HIDDEN EDEN A bit of heaven at the One & Only Le Saint Géran and Le Tousserok in Mauritius BY KATIE TARBOX
I'm not a fan of those who hyperbolize their beach vacations. My idea of heaven is simple: any beach with a margarita, powdery sand under my freshly-pedicured toes, my ipod, a book and a pristine view of the ocean. Cold-water sprays and tropical fruit popsicles at luxury resorts are nice, but a beach is a beach. At least, that's what I thought until I visited the Mauritian coastline.
Mark Twain once wrote, "You gather the idea that Mauritius was made first and then heaven, and that heaven was copied after Mauritius." Considering my 24 hours of travel time to the small island off the coast of Madagascar in the middle of the Indian Ocean, I am floored Twain even managed to make it to this Eden, which boasts terrain from mountains to exotic beaches. For almost 100 years, tourism has been the linchpin of the Mauritian economy, and the two One & Only properties, Le Saint Géran and Le Tousserok, exemplify Twain's celestial incantations. Meanwhile, the eco-conscious traveler will be pleased to know that both resorts earned their Green Globe Certification (the environmental worldwide benchmarking program for the travel industry) in 2000. ONE & ONLY LE SAINT GÉRAN
THE ROOMS:
THE SERVICE: The staff is the soul of the hotel, and much like the locals, they hail from France, India, South Africa and beyond. Butlers wake you up with coffee or tea and return with sundown cocktails. In the ocean suites, they prepare lavender, orange and cedarwood baths that are accompanied by a pot of green tea and fresh sushi. At night they strew rose petals over the Egyptian cotton sheets. Service comes without asking. Clothes are unpacked and repacked. Glasses are always kept filled at the pool. ACTIVITIES: The resort has a Givenchy Spa that has been honored with hospitality accolades including "Best Spa in Africa" by Condé Nast Traveler. You name the treatment, and they offer it: four-hand massages, pedicures, body wraps and facials. The resort also offers complimentary aquatic activities such as tubing, fishing, water skiing, and windsurfing. Tennis and golf are also available. THE FOOD: The hotel operates on a half board basis, which means breakfast and dinner are included. Most meals are buffet style, but are hardly the usual cruise ship disasters of canned fruit and sundry unappetizing items. Eggs, pancakes and waffles were made to order, as were the main courses at dinner. The buffet provided opportunities to taste such delicacies as sea urchin, which wouldn't normally be my first choice on an à la carte menu. THE BOTTOM LINE: Rates from $1,100- $2,200 per person, per night. ONE & ONLY LE TOUSSEROK
THE ROOMS: While very modern, there are staccatos of luxury that stand out: purple cashmere throws on the all-white über-count cotton sheets, plasma televisions with both European and African channels, fiber-optic bedside lamps and even an espresso maker. There are "pour madame" and "pour monsieur" bathrooms that resemble personal spas with the largest soaking tubs I've ever seen. The view of the Indian Ocean was the ultimate luxury. Our room was on a peninsula, which gave it the feeling of being isolated in paradise.
THE SERVICE: Need a jogging partner? Our butler was more than willing to put on his Nikes so I wouldn't sweat alone. Later that afternoon, he was arranging bougainvillaea in the shape of a heart on our bed. The staff know your name, they know your drink, and they know where to find you. ACTIVITIES: The only time I've ever wished I knew how to play golf was at Le Tousserok, which is home to a Championship Bernhard Langer course (where every hole boasts an ocean view). Famed golfers and poolside guests alike gushed about the facility. Tennis, scuba diving and water sports are available as well. THE FOOD: The resort operates on a halfboard basis with an international buffet. Safran and Indian restaurant chef Vineet Bhatia (of London fame) plans the menu. I still fantasize about the white and dark chocolate samosas with fourteen carat gold sprinkles. THE BOTTOM LINE: Is it worth the 24-hour trip? Yes, if you've exhausted Caribbean and Mexican destinations and are looking for something different. It's also a great honeymoon destination. Rates from $920-$2,165 per person, per night.
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