20⁰ Sud Hotel, Mauritius

In Grand Bay, on the northwest coast of Mauritius, behind an imposing oak gate, amid a former coconut plantation, is nestled the 20⁰ Sud Hotel. A haven of tranquility, this four star hotel offers a luxurious and refined setting for your stay in the tropics.

This small, intimate hotel with 30 rooms and six suites offers a high quality service. Some rooms directly overlook the beach or have a view of the coconut grove bordering the sea. They have air conditioning, a TV with access to over 160 films, a telephone and Wi-Fi. Rooms are furnished with queen size beds and the bathrooms are equipped with an antique bath and a separate shower. The suites also feature a Jacuzzi and even a swimming pool for some. Perfect to relax in privacy. Facing the sea, lounging on the terrace, you can only be amazed by the exceptional views of Grand Bay.

You can choose between three exclusive and innovative restaurants to discover Mauritian and international cuisine. The chefs offer a wide choice of dishes combining South African meats or delicious grilled fish caught the same day in the Mascarene Islands. The hotel restaurant is located 10 meters from the sea, right next to the pool. At the 20⁰ Sud Hotel, you will not be rushed. Since you're on vacation, you can enjoy breakfast at whatever time you want. But if you want to enjoy the impressive English buffet, you will have do so before 10: 30. 

The other restaurant is super original and totally vintage. It’s on the M/S Lady Lisbeth, the oldest motor boat in Mauritius. Built in 1929, it has been fully refurbished to accommodate the restaurant. Every evening, it takes on board a dozen people for a buffet supper cruise on the calm waters of the bay. This is an opportunity to enjoy a quite unique evening. Finally, the hotel also has an incredible venue on Flat Island. An ancient ruin of the 19th century, this listed site has been converted into an intimate restaurant for a small number of people. On the menu: lobster and grilled fish. The pleasant journey is done on catamaran, also available for private cruises around the island and cocktails at sunset, amongst others.

You can enjoy a variety of activities during your stay. Take a dip in one of two pools located a few meters from the beach. You can either swim or just sunbathe. For golf enthusiasts, several courses are available on the island. A golf course is scheduled to open late 2015 in Mont Choisy, not far from the hotel. Grand Bay is also a paradise for all sailing sport lovers. Sailing, Kite surfing or windsurfing, take your pick. Whether you are a beginner or an expert, the lagoon offers the opportunity for all to have fun on the waves. The 20⁰ Sud Hotel also caters for excursions both on and under the sea. Discover the beauty of the seabed and a flora and fauna unique in the world. Various outings by catamaran or car to explore the island are organized every day. Mauritius is also a destination for big game fishing aficionados thanks to the diversity of species in its waters: marlin, bluefin tuna, yellowfin tuna, dorado, wahoo, kingfish… Enjoy big game fishing trips organized by the hotel. You can choose between full days or half days. 

20⁰ Sud (South), your next holiday’s address...

"Conciergerie, un service qui prend de l'essor" - L'express N°19149 - Lundi 27 Juillet 2015

Conciergerie, un service qui prend de l'essor - Page 7

"Louer un taxi, organiser un anniversaire ou trouver une nounou. Ce sont quelques-uns des nombreux services que propose la conciergerie. Ce service s’est notamment distingué grâce à la progression du tourisme. Son but? Faciliter la vie des clients qui sont en voyage ou en vacances.

La Conciergerie Océan Indien, parmi d’autres entreprises, propose ce service depuis fin 2014. Fait intéressant: si au départ les demandes provenaient principalement des touristes, l’intérêt des clients locaux prend aussi de l’ampleur.

Arnaud Glannes, Sales and Conciergerie Manager de la Conciergerie Océan Indien, souligne qu’il y a effectivement plus de Mauriciens qui recherchent ce service. Surtout depuis son lancement. «Sur les 10 000 likes que nous avons reçus sur notre page Facebook, 80% sont de Maurice», soutient-il."

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Choose the Relax Hotel & Restaurant for a Memorable Vacation

Located south of the island of Mahé, in-between sea and mountain, the Relax Hotel & Restaurant is a charming three-star resort. Providing optimum comfort and an exceptional quality of services, it will meet all your expectations. You will, for sure, spend an exceptional holiday at this resort.

The Seychelles archipelago is one of the most enchanting destinations in the world. If you choose Relax Hotel & Restaurant, you will spend your holiday in a privileged setting, the hotel being located near the beautiful beach of Fairyland. Forget the stress of your everyday life and enjoy the island rhythm. At the Relax Hotel & Restaurant, you relax. With its modern design and facilities, the hotel offers the perfect setting for a perfect vacation. Take a dip in the pool, enjoy sunbathing on the beach or dive into the amazing Seychelles waters, where you can observe flora and fauna you will not see anywhere else in the world. The hotel organizes excursions so that you can discover the surrounding islands like La Digue and Praslin, amongst others.

