DESTINATIONS TRIED & TESTED


Lux Grand Baie


The fourth Lux hotel in Mauritius, Lux Grand Baie opened in December 2021. The property, with interiors by British designer Kelly Hoppen, is all trendy concrete, wood and neutral tones, with black and white photography in the rooms – a marked contrast to the many other Mauritius hotels that take inspiration from the island’s colonial past. All 86 Junior Suites, with their sheltered, glass-walled balconies, are ocean-facing. The 30 pool residences, villas and penthouses have the same look and feel, with two or three en-suite rooms and private pools. Not that the main property is short of pools – besides the infinity pool at Bisou, the curved, palm-lined family-friendly main pool is fringed by plenty of loungers. And for guests more interested in retoxing after their detox, Beach Rouge has a swim-up bar with a DJ booth for sun- drenched daytime parties. All in all, Lux Grand Baie


has a young, fresh feel that’ll suit both young families and couples, who are – thoughtfully – placed on separate floors of the property. Rooms start at £400, based on double occupancy on a B&B basis. luxresorts.com


ABOVE: Entrance to Lux Grand Baie PICTURES: Tom Fallon


which therapist Pushpa tells me can reduce stress and boost the immune system, accompanied by the sounds and vibrations of brass singing bowls, provide the perfect workout- rest balance for a wellness stay. A stay at Lux is as relaxed as you like: pools for lounging by are teamed with complimentary watersports, from windsurfing and waterskiing to stand-up paddleboarding. I take a kayak out to explore the bay the property is built around, the waters sheltered by a coral reef a little farther out to sea. Paddling around the gentle turquoise waves is just as immersive and stress-relieving as the meditation session.


TASTY MENUS It’s enough to work up a solid appetite. Which is just as well: there are more restaurants to try. Bisou is the most relaxed, fun option – you can even eat your lunch on a lounger in the infinity pool, which has its own swing (though the fun bit is roping someone into lifting you up to it for your Insta shot). Tapas-style dishes with international influences here range from delightful delicacies for


travelweekly.co.uk The wellness and


fitness offering is far from rammed down your throat, but it’s there if you want it


omnivores – the likes of oysters and lobster rolls to beef kebabs – through to healthy vegan options such as houmous with carrots. Beach Rouge, on the other hand, is the main, day-to-night restaurant, where breakfast options include a fluffy egg-white omelette turned green with spirulina, vegan acai and coconut and chia bowls, plus all kinds of house-made kombuchas (red fruit, lime and passionfruit were among the flavours). There’s a protein shake station (Minten’s favourite, as a keen runner and cyclist) with everything from chia


BOOK IT


Inspiring Travel Company offers five nights from £1,639 per person based on two adults sharing a Lux Junior Suite, including daily breakfast, return economy-class flights from Heathrow and private transfers. inspiringtravelcompany.co.uk


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and linseed to acai powder and nutritional yeast. Burgers, steaks and pasta dishes come alongside seafood grills with healthy veggie sides (from asparagus to foraged mushrooms). As well as a substantial wine list, there’s a range of not-too- sweet mocktails. Calories are listed on the menus next to each dish, for those who feel the need to count. However, you could absolutely come to Lux and indulge: barely move a muscle, visit the gelato stand every day for the freshly made scoops, wallow in the spa and lounge by the pool. The wellness and fitness offering is far from rammed down your throat, but it’s there if you want it. I choose to do both: what’s the point in sweating it out in the gym if you’re not going to


have double helpings of dulce de leche ice cream of an afternoon, followed by wine with dinner? But I leave feeling healthy, relaxed – and very, very well indeed. TW


MAURITIUS | WELLNESS HOLIDAYS


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