Kitesurf - JC Galey, Your Personal Coach

Are extreme sports your thing? Have you tried kitesurfing? Not yet? Well, no need to wait any longer. Concierge Hotels has partnered with JC Galey, certified kitesurfing  instructor, and his school, Son of Kite, which is based in Mauritius. And, as a result tailor-made kitesurf packages are awaiting you.

JC Galey Son Of Kite

It’s early morning in Le Morne. The sun is already up and so is the heat.  Kitesurfers (some of which are pros) are twirling above the lagoon; behind them, the majestic Morne mountain. Every day, the kitesurfers of Mauritius enjoy this picture perfect setting while indulging their favorite sport. “Here, we have the best conditions in the world throughout the year” confides JC Galey with enthusiasm.

A little over six years ago, JC Galey, professional sportsman settles on the West coast of Mauritius, board in hand. His passion for kitesurfing dates back to 1998. Two years later, in 2000 it had also become his professional occupation.  “I have been a kitesurfing instructor since 2000” recalls JC. “I have been among the first Frenchmen to be trained”. JC holds a “Brevet d’Etat Français” in kitesurfing. As a result, choosing JC and his school Son of Kite, also means choosing to be trained by a professional. And to make things even better: this pro is also passionate.

After getting his diploma and after teaching kitesurfing for some time in France, JC travels. Following the tides, he settles in various places where he puts down his bags for a while before setting sail yet again to another location.  Along the way, he teaches kitesurfing in in Miami, in the U.S. and in various Spanish towns. Between 2003 and 2004, he spends a year in Mauritius. He likes the country, and loves the weather conditions which are ideal for kitesurfing. Later, in 2008, while kitesurfing is taking off in Mauritius, JC decides to move to the island and to launch Son of Kite – a kitesurfing school and store – in La Gaulette.

Two other instructors are also in charge of classes at Son of Kite. And, since the conditions at Le Morne are so ideal, lessons are taught nearly 365 days a year. “This site is so special because, for a start, the wind is regular and strong. We have the chance of having all the wind directions. Added to that is the fact that the lagoon is not too deep. And since it is protected by the reefs, there are no waves”, explains JC.

Son of Kite offers two types of packages. In the first type, which is available to all customers, classes are carried out in the lagoon – where the other kitesurfing schools also hold their courses. For these sessions. Son of Kite’s tariffs amount to 75 Euros for a private lesson, and 40 Euros for a group lesson with a maximum of three persons per instructor. The other package available is, on the other hand, exclusive and made-to-measure.  This is the package you want, the one you deserve and definitely the one you need to choose!

Just imagine… You are staying in one of those hotels on the West coast – St Regis, Dinarobin, Lux * Le Morne or Le Paradis – and you have made a reservation for Son of Kite’s tailor-made package. In the morning, JC Galey will come pick you up at your hotel… by boat, and most probably right in front of your room! You will then head off to a sandbank where only Son of Kite holds training sessions. If you are the discrete type, and if you would rather enjoy a unique kitesurfing experience away from prying eyes, this package is meant for you.

Not only will the spot be yours and yours only, but so will your private instructor, JC Galey. For three whole hours, JC’s attention will be focused on you. The icing on the cake: JC speaks French, English, German and Spanish! It will up to you to decide on the number of sessions you wish to have – twice a week, more, or less. Prices for a three-hour session start at 390 Euros. If additional hours are required, charges are applied on a pro rata basis calculated using the tariff of the chosen package.

Whether this will be your first try at kitesurfing or whether you are already well versed in this sport, Son of Kite will be sure to meet your individual needs. Thanks to their international experience and exposure, Son of Kite will offer personalized training as well as spot-on and reliable advice. And, as Son of Kite is also a specialist store, the instructors will also be able to guide you when choosing and purchasing your first-ever kitesurfing equipment. Once you will have mastered the basics, the coaches will also give you advice in regards to the best spots. After all, Son of Kite’s mission is simple; their aim is to turn you into a wholly independent kitesurfer.

Good news: no prerequisites are required for beginners. They simply need to be able to swim for at least 15 minutes and to be in good health condition. As a thrill seeker, you are probably already conscious of the risks associated to extreme sports. You will be required to sign a discharge statement relieving Son of Kite and its instructors from any responsibility. Each person is responsible for their own actions.

