The One&Only Le Saint Géran  is a haven of exquisite taste, catering for the discerning traveller. Originally opened in 1975 and totally renovated in 1999, the resort boasts an impeccable reputation and a unique, elegantly informal yet always pampered lifestyle. It offers Junior and Ocean suites and a sumptuous Villa. All feature beds covered with Egyptian cotton sheets, mini-bar, safe, air-conditioning, dressing room, in-room multimedia/entertainment systems, satellite flat screen TV, DVD/CD player, Internet/ADSL, Nespresso machine, iPod docking station and private decks offering vistas of the deep blue of the Indian Ocean.

There is a Givenchy Spa offers eight treatment rooms with comprehensive services, including facial and body treatments, massages, hydrotherapy, sauna and herbal wraps. Under the calm sway of thousands of coconut palms, immaculate gardens run down to the edge of the coral-sand beach, which seamlessly wraps the peninsula for over a mile. The sheltered lagoon provides calm waters for an array of water sports accessible within steps. Le Saint Geran and watersports are a natural partnership. You can choose from snorkelling, kayaking, water-skiing, windsurfing, deep sea fishing, plain sailing aboard a Hobie Cat or a Laser or heading off on a sea urchin expedition.

Set in around 20 acres of beautiful tropical gardens, The Oberoi Hotel Mauritius offers everything you need for an idyllic island break – palm-thatched villas with Indian Ocean views, a gloriously expansive golden sand beach and a host of water sports. Overlooking Turtle Bay on the gorgeous coast of Mauritius northwest, this elegant ‘boutique’ property blends a Mauritian warmth with the distinctive Oberoi ‘cachet’ of exclusivity and style.
 

All accommodation features a romantic four-poster bed and sunken marble bath, plus sea-facing views of the wonderful azure-blue seas. The décor is restful in neutral tones and the sunken bath in the bathroom overlooks a walled garden. Crafted from a harmonious blend of wood, stone and thatch, it has an exotic hint of African style and Asian serenity that captures a special magic. All 73 thatched Terrace Pavilion Rooms feature DVD players, televisions with satellite channels, air conditioning and state of the art technology, should you wish to remain in touch.

 
Leisure activities at Oberoi Hotel Mauritius include: poolside bar, snorkeling, boating, fishing, fitness centre, health club offers massages, aromatherapy, sauna, spa and beauty facilities. Thai therapists are on hand to massage and sooth, drawing on holistic treatments from Ayurveda, aromatherapy and Eastern techniques. Set against a backdrop any artist would struggle to recreate, you can also enjoy yoga and meditation sessions with trained and inspiring teachers.
 

The Four Seasons Resort Mauritius at Anahita has 60 Lagoon Pool villas and a two-bedroom Presidential Suite on Ile aux Chats. Each villa is decorated in a neutral decor and has been constructed using a number of local materials like natural woods and volcanic stones which complement the resort’s surrounding. The villas boast 37 inch LCD televisions, DVD players, iPod docking stations, tea/coffee making facilities and Wi-Fi, as well as a private, landscaped terrace with plunge pool, a spacious bathroom with deep-soaking bath and private garden shower.

 
The Four Seasons Resort Mauritius at Anahita features a beautiful secluded spa with 12 over-water pavilions, including 8 for couples and four individual pavilions. Try the steam room, the sauna or the wet treatment for a complete relaxation. In addition, the property offers a public infinity pool on the private island, well-equipped gym and the private beaches are great family fun and golfers will enjoy the oceanfront finish of the hotel’s golf course. The resort’s main restaurant serves contemporary Italian cuisine with an emphasis on seafood. Another restaurant also located on this private island focuses on Pan-Asian cuisine, and features both a sushi bar and teppanyaki grill.

If you plan to go to Mautitius, one of the best hotels to visit is LA Pirogue. Now get ready to walk around in your swimming costume, sip cocktails at leisure, and simply relax. Offering a welcome as warm as the sun, La Pirogue typifies the Mauritian experience: deeply enigmatic, exquisitely tranquil, delightfully friendly and filled with endless fun. The hotel is a true reflection of Mauritius, with blues and greens and golds and pale shades of white to tempt you with the blue water, the lush green trees, the beautiful golden and white sands.

