When I think of a dream beachfront holiday, I imagine calm turquoise waters, white sandy beaches and a laid-back feel of being tucked away from the hustle and bustle of city life. And while all of that practically screams Maldives and the Caribbean, Mauritius is another must-visit destination that is just as picture-perfect in real life as it is on paper.
Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of visiting two of the most luxurious and beautiful hotels in Mauritius that give off pure White Lotus vibes. Situated on nearly opposite sides of the island, both resorts offer a different feel for guests of all backgrounds. The Dinarobin Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa and Royal Palm Beachcomber Luxury are without a doubt some of the best hotels I’ve ever set foot in, and not just for the reasons you’d think.
Sure, luxury beachfront hotels are typically very much in demand for honeymoons and romantic getaways. However, while that is definitely a case in both the Dinarobin and the Royal Palm, my experience proves that both of the resorts are just as suitable for family vacations, solo trips and, unsurprisingly, luxurious wellness retreats.
So whether you’re planning a luxe hen-do abroad, a SPA trip with your bestie or if you’re tempted to book a 5-star solo treat and pamper yourself (‘cos why not), these Beachcomber hotels should be very high up on your travel bucket list.
Check availability at the Dinarobin Beachcomber Gold Resort & SPA via Beachcomber, Booking.com and British Airways. You can also check availability for the Royal Poyal Palm Beachcomber Luxury via Beachcomber and Booking.com.
Dinarobin Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa review
Tucked away on the picturesque western coast of the Le Morne peninsula – at the base of the beautiful Le Morne Brabant mountain – the Dinarobin is the ultimate definition of tranquility and that intimate boutique hotel feel. The best part is that it features an all-suite accommodation, offering all guests the luxury of experiencing their holiday from their own tropical haven. I particularly enjoyed the sizeable wooden terrace outside my garden-facing Junior Suite.
The design of the rooms is reflective of the peaceful yet elegant tropical feel of the rest of the hotel, featuring lots of warm brown tones and wooden elements. Plus, the spacious bathrooms with a walk-in shower and a particularly large bathtub were definitely an added bonus to my two-night stay.
Upon my arrival, the first thing I wanted to do was to dip my toes into the beautiful turquoise Indian Ocean (and so I did), but what blew me away wasn't the warm water or the Instagram-worthy beach – it was the clear view the stunning Le Morne Brabant mountain, which is visible from pretty much any angle at the resort. Seriously, there's nothing like taking a dip in the ocean (or the tranquil pool) while enjoying that breathtaking scenery.
Speaking of unforgettable experiences: if you ever visit do the Dinarobin, you absolutely must treat yourself to an appointment at the SPA, which is nestled just minutes away from the reception area and the beach. The signature B (e) Discovery massage was hands-down the highlight of my trip – just what the doctor ordered after a long and exhausting 13-hour flight. The 45-minute full-body massage included a range of pressure and stretching techniques, resulting in pure relaxation (the kind that makes you fall asleep mid-treatment and wake up like a whole new person).
Post-massage, I spent a solid 40 minutes exploring the rest of the SPA amenities, including the peaceful heated pool and the zen relaxation area as well as the sauna and the steam rooms – all of which come at no extra cost. My advice? Definitely plan ahead to enjoy all of the said experiences as soon as you land so that you can kiss the jet lag and the post-flight swelling goodbye.
The Dinarobin SPA also offers guests the opportunity to indulge in a range of group classes, including Hatha Yoga, which is an energetic type of yoga aimed to get your body bright and ready for the day ahead. Held in the meditation room, the class includes everything from unique breathing techniques and stretching to standard yoga poses and more physically intense exercises. I left feeling very refreshed and rejuvenated, both physically and mentally, which was a pleasant surprise – and that's coming from someone who's not really the biggest yoga enthusiast to begin with. Just make sure to book in advance as spaces are often limited, depending on the date and the time.