You now know what your  next move needs to be ! Why not kill two birds with one stone (figuratively speaking of course) and enjoy a sunny escapade to Mauritius while also discovering a sport which you have had always dreamed of trying? You may rely on Concierge Hotels and our privileged partner JC Galey from Son of Kite, to make sure that kitesurfing no longer holds any secret for you.

The Four Seasons Golf Club at Anahita hosts the AfrAsia Golf Tour Master

Golf clubs will sparkle, the green will been cut to the millimeter and the sun will certainly be up and shining  for the fifth edition of the AfraAsia Golf Master Tour which will be held from December 1 to 7 at the Four Seasons Golf Club at Anahita Mauritius. This international competition will bring together exceptional golf players on this magnificent green. The impatient public expects spectacular confrontations. And it should not be disappointed. Get ready for a show that will keep you in suspense.

Organized by Tv Sport Events, the Mauritian tournament is highly anticipated by the French and international professional golfers. This edition will feature Asian professionals, a first reflecting the country's willingness to open up to Asia. The five Asian golfers will meet ten players of the European Tour, the top fifteen French golf players and two Mauritians players. Two days of qualifications will reveal the names of the participants.

Big names have won this tournament in the past: Nicolas Colsaerts (2010), Gregory Havret (2011), Christophe Brazillier (2012) and François Calmels (2014). From December 1 to 7, 2014, the golfers will compete to be the next on this impressive list of winners. The tournament will be as follows: December 2 and 3, two Pro-Am followed on December 4, 5 and 6 by three professional tours. With 100,000 €, this tournament will seduce many. The peculiarity of this international tournament will be in the “Alliance” format of the first two professional rounds; Professional players will indeed be assigned an amateur partner who can participate in this tournament with the same euphoria and get the same media exposure as their partners.

A significant media crowd is expected for this event. Canal+ channels such as Golf+ and Sport+ will broadcast the Golf tournament and it will also be aired in Asia and the Middle East via partners such as Fox Sports or OSN. A little less than 300 million viewers will watch Philip Price’s putt on the 6th hole and Hennie Otto’s swing, the South African winner of this year’s Italy Open. The latter, failed to win this Mauritian tournament three times already and is thus returning this year determined to win this coveted title. Those two big stars and their opponent coming directly from South Africa, Jaco Van Zyl, have confirmed their presence on the Anahita golf course in early December.

Other big names are expected, such as Francois Calmels, the last champion to date, Alexander Levy, Julien Quesne and Victor Riu... With all these prominent golfers coming, this tournament should be one full of surprises. Mark your calendar for the AfrAsia Golf Masters 2014, an exceptional event not to be missed !

Credit Photo: AfrAsia Golf Master Tour 2013

Luggage - Travel light with Gideon Kasfiner

However much you want to, you simply never seem able to travel light. And you dread ending up carrying tons of luggage from one airport to another. No need for alarm, this burden is about to become feather-light thanks to Concierge Hotels. Our partner, Gideon Kasfiner, and his company First Luggage, will be more than happy to ensure that  all your suitcases reach their destination.

For a good 35 years now, Gideon Kasfiner has been in the English transport industry, mainly in maritime transport, working, amongst others for Argid Shipping Ltd. and WT. This year, his own baby, First Luggage is celebrating its tenth anniversary. It all started after September 11, when there was a substantial increase in security checks which had also become tougher. As luggage restrictions suddenly made travelling more complex, Gideon Kasfiner identified an opportunity on the market. He set up First Luggage, a revolutionary service which takes away all the stress and fuss that usually come with luggage.

Do you usually travel with many suitcases? Do they all seem to be getting bigger and bigger? And, would you rather not even imagine the drama that would unfold if your children’s luggage did not reach the desired destination, leaving them without their favorite toy, be it only for one day? Are you a golf player or a surfer? Is the fact of carrying your equipment giving you the feeling that you are trying to assemble a puzzle with missing pieces? Are you planning wedding in Mauritius or a land faraway? Is it obvious that all your outfits and accessories will by no means fit in a 23-kilo suitcase? We have the solution to all your luggage worries!

