Eat Go See

Review of LUX* Resorts & Hotels

The LUX* Grand Gaube should have this sign posted ...

The LUX* Grand Gaube should have this sign posted at the entrance in beachy, boho, white washed, distressed wood (with the original paintbrushes) in keeping with the carefully curated Kate Hoppen design hotel and resort.

The dramatic airy entrance and oversized chandeliers frame the first view of one of its private beaches. It s the kind of idyllic welcome and setting that lured you all the way to pristine Mauritius. It s a charming hotel with its cinemas, tropical modern Palm Bar, British red telephone box for free long distance calls and the knitted yarn hammocks draped between palm trees.

Our junior suite faced a beach stretching between two of the main restaurants.

The room is a pale colour with a marshmallow-soft bedding, a flat panel TV and well-stocked mini-bar. Behind the bed is a separate area with his and hers wardrobes leading into a tropical-modern style bathroom with muted monochrome floors that stretch towards the floor-to-ceiling windows. These frame a giant, free-standing bath tub (yes, privacy is retained and it is big enough for two). A large, separate rain shower is hot and stocked with local, spiced toiletries. This is what we now call: bathroom goals.

The WiFi is fast and available throughout the hotel but we needed to disconnect/reconnect each time we moved around the large resort - a small observation. You are in Mauritius and Instagram can wait.

There are separate reviews for each restaurant but over the food quality here is high and good with a wide variety including Turkish, Peruvian/Japanese, BBQ, European and this is before you come to the main all-purpose buffet restaurant where breakfast is served each morning. The buffet breakfast is excellent with an international focus, multiple hot sections including an eggs station, pastries, breads, continental, cold cuts, fresh fruits juices made in front of you, Asian nods including dim sum and sub-continental Indian food. It is reminiscent of a Dubai brunch (for those of you that know) minus the party and booze. Palm Court is bright, airy, fresh with wind flowing throughout. They do as great a job here as you can expect from a buffet breakfast.

Overall, Bodrum Blue, Creole Smoke House and Beach Rouge stood out. INTI is very hyped and OK, but, the bar is well worth checking out.

There is a dizzying amount of activities available at LUX* Grand Gaube. There are multiple water activities on site, excursions, two cinemas that play movies and sports events, champagne sabre (thank you Rebecca for this awesome experience), multiple cocktail and wine bars etc. We joined free aperitivo nights sinking Aperol Spritz and Mai Tais. There is plenty to do here! You should sign up for the morning walking tour of the hotel after breakfast to get to know the services and grounds.

The gym is impressively stocked with equipment, treadmills, cross-trainers, rowers, free weights, a smith machine, towels, water, TVs, headphones etc. There is no excuse not to work out. It faces a few tennis courts available to guests. There is a separate stretching area where classes are available.

The resort is both adult and child-friendly. There is a separate Banyan beach area which is adults only. The Banyan area also has a pool complete with lounge chairs and beds adjacent to a Rum Shack, Creole Smoke House restaurant and BB s burgers.

We went to the Spa twice. No appointment needed; there is a quite pool area with three different pools at different temperatures available. You should get a massage though: I had a Thai and Balinese massage.

There are too many people to mention but the staff here are awesome and really take the time to make your stay perfect. Vishnu is the king of gins, friendly and engaging. Mervin looked after us on the beach with drinks and a sense of humour. The concierge Homesh was indispensible.

I would return to the LUX* Grand Gaube. I already recommended it to a few friends. I am also keen to stay in other LUX* hotels including the two others on Mauritius or in their other international locations.