Maradiva Villas Resort & Spa

Flic-en-Flac is a small fishing village on Mauritius’ sheltered west coastline. It has been transformed into a relaxing vacation destination. If you were walking south along the beach, you would reach Wolmar. The sand eventually gives way to the water. black volcanic rock The island is well-known for.

This stretch of roadway is located at pristine sandy beachYou will find Maradiva Villas Resort & Spa. The hotel was founded in 2004 and used to be a part Taj Exotica, a Mauritian hospitality firm. It became independent in 2009. The Ramadanees are the only Mauritian family to own and operate a five-star resort in Mauritius.

Maradiva will close for seven months in 2023 to undergo a complete facelift. The property now has 16 new two-bedroom villas as well as an expanded fitness centre, a brand-new restaurant and a variety of soon-to be-built villas and penthouses. All the villas also got an update during the renovation and now have Mauritian-inspired interior design with elegant touches like Hermès wallpaper, framed botanical prints, and rattan furniture.

Maradiva, the only villa-only resort on the island is a place where guests can share a property with Hollywood stars or members of royal family without knowing. It has even a garden on site, called “Jardin des Stars”, where celebrities like Matthew McConaughey or Anne Hathaway planted trees as a tribute to their stay.

And it’s no wonder why this property is such a draw for the rich and famous—it’s exceedingly private. Even in December, the peak season, I would walk from my villa to the beach and take a swim. I had only to exchange a few short Bonjours I walked with two staff members. Every villa here has a private plunge pool, but there is one large, communal infinity pool that overlooks the ocean and mountains—this is where you may catch a glimpse of other guests who have managed to tear themselves away from their villas.

Mauritius has a rich history and a vibrant culinary scene. But the luxury and tranquil grounds of the resort makes it difficult to leave.

Here’s what it’s like to stay at Maradiva Villas Resort & Spa.

The Rooms

Maradiva has 65 villas, with six different types of accommodation. Some have direct access to the beach or pool. However, even the most “basic” rooms here are pretty spacious—the Luxury Suite Pool Villa sprawls out over 1,765 square feet. Interior design features include solid wood furniture, woven fabrics made of natural fibers, an indoor-outdoor flow that is easy and breezy, and marble counters in the bathroom. Patios have pagoda roofs, with seating for two, sunbeds for the plunge pools, and enough space to eat for two. Choose a villa with two bedrooms if you’re traveling with children or a big group. All accommodation types have private options that are more secluded.

If luxury is your goal, you can opt for a two-bedroom Presidential Suite Pool Villa. Each villa comes with a butler on call 24 hours a day, a kitchen with a home cinema, an outdoor dining area, and a 602-square foot swimming pool.

Food and Drink

There are five restaurants at Maradiva Villas Resort & Spa: Cassine, Cilantro, Haiku, Beach House Grill, and Lantana. Yannick Hochet is the Michelin-starred Chef of all these restaurants.

After a flight, and an hour’s drive from the airport in a car, I thought the North Indian fusion Cilantro restaurant was the best choice. I enjoyed a Thali-style dinner (where many small dishes on a platter are served) and I enjoyed my meal with the sounds of live music Tabla A percussionist.

The main on-site restaurant is Cassine, which serves fine dining all day long—I loved taking my breakfast of fresh fruit, cloud-like Belgian waffles, pastries, and detox juice here with views of the lawn and waves. Even though they tried to eat my berries, the adorable red-whiskered bulbs were a welcome bird companion.

Haiku is a Japanese-inspired two-room restaurant. Shuichiro kawaguchi is a former Japanese Ambassador to Mauritius who has a passion for food. He was involved in the planning of this restaurant. Washoku It even has a Teppanyaki Station. If you want something more relaxed, try the Beach House Grill, where fresh meat and seafood are served under a large shade tree with stunning ocean views.

Rum is the most popular drink on Mauritius. Whether you’re looking for a poolside beverage, afternoon tea, predinner aperitif, or a nightcap, Lantana Bar & Lounge has you covered. The window at Lantana Bar & Lounge was my favorite place to sit. It perfectly framed Le Morne Brabant, and the infinity swimming pool. Steps away from the bar, you’ll find the resort’s cellar and cigar humidor which is home to an array of top-shelf liquors and almost 2,000 cigars—the largest collection on the island.

