4 minute read
ROMANCE
romance FEEL THE
A ‘Love Tree Tour’ at Ebony Forest in Chamarel includes a museum visit, bird-watching and refreshments at the viewpoint, and love notes planted with an endemic tree
With everyone ready to celebrate again, romance travel is hotting up, with couples prepared to splurge a little more on a getaway. Love is all around on this romantic island, with new and revamped luxury resorts, increased adults-only options and fresh bonding experiences. Heavenly Mauritius was voted the ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Wedding Destination’ at the World Travel Awards 2021, and Weddings Abroad Guide ranked it as the most affordable place to wed on the planet. Elopements and micro-weddings are on the increase, and open-air weddings with meaningful and fun experiences are a new trend. Couples can tie the knot anywhere on the island: aboard a luxury yacht, on an idyllic private island or among ancient ebony trees in the Black River Gorges National Park. Most choose to marry at island hotels, where one ceremony a day guarantees exclusivity. Favourite venues are the beach, jetty or gazebo in tropical gardens. Marriott’s wedding planners can help arrange a beach wedding with the majestic backdrop of Le Morne Brabant mountain at JW Marriott Mauritius Resort or exchange vows at sunset with a reception on the waterfront at the reimagined Le Méridien Ile Maurice. Imaginative alternatives include saying ‘I do’ on a fl oating platform in the sea overlooking Coin de Mire at LUX* Grand Gaube or beside a waterfall, under a century-old Banyan tree or colonial-style Chateau Mon Désir at Maritim Resort & Spa Mauritius. Villas are popular with honeymooners and wedding parties. New choices are Four Seasons Resort Mauritius at Anahita’s revamped one bedroom pool villas, Anantara Iko Mauritius Resort & Villas modern two to four bedroom pool villas and LUX* Grand Baie Resort & Residences’ lavish two-storey pool villas near the beach, designed by Kelly Hoppen.
JUST THE TWO OF US
Adults-only options are increasing islandwide. Le Méridien Ile Maurice’s new Nirvana wing has plunge pool suites, an infi nity pool and Italian restaurant and bar. Romance at new adults-only four star Sunrise Attitude is swim up rooms or a villa with private plunge pool and The Social House, featuring a DJ and tapas at sunset, while Sea Resorts’ adults-only boutique retreat Chalets Chamarel has individual
Le Meridien Ile Maurice JW Marriott Mauritius Resort
LUX* Grand Baie Resort & Residences Constance Prince Maurice Private dining at Le Saint Géran
private chalets on a peaceful mountain ridge and stunning views of Le Morne. Recently renovated plantation-style Paradise Cove Boutique Hotel has four-poster beds, thatched dining kiosks beside the water and a cliff-top infi nity pool overlooking the northern islands.
THE WAY TO A HEART…
Lovebirds at Constance Prince Maurice can enjoy breakfast on a fl oating platform in the lagoon and homemade chocolates and a wine-pairing dinner in the cellar, while bespoke experiences at Preskil Island Resort include breakfast on a traditional pirogue. An exclusive cruise on newly-renovated vintage Lady Lisbeth at 20 Degrees South has an upgraded fi ve-course dinner with wine pairing, while dining experiences at JW Marriott Mauritius Resort include ‘Seas the Day’, a seafood platter or local lunch at a table in the lagoon. Private pop-up picnics can be arranged at beauty spots on Île aux Cerfs, while Heritage Resorts has new gourmet picnic lunches in the grounds of wedding favourite, Heritage LeChâteau. Champagne sundowner in the hills, a BBQ on a deserted island, and a sunrise hike and breakfast at Trou d'Argent are new experiences at Tekoma Boutik Hotel on Rodrigues. Romantic experiences at Shanti Maurice Resort & Spa, range from dolphin watching to a nostalgic open-air movie night. For a memorable marriage proposal, take One&Only Le Saint Géran’s helicopter for a picnic on a deserted island, with ‘Will You Marry Me?’ etched in the sand dunes. Adult-only rooftop bars are a hot new trend, with one at SALT of Palmar and Radisson Blu Poste Lafayette Resort & Spa on the east coast, Veranda Tamarin in the west and the newest, highest and coolest at LUX* Grand Baie Resort & Residences, with cosy cabanas for tapas and sunset cocktails.
ECO-ROMANCE
Immersive experiences at adults-only eco-hotel, SALT of Palmar include The Divine Morning, with meditation and breakfast on the beach. A Sublime Sundowner at Ebony Forest in Chamarel features bird-watching, sundowners and a forest night safari.
Radisson Blu Poste Lafayette roof top bar
