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HOW TO BOOK IT
Hayes & Jarvis offers offers
a seven-night package at
Les Pavillons for £1,199pp,
a saving of £409pp.
The trip departs London
Heathrow on June 14 and
includes BA flights and
half-board accommodation.
Tel: 0871 664 0246,
hayesandjarvis.com
concierge Mauritius
When to go the kestrel and the
Mauritius has a tropical pink pigeon, can be
climate; summer is from found there. Seeking
November to May, out the Aldabra giant
averaging 22-35°C. tortoise is also a major
In the winter season, attraction.
May to November,
temperatures still Useful contacts
average anywhere from Mauritius Tourism
17-26°C. Cyclones can Promotion Authority,
affect the country tel: 020 7584 3666,
between November mauritius.net
packages being upsold to all-inclusive. described as “an easy sell”, such is the
and April. The central
“It’s a interesting trend,” she says. depth of the financial crisis reverberating
plateau regions Time
“People are increasingly opting for the all- around the globe. Those who have money
generally are a few GMT + 4 hours
degrees cooler. (+5 in winter).
inclusive deal, where they are safe in the to spend want value for every penny.
knowledge that everything is pre-paid and Mauritius commands endless appeal for
Getting there In touch
there is little risk of letting the costs run its aesthetic beauty. It is fly and flop for
Air Mauritius operates Mobile phone signals
away with themselves.” those escaping to total relaxation, and three flights a week from are strong. Many of
What makes Les Pavillons special? Well, there is more than enough for the more
Heathrow T3 and Virgin the top resorts offer
guests indulge in a little self-pampering at intrepid tourist looking to get off the
Atlantic one flight a high-speed internet
week from Heathrow T3. connection.
the Nymphea spa where there are eight beaten track too. Above all, Mauritius as a
British Airways operates International dialling
double treatment villas and more oil product guarantees as much value for your
four weekly flights from code: 00 230.
concoctions than you can shake a stick at. clients’ holiday as it does for your business.
Heathrow T5. Non-direct
There is a hydrotherapy suite, double options from London Cashflow
massage room, infinity pool and team of
include Air France via £1 = 49 Mauritian rupees
manicure and pedicure specialists.
EXPERT EYE
Paris and Emirates (MUR). Local currency is
The resort has four separate restaurants
via Dubai. useful when shopping at
local markets but hotels
offering a range of cuisine: casual dining on “The island may be famed
Getting around and restaurants tend to
the beach front at Nautile, Mediterranean as a destination for couples
Mauritians drive on the deal in euros.
fare at the open-air Obergine, Thai/Asian and honeymooners but in left-hand side and give
fusion at Nipa and the more traditional reality it caters for families
way to the right, making Language
Horizon, which serves up a non-stop and groups equally as well.
it easy for UK drivers to The majority of the
buffet. Guests are unlikely to get fed up
adapt. Car rental population is bi-lingual
Having visited Mauritius
companies on the island in French and English.
with the menus even on a two-week stay. nearly a dozen times I
include Sixt, Hertz and Creole is the language
As the world’s financial markets crashed, cannot explain the joy I feel each time I land. It’s
Budget. Mauritours used on the street.
the company’s bosses could be forgiven for the type of place where I don’t need to ask myself operates airport transfer
thinking the timing of their investment in ‘am I going to have a good time?’ I know I will.” and chauffeur services. Culture
Les Pavillons was unfortunate. But judging “Mauritius is important to us and forms a
The Mauritian
by Docherty’s glowing reports on booking significant percentage of our overall bookings.
Wow factor population is made of up
The island has become diverse ethnic groups.
volumes at the Naiade resorts, they Yes it is about gorgeous sea and sand, but it’s
an international beacon Immigrants came to the
needn’t have more than just that. It offers great culture and a
for the protection of island from Africa, India,
worried. fantastic choice of luxury and boutique hotels,
endangered species and France, China and the
There are few such as the Naiade range, which can match a natural ecosystems. UK, creating a
destinations in the variety of clients – weddings, honeymoons,
Some of the world’s harmonious mix of
world just now groups, golfers, families and late deals.
rarest birds, including values and traditions.
38
that can truly be Brendan Maguire, managing director, If Only
feature mauritius
spring 09
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