You no longer need to have your luggage registered upon your departure ; your check-in will be quick and easy. No need either to squeeze in at the carousel upon arrival; your transfer from the airport to your hotel or home will be done in no time. Your luggage travels on its own and reaches your final destination before you do so. You may therefore hop on and off totally stress-free. As Gideon Kasfiner, founder and CEO of First Luggage explains, 65% to 70% of his clients also use the First Luggage service to therefore have their suitcases delivered to their holiday destination as well as back home. It is however not always possible to send one’s luggage back this way due to the legislation of certain countries.

In spite of this, in 2004, First Luggage became number one for luggage pick-up and door-to-door delivery in the UK. The service is nevertheless not limited to Britain. It knows practically no boundaries.

How does First Luggage work ? Simple. “All you have to do is call us, or email us your request” summarizes Gideon Kasfiner. The date and time of pick-up will depend of the date on which you need your luggage to be delivered. Gideon Kasfiner further explains that, according to the chosen destination, customs clearance procedures and quarantine requirements, the delay for delivery may vary. It may take a few hours in certain cases, and up to a few days in others.

While on holiday in London, you suddenly opt for a quick shopping trip to Paris. Thanks to First Luggage VIP, which was launched this year, you will be sure to get your luggage back on the same day. On the other hand, if you are leaving London for holidays in the land down under, your suitcases will need to be ready for take-off  five or six days before you. This delay is required due to Australia’s 24-hour quarantine policy and complex customs clearance process.

It is also worthwhile to know that for security reasons, all luggage will be scanned before being sent off. They will be thereafter safely key under lock and key between pick-up from your house and final delivery. You can entirely rely on First Luggage for taking good care of your personal belongings. The company’s network covers nearly all destinations. “There are only about 20 to 25 countries which we do not cover”, says Gideon. “This list varies from time to time according to the political and social climate prevailing in these countries”. Six months ago, for example, First Luggage’s service was available in Russia. Today this is no longer the case. But, in six months, this might change once more, according to how things evolve.

Some might think that this door-to-door pick-up and delivery service is simple to manage. This is not always the case. The more routes, and the more combinations you have, the more spicy it all gets. According to Gideon Kasfiner, this would explain why only a handful of companies throughout the world are in this business. When asked what makes First Luggage stand out, Gideon explains that the service offered is “more flexible” than the one provided by competitors, and that the First Luggage is fast. “Nowadays, we are able to propose a pick-up service within a delay of six hours, nearly everywhere in the world. Very few companies are able to do that”, enthusiastically points out Gideon. Moreover for VIP clients based in London, First Luggage offers packing and storage services.

There is also more to First Luggage. The company offers a whole array of services to a diverse client base. It not only provides the VIP service – the delay for pick-up is shorter for customers who choose this option – but may also cater to the needs of everyone. The Luggage Delivery Company, which is available only in Europe, proposes very competitive prices, and is the ideal solution for all those travelling on low cost airlines having restrictive baggage allowances. And, the Student Luggage Delivery allows students to travel with all those things that will help them create their new home away from home.

With First Luggage, there is no set limit on weight nor on the number of pieces of luggage allowed. And, rates are very reasonably priced! To transport, for example, 30 kilos across the Atlantic using the VIP service, applicable charges will amount to £125. And, in order to move 30 kilos from England to a major European city, using Luggage Delivery Company ou Student Luggage Delivery, you should set aside about £25.

One thing is certain : together with its subsidiaries, First Luggage offers to each and everyone a luxury service which will totally transform one’s travelling experience. By choosing Concierge Hotels and its privileged partner, Gideon Kasfiner of First Luggage, you are certain to travel light, and even very light. By mentioning Concierge Hotels when you contact First Luggage, you will also be entitled to non-negligible extras. And, if you are heading to a destination within the Indian Ocean, you may go directly through Concierge Hotels. We will take care of everything.

Events - A dream wedding in Mauritius delivered by Vedna Essoo

The planning of a wedding is no simple task. Trying to do so from a distance, and on your own, may turn out to be a real challenge. But, if you enlist the services of Concierge Hotels and our privileged partner, Vedna Essoo, your wedding in Mauritius will be the most wonderful day of your life.

