Belle Mare Plage proves Mauritius is far more than a honeymooner's paradise

For a long time, Mauritius was renowned for being the home of the dodo, a bird whose claim to fame now is that it’s long extinct. And after a week-long trip to the Indian Ocean hotspot, I can report that everything else about this stunning island is alive and kicking.

Gorgeous beaches, clear-blue water, sports and fun, but also with plenty of opportunities to kick back and chill, it has something for everyone. That might be why it is such a popular holiday destination for parties ranging from families to couples, young to old.

It’s a home from home – English speaking, along with a strong French flavour, driving on the left and lots of golf – but with warm weather, blue skies and incredible food. It was my first trip to Mauritius, and while I wanted to relax and unwind, there was also lots to keep me occupied during my stay at two Constance-owned resorts, starting with Belle Mare Plage and then Prince Maurice.

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And relax…

Before the activities, though, a chance to enjoy the Belle Mare spa. A 10-hour overnight flight and then an hour by road to the hotel was followed by a spot of breakfast, a first lie on the resort’s golden beach, and then a massage to work out the journey’s knots and niggles.

I could have done with another one the following morning after an early start for circuit training took my breath away – literally – followed by exerting aqua aerobics. A great, energetic start to the day.

In the swing

The energy didn’t stop there. A leisurely cycle ride off resort was part of the activities on offer, as was a spot of table tennis. But while Premier League football is all the rage – and locals were only too keen to talk about it – it is golf that Mauritius is embracing.

Belle Mare Plage has two 18-hole golf courses, the Legends and the Links, which host championship competition and Pro-ams featuring celebrities and sport stars. It even has its own Golf Academy, too good an opportunity to pass up. Treated to a crash course with the club pro, a 30-minute lesson improved my swing as I sent ball after ball flying down the range. “Good job, Ross” was the cheerleading cry from my coach. I felt like Tiger Woods walking off.

The Deer Hunter restaurant also boasts fine views of the 18th green and a wonderful menu (the traditional Mauritian farata bread was fantastic) to round things off.

Fine dining

The Deer Hunter was just one of six restaurants we visited at Belle Mare Plage, all with their own individual twist. And if you like fresh fish or meat, you’re in luck. La Spiaggia on the first night, with crab remoulade and sea bass, set the tone.

A champagne reception kicked off another evening in a casual beachside atmosphere on the decked area. At Blu Sushi Lounge, there was a wide selection of sushi dishes, including maki rolls, but the highlight without a doubt was a pina colada white beer (yes, you read that right), made at local brewery Thirsty Fox. Sadly it’s exclusive to the resort and can’t be bought anywhere else.

Our final night was spent at the Blue Penny Cellar, a beautifully decorated venue. A wine-flight session was followed by a tour of the cellars with more than 30,000 bottles.

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If you have a bit more than a blue penny to spend, you can splash out on the most expensive, a mere $25,000.

Meat was the order of the day at the Blue Penny, a rump steak hand chosen by the resident butcher was cooked to perfection served with a drop of red wine. Vanilla caviar – in authentic caviar pots – was a delicious dessert too.

As well as the incredible evening menus, we lunched on fresh fish, vegetables and fruit at Indigo, Lakaze and The Blue Bar, while La Citronelle served breakfast.

Fun for everyone

Belle Mare Plage is ideal for families and couples, and it’s big but it never felt crowded. With more than a mile of sand, eight restaurants and bars and a multitude of activities on offer, it felt like you were one of just a handful of guests.

We stayed in a Junior Suite overlooking the beach with a walk-in wardrobe, connecting bathroom and shower, and sizeable balcony.

Belle Mare Plage also has a number of private pool villas to take luxury to a new level. We had a private floating breakfast on our last morning, a sumptuous way to set you up for the day ahead.

The future and past is orange

The second half of our trip was spent at a Constance sister hotel, the Prince Maurice. An elegant, more traditional resort, it had a different feel but was luxurious and quiet. Three restaurants and four bars meant there were plenty of dining options.

A Junior Suite awaited, again, on the first floor overlooking perfectly manicured gardens and a secluded pool which led to the beach.

And the five-star service continued – there was a button to press by each lounger for waiter service. One of the most striking features was the orange towels accompanying each sun lounger – a nod to the Dutch governor Maurice of Orange who both the hotel and the island were named after way back in 1598.

Making a splash

I’d never tried water skiing in 47 years. I think it may take 47 more before I give it another whirl but what an experience. It looked simple. It sounded simple as my guide helped me into the skis, told me to bend my legs slightly and stay upright. Let the boat do the work and pull you up.

It wasn’t quite that straightforward. Up, seven seconds, down with a splash. Seven seconds might be being generous, actually. Second try was a bit better, third was the charm I’d hoped for. Nope. Worst yet, and into the sea I went.

‘‘Do you want to head back?’’ Not just yet, thanks. Finally, perseverance paid off and I managed a few minutes around the bay without falling in.

Reef justice

Beyond the coral reef, Mauritius has some outstanding areas for snorkelling. We took a boat cruise around the east of the island, taking in sights before anchoring at a spot teeming with fish.

Having come to the area on a trip from Belle Mare Plage a few days earlier, I’d struggled with the mask and breathing, so I was determined to make a better fist of snorkelling. This time was a success, with the colours, sizes and sights of what lay beneath worth the trip alone.

On the way back we took in the beautiful coastline and grabbed some sun out on the boat deck. Pulling back into the bay, paddle boarders and kayakers were out in force.

Body, mind and soul

After a week of activities, my knee injury was playing up but a massage soothed all aches and pains with my second rubdown. One of the things Constance resorts is big on is offering breaks focusing on your physical and mental wellbeing. Designed by US expert Dr Chase Webber, the spas are designed to relax body and mind.

I’d never tried yoga before, but an hour-long session got aching limbs stretching like they hadn’t in decades. Constance holds a number of Wellness Retreats with Dr Webber, who we met for breakfast on our last day.

Floating paradise

On the final night, we dined and drank at La Barachois, a floating restaurant. After a couple of cocktails at a floating bar, we made the walk through the lantern-lit pontoon to an incredible venue, surrounded by mangrove trees and overlooking a fish reserve.

The food was as breathtaking as the setting with a crab starter, the catch of the day, and the baked Alaska all hitting the spot.

A fitting finale.

Book the holiday

• Turquoise Holidays offers four nights at Constance Belle Mare Plage, Mauritius, followed by two nights at Constance Prince Maurice from £2,120pp. Includes half board and a saving of up to 30% on accommodation when travelling from Gatwick on selected dates up to September 30 and private transfers.
• More info at