Shangri-La Le Touessrok, Mauritius
On the east coast of the island overlooking Trou d’Eau Douce Bay, Shangri-La’s Le Touessrok Resort & Spa, Mauritius conjures up visions of castaways marooned on pristine white sand beaches surrounded by an endless span of turquoise waters.
Opened some 40 years ago, Le Touessrok is no newcomer to the Mauritius luxury resort scene, but when Shangri-La took over in 2015 and updated it for modern travelers, its icon status was only burnished.
The whitewashed, low-rise buildings underscore the Mediterranean village vibe of the resort, all spread out with cobblestone pathways weaving through tropical gardens. Two hundred contemporary-chic guest rooms all have views of the Indian Ocean, which can be accessed by any of the resort’s five beaches.
Lively dining outposts reflect the fascinating mixture of cultures in Mauritius, including Saffron, the well-known Indian restaurant, and Sega, a rum and tiki bar that plays live reggae, jazz and blues. And while there is absolutely no reason to leave Le Touessrok during your stay, it’s worth it to hop on one of the resort’s electric bikes to see the island’s dramatic elevations, emerald-covered mountains and wild ancient foliage.
- Three incredible 4,553-square-foot Beach Villas are tucked away on a secluded beach for those who want privacy above all else. Villas have infinity pools, outdoor waterfall showers, direct beach access and a team of staff, including a private chef for every meal.
- Ilot Mangénie is the resort’s private island, reachable by a 10-minute boat ride and accessible only to Le Touessrok guests. Spend at least one day at the Mauritius hotel in a beach cabana being attended to by island butlers.
- There’s an ample array of watersports available to guests, from the usual snorkeling and scuba to waterskiing, kite-surfing, and paddleboarding. Don’t miss the singular experience of kayaking through the enchanting nearby mangroves.
- Shangri-La’s spa brand, CHI, focuses on holistic and Ayurvedic treatments, incorporating local customs and ingredients like a massage that uses a sugar cane stick to relieve tension.
- The resort really knows how to keep you busy while they aren’t busy doing nothing — choose from a slew of on-shore activities such as beach volleyball, tennis, archery, beach soccer, bocce ball and even beer pong.
- The resort is less than one hour from Mauritius’ SSR International Airport, a scenic drive that will give you a taste of the island.
- You have access to Ile aux Cerfs Golf Club, about a 10-minute boat ride from the resort. The 18-hole, par-72 course meanders through island vegetation and offers a sea view at each hole. Daily green fees are included in your stay.
- Children are more than welcome here — Le Touessrok has two kids clubs, one for the younger set (ages 4 to 11) and one for tweens and teens. The latter has evening events and adventurous island excursions.
- Subtle, neutral colors and a breezy contemporary style run throughout the luxury hotel rooms, while the rich, natural materials (mango woods, marbles) let the vistas and surroundings shine.
- Guest rooms are spread out over three separate wings. Hibiscus, great for families, is near the most active beach on the resort (ground-floor rooms have direct access to the sand) and has several different-sized suites and connecting room. The Coral wing is quieter and ideal for couples.
- The most coveted suites are those in the more secluded Frangipani wing, which is located on a little islet accessible by a wooden footbridge. It has extra amenities, including an adult-only pool, in-room check-in and complimentary evening cocktails.
- Acclaimed chef Ramesh Bundi helms Safran, offering a meld of upscale Indian and Mauritian fare. The family-style Indian dishes include elevated takes on tandoori salmon and chicken and prawn curry.
- The sexy, red-hued Kushi is the place for sushi and Japanese flavors, with locally caught fish and ocean views from every angle of the restaurant. Each table has a yakiniku (built-in grill).
- Le Bazar is the buffet-style eatery featuring worldwide cuisines and an open kitchen so you an interact with your chef.
- Beachfront dining can be had at Republik Beach Club & Grill on the Frangipani islet or at Ilot Mangénie’s island eatery, which serves up fresh-caught fish and local rums.
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