EXTRAORDINARY ESCAPISM
IN A WORLD OF RELENTLESS CHANGE, THE COLLECTIVE YEARNING FOR ESCAPISM HAS INTENSIFIED. THIS DESIRE TRANSCENDS MERE RELAXATION; IT’S A PROFOUND NEED TO RECONNECT WITH OURSELVES, OUR FRIENDS AND OUR FAMILIES. IT’S A QUEST TO REFILL OUR SOULS AND REDISCOVER THE JOYS OVERSHADOWED BY LIFE’S TUMULT. NESTLED IN THIS GLOBAL TAPESTRY OF CHANGE IS MAURITIUS’ LUX* BELLE MARE, A MICROCOSM OF REBIRTH AND RESILIENCE. THIS RESORT, REBORN FROM THE ASHES OF A TRAGIC FIRE, MIRRORS OUR COLLECTIVE EMERGENCE FROM THE PANDEMIC’S SHADOWS AND IS A STORY OF RENEWAL, REFLECTING THE INDOMITABLE HUMAN SPIRIT’S ABILITY TO ADAPT, EVOLVE AND THRIVE.
The transformation of LUX* Belle Mare is a masterclass in luxury redesign. Jean-Francois Adam, the acclaimed Mauritian architect, and designer Jean-Marc Tang have elevated the resor t to a paradigm of contemporary luxury.The resort’s 174 suites and 12 villas embody sleek modernity and spacious luxury, embracing the island’s heritage and family-friendly ethos.The design exudes a sense of grandeur, maximising natural light and championing indoor-outdoor living. Intricate touches by Tang are evident throughout, from the Riyad-style lobby adorned with hand-glazed tiles to the rose-hued Aperitivo Bar and the red ribbon-laden ceiling at Duck Laundry.
TICKLE YOUR TASTEBUDS
Culinary Creations at LUX* Belle Mare are a gastronomic odyssey.The resort’s five exclusive restaurants offer a variety of cuisines.The all-day-dining venue MONDO offers international cuisine, live cooking stations, and an innovative and creative kids’ section with options for even the fussiest eaters. For an Instagram moment, Royce Street’s vintage Rolls Royce adds a touch of luxury street food theatre to Southeast Asian cuisine, while the Ibiza-style Beach Rouge spills out onto the white sandy beach, giving parents space and sight of their little ones. With its fresh
Mediterranean fare and laid-back dining against unobstructed ocean panoramas, this restaurant keeps you returning for more.
Amari by Vineet, helmed by the first Indian Michelin-starred chef,Vineet Bhatia, is a modern interpretation of India’s culinary richness and matches the sophistication of the creator and his wife and their wonderful life story – their honesty is experienced in every moment of the dining experience. Duck Laundry offers an array of modern Chinese dishes, including specialities like Peking duck and dim sum. Maison LUX* and The Mixologist Lounge Bar provide premium coffee and inventive cocktails for those who like to begin and end their day with a treat.
REST & RELAX
The resort’s approach to wellness, LUX* ME Wellbeing and LUX* ME Spa, is founded on five elements: earth, water, fire, air and space.You will fall in love with the tailored wellness journeys that combine mindfulness activities, spa treatments and physical movement, offering bespoke experiences for rejuvenation. The fitness centre, equipped with cutting-edge facilities, and the Niyama Garden, where guests can indulge in sunrise yoga, underscore LUX* Belle Mare’s commitment to holistic well-being.
As any parent knows well, each age group has evolving preferences regarding activities and entertainment, and if you fail in this area, neither the parents nor the children truly find their peace on holiday. I cannot emphasise enough how getting this formula right matters. Intelligently, The PLAY kids’ club caters to children’s creativity and curiosity with a wonderful schedule that reaches far into the evening, while Studio 17 is a haven for teens with its pool table, latest gaming consoles and outdoor activities, situated right next to the tennis courts.
RESPONSIBLE LUXURY
Of course,a little education goes a long way when families travel, inhaling culture and values, experiencing different perspectives and considering the approaches to current challenges. Sustainability is at the heart of the resort’s ethos, with its farm next door used by the kitchens and the mixologist to garnish the cocktails. From partnerships with NGOs for marine life conservation to its proprietary supply of fresh vegetables, LUX* Belle Mare is ever-deepening its commitment to responsible luxury. Its energy and water efficiency initiatives, waste reduction, and sustainable in-room amenities showcase genuine environmental stewardship.
I carefully watched families during my stay. I witnessed a hideaway where the desires of individuals, couples and families are not just met but celebrated. Of course, even in paradise, not everything can be perfect; we are human, and the world has taught us all about ups and downs, as well as the realities of life.
However, when a brand has taken the time to listen and attune to everyone’s desires, it can offer something for almost anyone to rekindle that peace we crave. As a parent, I can own up to the fact that family holidays can test a tired soul in the first few days when each personality acclimatises. Still, LUX* Resorts have done their homework and know exactly how to cater for diverse needs and bring each individual, and the unit as a whole, back to harmony. My family keep asking when we can return.