Near+Far’s family travel expert Maryanne Peacock checks into One&Only Le Saint Géran, Mauritius and the luxurious ‘happy place’ of many returning guests.

One&Only Le Saint Géran Near+Far rating: 9/10

Why stay at One&Only Le Saint Géran

With the end-of-year madness well underway, I must admit I hadn’t done much research on this hotel before we visited – a quick glance at the website and a click through a few pictures were all I managed – so to say I was pleasantly surprised by the One&Only Le Saint Géran is an understatement. Photos don’t do this hotel justice – on screen, it appears to be a large hotel, with quaint two-tier elegant suites and an abundance of palm trees – whilst it definitely is all these things, nothing quite prepared me for the ambience, service, sophisticated yet homeliness that greets you on arrival – it offers a special something that very few hotels can pull off – a something that I know will draw me back again and again.

The story

Marking the beginning of One&Only hotels, One&Only Le Saint Géran has been a style icon for over 50 years – built on 60 acres of tropical gardens, the hotel is sat on the island’s best beach, in a sheltered bay. From the get-go, this hotel has been a playground for leaders and celebrities from across the world, all enjoying island life and the stellar hospitality (everyone from Nelson Mandela to Catherine Deneuve, Charlize Theron, Prince William and the Gipsy King). However, a hotel as long standing at this takes it toll, so in 2017 the property went through a 55 million dollar transformation – fast-forward to today, and One&Only Le Saint Géran looks smarter, slicker and sexier than ever before.

Rooms and suites

The rooms have been entirely reimagined to be light and airy spaces – think wood-effect floor tiles, marble bathrooms and furnishings in a crisp colour palette of white, cream and blue-grey wash. The suites offer the wow factor with terraces that overlook palm-fringed beaches and impossibly blue waters, a walk-in wardrobe which is kitted out with everything you could possibly imagine, a generous living space with a personalised mini bar and a decedent double bed which will have you sleeping soundly in a matter of seconds! 

The food and drink

One of the major changes to the hotel was the f&b – the hotel now has five restaurants, a stand out being Prime, where organically produced Australian Angus and Wagyu beef, and seasonal Mauritian seafood are celebrated with reverence. The food here is sensational – the tenderloin literally melted in the mouth. For a more laid-back affair, the La Pointe eatery – with its thatched structure – serving freshly grilled seafood – is linked to the pool, complete with panoramic sea and lagoon views, swim-up bars and canopied cabanas.

Breakfast and dinner take place at La Terrasse, where the daily spread takes centre stage – there are no themes and trust me you don’t miss them – there is every flavour, cuisine and texture under the sun, meaning you can have a totally different meal at every visit. L’Artisan is where you’ll get your daily dose of coffee, ice cream and sweet treats, whilst Le Badamier, our favourite lunchtime spot, offers a southern French and Italian-inspired menu, with an emphasis on freshly caught local seafood. The dining highlight for me was Tapasake, the hotel’s stunning over-water restaurant specialising in tapas-style servings of pan-Asian food, created by talented chefs with a flair for theatrical cooking. With the best spot on the island for sunset, the alfresco restaurant has some exquisite dishes and poses as the perfect place for people-watching. 

Spa and facilities

Whilst I could go on about the rooms, facilities, spa – the biggest pull to this hotel for me is the family aspect. From the moment you arrive to the moment you leave, the kids are incredibly well catered for – we were actually greeted on arrival by a member of the Kid’s Club team with backpacks for the kids full of crayons, shoes and a baseball cap. The rooms include two and three-bedroom suites (and multiple interconnecting rooms), the hotel has one of the best kids’ clubs I’ve ever seen, there is a youth fitness programme offering the likes of yoga and waterskiing, creative writing workshops in high season, a junior spa and healthy kids’ menu. Oh, and I should mention that kids under 5 eat for free throughout the hotel – a massive bonus!

You can also order a spag bol at any time during the day at L’Artisan (followed by complimentary ice cream) It’s a true haven for kids! The pools all have shallow areas allowing smaller kids to play safely, the sea is calm and the grounds are so sprawling that energy can be burnt off easily and safely. If you have little kids, the team can prepare anything for you in the room ahead of your trip, from cots to sterilisers and everything in between – the kids also got gifted little dodo teddies to sleep with, which was a nice touch. 

Activities for children

The kids’ club itself has multiple rooms catering to different ages, plus daily activities from crab hunting to cooking classes and everything in between. There are even special themed clubs and programmes, like an AC Milan Junior Camp. Next to the Kid’s & Teen Club is Club One, the hotel’s new fitness centre with unique offerings like aerial yoga classes, MyEquilibria outdoor workout sessions (think grown-up jungle gym — a first for the Indian Ocean region) and the island’s only padel court. In addition to the pool at La Pointe, there’s a more secluded pool by La Terrasse restaurant, while the 18-metre spa pool is just for adults, before or after a treatment.

The hotel’s outstanding service sets it apart: nothing is too much trouble for the staff. They are attentive without being overbearing, and they love the kids. There really is something for everyone at this hotel, which makes it perfect for multigenerational travel – the spa with ESPA products has a vast selection of treatments – some treatment rooms open onto private gardens with outdoor showers, and there’s a hammam, sauna and oversized daybeds flanking the private infinity pool. The Boat House also offers a handful of fun activities – from fishing, helicopter rides, diving excursions and kite surfing – more low-key organised fun includes kayaking through the mangroves, cooking classes and mountain treks. 

A visit I will never forget, this should be a high contender for your next family holiday. As we heard so many say ‘it is our happy place’.

Doubles from AED3,226 a night; Pointe de Flacq, Poste de Flacq, Mauritius; oneandonlyresorts.com