Mauritius is still a budget holiday
There are gem getaways on this island that won’t break the bank, writes Spike Farrell
KICK BACK AND RELAX: Mauritius is still one of the most affordable holiday destinations where you can still have a great holiday without having to take out a second bond to finance it.
MAURITIUS, the very name conjures up images of long, lazy days spent on a snow-white beach, gently wafted by warm tropical breezes while you gaze languidly out over an azure sea.
Ah, just the thing, especially when lubricated by a couple of exotic cocktails, paradise, a total antidote for civilisation, no doubt about it. But wait a minute, could there actually be a dark cloud bobbing on the horizon of this tropical idyll?
The thing is, Mauritius is starting to become highly expensive for the likes of mere mortals such as myself, especially now as the Mauritian government has declared that it wishes to target the upper end of the tourist market, and not the backpacker crowd.
Now don’t get me wrong, some of the hotels in Mauritius are so fabulous, they are actually beyond world class, such places as Royal Palm and St Geran where royalty and film stars stay, the Oberoi, Trou Aux Biches and Dinarobin to mention a few. These are actually not hotels, but exquisite works of art.
But when you have flipped through the tourist brochure and trotted into see your tame travel agent for a quote, you are presented with a figure which resembles the GDP of a small country, a situation which is not helped by the rand’s behaviour right now. So, you think, “Amanzimtoti again this year”.
But wait, all is not lost, and it is still possible to have your Mauritian holiday without having to take out a second bond, sell the kids or be bad friends with your bank manager.
I have been lucky enough to have been to Mauritius a few times and in the course of these trips have found and stayed at some really quite surprising hotels and apartments, which will definitely not destroy your credit card, or leave your finances with a gap as wide as the Grand Canyon.
Look, if you want a white uniformed waiter following you around with a bottle of champagne on a silver tray, or a beautiful island girl offering you icecold slices of fruit from a platter on the beach, these places are not for you, but if you want a week in paradise at a reasonable cost, then this is right up your street. The hotels I describe below are well positioned, neat, clean and safe, and I wouldn’t hesitate to stay in any one of them again. I had a really quite unexpected good time, trust me!
And here are the establishments, in no particular order:
Le Beach Club… Pereybere
A colourful selection of studio apartments right on the water, next to a beautiful public beach, 2km from Grand Baie, and on the bus route. Close to bars and restaurants. Tours can be arranged from the reception desk.
Fax: 230 263 5104
Ti Fleur Soleil… Grand Baie
Eighteen air-conditioned rooms in an unbeatable position in the centre of Grand Baie, 45m from the beach. Close to bars and restaurants, and an easy walk to Super U, the local hypermarket. Tours can be arranged from the front desk. Easy access to other beaches from the bus stop outside.
Telephone: 230 269 3380 E-mail: tifleursoleil@intent.mu
Villas Mont Choisy
Complex consists of 16, 1 or 2-bedroomed apartments 50 yards from one of the best beaches on the island and 10 minutes to Grand Baie by bus. Excellent value for money.
Telephone: 230 265 6070
Le Grand Bleu Hotel... Trou Aux Biches