It's safe to say that the Dinarobin Beachcomber captured my heart and the only worry I had upon departure was that my stay had come to an end. From the dreamy feet-in-sand lunches by the beach at the La Plage to the nautical activities, there definitely was no shortage of exceeded expectations.
The Royal Palm Beachcomber Luxury review
Having enjoyed two nights at the Dinarobin, I spent the remainder of my trip at the stunning Royal Palm Beachcomber resort, which is located on the sun-drenched northwest coast of the island, famous for the super-fine white sand beaches. The Royal Palm is the pinnacle of personalised luxury that I can only describe as the closest you can get to the White Lotus experience (minus all the drama and the unsavoury deaths, of course) – perfect for those looking to channel their inner Jennifer Coolidge.
Upon arrival, all guests are treated to an in-room check-in, aimed at making your stay as bespoke as possible. Talk about being treated like royalty. It is said that none other than Prince Harry and Queen Elizabeth II have both previously stayed at the Royal Palm – and it's no surprise as to why.
The beach easily made it to my top 3 beaches I've ever been to (yep, even compared to the Caribbean and Thailand). The whole resort is such a tranquil haven that it makes you properly disconnect from the outside troubles of your everyday life and experience the true ‘carpe diem’ lifestyle. Whether you want to have a slower morning and enjoy an in-room breakfast, lounge by one of the three swimming pools or spend an afternoon kayaking, the maximum level of relaxation is pretty much guaranteed regardless of the activity of your choice.
As for the rooms themselves, it should come as no surprise that the standard of modern luxury is held high across all rooms and the available suites. And since every room faces the beach, no guest will have to worry on missing out on the ocean-front views (and trust me when I tell you that the sunset is absolutely breathtaking). The design of the rooms is quite an upgrade from the Dinarobin, featuring contemporary interiors and an elegant feel. Not to mention, the bathtub is possibly the biggest one I've ever seen and the post-bubble-bath zen is going to set you up for the best quality sleep (tried and tested).
But if you wanted to take the relaxation one step further, I highly recommend checking out the SPA at the Royal Palm, particularly the Purity of the Alps Valmont treatment, which is a unique facial that can be tailored to your specific needs, concerns and the skin type. Aimed to purify, balance and even out your skin tone, the 45-minute treatment is perfect for those seeking a skincare pick-me-up after a long journey.
Before the start of my appointment, the therapist kindly walked me through the whole process and the products involved as well as the key ingredients, all the while making sure that the facial is bespoke to my dry and sensitive skin. Thanks to a purifying face mask as well as a range of serums and creams, my skin was left glowy, plump and well hydrated. The redness on my cheeks was soothed and my dry patches were practically non-existent, leaving me more than satisfied with the result.
I was also impressed by the size of the SPA, which – apart from the 12 treatment rooms – also features two wet steam baths and two dry steam baths, as well as a salon, outdoor plunge pool, a yoga pavilion, changing rooms, relaxation areas and even a bar. Long story short, the SPA would definitely have a Tanya stamp of approval. However, it's worth noting that if you, like me, prefer a more intimate feel, then the SPA at the Dinarobin will probably suit your liking a tad more than the Royal Palm.
Otherwise, the Royal Palm continued to impress me, namely thanks to its award-winning cuisine, which was also a highlight of my trip. The resort features three on-site restaurants, led by executive chef William Girard, all offering a high standard of culinary excellence. My favourite was definitely the Italian restaurant La Brezza (I still dream about the lobster pasta and the pizettas).
The Royal Palm was by far the most unique luxury hotel I've stayed in, one I'm definitely keen on re-visiting. All I can say is with both the Dinarobin and the Royal Palm ticked off the list, it's safe to say that I'm more than excited to explore other existing and upcoming Beachcomber properties in Mauritius.
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For more content from Glamour UK Commerce Writer Denise Primbet, follow her on Twitter @deniseprimbet and Instagram @deniseprimbet.
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