You have dreamed of your wedding day since … well… forever. Walking down the aisle, you best friends holding your wedding dress train… you have imagined all of this many many times, hundreds of times. Today, you have met your own Mr Perfect and to add the icing on the cake: he has proposed.  You both dream of an unforgettable wedding, say, in land far away, for example on an exotic island. You have decided that Mauritius would be just the place but do not know how you could possibly organize everything from a distance. Concierge Hotels has the solution: Vedna Essoo, our privileged partner for the organization of weddings, will take care of everything for your special day, from A to Z.

With Vedna Essoo, director of Marry-Go-Round, in charge, you will have nothing to worry about. Have you ever been to a wedding where the bride and groom have a tight smile all the way until the bride tosses the bouquet? Or where wide-eyed couples are fidgety and on the lookout for any problem; so much so that they miss out on all the best moments of their special day? Your wedding will be different. On that day, your mission shall be to enjoy each and every minute, to party with your family and to turn every moment into a wonderful memory. For that, you simply need to send a request to Concierge Hotels and we shall put you in contact with Vedna and her team.

For three years now, it has been Vedna’s job to organize weddings. Prior to that, this enthusiastic and dynamic young woman had been a businesswoman for 15 years, working at senior management level for Accenture, the call center giant, and for the Mauritius Employers’ Federation. Today, Vedna puts the experience she has acquired in management at your service. For years, she has been accustomed to conceiving projects for international customers, to monitor them from start to finish, while dealing with very short deadlines, and being creative. All of that, on a daily basis. Vedna’s passion however is to plan and prepare dream weddings, and, in order to be able to do so, she has surrounded herself with a team of professionals.

Vedna believes that there is a secret to holding a wedding that will leave all guests speechless. One must: define an innovative and personalized theme, choose suppliers who will become partners rather than just third parties, establish a planning that is very strictly adhered to, and most importantly, the wedding day or days need to be built around the couple’s own wishes. Vedna and the Marry-Go-Round’s team therefore go well beyond administrative management. “I do not offer all-inclusive packages. Each wedding is unique, and each wedding is personalized. I see each wedding as a film scenario which needs to be written, with a main plot, and with a variety of characters” explains Vedna Essoo.

It all starts with a first contact, a first discussion between Vedna and the soon-to-be-wed couple. Vedna makes it a point of getting to know the couple, and their story. From then onwards, THE discussion about the wedding starts. “We will talk about the type of wedding which they want, be it for an intimate wedding with twenty guests, or for something absolutely grand with three hundred guests. Once they will have chosen the theme, it will all flow. Together, we shall be able to choose the main color, imagine the decor, chose the menu, and so on…”.

With a hint of emotion and pride, Vedna tells us about some of the weddings she has previously organized, including the one for young photographers and amateur artists whose theme was: “You are the Wind in my Sail”. “For that wedding, the main color was blue. The theme was developed based on a photo taken by the couple of two catamarans at sea. The bride designed her own logo representing a sailing boat. And, they had offered typical Mauritian boat ship models to their guests” recalls Vedna, moved. She also tells us about this other couple whose story indicates that they were destined to meet, that it was written in the stars. “The theme chosen for this wedding was therefore “serendipity”, a happy coincidence. The theme was symbolized by stars. This wedding spread over three days and everything revolved around the stars. The starfish for the Mauritian night, the star anise for the Indian night, the tables were star-shaped… Every detail was reminiscent of the main theme” highlights Vedna.

How are these services different to those offered by hotel-based wedding planners? By choosing a hotel, you will only have limited options in regards to the venue for the ceremony, as well as for the choice of suppliers. By calling upon Marry-Go-Round, you will be able to decide exactly where you want to get married: on the beach, in a colonial manor, or in a hunting camp nestled in a luxuriant natural setting for example. There will be no limit, except your budget. And even then, through her network, Vedna always manages to find the best prices so as to turn your dreams into reality.

You now know what your next step needs to be… However, it is worthwhile to know that the first contact with Vedna is usually done more than a year prior to the wedding! Some couples start even before that, and other a bit later. The preparation of a grand event requires time, and Vedna takes the time to plan even the smallest of details. Once you will have gone over all your wishes and expectations with her, she will take over and will be in charge of the coordination with all partners. The only thing which will be left for you to do will be to fully enjoy your big day.