “off the beaten track”.

 

Hope you’ve enjoyed our guide of what to see on the Mauritius East Coast!

What to see on Mauritius North Coast

Grand Bay

Grand Bay was the first area of the island to fully experience the tourist boom. A fishing village twenty years ago, this sheltered bay bobbing with boats is now the main tourism hub of the island. Nicknamed ‘Le Trop’ for its hot shopping and après-sol entertainment, it has plenty of excursions, attractions and beaches nearby. Kids will love the Aquarium (www.mauritiusaquarium.com) in the north, with the chance to feed fish and eyeball a shark. A shopping and leisure paradise, Grand Bay also happens to be the area where Mauritians head for when they want a fun-filled night out (restaurants, bars and discos). Recently renovated, La Cuvette beach is well worth a visit.

Grand Bay

Pereybère

The wonderful Pereybere public beach is popular because of its shopping facilities, restaurants and pubs.

Pereybere Beach

Balaclava Ruins
A few metres away from Baie aux Tortues, which 17th century sailors named after the many tortoises in the area, can be found the ruins of the old Balaclava estate. Visitors will be able to see the sea walls, whose initial foundations were laid down by Mahé de Labourdonnais.

The Triolet Shivala
The longest village on the island, Triolet offers an opportunity to visit the biggest Hindu temple, the Maheswarnath, first built in 1819 in honour of the Gods Shiva, Krishna, Vishnu, Muruga, Brahma and Ganesha.

The Labourdonnais Orchards
Discover a large variety of tropical fruit trees, colourful and perfumed exotic flowers. Trips on mountain bikes or hiking are possible.

L’Aventure du Sucre
Visit an interactive and ultra modern exhibition situated at the heart of an ancient sugarmill and discover the fascinating history of Mauritius and its sugarcane adventure exposed over 5000 sq meters! Then, let yourself be tempted by our tropical boutik with its unique gifts, souvenirs and tasting of special unrefined sugars as well as local rum. Do not miss the opportunity to relish authentic Mauritian cuisine with refined flavours at our restaurant “Le Fangourin”.
Open 7 days a week from 09h00 to 18h00 – Free access to the restaurant and the Village Boutik
Beau Plan-Pamplemousses http://www.aventuredusucre.com/

Port Louis

The capital of Mauritius and the commercial heart. The Blue Penny Museum is home to the world’s first colonial stamp and you can see an ancient dodo skeleton, on the first floor of The Natural History Museum. Get a sense of multi faith Mauritius here by gazing over churches, mosques, and Chinese and Indian temples from the citadel or join the locals and ex-pats on a late afternoon stroll up Signal Mountain – named after the antennae on top – to see the city at sunset.

The picturesque Port-Louis central market continues to be a meeting point for Mauritians looking for a «cari» (curry) or «dithé» (tea). Here you will find all the ingredients that help to create the charm of Mauritius: local crafts, vegetables, famous «dholl purris» as well as herbal tea sellers. Built in 1844 the market is being renovated.

Central Market Port Louis

Enjoy a picturesque and affordable visit to Port-Louis’ Chinatown. The sellers of boiled «chow mein» and fish balls form part of the picturesque scene in an area where you can find almost anything at an affordable price.

ChinatownDuring the past years the Caudan Waterfront has become an unavoidable route for those who wish to have a taste of the best of Mauritius. Offering more than just rows of shops and restaurants Caudan Waterfront also enables you to discover Mauritian expertise in all fields, as you stroll around the area. Fast food or gourmet cooking, jewellery and local crafts, everything to suit all tastes.

Nestling in the Pailles Valley, Domaine les Pailles takes a trip back in time through the history of Mauritius and offers a unique culinary experience. This typical Mauritian estate inflames your imagination with its harmonious combination of history, culture and nature

Pamplemousse Gardens

The gardens are known to naturalists throughout the world for their large collection of indigenous and exotic plants.The 60-acre garden boasts 500 different species of plants, of which 80 are palms. Of particular interest are the giant water lilies, a spice garden and the Talipot Palms, said to flower every 60 years after which they die. The deers and tortoises are sure to delight the youngsters, whilst an old French mansion, Château Mon Plaisir, and an old sugar mill conjure up pictures of Mauritius’ rich historical past.

PamplemousseEureka 

This French colonial mansion once owned by the island’s biggest sugar baron is a feat of engineering, with 109 doors and a complete wrap around balcony to keep residents cool in the tropical heat. Its turreted rooftop windows look particularly pretty against the backdrop of the Moka Mountains. Take the track from the beautiful garden with ebony and bamboo, to a swimming hole beneath a waterfall, as next door neighbour Pierre Poivre once did.
Address: Moka, West Mauritius www.maisoneureka.com

eureka  mauritiusThere’s even more to explore and discover for yourself!

