Review of Mauritius Lux Belle Mare Resort
Mauritius is an Indian Ocean volcanic island nation with a reputation as a tropical paradise, known for its palm-fringed breaches and lagoons with coral reefs surrounding most of the coastline. Located about 1,200 miles off the south-east coast of Africa, to the east of Madagascar, it is sub-divided into nine districts covering an area of 720 square miles. Mauritius went through Dutch and French rule between the 16th and early 19th centuries and was named after Prince Maurice of the Netherlands by the Dutch squadron who landed there in 1598. It then became part of the British colony before gaining its independence in 1968.
Mauritius is located off the south-east coast of Africa, to the east of Madagascar
The 9 districts of Mauritius
It is a densely populated island with a plural society of around 1.3 million people who are multiethnic, multicultural and multilingual, including Hindus, Muslims, Creoles, Chinese and Europeans. Although the official language is English, most locals speak French and Creole (pidgin French). Mauritius was the only known home of the dodo which became extinct through human activities shortly after the island's settlement. The local currency is the Mauritian Rupee.
The view from our balcony
Looking across the swimming pool to K-Bar
Flying to Mauritius
Direct flights from London to Mauritius are available and last around 12 hours in each direction but can be several hundred pounds more expensive than routes with a stop-off; although if you're booking well in advance check Skyscanner for attractive direct rates (BA do some good ones). We chose to fly with Emirates with a stop-off of a couple of hours in Dubai, which helped to break things up but did make it feel a rather long journey allowing for transfer times to/from resort and time in the airport as well. We booked as a package holiday from Mauritius Holidays direct who offered a good deal (particularly for a last minute booking) and were always helpful by phone & email.
Emirates offer flights to Mauritius via Dubai
Transfer to Lux Belle Mare Resort in Mauritius
The airport is in the south east of the country, around an hour away from the Lux Belle Mare resort which is also on the east coast but further north. Mauritius is the type of place where you should be careful whenever you leave places such as your resort or the airport. Muggings, theft and violence outside of tourist areas are not uncommon and in fact it looked like some trouble amongst locals was starting just 100 yards outside of the airport exit as we left. Whilst Mauritius is no longer considered a developing country and the road infrastructure is not too bad, the roads weave and wind around the coast and naturally take in the undulating landscape along and close to the coast. If you suffer from travel sickness I would definitely recommend taking a motion sickness tablet before the start of the journey. There are also lots of stray dogs who sometimes dart into the road and prompted our taxi driver to make a semi-emergency stop on a couple of occasions, so be prepared!
Overall, it wasn't the most peaceful or pleasant of airport transfers but we knew the best part of the holiday was to come...
The route from the airport to Lux Belle Mare resort
Lux Belle Mare Resort - overview
When we arrived at resort we were greeted by smiling, friendly staff who welcomed us with a drink and pineapple fruit (the local speciality seemed to be royal pineapple with different types of flavoured salt). The open-plan reception, like the rest of the hotel, is light, spacious and airy with simple but elegant decor - not opulent or overstated. We immediately felt relaxed and ready to explore the meandering paths interspersed with palms and grasses. The place has a traditional thatched roof which we saw locals working on whilst we were there (it did not disrupt our holiday experience in any way).
The resort boasts 5 restaurants, a central tiered heated swimming pool, tennis courts, stunning long white beach with water sports activities like windsurfing, kayaking and snorkelling, main K-bar and a separate rum bar, shops, games room with table football, herb garden where some of the local produce is grown and extensive landscaped gardens.
Aerial view of the Lux Belle Mare resort
The light, spacious and airy reception area
Accommodation
Lux Belle Mare accommodates 174 hotel suites and 12 private villas. The rooms are huge and luxurious with his and hers sinks and separate bath and shower in the bathroom; large dressing table and walk-in wardrobe; comfortable king-sized double bed; sizeable 'lounge' area with sofa, coffee table and drinks/snack/fridge cabinet; and balcony which in our case overlooked the edge of the pool looking through to the beach and Indian Ocean. Rooms were designed by Kelly Hoppen who has breathed inspiration into the interiors, making rooms and open spaces seductive to honeymooners and for multi-generational and family escapes. The villas each have a private pool and outdoor bathing area with the option of food being delivered to the villa for you.
Comfortable king size double bed
Suite room with walk-in wardrobe to the right and bedroom / lounge area in the background
Outdoor area to private villa
Service and Staff
The service at Lux Belle Mare is second to none. At the time we travelled it was the top rated hotel on Trip Advisor and we think that's for very good reason. The staff all greet you with a smile, they're very kind and always happy to help. Special thank you to Stacey who was an intern at the time and showed us to our room and helped us for much of our stay and Priya who was always excellent in the restaurant. Creole seemed to be the language spoken by most of the Lux Belle Mare staff between themselves; most also seemed to speak multiple other languages to help different guests.