The Relax Hotel offers a selection of fifteen Deluxe or Standard rooms from 24 to 36m2, which offer authentic Creole atmosphere. They can accommodate one to three people and are furnished and equipped for the comfort of guests: refrigerators, air conditioners, internet access, telephone and television with cable channels. The Deluxe rooms have a direct view of the ocean while Standard rooms have views of the surrounding mountains.

The only restaurant at the Relax Hotel is located near the beach. Open all day, it offers a wide range of delicious culinary experiences. The Chef presents international cuisine, and rehabilitates the best Indian, Seychellois and Creole dishes. Take your time at the pool bar that offers a variety of cold drinks, cocktails, beers and other alcoholic beverages. Enjoy them in a relaxed atmosphere.

There are various special offers for guests wishing to enjoy an unforgettable experience in this hotel. Enjoy the Island-hopping Package, which allows you to stay in three hotels of the group ; Relax Beach House, in La Digue, Relax Beach Resort in Praslin and Relax Hotel & Restaurant in Mahé. This package allows you to discover these three beautiful islands in just one trip. The Honeymoon Package offers special rates for couples who got married in the six months preceding their arrival at the hotel.

For an “Otentik” Mauritius

You're not one of those tourists who remain cloistered within the walls of their 4 star hotel? If you go through the trouble of crossing oceans it’s to explore the country and its people? Well, if you choose to stay in one of the eight hotels of the Attitude group, you’re definitely going to discover an authentic Mauritius. The Attitude hotel group has indeed just recently launched its new “Otentik” concept, which will surely be emulated. This unique concept in the Mauritian hotel industry will allow residents of the Attitude group to experience a totally different way of vacationing. 

The will of the Attitude group has always been to create a strong Mauritian brand; they’ve always wanted the tourists to really experience the true and real Mauritius with its tangible and intangible heritage. Their objective is definitely to sell ​​an authentic experience rather than a product. As Vincent Desvaux de Marigny, Sales & Marketing Director of Attitude Group, said, “we believe that authenticity is an 'Attitude', a culture, a promise, carried by each of our family members. We encourage them to cultivate spontaneity, simplicity and that innate sense of Mauritian hospitality.”

Designed three years ago, the “Otentik” project materializes today. This concept is based on five main themes:

- Otentik Bazar: Every day, in the Attitude Hotels, will be organized a traditional bazar, market in creole. Products made of wicker, rattan, pottery or Vacoas, bags made of recycled sailcloth, amongst others, all “Made in Mauritius”, will be on sale.

- Otentik Kitchen: All the restaurants of the Attitude hotels will preferably offer Mauritian cuisine. On the menu you will find traditional dishes such as curry, brandade or briani. Guests can participate in cooking classes to learn how to prepare the best Mauritian recipes. Many tastings are offered around rum, Alouda (typical Mauritian drink made of milk and basil seeds) and many other specialties.

- Otentik Dinner: Through this flagship experience of the “Otentik” concept, residents will have dinner with the locals. One of the team members will welcome you in their home for an immersion in the local culture. This will most definitely be a true moment of exchange, sharing and conviviality.

- Otentik Discovery: With the help of a mobile application developed by the group, you can visit the island easily and independently. Those who love nature and walking can discover hiking trails. The application can be downloaded for free when you arrive at the hotel. This experience also includes Creole classes, offered once a week. A booklet with historical anecdotes and illustrations will also be offered to you upon arrival.

- Otentik Music: Many events and shows around the Sega and traditional Mauritian music will be offered. Through the music initiation sessions you will discover local artists and instruments.

Since the Attitude Hotels are very committed to the preservation of the environment through the Green Attitude Foundation, they are pleased to present a craft concept based on the “recycling” of products. In addition, sales are nonprofit. The “Otentik Bazar” project thus serves two purposes: both promote and support local craft artisans. Jean Michel Pitot, CEO of Attitude, explains that “Otentik Attitude experiences embody the cultural facets of our island. We put culture at the heart of our sustainable development policy.” “Otentik Attitude” experiences indeed put forward the expertise and talent of artisans and Mauritian artists. This way Attitude contributes to the sustainable, ecological, cultural, economic and social development of the island.

Islands Drinks : Rum And So Much more…

Lounging on the beach, soaking up the sun, and swimming in the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean ; a dream vacation, for sure. But if you are of those who do not plan a vacation without immersion in the local culture (to discover the people, places and dishes) then it’s a good thing you’re reading these lines. If you liked the post on "Islands Dishes : A Subtle Gastronomy", then you should enjoy this one on the drinks you should definitely try while vacationing in the Indian Ocean.