Top 10 Mauritius Luxury Villas of 2012

Reflecting on 2012 we have seen some interesting developments. Whilst there are still some firm favourites making the top 10 we have seen a large increase in family groups looking for a traditional yet trendy villa holiday. This year has been hugely successful for several of the villas on this trend in Mauritius. These spacious architect-designed pool villas with often 5+ bedrooms, offer a real home from home with their own local staff to take away those domestic chores.

2012 has also seen the opening of more luxury oceanfront apartments with very positive client feedback. Wedding parties blocking whole complexes were very popular this year, especially for those with guests from the southern and northern hemispheres meeting half way.

Mauritius continues to attract the villa client who can enjoy a tropical home from home, with homemade cooking, hot sandy beaches and the usual warm welcome of the Mauritius people.

Luxury Beach Apartments

 

Cape Point Apartments – Cap Malheureux (North Coast Mauritius)

 

Cape Point is a fantastic seafront property in North Mauritius just 5 minutes from Grand Bay. This year has seen a flurry of wedding groups with guests from all around the globe. Weddings can be held at Cape Point or at other romantic locations nearby. Cape Point has four spacious 3 bedroom apartments and a 4 bedroom penthouse offering a high level of comfort and stunning views over the lagoon and the northern islands. The swimming pool has a large wooden decking area and a pool bar.

 

Leora Beach Apartments – Tamarin, Black River (West Coast Mauritius) 

Leora opened late 2011 and was the first luxury apartments for rental on the west coast. An instant hit with our guests, it will soon be joined in April 2013 by another similar property L’Espanade. Leora Beachfront Apartments are in a stunning location with amazing sea views. There are 12 apartments and 2 penthouses of 3 bedrooms each set in four stylish blocks. Nearby are top-rated golf courses, sports clubs and commercial centres with shops and restaurants. The opening of such apartments are ideal for families, couples and groups of friends.

Traditional & Trendy Luxury Villas

 

Villa Athénée – Poste Lafayette (East Coast Mauritius)

As always, Villa Athénée is a firm favourite every year, this 5 bedroom beachfront thatched villa is traditonal yet stylish. A real home from home, the guests appreciate the ambiance of the villa, deck, pool and lovely soft sand of the beach as well as the delicious cooking provided by Marie-Josee. Excellent choice for a group of friends or large family.

Villa Hermes

 

Villas Hermes – Belle Mare (East Coast Mauritius)

One of our favourites and with fantastic staff, this villa brings family and golfing groups back year after year. Villas Hermes 2 with its 5 bedrooms can be rented along with Villa Hermes 1 with 4 bedrooms. A much sought-after villa which shares the finest beach of Belle Mare with the One&Only St Géran. All bedrooms are en-suite and air-conditioned. The outside covered terrace leads to a spacious lawn overlooking the powder beach and quiet bay. In our opinion you can’t beat both its location and its dedicated staff . A truly authentic Mauritius holiday experience.

La Boiserie – Trou Aux Biches/Mont Choisy (North Coast Mauritius)

On a gorgeous sandy beach, this well positioned  4-bedroom villa with a guest cottage sleeps up to 8 adults and 2 children. Days are spent sunbathing in the beautifully maintained front garden, laid out lawn and sand or dining under the covered wooden gazebo overlooking the stunning bay. Its location is great for sea sports enthusiasts with the  Blue Water Diving Centre and the Big Game Fishing Centre just 75 metres away. This villa has been very popular for large family groups with small children.

Villa K

 

Villa K – Pointe Aux Canonniers   (North Coast Mauritius)

This brand new exclusive villa lies on the beach overlooking the islands off the North coast. It is designed in tropical contemporary style and consists of 4 air-conditioned and ventilated en suite bedrooms sleeping up to 8 guests.

Villa Thalie

 

Villa Thalie – Domaine de Belle Riviere (South Coast Mauritius)

Located in the south west of Mauritius at Bel Ombre is Domaine de Belle Riviere, one of the most exclusive estates in Mauritius comprising some exclusive luxury private villas and the Sofitel So Mauritius five star luxurious hotel and spa. Villa Thalie has 7 bedrooms (4 suites and 3 doubles) and can sleep up to 18. Excellently managed and with complimentary access to the neighbouring Sofitel So Mauritius beach, kids club, restaurants and spa this has been a big hit with our discerning family groups. Ideal location for a very private and sophisticated wedding.