Award winning staff who were excellent
Food and Drink
There are five different restaurants at Lux Belle Mare, each with their own distinctive style and cuisine. Guests visiting on a full board package can choose to dine at Mixe, Beach Rouge or K-Bar as part of their inclusive meal plan, with Duck Laundry (Chinese) also included for those on a fully inclusive package. Finally, there is an Indian restaurant by Michelin Stared chef Vineet Bhatia, the most premium choice where full board and all inclusive guests can enjoy 30% off the final bill. There is a huge variety of food available, all with outstanding hospitality.
Mixe
Mixe is buffer style all day and the place where breakfast is served for all guests (unless of course you take advantage of the option to have breakfast served to your suite or villa). There was a fresh fruit stand at breakfast each day, another whole section for waffles and pancakes made to order with any choice of topping you could imagine and ready-made juices and smoothies that were absolutely divine (the type where you know it tastes amazing and its good for you too!). The mild paneer curries were also particularly good. On a couple of nights the meat options were more limited but we would recommend trying different restaurants on different nights anyway. Like all the restaurants in resort, Mixe was great at getting little details like a gluten free section just right.
Mixe restaurant at midday
Mixe fresh fruit bar
Eating fruit and dessert at Mixe
Beach Rouge
Beach Rogue occupies prime position right on the edge of the beach with stunning views across the Indian Ocean. It brings together an upmarket, feel good, chilled out party vibe with a hint of the French Riviera in the airy white and red decor. The steaks, pizzas, pasta carbonara and cured meat with melon starters were all divine and Priya (my partner) vouched for the vegetarian options too. The restaurant extends onto a laid back open air lounge area where cocktails and tapas make for lazy days and cool evenings. There is also a good choice of seasonal fare, including produce 'de la mer'.
The entrance to Beach Rouge lit up at night
Dining at Beach Rouge
K-Bar
K-Bar is the bar-restaurant by the pool and overlooking the ocean at Belle Mare. It's just up from the water sports hut so (as I'm a bit of a water sports enthusiast) made for a convenient lunch location having just come off the water. We ate at K-Bar most days for lunch because the fish and chips were absolutely divine. This was prepared using a very 'meaty' fish (I'm not entirely sure which type), almost tasting more like chicken than fish in a rich home-made batter. Service could be slow at times but the waiters loved to crack jokes which kept us entertained - even if it seemed that sometimes meant they forgot what we'd asked for! The chocolate brownie was also really good. If you choose a table on the edge of the decked area you can more easily see the activities on the beach and ocean.
A table at the edge of the decking at K-Bar, overlooking the beach and ocean
The K-Bar terrace
Amari by Vineet
We went to Amari on the last night as a special treat. With the 30% off for a Michelin star chef the price isn't too bad at all, coming to about the equivalent of £35 per head (excluding wine). Vineet Bhatia is a leading chef who is credited with reinventing and reinvigorating Indian cuisine. His first Michelin star restaurant was at Zakia in London in 2001, followed by another in 2006 for his personal venture 'Rasoi' in London as well as in 2009 for 'Rasoi by Vineet' in Geneva. The service was impeccable, with the manager making us feel very welcome and talking through the menu and background to the cuisine, and the food even better. The restaurant is a clean-lined but opulent space and makes for a more affordable way to try Vineet's fare that would be the case in London.
A special treat to Amari on the last night
Duck Laundry
Heading further east, Duck Laundry is Lux Belle Mare's contemporary Chinese offering, featuring duck in its many guises including crowd-pleasing Peking duck with steamed pancakes. Dim sum, live noodle-making stations, a wood-fired duck oven and a Chinese barbecue station complete the experience, crowned by a varied selection of Chinese teas and Asian spirits. We did not dine at Duck Laundry ourselves but heard positive reviews from fellow guests.
Duck Laundry restaurant
'Ici' Ice Cream Bar
We stayed at Belle Mare on a full board package so were slightly envious of any all inclusive guests who were able to enjoy unlimited homemade ice cream from the 'ici' ice cream bar included with their package over the course of the day! That said, many of the flavours are also available from the ice cream bar in the evening and lunch-time waiters at K-Bar were happy to provide us with plenty of vanilla ice cream alongside some very tasty (and sizeable) chocolate brownies for dessert. Ici prices for guests who did not benefit from the all inclusive package were a little on the high side.
The 'ici' ice cream bar serving home made ice cream
Rum Bar
There is a very well equipped rum bar on the edge of the K-Bar restaurant, next to the pool called Mari Kontan. Exploring the vibrant culture and flavours of an extraordinary locale, Mari Kontan showcases the history, language, food, music and dance of the Sugar Island. Guests can sample a selection of locally produced Mauritian rums including 'Pink Pigeon', a premium rum popular with tourists, as well as 'Green Island' which is more affordable but still very drinkable, more commonly consumed by local Mauritians.