This hotel is an ode to the island’s fishing culture, enhanced by the rustic charm of volcanic rock, warm wood, thatch, coral and vanilla. Unique in style, design and decor, you simply can’t get better than this. Everything about this hotel will intrigue you, invite you, and it won’t leave you disappointed either.

The restaurant of the hotel has sumptuous cuisine, with bountiful dishes and intricate tastes. With it’s multi-themed buffet, or romantic candlelit evenings, or simply every delicious detail in between. The choices are bountiful, with a never ending supply to choose from, so don’t feel bad if you’d prefer to have one for the first evening and another the next evening, but leave regret not having had a taste of all of them!

During the day La Pirogue captures with its ambiance of sun-drenched loungers, poolside decks, open play areas and intimate sports, that is all released for fun and activities when the moon comes up. Then, the party time is coming! Beautiful nights call for elaborate culture. Smiles and dancing, joy and music, pleasure and of course, star-filled skies, are garnished with attentiveness and generosity. Let yourself go and move to the rhythm. Take part in the festivities and take the opportunity now that you’ll more than likely never find in your normal day.

And at the end don’t forget The Aura Spa, with single treatment rooms and ultimate therapy for that well relaxed holiday you were looking for. La Pirogue is as glorious as the fragrant frangipani and as charming as the bobbing waterlily. With all of the authentic beauty of a genuine Mauritian pirogue and all of the luxury you’d expect you’d never anticipate, La Pirogue is an exceptional resort.

Port Louis is the capital of the island of Mauritius. In previous times it was used only during summer (due to prevailing winds) by the Dutch and the French since the 1600′s, and early 1700′s. However, it took all its importance when, in 1735 Labourdonnais decided to make Port Louis the main harbour and the administration headquarters of Mauritius. The capital has a residential population of above 150,000 but receives as much visitors during daytime as it is first of all the city of businesses.

Situated on the northwest coast, it lies at the feet of the Moka range of mountains, which almost surrounds it. Being small in area, the topography is regular: flat with a gentle slope to the sea. Port-Louis itself and as place of interest, I would recommend the “Place d’Armes” and Chinatown. The Place d’Armes is the most ancient part of Port Louis although many of the very old buildings have now been replaced by roads and tall modern buildings. However, it is essential point for visiting the other parts of the town and the few monuments such as the original government house, the most ancient theatre of the Indian Ocean, the few paved roads, the St Louis and St James cathedrals, the central market, the national and postal museums just to name a few.

The Chinatown of Port-Louis is also in the old Port Louis and is spectacular as the atmosphere is really different from the neighbourhood. The eldest inhabitants of the Port-Louis Chinatown dress the Chinese way and have kept a deep Chinese accent making their speeches incomprehensible. Tiny shops, side-by-side all sell the same products obviously, as they all sell all products. Second hand spare parts, plastic toys, Chinese paintings, clothes, books and medicines may be found in the same shop.

By day the National History Museum and the other private museums remain interesting, especially when they carry out specific exhibitions. Signal Mountain is accessible again; it offers a nice view on the Capital. By night there is really not much; a few movies, a theatre play sometimes and that’s it. But the town is so so glourius, it is enough just to find a beach and staring at the stars….

Cargados Carajos Shoals (sometimes refferd to as the Saint Brandon Rocks) are a group of about 22 small islands and islets on an extended reef in the Indian Ocean northeast of Mauritius. The emergent parts of the formation comprise a great, 100 km long, crescent-shaped expanse of reef and algal ridge covering around 190 square km. The west side of the reef ridge protects a large area of shallow water that averages less than 20 m in depth. Within this semi-lagoon are numerous sandbanks and small sand cays. The island atoll is like the Maldives, a real diving paradise. The curious thing about it, is that is not open to tourists. 

In the past, Cargados Carajos was a large, volcanic island (a part of the Mascarenes, caused by the Reunion hotspot). Over time however, the island eroded until it became submerged and a coral atoll was left behind.