In Mauritius, there are different local drinks to discover. One of the most famous is undoubtedly the Phoenix beer, whose (good) reputation extends beyond the borders of the island. It is no exaggeration to say that it is known worldwide. But this is not the only beer you will find here, the Blue Marlin is also excellent. One strong alcohol you must try is obviously rum. Since the government has authorized in 2003 the production of agricultural rum, quite a few rum distilleries have emerged. The popularity of the Mauritian rum is increasing on the international market. The Green Island and Rum Chamarel are amongst the best while the White Diamond or Seven Seas are cheaper. Amongst other non-alcoholic drinks, you should definitely try the Alouda, a milk-based drink flavored with vanilla, strawberry or almond which is very popular with Mauritians.

France could be proud : the neighboring island of Reunion is the only island in the area to manufacture wine locally. The Isabella wine is bottled in Cilaos. Paradoxically though, this wine is banned in France. A few beers are manufactured locally : Dodo and Fisher. You must try the Metiss, a lychee fruit beer. However, the national drink remains, as in Mauritius, the rum. You will find all kinds of rum ; from aged rum (over five years old) to molasses, traditional rum. The "rum aranze"  (fruit/spice infused rum) is the specialty of the island : vanilla, coffee, pineapple, banana, litchi, coconut, amongst other flavors.

If ever you travel to Sri Lanka, you must drink a good local tea, the national drink, and reputed to be one of the best in the world. Local beers are the Three Coins, Lion Lager and Pilsner. We also recommend the Ginger Beer that tastes rather original. It is popular in the country for its medicinal properties. King Coconut juice and Arrack, both coconut based, are also quite tasty.

In Madagascar, the traditional drink of choice, obviously because it’s very cheap, is the Ranon'ampango or Rice Water. As the name suggests, it is the water used to cook the rice, and therefore it taste like rice. Local beers are the Three Horses Beer, Queen's and Gold. The Dzama local rum is made in Nosy Be.

To end this tour of the Indian Ocean, let’s stop in Seychelles. The archipelago offers a wide selection of drinks, few of which are known to tourists. The Calou is a fermented coconut juice and Bacca is made from sugar cane juice; they are amongst the most commonly consumed by the local population. The best beers of the country are Seybrew, Eku and Guinness, manufactured in pure Seychelles tradition.

Relax at the Saint Alexis, Reunion Island

The Saint Alexis is a deluxe four star hotel located on the beautiful beach of Boucan Canot in Saint Gilles les Bains on the west coast of Reunion Island. Nestled in a tropical garden, the hotel has an original architecture incorporating arches, columns, walkways and terraces for sunbathing; everything has been thought in order to offer the best resting spot in the middle of the Indian Ocean. Charm, relaxation and refinement are the hallmarks of this hotel whose staff will do everything to make your stay unforgettable. 

The resort offers a selection of almost 50 rooms to choose from, ranging from 25 to 92 m2 depending on the category. Each room is of course equipped with a queen size bed, a living room and office area, a spacious balcony and in the bathroom, a whirlpool bathtub that provides enjoyable massages. The hotel offers many services to satisfy the most demanding visitors: reception 24h/24, room service, WiFi, satellite TV, laundry service, car rental and baby-sitting service upon booking, amongst other services.

Although a French pool table is available for the clients’ entertainment, you should know that the hotel is specialized in fitness and relaxation activities. Guests have access to a fully equipped fitness center. They also have access to the hammam and sauna, which turns out to be very nice after an intensive workout. But it is especially the Beauty Institute that should not be missed. The ladies will for sure be delighted by all the services offered. Upon entering the spa, located in a tropical garden, just across from the beach, you will immerse yourself in a soothing universe. Enjoy the ritual ceremony of the East, the Relaxation massage, the He, She or couple massage, massages in music, scrubs and body treatments... For couples, we recommend the ‘’Escale Gourmande’’.

The unique restaurant offers gourmet menus from Reunion Island and around the world. For breakfast, you can feast on local and international organic buffets. You can enjoy your breakfast on one of six scenic terraces of the restaurant, or opt for a breakfast in bed The menu changes every day. The chef combines classic and exotic flavors, developing quality cuisine with fresh local produce. A special card was developed for children. If you get hungry, the bar offers fast food menu to nibble on : sandwiches, paninis, salads and Creole baskets. There is a bar on the beach. With your feet in the sand, you can enjoy delicious fruit cocktails or a mixture of local rum and ‘’rum aranze’’, one of the world's best. Theme nights happen on Fridays and Saturdays.

Do not miss the 2015 special offers at the Saint Alexis!

- Honeymoon offer: If you book 5 nights half board, you will have a reduced rate and a treatment offered at the spa.

- Enjoy two nights for free when you book a 7 nights stay before October 15. If you book a 6 nights stay from October 16 to 31, you will have one night for free.

- Book your stay 60 days before arrival for a minimum of 4 nights and get 10% discount.