Mari Kontan rum bar by day
Mari Kontan rum bar by night
Evening Entertainment
There was live music with a different band of various genres every night. We often found it worked well to eat relatively late then move to the lower part of the tiered seating overlooking the bar area for dessert just as the live music was getting going at around 9-9:30pm. Our favourite acts were a bongo player and guitarist duo and Sega dancing, a fun and energetic dance to the ever-intensifying rhythm of the instruments.
Guitarist and bongo player duo
Looking down as the entertainment started as we ate dessert
Looking across the pool to the entertainment area
The Beach
Regulars to Mauritius told us the beach at Belle Mare is the best and incomparable to anything else on the island, boasting crystal clear water and beautiful white sand. This is true - the place is picture perfect and makes the ideal backdrop for a morning run or sunset stroll with the jet black igneous rocks providing a beautiful contrast to the soft white sand.
The Luxe Bell Mare beachfront is huge - this is about a quarter of it
For running in the morning you'll need to get started by no later than 7:30am before the rising sun and increasing heat gets overbearing. It was a popular pursuit and we would often cross other guests from Lux and other nearby resorts. If you run north along the beach for around 15 minutes you'll come to a Hindu temple - a good place to take a pause mid-run. The temple includes a Ganesha (elephant god), one of the best-known and widely worshipped deities in the Hindu religion. It is respectful to remove shoes and any leather clothing e.g. belts when visiting the Hindu temple.
Hindu template - a 15 minute run north up the beach
We did notice the beach was covered with broken and sometimes slightly sharp fragments of coral reef, which we could only assume had been knocked off be the propellers of power boats along the beach. As a regular user of the wakeboarding facilities it would be hypocritical of me to complain, although it did make me appreciate the impact of tourism on the island is not all positive. The environmental impact of course comes to mind first, although it did make bare foot activities on the beach more challenging too.
Priya exploring the rocky area on the beach
Back to the positives, there are a number of beach sellers around Belle Mare selling mainly jewellery and figurines. Whilst they're all keen to make a sale we didn't find any of them too pushy and purchased a couple of necklaces - one mother of pearl and one cultured pearl - which were well priced. There were also brushes to remove the sand from your feet and lower legs outside each block of bedrooms, which was a nice touch (and much needed).
Good sailing conditions around high tide, with windsurfing planing condition 2 days a week
Paintbrushes for sandy toes
Azure waters make for an impressive photo backdrop
Daily Activities
Lux put up a daily timetable near the main reception and by the entrance to the Mixe restaurant which is a good place to look to help you plan your day each morning. We found it useful to take a photo of the timetable on our photos each day to remind us what was coming up, when without having to go back to the reception each time. The hotel provide a variety programme to cater to different preferences and it's just a case of doing as much or as little as you like.
An example of the daily timetable during our stay
Water-ski and Wakeboarding
The boat team were fantastic and never tired of my attempts to cram in as much wakeboarding as possible during the high tide hours each day. Every time I added myself to the back of the queue again each turn, the team (particularly the head of the department) greeted me with a smile. Wakeboards and ski equipment was all pretty new and in good condition and there were no issues with the running of the boats whilst we were there. If you're a water-sports enthusiast, just bear in mind that the 'unlimited' water sports is normally available for around 2-3 hours each day around high tide. There may be one or two boats running depending on how many guests want to use the facilities; the number of tows you get each day will depend on how many other guests are waiting and the number of boats in operation. Instructors were very good particularly with beginners, explaining everything properly on land before getting on the water. There were also some children as young as six who were given special kiddie water skis and from what I saw exceptionally well catered for.
Wakeboarding
Windsurfing
Mauritius is renowned for excellent windsurfing conditions. The best conditions are on the west coast (Lux's Le Morne is the group's staple windsurfing resort) but Belle Mare still provided 2-3 planing days over the course of our 10 day stay and a good breeze to practice tacking and jibing on other days. The staff are happy to help with equipment and set-up and answer any questions you have about the windsurfing, but there are no scheduled group lessons.
Windsurfing
As you would expect, the range of equipment is more limited than what you'd get in dedicated windsurfing resorts - sails went up to 6 metres, a handful of boards of different sizes to choose from and harness available from the water sports hut. The sails were a bit tired and, like wakeboarding, windsurfing is only available during the few hours of high tide each day. I would strongly recommend wearing neoprene booties to protect your feet from the coral if you fall off in a shallower area, and consider some protection for your lower legs too as the coral can be sharp and isn't far below the surface at all, especially if you try to stretch the high tide hours to maximise sailing time.
