Tucked away on the rugged, but no less beautiful, south-west coast of Mauritius, well away from the busy tourist resorts in the north of the island, Heritage Le Telfair Wellness Resort is a remarkable oasis of luxury.
Part of the Heritage Estate at Domaine de Bel Ombre nature reserve, which also includes the Awali Resort, the Heritage Golf Club and the under-construction La Reserve course, it’s a huge piece of prime Mauritius real estate lapped by miles of pristine beach.
Le Telfair, a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, is the more exclusive sibling of its all-inclusive neighbour and is set around a colonial-style collection of two-storey all-suite properties authentically reflecting its sugar plantation past.
My spacious beach view suite ticked all the right boxes for me; generous four-poster bed which comes complete with an in-depth pillow menu, plenty of lounge space and comfy settees, huge bathroom with walk-in closet, bath and separate shower, his and hers sinks and a very welcome balcony overlooking landscaped gardens and the beach beyond. The espresso machine had plenty of refills while my 24-hour butler was on call if I needed any more supplies.
There are communal pools servicing numerous suites across the resort, but the main action is right at the centre of the property. The lobby is on one side of the river while on the other, over a bridge, is an infinity pool with loungers and cabanas leading directly to the lagoon. Cavendish, the main bar is here too as is Annabella’s, the main restaurant, open for lavish buffet breakfasts and a la carte dinners. There are many other dining options on the property including the trendy C Beach Club where international DJs spin and mix while you dine, the clubhouse at the golf club, Gin’ja for Asian street food and teppanyaki and casual barefoot lunches at the poolside Le Palmier.
Depending on your package you could stroll across to Awali and try the restaurants there too. There is an all-inclusive option called Gourmet Bliss which includes meals and drinks in all 12 restaurants on the property and unlimited golf, however, the full board package (which I had) includes all the restaurants but no drinks and there is a half board option too.
The walk from my suite to breakfast each morning was always a delight; a gentle breeze as I strolled past hammocks strung between palms, birdsong everywhere, the sound of the surf hitting the reef in the distance and the smell of freshly brewed coffee. It really was a great way to kick off the day.
This was a particularly busy week too. The resort was hosting the Afrasia Bank Mauritius Open, a professional golf event combining three tours; Asian, European and the African Sunshine Tour. Plenty of golfers about the place, lots of media and hullabaloo yet a still, a sense of elegant calm prevailed. I was even treated to a private viewing of Heritage’s latest under-construction golf course, La Reserve, designed by legendary golf course architect Louis Oosthuizen and due to open in 2021 with an ambitious goal to become a World Top 100 course.
There are numerous outdoor activities available within the stay package that take full advantage of the unique crystal clear Mauritian lagoon including windsurfing – see-through kayaking (single and double) – snorkelling – water-skiing – aqua gym and stand up paddling. There are also guided tours around the nature reserve and eco-buggy excursions along the Jacotet river.
For those who prefer their yin and yang to be perfectly in holistic harmony the Seven Colour wellness pavilion should be top of the list for a visit. Together with the massages and facials, there’s individual yoga, tai chi, qigong, Pilates and meditation sessions and even a wellness diet specifically orchestrated by the nutritionist and head chef if you are that serious about keeping to a healthy regime whilst on holiday.
There’s no question the Heritage Le Telfair Wellness Resort is the real deal. Tucked away in a beautifully remote part of Mauritius you really feel connected with the island’s beauty and at the same time let yourself get properly pampered.
Images (c) Heritage Resorts and Andy Mossack
Tell me more about Heritage Le Telfair Wellness Resort
Heritage Le Telfair Wellness Resort, Domaine De Bel Ombre, 61002, Bel Ombre Mauritius
T: +230 601 5500
Suites from €350 per night
Getting to Mauritius
Getting to Mauritius has never been easier with two scheduled carriers flying direct from the UK. Air Mauritius flies 4 times a week from London Heathrow whilst British Airways flies 5 times a week in winter and 3 times a week in summer direct from London Gatwick. TUI also fly direct from London Gatwick every Sunday. You can also fly indirectly from most regional airports with Emirates airlines. The flight time to Mauritius takes 12 hours overnight with a three-hour time difference.
