SpaAsia Nov-Dec 2007

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spa break
Chic Hide-Way and Island Bliss
Mauritius lies in the crossroads between Asia and Africa, with more of a Caribbean Creole vibe than an Arabian Nights feel. Jess Tansutat explores.

As one of the Mascarene Islands, it has long been a playground for wealthy European celebrities – Prince William, Princess Caroline, Joseph Fiennes and Ewan McGregor among them. Now this Indian Ocean island is fast attracting sun-seekers looking to top off an African safari with a beach vacation.

With the colours and tastes of sun, ocean and Creole, Mauritius entices honeymooners from all over the world to soak up this idyllic island. It is the picture postcard image of romantic island bliss. Not only does the breath-taking scenery but also the refined historical traditions that have settled here make this spot a pot-pourri of engaging cultures, religious ceremonies, traditional festivals and a lifestyle to make it the most delicious holiday of a lifetime.

Portuguese, French and British colonial interior traces have been overshadowed by a hint of stylized Indian influence, which can be seen through exotic colours, scents and savours of chillies, saffron, cinnamon, sugar cane, vanilla and rum.

“Today the Mauritius culture is exotic with diversity and vibrant energy. Everywhere it spells happiness for happenings. Welcome to a place truly made for joie de vivre,” says Caroline Puechoultres, President Asia Pacific of La Plantation d’Albion, Club Med, the newest jewel resort on Mauritius.

At one time the home of the now extinct Dodo, the island is determined tourism should not suffer a similar fate. Decades-old hotels are being remodelled, Bollywood has come a-calling and a handful of mega-resorts opened in the last few years. If sunbathing beside a sparkling ocean and pristine beach, swimming in the blue lagoon, or visiting lush tropical vegetation, waterfalls with mountain landscapes, sugar cane fields and a revealed charm of villages in the countryside doesn’t float your boat, then you could simply settle in the epitome of relaxation in a gorgeous hotel somewhere on the island. SpaAsia opted for some of the most outstanding spa havens.

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