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Mövenpick Resort & Spa Mauritius
A dream in the Indian Ocean
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Strong orangely shines the Mai Tai, turquoisely in all variants irridiates the ocean, the the after-midday sun wraps the hotel complex in a wonderful warm light. Now just the picture-frame is only missing to this painting. I wait for it until somebody pinches me and I wake up from my dreams. But the tropical smell of Frangipani in my nose seems to be quite real. A dream has got true... I lie on the beach of Mauritius. The desire in me has become to reality.
After our 10-hour night flight with Air Mauritius which offers an excellent board service we land well rested and full of expectations on Mauritius in the middle of the Indian ocean. At first a little bit flabbergasted by the subtropical climate and the incomprehensible murmuring of the numerous taxi-drivers in front of the terminal we are slid virtually into a taxi which shall bring us to the southwest coast of Mauritius. Red,little Hindu ribbons, Brahma, the first God in the Hinduism at the driving mirror and Bollywood Sounds accompany us on our one-hour journey. Our taxi-driver is extremely kind, so he explains us lots of country and people in the crash course. Our way leads us past at deep green sugar cane fields, banana plantations, metres high bird of paradise trees, happy people and coloured adorned Hindu temples.
At the arrival at the 4 star+ Mövenpick hotel & resort smiling waiting staff approach us, welcome us friendly in English, French, yes and even in German. At the ascent to the reception our breath is nearly taken away, white, stylishly put into light marble stairs, metres high vases, which are arranged stylishly with gigantic bamboo poles and splendid Arums and a colossally high vault ceiling like the entrance to a large temple. At all sides a soft wind of breath blows through. We are guided through the corridor quite forwards to the sitting areas for beeing able to manage all formalities in eased atmosphere. Cold cloths and an iced lemongrass tea let us cool down and our soul also has arrived in these wonderful surroundings now. The vision on the sea of about 10 metres of height promises us already now a surely unforgettable holiday.
After we received a first summary of the resort, we are accompanied to our accommodation. The walk leads us through a lovely neat gardens with tropical vegetation and beautiful tree population. Hibiscus, Bougainvilla and other exotic flowers alternate. The complete hotel complex is very spacious laid out on a 90,000 m² big area. Single buildings, with palm leaves clad roofs and no-one higher than 2 floors became fits in wonderfully with the surroundings of the island. After this first impression one hardly can impressed more but we are it when we enter our club Family bungalow. On a spaciousness of 66 m ² an Australian architect has done very good work.
Noble woods from Africa with filigree carvings, noble substances in the brightest colours and heavy shimmering curtains put primary accents. The bathroom is open to the room and has a little garden of its own with outside shower and nice-smelling Frangipani trees. The separate child's room has a sleeping accomodation for up to 3 children. From the terrace it is only few steps towards the beach. The quiet is fantastic. Only the unusual, exotic twitter of birds whose names we do not know and the surf of the sea disturb this quiet. Other conveniences like DVD player, Sony Playstation and Coffebar are a further luxury. The guests of the club rooms can borrow DVD and games for the Sony console free of cost at the reception.
Who would like to feel like a VIP, should absolutly book a club room. Because only as a club guest one has access to the club lounge and this is a quite special experience. At the end of the hotel complex, far away from the remaining hustle and bustle there is a house with two charming turrets. The inside reminds of the colonial times of once. Ancient pieces of furniture, chandeliers polished on high gloss and wonderful flower arrangements are put into scene splendidly. Here one can be able to be pampered the whole day, everything what the heart desires. Luxury receives an increase here again. On the terrace with view to the inland region with its spacious sugar cane fields and bizarre hills and mountains one can forget the rest of the world. The time becomes less important here, our views wear off in the most different green tones of the landscape and in the deepest dark blue of the pool. Beeing a squire, so it must feel, if also only for time.
Like the writer Anne Morrow Lindbergh of "shells in my hand" we also have retired on a dream island to escape from the busy hustle and bustle. Here below in the south of Mauritius the time also seems to have stopped a little bit. Almost untouched nature, a rich flora and a coast seeming endless, protected by the offshore coral-reef characterize this area. So quite different from the rest of the island. Mauritius has only 2040 km² and anyway so versatilely.
The hunter and collector comes through with me when I discover true beauties of nature in the spray of the sea. Sea snails in all sizes and colours, small Coni Mamorei in the most beautiful black white contrast and all sorts of Cypraea, looking like how little auricles are landing like by oneself in my hand. What a bummer! That these shells never can serve as memory at home because there is the strictest export ban.