The 22 islets are independent area of Mauritius. The far northern part of the Cargados Carajos shoals are flanked by the two outlying islands of Siren Island and North Island. On the northern tip of the reef are the small islets of Ile Raphael. On the western side of the shoals are a string of small islets that form a loose boundary to the western margins of the lagoon: Frigate Island, Perle (Pearl) Island and the Pearl Breaker reef. Isolated around 20 km north of the shoals lies the outlying reef-fringed island of Albatross.

Althought the tourists’s prohibition, there are many ways to get around the island. Foreign licenses are accepted but there is a requirement to be over 23 years old, so if you are planning to drive, just remember that traffic drives, erratically. According to the participants, diving in Cargados Carajos was extremely interesting, and this archipelago can be attributed to one of the best places for diving in the world. Additional intrigue is the fact, that there is no safari ship and shore-based dive-center. Diving maps doesn’t exist also. It’s all about free diving….The islets of the Cargados Carajos shoals are also regionally important for their seabird populations and Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas) nesting sites.

The Black River Gorges National Park emphasizes 6,574 hectares of wild thick forest in the island of Mauritius. This preserved paradise is also home to over 3000 species of flowering plants and nine species of birds, featuring the famous pink pigeon. The best way to explore the park is on foot, nevertheless it is possible to drive through it and stop for spectacular views along the way.

The whole park is a tremendous network of treks crisscross the jungle. However if you jump into a hiking experience there, it is advisible to check the current state of the trails at the information centre before hiked them. On the other hand you can hire a guide, which can be done via the tourists centre. The main gathering center is at the park’s western entarance about 5 km southeast of Grande River Noire. There is also another one, the Petrin Information Centre, at the eastern side of the park. The boardwalk near the Petrin Information Centre takes you to the heart of the marshy heathland, while keeping your feet dry. At Alexandra Falls, take the trail across the creek to learn more about the dwarf upland forest. People looking for taller trees can explore Macchabee forest west of Petrin or Bel Ombre forest south of Plaine Champagne. During your trekking in the park, there is no where to buy food or drinks, even at the tourist centres. Make sure you bring plenty of waters and energy food. You will aslo need good shoes, insect repellent, binoculars for bird-watching and water-prof gear.

The Black River Gorges National Park is highly ecological place. It is very important for the endemic birds and the rarest endemic plants to be preserved. Therefore the establishment of BRGNP has been a vital move in the protection of its unique and rich ecosystem and therefore is certainly an important heritage to be preserved for future generations.

Many of the remaining species that still exist in the park are critically endangered and the fact that Mauritian flora is rated amongst the most endangered in the world, the BRGNP warrants favourably for inscription on the World Heritage List. During the years the park became one of the World’s most successful and cost-effective conservation spot with focus on saving the  Mauritius kestrel (Falco punctatus) pink pigeon (Columba mayeri) and echo parackeet (Psittacula eques).

It is possible that your trip will take a full day to fully appreciate this spectacular piece of land, which includes a variety of striking landscapes, in addition to its flora and fauna. At the end of the day most of the tourists prefer to build a camp in the heart of the park, and spend a wonderful night out, stargazinga and chillin with the whole group. However there is another option, if some of you don’t feel them as a wild child. And this is a stay at the Les Pavillons Mauritius, a luxury hotel designed to respect the environment and surroundings of its island home and is set against the backdrop of the striking peninsular Morne Brabant. In most cases your guide is responsible for the transportation to the hotel, but it’s up to you.Spending the night under the sounds of the mother nature is a wondeful challenge.

The best time to visit the park is during the flowering season between September and January. Look for the rare tambalacoque or dodo tree, the black ebony trees and the wild guavas.

This Sofitel Hotel is an oasis of decoration union the unequaled architecture of Lek Bunnag and the involvement of Kenzo Tadaka. Sofitel So Mauritius Bel Ombre is situated in Bel Ombre, southwestern of State and 45 proceedings from Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Supranational Aerodrome. Regional points of relate countenance Chamarel Falls and Ganga Talao.

Close garden or swim lake, like an knowledgeable and comfortable current environs of the 92 suites and villas. All  rooms at Sofitel So Mauritius Bel Ombre have air conditioning, satellite TV and a minibar, Free Wi-Fi Internet Access Included.

At the So SPA and So FIT, achieve tot operation and well-being through techniques inspired by permanent traditions from all over the domain. Cascades Charamel is 20 km forth, and the nighest sport teaching is righteous 2 km off.

