‘I found paradise at Four Seasons Mauritius – here’s why it’s worth every penny’
If you’re looking for the perfect honeymoon destination, then the Four Seasons Resort Mauritius at Anahita is the place to be – where palm trees, tropical sunshine, and sugary white sands unite to give the ultimate romantic Robinson Crusoe vibes.
Nestled on the east coast of Mauritius, the five-star Four Seasons resort is surrounded by turquoise waters and a whopping 64 acres of lush tropical gardens – everywhere you look is like staring at a real-life postcard.
It’s an unreal world, where you trail about the jungly interior on bikes, sail in the sparkling waters of the lagoon and hang out on powder-white beaches. There’s really no need to leave the resort.
I visited with my husband, as part of our honeymoon, and our stay was nothing short of magic.
What’s the vibe?
Entering the Four Seasons resort feels like stepping into a tropical dream world. This is a serious, grown-up resort and draws a big-hitting international crowd sporting Prada crochet bags and Chanel heels on the beach. It’s Mauritius at its most glam.
Spread out across both the main island and a small private island (yes, really), this resort is huge. So much so, that even at 80% capacity, it felt half empty.
On the plus side, there’s no need to fight for sunloungers here (or get up at the crack of dawn to go ‘reserve’ a bed) – and with four outdoor swimming pools and two beaches to choose from (plus a private beach on the neighbouring island Ile Aux Cerfs), you truly are spoilt for choice when it comes to deciding where to flop n’ drop.
The rooms
Every room here is a spacious private villa in a stand-alone building – there are 90 one and two-bedroom villas to choose from (some with ocean views), plus a further 45 private retreats with two to five bedrooms.
We stayed in a one-bedroom garden pool villa that boasted its own private plunge pool, plush outdoor daybed, al fresco shower and gardens. You could easily stay here and never leave your villa – and it’s this sense of seclusion that draws in A-listers.
The inside spaces have been designed just as thoughtfully as the outside. The villas are modern with soaring beamed ceilings but still manage to capture that local Mauritian style, with dark wooden floors, floor-to-ceiling windows and lots of natural furnishings.
Bathrooms include Diptyque products, illuminated sink basins and cocoon-like bathtubs, as well as inside and outdoor showers. One night, we came back from dinner and room service had run us a bubble bath filled with rose petals – heaven.
What’s on offer in terms of wellness?
Nothing quite says relax like an award-winning overwater spa, set on wooden pillars above the Indian Ocean. Featuring 12 treatment rooms, suspended over the lagoon – each with its own private sauna, changing rooms and outdoor shower – the spa is truly an oasis of calm.
Collagen facials, hot stone massages, couples treatments, henna, waxing, manicures and pedicures are all offered here. Many treatments are inspired by Mauritian traditions and ingredients and use tropical plants and trees – including; aloe vera and lemongrass.
We opted for a couples massage – deep tissue massage for the husband, and a ‘mom-to-be’ moisturising massage for me. It was the most gentle, soothing massage of my life. I was propped up on a pregnancy pillow, so my masseuse, Patricia, could get to my back without me lying on my bump, and she used pregnancy-safe coconut oil to nourish my skin and muscles. I smelt almost good enough to eat.
In a completely separate building from the spa sits the Four Seasons’s fitness centre – which offers state-of-the-art fitness facilities. There’s a semi-Olympic lap pool, boxing classes, two tennis courts and personal training sessions. You can even try your hand at an aqua bike session.
Don’t fancy leaving your villa for a morning stretch? No problem. You’ll find yoga mats in the wardrobe.
And the food?
From contemporary Italian to seafood-inspired Asian, there are a total of seven restaurants, plus a lagoon-front bar (perfect for pre-dinner drinks), to choose from.
Our favourite restaurant had to be the Italian Acquapazza by the Michelin-starred Chef Marco Garfagnini. Showcasing the best of Italy, this chic open-air restaurant serves everything from stone-baked pizza and fresh pasta to locally caught seafood, while down on the beach, Bambou offers laid-back lunch options with club sandwiches and ginormous fresh salads. If you are hungry at any time of the day, there’s a selection of grab-and-go ice creams in the shack by the pool.
Mornings start with freshly prepared eggs, tropical fruit, Nutella-filled pancakes and every juice you can think of, under the thatched roofs of the main open-air restaurant, just steps from the beach and pool. Or you can order breakfast in to your villa, or should I say, more specifically, to your villa’s plunge pool, with a full breakfast spread served on a floating tray. It’s an experience in itself.
And if you just don’t fancy leaving your villa, a private lunch or dinner can also be organised. Or you can book a private dinner for two under the stars, with your toes in the sand on the beach.
What else can you do at the Four Seasons?
It’s not just romance that will make your heart race here, with helicopter tours, catamaran cruises and sightseeing trips, there are lots of additional experiences you can book yourself onto.
Not to mention golf. With the world-class Ernie Els–designed course at Anahita Golf Club and the Bernhard Langer signature course at Ile aux Cerfs Golf Club right on your doorstep, this place is golfing heaven.
My favourite day here by far was the day we spent ‘shipwrecked’ on the Four Seasons private beach on Ile aux Cerfs island. We jumped on a quick speedboat ride from the jetty at the main hotel beach and arrived at Ile aux Cerfs, stepping directly into the warm waters of the Indian Ocean.
As far as private beaches go, the perfect curve of white sand on Ile aux Cerfs is something to behold. The beach staff greeted us with big smiles and helped us find the perfect spot along the powdery sands – our little slice of paradise for the day.
We spent all day soaking up the sun and swimming in the sea. And when hunger struck, the beach bar and grill had us covered. Their fresh seafood, caught daily by local fishermen, was a highlight.
Sitting on a swinging bar stool with a Pina Colada (virgin, for me) in hand, it felt like the most luxurious castaway adventure.
What to pack
Lisa ruffled seersucker swimsuit
Clovelly one piece
Barbados bikini top
Kenya dress
Mallorca dress
Large suitcase in Indigo Blue - Icon Stripe
Slim Square
Passport Cover
$120.00 at aspinaloflondon.com
ACTV Club Dad Hat
WH Verdict
It’s hard to summarise how special Mauritius is – perhaps Mark Twain put it best: ‘Mauritius was made first and then heaven; and heaven was copied after Mauritius.’
One of the island’s luxuries is the Four Seasons. How much – or how little – you make of the facilities here is likely to be your main (read: only) concern. Pack your day full with morning yoga, a round of golf and a tennis match. Or just lounge by the lagoon. It’s up to you.
Go there!
Rooms (villas) at Four Seasons start from £625 per night, including breakfast BOOK NOW
Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport is just under an hour’s drive from the hotel. Air Mauritius and British Airways offer direct flights from the UK, or you can fly with Emirates and arrive via Dubai International Airport. The resort can arrange transfers from the airport.
Port Louis and the popular seaside village of Grand-Baie can both be reached in around an hour.
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