The welcome
Stepping off a plane and walking into Shanti Maurice is an instantly relaxing experience. “Shanti” means peace, and this place is geared up for relaxation. The main lobby building offers a wide open front looking out at the pool, beach and Indian Ocean, and I’m greeted with a fresh juice as a welcome drink. Idyllic beyond words.
The neighbourhood
The resort is on Mauritius’s south coast, five kilometres south of the village of Chemin-Grenier (population 12,000). It doesn’t look like many honeymooners leave the gated compound, but why would they? It’s picturesque; an isolated escape. Staff claim it’s a 15-minute drive to the nearest competition, a major boast on these hotel-heavy coastlines.
Set amid 36 acres of private beach and land, with just 61 rooms, much effort has been made to provide the peace promised in the hotel’s name. Sea-facing rooms and villas are spread throughout, reached by boarded platforms, adding to the rustic feel. In the lobby, there are some impressive, unusual touches, such as a looming “candle tree”, holding scores of half-burnt candles, and huge traditional Creole paintings. The restrained Red Ginger Lounge offers a piano and pool table.
The room
Keeping things intimate, Shanti Maurice offers 44 junior suites and 17 villas, all of which have a private swimming pool. I’m staying in a first floor, sea-facing junior suite. Looking out from the balcony offers the classic picture postcard of a palm tree, thatched canopy and two reclined beach liners – a quintessential holiday scene. Oddly, while the sleeping space isn’t huge, the bathroom appears to be at least as big, with metres of wasted space between the bath and shower.
The service
Staff are warm and friendly, and adept at answering queries. A massage at the Nira Spa is suitably relaxing. At breakfast and dinner, service staff couldn’t be faulted – even by someone used to five-star UAE hospitality.
The food
The resort was opened as a spa concept in 2006, but relaunched with a new food-focused approach four years ago. The dining is taken seriously, with a number of outlets catering for buffet-weary guests. Stars is a beach-set restaurant offering fusions of local and South African cuisine (mains from 950 Mauritian rupees [Dh109]), while Pebbles is international, including European, Middle Eastern and Indian dishes (mains from 900 rupees [Dh103]). Both are fantastic. Other novel ideas include the bi-weekly Fish Shack, which offers freshly barbecued seafood on the beach, perched on homely wooden furniture made from the remains of old fishing ships – the location is fantastic (€80 [Dh346] supplement for half-board guests).
Loved
The view, seclusion and food.
Hated
Staying in such an isolated resort has its downsides if you want to do any independent exploring. The nearest town, Curepipe, is a half-hour drive north.
The verdict
With an impressively bespoke, boutiquey feel in such an isolated spot, it’s easy to see why Shanti Maurice is such a popular honeymooners’ paradise.
The bottom line
Junior suites start from €485 (Dh2,100) per night, while villas start from €735 (Dh3,182) per night, half-board, including taxes. Shanti Maurice, Riviere des Galets, Chemin-Grenier, Mauritius (www.shantimaurice.com; 00230 603 7200).
