The Residence Mauritius

The Residence Mauritius has somewhere around 160 rooms and suites from which to choose from. But such a bone-dry statistic will surely float over the heads of practically all first-time visitors. The truth is they’ll hardly care because whatever their chosen accommodation, they’ll surely find themselves too wrapped up in appreciating the luxurious ambience perpetuating every nook and cranny of this fabulous five-star hotel. Don’t be surprised, too, to find quite a few holiday visitors overcome by the ‘wow’ factor, with eyes glazed over and tongues hanging out. Perhaps an exaggeration, but not too far of the mark either. If Mauritius is a little bit of an Indian Ocean island paradise, then The Residence is nothing short of a paradise within a paradise!

Little wonder when you consider how important tourism is to the economy of Mauritius. In fact it is vital. However, the Mauritians took an early decision when developing the tourism industry the island would offer resorts firmly aimed at the ‘high end’ of the market, with hotels built to the highest of standards and with cuisine and service second to none. No cheap and tacky facilities here. No low budget tourism. And it seems to have paid off with visitor numbers climbing year after year and tens of thousands of jobs created and depending on a vibrant tourism sector.

Of course, if Mauritius didn’t have a whole lot more going for it, such as beautiful unspoilt white sandy beaches, plenty of sunshine and a warm and friendly island people, then visitors would have little reason to come. Fortunately it has all of these, in abundance.

Mauritius is considered by many to be a world class diving destination with miles of coral reefs to explore. Even visitors who’ve never dived before can catch a glimpse of the beauty beneath the waves by taking an undersea walk. The activity is becoming ever more popular and is often considered the highlight of any holiday. The would-be diver is kitted out with diving helmet, lead weights and an ample supply of oxygen, which is pumped in from the surface, and then goes walkabout on the seabed. Easy! In case of problems, there’s always a couple of professional divers close at hand throughout. Whew…thank goodness for that.

Guests staying at The Residence Mauritius might be forgiven for thinking the magnificence and splendours all around them echo the island’s colonial past. Certainly there is a luxurious feeling of yesteryear about the place, but that’s deliberate, part and parcel of the whole unique visitor experience. It might also have something to do with the butler assigned to every suite and room in the hotel. Yes, your own personal butler, ready day and night, who will unpack all of your luggage for you, or run you a bath, take care of the laundry and even do the ironing. Now that’s service, leaving you the time to fully enjoy the pleasures of life.

But don’t worry, the feelings of yesteryear are sure to be short-lived given each room is fully air conditioned and equipped with satellite television, DVD player, internet access and electronic safe. Definitely all 21st century!