WE arrive at Shangri-La Le Touessrok, Mauritius, having been met 45 minutes earlier at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam airport by our uniformed driver in the resort’s BMW X7. Walking toward the resort’s entrance, we pass a giant banyan tree and a pond of koi carp before stepping into the lobby and taking a seat on the sunny terrace.
We check in while sitting under a macramé sun umbrella, with white-fringes swaying gently in the breeze, adding a whisper of French Riviera elegance against the backdrop of a cobalt sky and turquoise Indian Ocean. Towering palm and coconut trees line the beach before us, framing a scene that is unmistakably tropical.
Aerial view of Hibiscus Bay
Family pool
This Mauritian haven sits within a secluded enclave on the island’s lush eastern coast. Cradled by a bay, its chalk-white beaches spill into a lagoon and all the recently renovated rooms, suites and villas offer direct ocean or beach views. Despite its expansive layout and extensive tropical grounds, the resort’s hospitable staff seem omnipresent but never intrusive.
As we open the door to our Junior Suite in the Frangipani Wing, we take in a calming vibe, with the room and furnishings decorated in soft neutral tones. From our balcony, we gaze across a scene of swaying palm trees – so close that it’s as if we can touch their leaves. The bathroom is our marble sanctuary, anchored by a free-standing tub and complemented by a spacious rain shower and dual vanities.
Upon our bed, dressed in impossibly high-thread-count sheets, are a few thoughtful touches: a Shangri-La leather-handled tote bag (especially useful as I had forgotten to pack my beach-bag), his-and-hers flip-flops and a sarong. Our fully stocked minibar with a variety of sweet and savoury nosh is replenished daily.
Chi The Spa
We stroll along a path lined with a kaleidoscope of colourful vegetation, continuing past two swimming pools (family and adults-only) and leading to the gym and Chi The Spa with its expansive array of treatments including facials by the Biologique Recherche and the cutting-edge Icoone Micro-Stimulation technology.
Thanks to our elevated room category, we enjoy à-la-carte breakfasts with sweeping views of Hibiscus Beach at Coco’s Beach House, which is our favourite place hang out. The menu highlights fresh seafood, handmade pasta, wood-fired pizzas and hearty Mauritian classics. At golden hour, Coco’s Beach House is transformed by soft lighting, offering a toes-in-the-sand, front-row view of the sun setting over the Indian Ocean.
Coco’s Beach House
More formal dining options include Touessrok Soul Kitchen (TSK) offering themed culinary journeys – from Arabic, to Italian, to Mauritian. Safran, the resort’s Indian restaurant, specialises in delicious dishes inspired by the flavours and spice traditions of South Asia, including Tandoori-grilled meats and spiced curries, while Kushi offers an elevated Japanese experience, curated by specialty chef Martin Luther Ochigue.
Our after-dinner highlight involves heading to the thatched-roofed Sega Bar to grab a drink and enjoy the sounds of talented local musicians, creating a buzzing atmosphere that usually inspires the crowd to get up on their feet and dance.
Lobby pool
Sega Bar
On our final day, we take a relaxing boat shuttle across the lagoon to Ilot Mangénie, the resort’s unique private island, where a beach butler greets us with his sunglasses cleaning service. We settle into a beachfront cabana and succumb to serene idleness before enjoying lunch, including a sizeable mushroom pizza paired with a crisp chilled glass of wine. As we spend the rest of the day enjoying the tiny island’s tranquillity, we are reminded of Mark Twain’s famous quote: “Mauritius was made first and then heaven; and heaven was copied after Mauritius.”
by Amanda Bernstein
Prices start at EUR 481 per night per room including breakfast.
For additional information visit shangri-la.com/mauritius/shangrila/