One&Only Le Saint Géran, Mauritius

One&Only Le Saint Géran

One of the longest established and most distinguished luxury resorts in Mauritius, the legendary One & Only Le Saint Géran enjoys a stellar reputation far beyond the island's shores. A nearby shipwreck in 1744, which became part of the island's folklore, gives the resort its name, and also its unique character, ensuring that it is part of the sense of history which pervades everything in the island. Occupying its own private peninsula between the ocean and a calm, azure lagoon, the resort offers an environment of serenity and timeless elegance, steeped in Mauritian influences.

The special quality of a stay at Le Saint Géran becomes clear when guests pass through the stately gates to arrive at the flower-bedecked grand entrance, and a gong reverberates through the building to mark their arrival. The 60 acres of gardens are resplendent with brilliantly coloured bougainvillea and orchids, under the soothing swaying of hundreds of coconut palms, between which hammocks swing invitingly. The classic island setting is also seen in the hacienda-style architecture, with galleried walkways and whitewashed walls, and pervades the interiors, framed in huge open arches across the spacious hallways.

The resort's main restaurant, La Terrasse, is an elegant, white-vaulted terrace alongside the pool, with stunning views of the Indian Ocean, and offers all-day dining with evening menus of Creole cuisine accompanied by top-quality evening entertainment. Other culinary delights include the modern Indian flavours at the Indian Pavilion by the water's edge, with an open kitchen and continually changing Tasting Menu. Or guests can feast on mouth-watering seafood and steaks at PRIME Contemporary Grill, a chic and cool dining venue with an award-winning chef.

A particularly special dining experience is the beach-side dinner, with a bonfire, fire lanterns and a steel band. Most meals are cooked on a large gas-fired hotplate suspended over bricks on the sand, but others, such as Octopus Rougaille, guests can watch being prepared by traditional Mauritian methods. The highlight is a show by a local group performing the Sega, a traditional dance with its roots in Mauritian folklore.

The superb position of the resort, right at the end of the peninsula, means that it is ideally placed to lay on some of the best water-sports on the island. There is a whole array of complimentary activities available, including laser sailing, kayaking, snorkelling, water-skiing and glass-bottomed boat trips, and others are available for a charge, such as scuba diving and deep-sea fishing trips. What's more, the combination of challenging reef waves, calm lagoon waters, and a vast white-sand beach makes the resort an unbeatable kite-surfing destination, and courses are provided for all levels.

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