REVIEWS


Grand Baie, Mauritius


LOCATION: In the eastern part of Grand Baie, in the north of Mauritius, set in a sheltered cove. Grand Baie was where Mauritian tourism began, with Prince William visiting on his gap year at its glitzy peak in the late 1990s. Resorts such as Lux are giving the area a new lease of life.


FIRST IMPRESSIONS: The cavernous, ship-inspired main hall looking out across the ocean makes quite an introduction. Lux Grand Baie is a minimalist’s dream of monochrome, natural woods and concrete – designed by Mauritian architect Jean- François Adam, who took inspiration from his childhood beach visits, alongside interiors by British designer Kelly Hoppen.


THE FACTS: The accommodation comprises 86 Junior Suites with ocean-facing terraces (couples and families stay on Ãi«>À>Ìi yooÀî] Óä *ool ,iÃi`inViÃ] ÌÜo *ool *inÌhoÕÃià >n` eight Pool Villas. There are three restaurants: Bisou, a rooftop ëoÌ vi>ÌÕÀin} >n inwniÌÞ «ool ÜiÌh > ÃÜin}] ovviÀà Ì>«>Ã- style sharing plates; day-to-night eatery Beach Rouge, serving pizzas and wagyu ÃÌÀi«loin ÃÌi>kÆ >n` ƂÃi>n wni-`inin} >Ì Ƃi Kisu, based on a Mauritian take on Japanese warayaki straw wÀi Vookin}] ÕÃin} ÃÕ}>À V>ni li>Ûið Ƃ ¼kiin on }Àiin½ minÕ across all three restaurants helps diners choose vegan and vegetarian options. Guests can take part in meditation, yoga and spin classes in the gym, or watersports such as kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and waterskiing, free of charge.


There is even a nightclub. And while we encountered some problems – ongoing building work and leaky air-conditioning in our room – staff swiftly offered us a room change.


IDEAL FOR: liinÌÃ Üho liki Ìo yÞ >n` yo« in ÃÌÞliÆ >Ã Üill >Ã the beach, there are plenty of pools to lounge by. One has a swim-up bar and DJ, while another has a kid-friendly section. The Lux brand attracts a hip crowd, with couples and families co-existing peacefully.


EXPLORE: If in the unlikely event you’ve exhausted the hotel’s minÕ o«ÌionÃ] À>n` >ii ià wlli` ÜiÌh ÀiÃÌ>ÕÀ>nÌà >n` L>Àð Clients keen to explore nature should head to Pamplemousses Botanic Garden, with its giant water lilies and resident tortoises.


WOW: /hi ÌhÀii-yooÀ i ë> ià > ÌÀÕi ÀiÃÌ voÀ Ìhi ÃinÃiÃ]


with a natural colour palette and staircase featuring built-in streams of water. Hit the state-of-the-art Turkish hammam or the hydrothermal bath journey, with a multi-sensory water «>Ìh ­miÃÌ] Ü>ÌiÀ jiÌà >n` ¼À>inv>ll½®° /hiÀi½Ã >lÃo >n oÕÌ`ooÀ relaxation garden and pool.


BOOK IT: A night’s B&B starts at £400, based on double occupancy.


LUXRESORTS.COM Clare Vooght


aspiretravelclub.co.uk


SEPTEMBER 2022 ASPIRE 109


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