The Luxury Travel Magazine
The Luxury Travel Magazine
Mark Twain once remarked, “Mauritius was made first, and then heaven; heaven was copied after Mauritius.” A poetic declaration, yet one that feels entirely justified when you step onto this volcanic island in the Indian Ocean. With emerald mountains, unspoiled beaches, and a lagoon teeming with coral reefs, Mauritius is more than a destination -it’s an experience. Beyond its shoreline, the island’s lush interior holds a treasure trove of wildlife, rainforests, and waterfalls, alongside villages where history unfolds in French and Creole echoes. Despite its modest dimensions, 40 miles long, 30 miles wide, Mauritius is rich in character and an inspired setting for a wellness retreat. Heritage Le Telfair Golf and Wellness Resort, a five-star sanctuary in Bel Ombre, recently hosted one such gathering.
Though its first recorded visitors were Arab sailors, the island’s known history began when the Portuguese landed in 1507, followed by Dutch colonists in 1598. The Dutch shaped the land with sugar plantations but also left behind a cautionary tale -their appetite led to the dodo’s extinction. The French arrived in 1715, bringing elegance and infrastructure, only to cede control to the British in 1810. Sugar remained the backbone of the island’s economy, as evidenced by relics like the Bel Ombre Sugar Factory. After the abolition of slavery, Indian labourers arrived, weaving another layer into Mauritius’ multicultural tapestry. Since gaining independence in 1968, the island has flourished, blending African, Indian, and European influences into a harmonious whole.
Heritage Le Telfair embodies a bygone era of refined indulgence, its plantation-style architecture nodding to the island’s colonial past. Guests are greeted in an open-air reception adorned with fresh blooms, where champagne flutes clink in welcome. The resort’s lazy river meanders through manicured grounds, leading past bougainvillea-laced paths and onto an infinity pool that vanishes into the horizon. Gas lamps flicker at dusk, much as they did in Charles Telfair’s time—the 19th-century botanist whose name graces the hotel.
The accommodations exude understated elegance. Leafy walkways lead to 158 rooms and suites, each a study in sophistication with four-poster beds, deep soaking tubs, and terraces shaded by frangipani trees.
The new adults-only wing offers a heated pool and seamless service, from cocktails on call to personalised spa bookings.
Dining at Heritage Le Telfair is an occasion in itself. Breakfast at Annabella’s, named after Charles Telfair’s wife, is served in a breezy colonial brasserie overlooking lush gardens. By day, the Tiki Bar offers light, seafood-driven lunches with uninterrupted views of the Indian Ocean. Come evening, La Palmier sets the scene for an elegant three-course affair—think curried cauliflower alongside the island’s prized captain fish. For a true indulgence, Château de Bel Ombre, a 19th-century plantation house, hosts visiting Michelin-starred chefs. Sustainability is at its core, with menus crafted from farm-to-table ingredients—blue lobster tail, coconut-infused ravioli, and bisques that carry the delicate essence of the sea. As the sun sets, the estate comes alive with the hum of cicadas and the distant chords of a grand piano.
The resort’s expansive grounds offer ample opportunity for adventure. Water sports range from paddleboarding to catamaran excursions, while diving trips unveil a mesmerising underwater world.
Golfers can take on the championship courses of La Réserve Golf Links or the Heritage Golf Club, where rolling fairways merge seamlessly with the tropical landscape. For those seeking balance rather than competition, yoga and meditation sessions unfold at sunrise, where the ocean’s rhythmic tides provide a natural metronome.
The recent Wellicious yoga retreat, led by Tara Lee, unfolded in two sublime locations – against the backdrop of Le Château de Bel Ombre’s manicured gardens and the beachfront serenity of Heritage Le Telfair. As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting golden hues across the landscape, participants flowed through sequences designed to align body and mind.
Post-session, the evening segued into canapés and botanical-infused cocktails amid the château’s peacock-dotted grounds. By week’s end, a newfound suppleness had settled in, both physically and mentally.
Mauritius’ delicate ecosystem reminds us that paradise must be preserved. Conscious choices – such as wearing biodegradable Wellicious yoga attire or opting for swimwear crafted from recycled plastics- help mitigate travel’s footprint. The resort embraces sustainability, from eco-conscious bath products to ethical sourcing of ingredients in its restaurants. The island’s battle against climate change and rising sea levels underscores the importance of such initiatives.
Twelve thousand miles round trip is no small journey, but time spent at Heritage Le Telfair feels like an investment in oneself. Sunsets over the Indian Ocean, moments of stillness in nature, and the slow recalibration that comes with stepping away from routine. These are the souvenirs that linger long after departure. Time, after all, is the ultimate luxury, and here, it is spent well.
