Experience Mauritius with One&Only Le Saint Géran

Nestled in the soft sands of its own private peninsula, between a gorgeous, sheltered lagoon and the blissfully warm Indian Ocean, surrounded by fabulous coral reefs and clear waters, this cocooning ultra-luxury resort is the grande dame of Mauritius resorts, with an illustrious history going back to 1975 – when it opened as the island’s first luxury offering.

But it’s not all about peace and calm here. The concierge is at your disposal for discovering the island, including touring the buzzing multicultural capital Port Louis, discovering traditional villages, sampling local delicacies, taking part in religious festivals and browsing fascinating markets. For those hankering for something more energetic, there are also thrilling bespoke adventures on offer, including jumping out of an aeroplane, scaling a mountain, quad-biking through sugar cane fields and trekking in the wild at Ile aux Aigrettes. Back on-site, The Boathouse is the place to head to for water-sports fun on the lagoon.

Special Experiences at the One&Only Le Saint Geran

Guests can discover the mangroves of Mauritius with One&Only’s Club One

Manager, Burwing Caetan, by kayak or stand-up paddleboard, on its Secret Mangroves Discovery Tour. The mangroves play a great role in the marine reproduction process of the lagoon, and going to this untouched green spot will allow you to see many different types of fish, plus crabs, spiders’ webs, mussels on the rocks and kingfishers looking for fresh fish or crabs.

Other island adventures on offer include bespoke guided hiking tours with a Mauritian Wildlife Foundation eco-ranger, traversing valleys and nature reserves, climbing waterfalls and gorges and spotting the likes of rare pink pigeons, Mauritius kestrels, echo parakeets and giant Aldabra tortoises. A helicopter excursion will also give you a unique view of the island, including the ‘underwater waterfall’ just off the coast of Le Morne – a natural optical illusion created by the movement of sand and silt sediments under powerful underwater currents.

Private romantic dining on the hotel’s jetty or beach is also available here, or for the ultimate indulgence, the resort offers a ‘One Day Perfect’ Experience including sunrise yoga and meditation, a sumptuous breakfast on your private terrace, lunch cooked over firewood and coconut, a spa treatment, a wine tasting with the sommelier, and private dining in a beachside tipi or on the lantern-lit jetty.

If you’re inspired, you can learn to make local cuisine here too, with a market-totable cooking class starting with a Flacq food market tour browsing local, seasonal ingredients and proceeding to a session creating popular local dishes that you can then sit down to enjoy with wine pairings curated by the sommelier.

Accommodation at the One&Only Le Saint Geran

The resort’s rooms, suites and the secluded villa have all been cleverly designed to bring the great outdoors in through disappearing patio doors, seamless indoor–outdoor flooring and island-inspired colour palettes. This is very much a place for self-care and holistic wellness administered by famously warm and empathetic staff. The spa is a stand-out, with private gardens with outdoor showers and treatments inspired by indigenous techniques. And with its accommodations with up to three bedrooms, One&Only Le Saint Géran is perfect for family escapes and multigenerational getaways.

To book your stay at One&Only Le Saint Géran, get in touch with me today. You’ll benefit from full financial protection and a 24-hour duty office ready to assist you before, during and after your trip.

SALLY PULLEN

TRAVEL COUNSELLOR

T: 01202 375150

M: 07929 626156

E: sally.pullen@travelcounsellors.com

W: www.travelcounsellors.com/sally.pullen

Prune open grown apples and pears

Prune acers, birches and vines before Christmas to avoid bleeding

Harvest apples, pears, grapes and nuts

Finish planting bare root roses

Start forcing rhubarb

Chit early potatoes

Knock heavy falls of snow off plants to prevent breakage

Put out food and water regularly for hungry birds

Recycle your Christmas Tree by shredding it for mulch

All equipment and essentials needed for the above jobs can be found in store, ask any member of staff for assistance /StewartsGardenCentres @StewartsGardenC