This Bel Ombre offers has a restaurant and a bar/lounge. Seafood, tapas, lobster and local specialities revisited, thanks to the talent of Frederic Anton,  a French chef. Room service is available.

Located on the northern tip of Mauritius, Le Canonnier is surrounded by three beautiful beaches and has panoramic views over the Indian Ocean. You fall in love with the natural beauty of Le Canonnier. The hotel’s rooms and apartments are scattered among the bicentennial banyan trees in the tropical grounds. With a unique massage centre and a mini-club set in an 18th century lighthouse, Le Canonnier is one real favourite destination.

In the heart of the gardens is nestled Le Canonnier’s Wellness and Massage Centre. It proves to be a unique experience and transport you to a calm and serene place to reflect and relax. The five rustic thatched-roof cabins are all well-equipped with natural outdoor showers. Combining thatch, ravenala and wooden floors, these authentic cabins overlook the fortifications and the 18th century sea-facing canons.

There is a wide range of leisure and sports activities. They include: water-skiing, windsurfing, sailing, volley-ball, glass-bottom boats, snorkeling, kayaks, catamaran cruises, deep-sea fishing, scuba diving and archery. All water sports are free of charge (except for scuba diving and deep-sea fishing) and you will also have access to Trou aux Biches’ 9-hole golf course.

 Official site http://www.lecanonnier-hotel.com/

Le Touessrok is one the most splendid places in the world, surrounded by white sand beaches and crystal blue waters of the Indian Ocean. The resort combines a Mediterranean village style with a contemporary sophistication that will make anyone feel like they are in paradise. A wooden bridge links the resort to Frangipani Island and a ten minute boat trip takes you to Ile aux Cerfs Island, where a new restaurant has been built. 

Le Touessrok has new rooms, new suites and new cuisines, along with the new Givenchy Spa, the ultimate way to relax. The Hibiscus and Coral Wings are magnificently placed along stretches of white sandy beach. The Hibiscus Wing feature 32 new Junior Suites with perfect sunrise views. The Coral Wing has 31 refurbished Deluxe Rooms and a Junior Suite. All rooms look out over the sun-drenched sea and are the epitome of cool tropical luxury.

On the private Frangipani Island, there are 98 newly-built suites, all sea-facing. The suites are airy split-level layouts with chic off-white walls and porcelain tiled floors, crisp white Egyptian cottons on the beds, bathrooms with funky egg-shaped baths of poured marble, Philips DVD/CD/VCD players and plasma-screen TVs. For sport enthusiasts the hotel offering tennis courts, golf, bowls and Gym. The watersports facility on Ile aux Cerfs, accessed by a free boat shuttle from the main hotel (10 minute ride), provides plenty of activities for water enthusiasts. Location: Mauritius.

Le Prince Maurice Resort is sited on its own peninsula that features no less than three beaches and its own lagoon, the place is tranquil, five-star oasis. This stunning property with eighty thatched bungalows raised on stilts include a wide range of facilities and is everything you ever imagined a paradise would be. Photo by: croome

Le Prince Maurice chose the humble but symbolic nutmeg for its logo, evoking the splendor of centuries past, when Mauritius used to be a key stopover for Portuguese and Dutch traders sailing the fabled spice route around the horn of Africa. Today the splendor lives on in the careful sprinkling of suites and private swimming pools of this exceptional hideaway, which offers guests a degree of seclusion and privacy rarely found in the world. Photo by: Max Lordag

Le Prince Maurice is the place to go if you like over-the-water living, with its stilted bungalows over the lagoon. For those who prefer dry land, senior suites come complete with heated outdoor swimming pools and direct beach access. Enjoy a romantic candlelit dinner on the resort’s very own floating restaurant, Le Barachois. Photo by: croome

Free activities include kayaking, windsurfing, excursions on glass-bottomed boats, and waterskiing. Guests can also play golf, on one of the courses, which Le Prince Maurice shared with the neighboring Belle Mare Plage resort. Photo by: croome

Location: Roches Noires, Mauritius. Photo by: Peter VANHOVE

The Beau Rivage Resort is on the east coast of Mauritius and it is a wonderful retreat with twelve-brand new thatched villas. They are decorated with Chinese porcelain and Indian artworks that reflect the peculiar Mauritius mix of cultures that represent the quest for perfection and pure indulgence that is an ongoing challenge at the Beau Rivage resort.