While I am following my collecting mania, my husband amuses himself on the water at the wakeboarding. All water sports, like water-ski, kayak, windsurfing, sailing with mini-boats, rowboat, snorkeling and glass bottom boat are inclusive in the price. Also diving and diving courses according to the Padi standard are possible at the extra charges. As well kitesurfing, catamaran and speedboattours, deap-sea fishing and other.
Also ashore the sports offer is very extensive. Volleyball, table tennis, billiard, Aquagym, a little Putting golf course directly in the hotel park and a 18 hole golf course " Golf du Château" in a 10-minute distance. In addition, there are 2 artificial turf tennis courts with floodlight, a physical fitness room and mountain-bikes.
Children are also accommodated very well in the Mövenpick Resort & Spa. The child club which is year-roundly non-stop opened from 10 H to 22H, takes care of all children as of 3 year. The spaces are very inviting and the caretakers incredibly lovingly. The most different handicrafts take place in the ceramic studio- and this not only for children. Furthermore the splashing is among to the most important activities of the kids. A big main pool and a child pool with water slide are ideal for this. In the garden pool and in the club pool the quiet is rather in demand.
Directly besides the main pool which seems to overflow directly into the sea is located the beach restaurant Le Camaron. The Le Camaron is exclusively reserved for the lunch. Everything is open. The vision on the beach and the lagoon and the sand crunching below the feet make the meal here to a real experience. Fish dishes and Seafood but also the most different snacks, salads and rotational topic menus are offered.
In the Le Flangourin which adjoins to the pool and offers pool places at the bar a relaxed and entertaining atmosphere obtains. Funny get-together in the evening with dances and music bands let finish the perfect day.
The main restaurant the Moulin sits enthroned a little above the pool of which one also has a fantastic view on the plant and the sea. Breakfast and dinner are reached in sideboard form. Whether inside or outside everything is established very generously and tastefully.
For the ones who would like to think themselves completely back to the colonial times can eat à la carte in the evening in the Grand 'Caze in the club lounge, in addition. Because in the evening, it sprays the most creative culinary art in romantic surroundings and this is not only reserved for the club guests.
The culinary supply is excellent in every restaurant, seafood sideboards as one wishes for, desserts served lovingly and influences from all sirs' countries.
The centre of the tropical gardens forms the Aldana Tropical Spa. Behind this what reminds from the outside on a former fortress from the old days, a true quiet oasis for all senses hides.
We are very cordially greeted at the Spa reception, a smiling employee leads us to our treatment room in which we may expect our booked whole body massage. The door to the 1800 sqm area opens, everywhere glazed treatment rooms with look to outside. Stone plates form ways on the water to the individual rooms. Hibiscus flowers swimming in the water form a bright contrast to the green of the plants and the turquoise of the water.
Inspired by a Zen atmsophere there is a peaceful quiet, automatically and without any efforts one immediately gear back and feels like in the biblical garden of Eden. Even the therapists in their beige-coloured garbs scurry like fairies of the element "quiet" silently thither. We are massaged in the Spa suite which was designed extremely extensively. The massage starting with a traditional foot washing cannot be more perfectly. 90 minutes of true blissful hapiness make forget completely now the world there outside. Massage hand movements oriental breathed on grip hardening for hardening adjusted by one millimetre. Our eyelids get heavier and heavier, the coloured iridescent fishes which swim in front of the glass plate do their rest.
As arisen from a cocoon, we leave our treatment room and use the splendid Hammam. High columns and Turkish elements string themselves around the round hall of the Hammams. The smoothly polished Gallix stones on the ground have a massaging and stimulating effect on the reflex zones. Two differently temperatured humidors, saunas and a big Jacuzzi in the middle free the body of poisons and clinker cloths. The typical soaps ritual are also offered. A water corridor still provides for the necessary circulation at the end. Different quiet areas are available and a sunroof with a round pool for cooling down hides in the real "fortress".
In the Aldana Tropical Spa the most different treatments are used, however strongly characterized by the eastern therapy,
Our excursion to the world of the Zen is past and unfortunately also our holiday. The employees at the Spa reception say with their warm smile:" We hope you had a beautiful massage and we would want to see you again ". For us not only a set phrase, no by far more... for us the alibi, to come back.
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Mark Twain was right,
God created Mauritius and then the sky ...
Mauritius and Mövenpick we`ll come back!
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Text: Antje Seifert
Our editorship evaluates this hotel
as particularly recommendable!
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Chef de Cuisine Sebastien Vincent
Cappuccino de langouste à l’estragon - Lobster cappuccino with tarragon
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