Villa d'Eden

 

Villa d’Eden – Poste Lafayette (East Coast Mauritius)

A traditional thatched and stone villa with pool and a very attentive housekeeper and cook. With 4 bedrooms Villa d’Eden offers a comfortable relaxing stay whether as a couple or with the family.

Tropical Cove

 

Tropical Cove (East Coast Mauritius)

A popular favourite this beautiful 4-bedroom villa is situated in a tropical garden overlooking the tranquil beach of Roches Noires, in a cove well protected from the wind. It is the ideal location for sports lovers who want to kite surf, use championship golf courses and jog along the coast. Ideal for families sleeping 6 adults and 2 children.

Lunea Villas

 

Lunea Villas – Anahita (East Coast Mauritius)

Ideal for golfing groups and family get togethers, Lunea Villas are nestled in the heart of a 213 acre estate of Anahita with views across to the famous Ile aux Cerfs. The estate also includes the Four Seasons Resort Mauritius and the 18 hole Championship golf course designed by Ernie Els.

Hope you’ve had a wonderful year in 2012, we know we have with the Olympics and Paralympics in the United Kingdom to be excited about amongst all the rest that is happening in Mauritius.

We look forward to welcoming you to some of these beautiful locations in 2013 which is already just round the corner!

Subscootering, Mauritius

Many of our party thought we would never do any Scuba diving, let alone something called Subscootering. From afar it seems like an odd choice for an underwater experience with so many other things on offer on the island. With Blue Safari, we were welcomed and briefed on our morning schedule.

From a jetty we were taken by boat out to a Subscootering Platform beyond the lagoon. Wet suits were given out and there were changing rooms, toilets and showers on board. All dressed and ready to go, you put on some of their plastic shoes to protect our feet. There are two people per scooter, one driving the scooter and another having more of an observational experience. The word scooter suggests a high speed experience, whereas it is a fairly slow moving vehicle and there is plenty of time to observe your surroundings.

You climb aboard the vehicle, are shown how to drive and practice the hand signals for different communications for when underwater, as the diver guiding you can obviously not hear. However, you can communicate with ease with your partner in the scooter, from your anxieties to your observations which our party found a valuable part of the experience. If you would like to record your experiences underwater you must ensure you have an underwater camera as on the vehicle you are not able to photograph with a regular camera.

At first it was a shock, but as none of our party had ever done any diving before, this could possibly account for it. Not long after popping our ears and getting deeper into the water, we encountered shoals of different fish; below us we could see coral as we floated past.

Our guide left to return to the surface for a second and returned with bread, all the fish around us ran towards him. He gestured for us to give him our hand and he passed us a lump of bread so we could feed the fish ourselves. Muchlike any animal feeding experience, it was strange, it tickled and yet we all enjoyed it.

On coming to the surface, we felt very heavy as the wetsuits were filled with water and we’d been used to the lightness in the water but we all had smiles on our faces. Once you’d peeled off the wet suits, you were welcomed with a drink of your choice once you were dry. Definitely a great experience for anyone who is interested in scuba diving but either doesn’t have the confidence or has problems with swimming. You will definitely always remember this experience!

Casela Nature & Leisure Park

The Casela Nature & Leisure Park was stunning in the blazing heat and, as most Mauritians know, it has expanded to much more than an aviary. The birds take up the majority of what can now be called a Zoo but the newest features such as the fishing and petting zoo are the most enchanting due to their interaction with the park visitors; especially children.

The birds are in multitude of several species of varying endangerment from many tropical climates around the world. The descriptions are in both English and French which was very helpful and there is plenty of useful information, infographics and maps. The birds are accompanied by the solemn tortoises that roam around an open area where you can walk right up to them and take pictures.

The petting zoo is one of the most wonderful places where you can feed the animals with the available feed or baby milk bottles. The animals here are not just the typical farmyard animals but feature (at the time of our visit) a very tame zebra, several deer, a few ostrich and a few animals more commonly seen worldwide such as farmbirds and goats. Having a young deer eat or drink from directly out of your hands is captivating for anyone, child or adult.

The Tilapia fishing was another great experience to share with a group. You’re equipped with equipment similar to the average fisherman of this island paradise and have a small, safe body of water to catch fish in. Most of it is luck and patience but two of us managed to catch fish and, despite having to return it to the water, we felt very accomplished.

