William Cowper’s well-known proverb, “Variety is the very spice of life”, was actually preceded by Aphra Behn. In her play, The Rover (1651), she coined the phrase: “Variety is the soul of pleasure”. Prior to Behn, Euripides argued that “a change is always nice” in Orestes. These pedigrees of linguistic talent were unified with the idea that we all need our multifarious experiences to make life more exciting.
Its location, landscape and layered history means that Mauritius meets all the requirements as a destination where to realise one’s dreams of self-indulgence. The island – one of the largest in the Indian Ocean – can be defined by its diversity, which also reflects in the richness of its culture and the hospitality of its people. As a Mauritian company, Beachcomber – the longest-running and most luxurious hotel group here – understands the importance of variety, with their eight resorts offering a huge choice of world class luxury experiences that range from thrilling scuba-diving to breath-taking mountain hiking and all kinds of spa treatments.
Paradis Beachcomber and its sister resort Dinarobin Beachcomber share a 5 km west-facing white sand beach, considered one of the best spots in the island for stunning sunsets.
As a big golf fan, my choice for this trip was Paradis Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa, situated at the base of Le Morne mountain in the south-western tip of Mauritius. The UNESCO World Heritage site dominates the lush, verdant landscape of the peninsula, serving as a dramatic backdrop for the Paradis Beachcomber and its neighbour, the Dinarobin Beachcomber. These sister resorts share a west-facing beach where you can wade out for an eternity in the green-speckled aquamarine sea. Recognised as one of the best beaches on the whole of Mauritius; its five kilometres of pure white sand mean that everyone has a perfect spot from where to view the spectacular Mauritian sunsets.
Set against the backdrop of the iconic Le Morne mountain (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Paradis Beachcomber edges onto one of the most scenic shorelines on the island.
Spread over 400 acres, Paradis Beachcomber is naturally spacious, and its unfussy style easily blends in with the mis-en-scène. Wooden structures and thatched roofs and floors in sandy hues combine with green lawns and tall palm trees that reference the original landscape, immediately facilitating a deep unwinding of the nervous system. All rooms are sea-facing which, added to the five-star Mauritian hospitality, guarantees the “being in paradise” feeling; kick off your flip-flops and just walk barefoot to the beach.
Junior Suite with ocean view at Paradis Beachcomber.
Mauritius is a proverbial “sweetie shop” for the fair-weather golfer, where you can expect nothing short of first-class courses in perfect conditions. It’s no surprise that the big names in golf history such as Ernie Els, Rodney Wright and Gary Player have designed courses here. The Paradis Golf Course is conveniently behind the suites and villas, lining the other side of the peninsula, buckling around the coastline. You tee off just metres away from the beach; and with a lagoon and the Indian ocean coming into play, the greatest challenge is to contain distraction from magnificent vistas to clear the water hazards. For the competitive golfer, there are weekly competitions and for the improver, there are abundant practice facilities and coaches available in the academy, including state-of-the-art video swing analysis facilities.
Staying at Paradis Beachcomber gives you access to four more courses on the island. Just 30 minutes away, guests can play at the multi award-winning Heritage Le Chateaux, which hosts global stars of the game in the annual AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open, a prestigious event on the DP World Tour. Equidistant but due north is the Tamarina Golf Estate, the lovechild of mountains and sea, which, at over 7,500 yards long, will challenge even the most accomplished player. Paradis Beachcomber guests enjoy discounted green fees, VIP status and preferred tee times at all of these courses. Optionality is the key to a happy golfer.
Left, golf course at Paradis Beachcomber, set against the backdrop of majestic mountains. Right, the Paradis spa, designed around thatch-roofed cabins in a garden of frangipane trees.
If unwinding is what you are after, the spa boasts a strong emphasis on wellness to benefit both body and mental health. There is an extensive list of integrative practices, through their Live the Art of Wellness programme that go far beyond massage and yoga. The agenda – which can be tailored specifically to your needs – includes a rich list of ancient mindful practices to boost emotional resilience whilst caring for the body, most notably Makko Ho: a quiet, meditative practice similar to yin yoga which uses traditional Chinese meridian theory to heal. You’ll feel your shoulders drop about two inches, I promise.
Wondering what else to do? Plenty is the answer. Paradis is recognised as the best five-star hotel in Mauritius for sports. Try paddleboarding at sunset or snorkelling with the children searching for turtles. After all, it’s well known that the more time spent in nature, the better. For more endurance activities there is a wide offer of ball sports, jogging tracks, hiking and mountain biking.
Zest is the ideal restaurant for one of those lazy Mediterranean lunches that often stretch into the evening.
Between Paradis Beachcomber and Dinarobin Beachcomber, there is a choice of eight restaurants. If the idea of sandy toes and stunning ocean view under the breezy shade of a cabana pleases you, Zest offers a Mediterranean-centric menu in a chic, rustic setting while the newly made-over Blue Marlin serves popular international dishes. There is traditional Creole fine dining available at La Ravanne, where tables have individual decks on the sand for guests to sample the authentic flavours of Mauritius. Umami, at Dinarobin Beachcomber, is definitely worth a visit for fans of satisfyingly salty Pan-Asian flavours. The shuttle between the two resorts make going from one to another very easy.
More information and bookings HERE.
Words: Juliet Brook
Photos: Courtesy of Beachcomber Hotels
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