Tried & Tested: Reviews
blends created from healing plants in the Ayurvedic herb garden, through to private yoga sessions on Ilot Mangenie. Shangri-La’s intrinsic concept of
“hospitality from the heart” is a good fit with the resort’s reputation for exceptional personal service. Guests are still treated like family by the staff, many of whom have been here since the beginning themselves – like Barlen, who started as a dishwasher and became manager of the beach restaurant that was later named after him but has since become Republik. Thoughtful additions range from homemade ice cream –including Mauritian New Grove rum and raisin – served in the lobby, to mobile check-in and a departure lounge. Family daybeds and private cabanas are on order for Ilot Mangenie and Shangri-La is developing areas previously lacking investment – such as the two conference rooms, which hold up to 80 people –with no expense spared. While its roots may be Asian, Shangri-La aims to bring Mauritius into the hotel too in order to create a sense of place. A sega dancer greets guests on arrival, the CHI Spa has a signature traditional Tipik massage, with hypnotising strokes in rhythm to piped sega
music, and local pink ‘dodo’ brand flip flops have replaced slippers. Gourmet Mauritian rum tasting
and contemporary Tiki cocktails, with ingredients from villages island-wide, are now offered at the iconic Sega Bar and other plans in the pipeline include the re-wilding of Ilot Bourgo – a third but neglected island, reached by a bridge – with endemic plants, a dodo museum and a stargazing observatory. Along with Ilot Mangenie’s two
miles of pretty beach and butler service, guests had always
typically spent their days on the resort’s other island – Ile aux Cerfs, and that has changed little. They can still head there for complimentary watersports and an added treetop adventure course. It is also still home to the award-winning 18-hole Bernhard Langer-designed championship golf course. Much work has also been done
on revamping the activities programme, which now offers authentic island experiences such as a cycle tour to Trou d’eau Douce village, where fishermen unload
their day’s catch from boats onto the quay. Other options include bargaining over spices in Flacq market as part of a cooking class with chef Bundi, or crab spotting in the mangrove on a kayaking eco- tour from Ile aux Cerfs’ boathouse. Another highlight is a day trip to explore the lesser-known eastern islands on One Love, a hot pink speedboat with Creole guides and a lobster lunch on Ile aux Cerfs. It hasn’t all been plain sailing
with some new initiatives – “music zones” introduced in a once-silent resort, Wi-Fi added on Ilot Mangenie and the reassignment of beloved staff – having upset some regulars, who tend to be mature couples from the UK, France and Germany. But things they’re complaining
little about are the increased food choices, and cheaper drinks – with Champagne flowing at the rate of 40 bottles a day, according to general manager, Gabriele Lombardo. Shangri-La is also targeting a
younger 35-40s crowd, by aiming to promote the island’s skydiving, mountain climbing and kite surfing, and via collaborations with local contemporary artists and musicians, from jazz musicians to sega greats. DJs, jam sessions and
20 flavours of tequila now feature at the boho-style
Republik Beach Club & Grill which features sunken sandpits, bean bags on the beach and contemporary art on the Mediterranean-style menu. “We think people tend to be in bed
by 10pm at most hotels in Mauritius, because the entertainment is over. But we want to create a platform for something different,” says executive assistant manager Sebastian Noat. And as Le Touessrok approaches
a very big birthday, Shangri-La is once again making it the coolest place to stay on Mauritius, proving there’s definitely life after 40.
How to book it Sunset Faraway offers seven nights in an Ocean Deluxe room from £1,599pp including breakfast, flights with Emirates and private transfers (valid for travel May 1 to September 30). Tel: 020 8774 7100,
sunset.co.uk
TRIED & TESTED SPRING 2016
TTGLUXURY.COM 77
Luxurious all-rounder
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