Overlooking an offshore coral lagoon and the powdery-white sands of Belle Mare beach, Beau Rivage is one of the leading resorts in a country that prides itself on having some of the finest tropical hideaways anywhere. Rooms have plush interiors and plantations shutters on the windows: butler service and swimming pool. For diving enthusiasts, nine dive sites up to 11 feet (34 m) in depth are just a ten-minute boat ride away. Near all water sports are complimentary, and there is dedicated children’s pool.

The east coast of Mauritius is the least development region in the country. It offers guaranteed evening breezes through warm Maurutuan summers, and can still give you deserted island atmosphere that is becoming increasingly hard to find elsewhere.

The supreme comfort of the bedfellows is of paramount importance there. The treatments tents at the resort spa are as exotic and exclusive in feel as the Beau Rivage itself.

Mauritius is part of the Mascarene Islands, the Republic of Mauritius is off the coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean, 900 km east of Madagascar. The republic consists of five islands – St Brandon, Rodrigues, two Agalegas Islands and Mauritus itself. Photo by: David & Cheryl M

The effort to attract visitors is proving successful and might not even need the boast of a move to duty-free status. Mauritius is the most accessible island in the Indian Ocean, with wonderful beaches and crystal-clear waters. Important, these essential ingredients of every tropical holiday destination may be, Mauritius has something extra – friendly people and vibrant cultural mix that will leave an incredible impression. There is a festival or fiesta every week and variety of ethnic cuisine. The place must be good – author Mark Twain remarked that Mauritius was before heaven, and heaven modelled Mauritius. Photo by: Arihant Jain

When to go: Temperature is high all year round, trade winds keep down humidity. May to November are peak months, January and February are cyclone-prone. Population: 1,157,000. How to get there: By air from several departures points in Europe (especially France) and Africa. Photo by: Quasebart

Mauritius is a popular destination for a wedding holidays and the choice of thousands honeymooners every year. Place of romance and peace, surrounded by magnificent coral reefs, it provides the perfect venue for your wedding day. Renowned as one of the best resorts in Mauritius, Dinarobin offers an intimate village setting on the magnificent Le Morne Peninsula.

You can choose to marry on one of the numerous beaches. You can vows on a 7 km of palm-fringed beach with flamboyant sunsets and the turquoise waters stretching as far as the eye can see or in an intimate white washed chapel surrounded by tropical flowers. Other stunning wedding locations include getting married under the gazebo, within the gardens or at the top of the Martello Tower. The wedding co-coordinator will meet you and help you before you make this important decision. 

The wedding and honeymoon package includes everything from the honeymoon to the wedding cake with average packet’s prices for €999 per person!

Dinarobin Hotel offers a huge number of activities, including: water skiing, windsurfing, kayaking, boat trips, snorkeling, mountain biking, scuba diving, deep sea fishing, tennis, a fitness centre, three different golf courses, sauna and steam. So you can choose from seven inviting restaurants, offer the best selection of exquisite venues of Mauritius yet.

If you don’t know the Island of Mauritius was formed by volcanic molten rock and there’s one unusual natural sight – the seven colored earth at Chamarel Village. This is geological formation which comprised dunes of seven different colored layers. Also is called the “Seven Colored Earth”.

The earths are created as a result of weathering of volcanic rocks that cooled at different temperatures. Chamarel were promoted as Mauritius’ first tourist attraction back in the 1960′s but the geologists are still intrigued by the rolling dunes.

The natural – colored earth never erodes in spite of torrential downpours and adverse climatic conditions. This phenomenon has never been explained but it is believed the earths are composed of mineral rich volcanic ash.

The colors are red, brown, violet, green, blue, purple and yellow. Try to visit Chamarel on a bright sunny day when you really get the full effect of the different colors of the rocks. A short drive away from the Chamarel Village you will also find a great vantage point to view the beautiful Chamarel waterfalls which plunges more than 100 m.