The hilltop restaurant that looks over most of the park and Mauritian country-side features a vast, mouth-watering selection of food, including some of the best of Mauritian and Indian-Ocean cuisine.  There are plenty more activities such as the safari (via Bus, Jeep, Quad-bike or Segway) for the more adventurous but we found there was plenty of fascinating animals and experiences to be had otherwise.

http://www.caselayemen.mu/

C Beach Club, Heritage Resorts

Overview
Whilst staying at the Heritage Villas, you are welcome at the trendy C Beach Club where you can have a social dip in the pool, do water sports at the Boathouse and be served food and drink whilst you relax on the beach. It also houses the V.I. Teens Club, which organises events throughout the day, every day, tailor-made to the teenagers attending.

Food & Drink on the beach
On the beach we were offered a menu from the restaurant which was filled with various cocktails, pizzas and paninis. We tried four different pizzas; Seafood, Mediterranean, Four Cheeses and Rocket & Parma Ham. Out of all four, the seafood pizza was the best, full of flavour. To drink we ordered all four of the Mocktails (Non-alcoholic Cocktails), these went really well with our pizzas.

The Boathouse
We couldn’t resist hiring equipment from the Boathouse after seeing others enjoying the water sports. There are Laser boats, Kayaks and Pedalos, as well as Wind surfing, Water Skiing and other sports. With Pedalos and Kayaks you are able to explore right up the beach to Awali within designated zones.

V.I. Teens Club
Some of our party were very interested in the teens club, immediately they were encouraged by the ‘V.I. Teens Animator’ to get involved with a beach volleyball match during which several other teenagers from other parts of the resort joined. The atmosphere made it easy for everyone to make friends which were especially interesting as they came from all over the world. The ‘Animator’ took suggestions for activities for the following day and followed up with the teenagers schedule at the next breakfast.


http://www.cbeachclub.mu

Design background of St Regis Mauritius Resort Mauritius

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Opening on 15 Sept 2012 the first St Regis Resort in the Indian Ocean – The St Regis Mauritius Resort

The tradition of the St Regis brand and design will merge with the local heritage and regional aesthetics of Mauritius.

Stauch Vorster, an internationally renowned architect and  Trevor Julius interior designer of dsgn were inspired but the  romance of Mauritius colonial past and the location in the shadow of the World Heritage site of Le Morne Mountain on the Southwest tip of the island.

The architects and interior designers have recreated the grandeur, structure and ambience of a 19th century sugar baron’s manor house and historical estate. The legacy of colonial romance, refinement and education of this era matches  perfectly with the St. Regis’ history and vision of the art of living.

The design is the colonial style of grandeur and authenticity with rooms with airy high volumes, huge verandas and colonnades especially in the manor house. No impersonal reception but the feeling that the guests are arriving at a private residence.

Matching the St. Regis values of personalised experiences and discretion, the guest is greeted on arrival by a spectacular view along a colonnade and a personal welcome by a signature St Regis butler.

The remainder of the resort is designed around the manor house, where the restaurants, bars, ballroom and other facilities such as a library and conservatory can be found. Its tropical gardens house within the vast estate the spa, pool, additional restaurants, guest suites and a villa.

The architecture of the manor house and other buildings, such as the boathouse, have been conceived as altered originals, deliberately conjuring the passage of time. History has been preserved in the details, the furnishings have all been carefully collected and selected – no two pieces are the same. It mirrors the habits of the colonial owners who cherished and collected heirlooms associated with their Mauritius ancestors’ rich colonial past, taking in French, Eastern, British and Indian influences.

Delightful to see are the bespoke designs specifically created for particular rooms in the manor house. Toiles and wallpapers reference historical events and central moments in Mauritian history, or aspects of the regional flora, or even details from historical sketchbooks.

The St. Regis Mauritius will host six premier restaurants, each with its own definitive style drawn from a particular aspect of Mauritian heritage and all led by the Hotels’ highly acclaimed French Executive Chef Dominique Blais.

The bar is adorned with a signature mural, a St. Regis trademark. Wood, fabric, rattan and bamboo are the dominant materials used creating the warm atmosphere which takes one back in time.

The guest suites are generous in size and well positioned in order that guests can enjoy the proximity of the beach and spectacular ocean views. The suites flow easily from inside to outside.

The interiors reflect colonial romance with natural materials and a neutral tone-on-tone palette.

The overwhelming impression the resort design and feel is a home away from home, with a perfect romantic touch that perfectly embodies the St. Regis experience.

More details http://www.villasdemaitre.com/hotelinfo.asp?SupplierID=1799