Windsurfing
Snorkelling and Scuba Diving
Lux organise snorkelling boat trips most days during the week. Guests are taken out on a glass bottom boat to the edge of the reef where the water is deeper and dare I say the coral not as damaged. It's a worthwhile activity, good way to get to know some fellow guests (there were around 12-14 people on the trip I did) and there a number of different types of fish to see but nothing too exotic or unusual. Trips were sometimes run twice a day so choose a day/time when it isn't possible to do other activities on the water because of the tidal conditions.
Snorkelling
Horse Riding
Horse riding is run by 3rd party organisers although the hotel staff are happy to arrange this for you. Our only service complaint during the holiday was when we booked horse riding for the two of us one morning. We had been told to wait at the Beach Rouge restaurant at 10:30am but by 11am no-one had arrived. After enquiring about this at reception it quickly became apparent that the horse riding company had needed to reschedule the ride and had made the hotel aware but this information had not been relayed onto us. Whilst this was a shame, Lux handled the situation well, apologised profusely and covered the cost of one of our rides when we did it later in the week. I always think the sign of a good hotel is how the staff deal with situations that don't go to plan, and we were happy with the resolution.
Waiting for horse riding to start at Beach Rouge
The horse riding itself was great fun. The staff were friendly and made sure we were safe and comfortable without being over the top or intrusive on the experience. They were more than happy to alter the ride based on experience level with the option for a bit of a canter along quieter stretches of the beach if you choose. You get the opportunity to take the horses into the water in some of the shallower, quieter sections too - my horse needed a bit of encouragement but seemed to enjoy it when he was in! Staff were also more than happy to borrow our phones and take photographs for us along the way and at the end too. All in all, whilst laid back as most things in Mauritius are, it was a professional outfit.
Horse riding along the beach
Horse riding along the beach
Horse riding along the beach
Tennis
Lux Belle Mare has two floodlit tennis courts which were open between morning and 9pm when we stayed. Tennis rackets are available to hire but balls need to be purchased unless you take your own.
Lux Belle Mare's two tennis courts
Football on the beach
Staff organised a one hour game of football on the beach at around 3 or 4pm most days. Numbers were sometimes a little low (3-4 a side) but the staff played as well which helps. Games were competitive but sporting. Most people played in bare feet although the coral on the beach could make it a bit spiky underfoot at times.
Football on the beach
Wellness Centre and Spa
There is a small but well equipped gym in an upstairs area not far from reception. Patrick, the wellness concierge, an ex. boxer was very friendly and helpful and was available to help explain how to use some of the fixed weights equipment when required. Lux Belle Mare run wellness sessions such as HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training), kickboxing and yoga. The sessions were well run with snacks and electrolyte drink always available. There was often just one or two people in the classes - in some ways it was a shame more of the guests didn't take advantage; on the other hand half the time the "group" classes essentially became a Personal Training class so we did quite well out of it!
Patrick, the wellness concierge
The spa features a sauna, steam room, cold plunge pool and hot pool which also incorporates a jacuzzi-type seating area. There are large comfortable beds and lounges surrounding the outdoor spa area, spacious high quality changing rooms and, as you would expect, a range of spa treatments on offer.
Entrance to the Lux Me spa
Spa area decking, heated pool, jacuzzi and loungers
The resort also has distinctive red bikes to hire with some short local rides organised each week to explore other nearby beaches, fishing jetties and daily fish auctions in local fisherman villages.
History of Mauritius
Mauritius was first discovered by the Arabs around the 10th century but not officially explored until a Dutch Squadron landed there in 1598, who named the island Mauritius after Prince Maurice of the Netherlands at that time. The French then took control is 1715, developing the island into an important naval base overseeing the Indian Ocean trade, and establishing a plantation economy of sugar cane - a trade which remains important to present day. The British captured the island in 1810 during the Napoleonic Wars and played an important role as a British naval base and air station during World War II, before gaining its independence in 1968. Mauritius gained a flag of 4 colours at the time of its independence, with each colour having a particular meaning. Red means freedom; blue represents the colour of the Indian Ocean; yellow signifies the sunshine; whilst green represents the agriculture of Mauritius.
The Mauritius flag
Mauritius Economy
Mauritius has established itself as a top destination for up-market tourism. The island has not lost its traditional roots either: sugar cane remains an important industry and is cultivated on some 72,000 hectares, representing 85% of arable land on the island. On average, 600,000 tonnes of sugar is produced annually, most of which is exported to the EU. The country is also a clothing exporter.
Sugar cane remains an important export of Mauritius
Overall, our stay at Luxe Belle Mare was absolutely fabulous. The food, services and amenities, all five star. Thanks for everyone at the resort - keep up the fantastic work!
The pond amongst the landscaped gardens in resort
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