Mauritius: my personal paradise

My first stop in Mauritius was the Shangri-La, northeast of the island. To get there, we followed the coast and during the trip I was able to appreciate the genuine rhythm of the locals lifestyle: small villages by the sea, fishermen, children returning from school... This lively environment captured me from the beginning and helped me tune in with the island from the first day.

Moreover, in the Flaq Market, a local market rarely visited by tourists, I was able to enjoy the street food stands and discover the island's exotic fruits and vegetables, the fabrics and the saris that women wear. There, I felt like a real inhabitant of the island.

After witnessing the bustling atmosphere of the market and the small coastal towns, I was very surprised when we stepped into the road to access the Shangri-La Hotel. It’s simply spectacular. Suddenly we found ourselves among the sugar canes, surrounded by silence, in a very peaceful environment, until the hotel appeared in all its splendour. In addition, it had just stopped raining and the atmosphere was filled with the fragrances of vanilla, flowers, species... I felt completely lost in the Indian ambiance.

My stay at the Shangri-La was a treat for the palate. The hotel offers a wide variety of gastronomic experiences in its different restaurants, with high quality products, well-prepared and exquisitely presented dishes: Indian, Japanese, international, local, Creole cuisine... Each one of them is spectacular, especially the local restaurant, ideal for foodies, where you will be able to enjoy fresh local Creole cuisine with French haute-cuisine influences. Of course, my favourite time of the day was breakfast, especially because of the fresh squeezed juices.

In the Shangri-La I was also able to witness the day-to-day of the local fishermen, who catch their prey in the nearby beaches and bring them to the hotel themselves so that guests can enjoy fresh fish every day.

After enjoying the Shangri-La cuisine, it was time for a small detox, and the best place for that in Mauritius is the Shanti Maurice, a spectacular hotel located on the southern coast. This hotel is completely integrated into nature, sometimes even difficult to see as it merges with the lush vegetation. In addition, it is located on a very important energy and wellness center of the island, and it has one of the best spas in Mauritius, with excellent treatments based on natural products.

The atmosphere is ideal for a total detox: getting up early, enjoying a tasty juice, practicing yoga in the Yoga Pavilion, in the middle of nature, with the murmur of water, breeze and birds in the background, and enjoying breakfast after the exercise. The best way to start the day!

Moreover, at the Shanti Maurice, detox is not at odds with fine cuisine. In fact, the hotel has a private ecological garden, and once a week a Mauritian lady prepares dinner for a lucky group of guests. In addition, the à la carte restaurant menu is wonderful. Run by an Austrian chef, it offers a fusion of Indian islands, Creole and international cuisine. Simply spectacular!

My last stop in this paradise was the St. Régis Hotel, a colonial hotel with one of the best beaches in Mauritius: a long white sand beach with crystal-clear waters, very quiet and ideal for swimming, voted the best on the island for several years in a row.

Of course, the St. Régis location is spectacular: in front of the incredible beach, on the peninsula of Le Morne and at the foot of its imposing hill, a place closely linked to the history of the island. In fact, one of the best experiences is the ascent to Le Morne, a 2-hours hike accompanied by a local guide who showed us medicinal plants and herbs while telling the stories of the slaves who hid in the hill for years, fleeing their masters. Despite the difficulty of some stretches along the climb, the views were worth it.

To regain our strength after the climb, nothing better than enjoying an excellent dining experience at the St. Régis Floating Market.