Ha Dung Nguyen

Review of Sofitel Imperial Mauritius Res...

More of a 4 stars resort to me as I expected more ...

More of a 4 stars resort to me as I expected more from a 5 stars level and there are lots of rooms to improve on service. We arrived as a big family group of 14 people and 2 kids, big luggage, all tired after a long flight and long ride to get to the resort (around 1h from the airport). The shuttle bus dropped some other guests along the way at Sugar Beach and Hilton before us and at every resort, the staffs came out to greet and took the luggage for them right away. We arrived last and as we came, there was only one girl came out, stood there and looked at us and the bus driver as he unloaded the luggage. I guess even the bus driver has asked her to brought someone to help as she just stood still. She went back inside and we had to help him. We waited for another 5 - 10 min and thought we couldnt wait no longer and started to take the luggage ourselves inside. Halfway there then finally some men came out and helped. First impression is always important and it didnt start out well!
Check-in was quite slow and unclear as they seemed unfamiliar dealing with one big group at the same time. We booked a honeymoon room but there was nothing different than normal room except they came later and gave us some sweet and a Champaign. No bed or room decoration although we booked more than half a year in advance. I find normal 3 or 4 stars hotels can do better than this.
Staffs seemed somehow unhappy or not paid enough that they just do their duty and does not go all the way to help the guest and I find somehow lack of friendliness or happiness from them. The last day there I was getting a mild sore throat and wanted to prevent that with Ginger tea. I asked one girl in the breakfast area if she could find me some ginger slices as they were not there as usual. She said ok and went on with her work. Then I asked the lady who served our table if she could help and she just went to the tea spot where ginger normally is and looked, came back said that no it's not there. I asked if she could look maybe in the kitchen. She refused immediately and said No! If it s not there mean the kitchen didn t have it without even checking our asking. I finally went to a manager and asked if he could help. 5 mins later a man brought the ginger to my table. Finally! I had to ask three times for just ginger! Sorry but the staffs need to get more trainings to up to 5 stars level.
Also, as we checked out and checked the bill, there were two beer cans charged in our room although we didn t drink. So always check through your bills regardless how long it is!
Room: quite spacious but need renovation. Many ants in the room. I have been in Maldives at a 4 stars resort only but with the price I paid for this hotel, the rooms here are no close to that.
Food: one buffet restaurant for breakfast and dinner, three other options for dinner with Chinese, Teppanyaki or seafood but each person get only 700R credit. This is around 20 . One main dish in Chinese restaurant itself is already around 500-700R, without rice or noodle. Drinks are not inclusive in this 700. With one main dish cost around 20 , people expect it to be either very good or big enough for two. But none was. Food was average that you can find in any Chinese Imbis or normal Chinese restaurant in Germany, which means not authentic or extraordinary. Seafood restaurant was nicer and more reasonable with the price. Do try their honey glazed pork. I get it that when we are on vacation and stay at a 5 stars resort, we should expect to pay more. But it should worth it. Breakfast at buffet is always same. Buffet dinners change theme every day but I find around 60% of them is the same. Not much seafood although it is in an island. Out of 10 days we stayed, only two nights when they served Swordfish sashimi and Scallop sashimi and fish that I found the food was the highlight.
With the price we paid and the experience we had, we would not come back here.