PARADISE ISLAND

We discovered mouthwatering food, plenty to do and arich history at two hotels in Mauritius

The small tropical island nation of Mauritius feels familiar as well as exotic – they drive on the left and English is spoken, yet you’re surrounded by swaying palm trees and clear, turquoise waters.

Lying 500 miles east of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean, and about the size of Buckinghamshire, Mauritius was named by the Dutch in 1598 after the governor, Maurice of Orange. Since then, it has been colonised by the French and English, before gaining independence in 1968 – and traces of its diverse history are still apparent today.

WELCOME TO PARADISE

We stayed at the Constance Belle Mare Plage on the east coast, which is great for families and multi-generational holidays. With 277 rooms and suites, when full there can be 550 adults and up to 200 kids staying, but with eight restaurants and bars, four pools and 2km of sandy beach, you’d never know.

Most buildings have thatched roofs – made from sugar cane fronds – which lend a relaxed, rustic vibe, but this resort has all the state-of-theart facilities you could wish for. We stayed in a spacious Junior Suite Beach Front, with a walk-in wardrobe and a huge balcony overlooking the bay – great for enjoying a sundowner.

RE-ENERGISE… OR RELAX

If lying under palm trees sipping cocktails on soft, white sand is your thing, there are few places better. But Mauritius is not merely a fly-and-flop destination – there is lots to do for all ages. Many come to Constance Belle Mare for the golf. There are two 18-hole championship courses – Legend and Links – but there’s also tennis, cycling and watersports, plus a spa and a gym with a variety of machines and classes.