Activities and Experiences

The expanded fitness center at Maradiva is open 24/7, has a cardio-room, weight room and two tennis court. You can also take part in group exercise, such as morning yoga on a beach. You may need to book some activities in advance, so check out the schedule available at your villa.

You can start your ocean adventures at the boathouse if you enjoy all things nautical. This is where you will find activities such as offshore sportsfishing, catamaran excursions, snorkeling, or water skiing.

Two stores are available on site for those who need retail therapy. There’s Essentials Boutique, specializing in locally-made clothing and artisanal goods, as well as Maradiva Boutique, which carries designers such as Missoni, Peninsula Swim & Wear, Balushka Resort Wear, and other high-end clothing brands. A gallery is also located on site, one of the eight art galleries on the island. Adamah Fine Arts. The vibrant, contemporary space is where the artist of the month (or artist in residence), displays their work. You can purchase selected pieces.

You can also arrange for a ride in the resort’s Rolls-Royce Phantom to get a feel for the place. You can also indulge in a Maradiva signature experience, such as a picnic with a stunning view and champagne, caviar, and caviar, served by the butler.

The Spa

Maradiva’s spa, which specializes in Ayurveda (a system of Indian traditional medicine), is one of its main attractions. Dr. Praveen, the Ayurvedic physician on staff (and a Kerala native) gave me a consultation to start my stay. I learned a few Aryuveda fundamentals and what my dominant doshas (energies or humors) that influence physical and mental health. My recommended treatment was performed on me: a thorough cleaning. abhyanga Massage involving a mixture of oils that are matched to my needs and constitution.

There are a variety of treatments available, such as classic massages and ayurvedic oils treatments. Also, body wraps, facials and other treatments can be found here. A laconium, steam room, sauna, and heated pools are available. Before or after an appointment, guests can enjoy a cup of hot or cold water or book a time slot in the yoga or meditation rooms.

Offers Family Friendly

The resort welcomes children and has a Peter Pan Kids Club with a shallow pool, outdoor playground, playrooms, dining room open daily until 6 pm, and an array of activities for kids aged up to 12. The resort also offers babysitting (both in villas and at the Kids Club).

The property’s newly renovated game room is a great place for the young and young-at-heart. It has a PlayStation 5 pool table, a variety of board games, and a large collection of books on history, geography, art, etc.

Accessibility and sustainability

All villas at Maradiva are at ground floor level and are wheelchair-accessible. On request, a Luxury Suite Pool Villa has been fully adapted for wheelchair-users. In advance, contact the resort if you will be traveling to Maradiva.

Maradiva uses glass bottles and biodegradable ones made of local sugarcane to bottle the water that is provided for villas, restaurants and fitness centers. The resort uses an electric vehicle fleet for its daily operations.

Location

Maradiva Villas Resort & Spa is located across the island (about 36 miles or a one-hour drive) from Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport (MRU). Mauritius is a small island (but it’s mighty), so any mountains are easily accessible. waterfallsIt is not uncommon to be able to reach the reefs, cities, or islands you want to visit in a boat or by car within two to three hours.

Hotel Tamarin Bay is situated on the Tamarin Bay shoreline, just across the bay. Tamarina Golf Club with its Rodney Wright-designed course—some categories of villas even get a waived green fee. For nature lovers, Le Morne BrabantThe famous peak is just across the bay and the resort. Black River Gorges National Park There are many day trips that you can take to enjoy the legendary sights of the island and do some light hiking. Flic-en-Flac is the perfect place to sample local culture. There are many restaurants, shops, bars, public beaches, supermarkets and more.

Book Now

Maradiva Villas Resort & Spa is a part of American Express’s Fine Hotels + Resorts program. You can enjoy fun benefits like early check-in and late check-out if you book through the FHR site and have a card that qualifies, like the Platinum Card from American Express.

The hotel also belongs to the Leading Hotels of the World programme. You can get benefits as a Leader Club members, such as upgrades before arrival and benefits on the property such as breakfast for 2 people.

Each T+L Hotel Review is written by a reporter or editor who has visited the hotel. The hotel chosen must also align with our standards. core values.