JW Marriott Mauritius Resort (formerly St. Regis) Mauritius [Master Thread]
Apr 23, 2014, 1:14 am
#91
formerly fdemoulin
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: UK
Programs: SPG Lifetime Platinum, BA Silver, Virgin Flying Club Red
Posts: 916
Apr 23, 2014, 7:04 am
#92
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: USA
Programs: SPG Plat, etc.
Posts: 190
What was the airport transfer like? Received an email offering transported in a Range Rover or Audi for between 260 and $400 usd one way. Thought that was exorbitant. Did anyone rent a car or scooter for the island, how are the roads? Side q, did anyone managed to hike to the top of the main mountain
For the return, after seeing the other option the hotel has available... what they call the "family car" we took that as it was cheaper and it's great... it's some type of an oversized van, but new and very nice... roomier than the RR. On my next trip I'd just use the family car... I'm sure their are some car services that would be cheaper, but I like the hotel connection especially for the pickup.
There is also a taxi stand outside the main gate of the hotel which I think would be a good option for a return to the airport.
The St. Regis Mauritius is amazing... very special.
Apr 25, 2014, 6:45 am
#93
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: ORD LAS HKG
Programs: Bonvoy LTT; IHG DiamondAmb; WoH Globalist; UA1K2MM; NationalEE; AvisPC; HertzPC
Posts: 703
Located at the quiet southwest side of the island, this area is definitely different the hectic north side tourist scene. This hotel is one of the few SPG properties that goes above and beyond to treat its platinum members like royalty. I just checked in early afternoon today. I booked on cash + points for the deluxe room and got upgraded to the Manor House Suite (second largest suite) without asking. I even have two in-house spa tables inside my oversized bathroom (which is bigger than my master bedroom at home in Chicago) in addition to a giant bathtub. Criss, the Guest Manager, checked me in at the concierge and showed me my room and the surrounding facility like swimming pool, library, movie theater and restaurants. White sand and palm trees... surprisingly not many tourists onsite even during this busy Easter holiday. Restaurant food is good but understandably a bit overpriced just like any St. Regis resorts around the world. What I really like about this hotel is that everyone at the facility keeps good eye contact with the hotel guests and smiles at the guests. I don't sense a hint of snotty attitude, unlike some other high-end SPG properties. All staff is so friendly and nice and eager to please the guests. I'm usually very picky at where I stay for a quick weekend getaway, but I don't have any complaint on my short stay here so far. I hope tomorrow breakfast is not going to be disappointing either!!
Apr 25, 2014, 11:43 am
#94
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Benicia, California, USA
Programs: AA PLT,AS,UA PP,J6,FB,EY,LH,SQ,HH Dmd,Hyatt Glbl,Marriott Plat,IHG Plat,Accor Gold
Posts: 10,820
Apr 25, 2014, 11:52 am
#95
Join Date: May 2002
Location: St Louis, MO
Programs: AA L.T. PLT
Posts: 3,311
Getting to Mauritius on points / miles?
Just curious as to how people are getting to Mauritius? Are you paying $$ or using points / miles? If the later what routing / airline did you use?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Apr 25, 2014, 1:20 pm
#96
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: RDU
Programs: A few
Posts: 5,499
It's also accessible with Emirates from pretty much anywhere, and there are some decent Star Alliance options from Africa, notably Ethiopian and South African. Oh and BA from Heathrow though with their extortionate fuel surcharges
Apr 29, 2014, 10:28 pm
#98
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: YVR - Vancouver, with most winter weekends in Whistler.
Programs: Aeroplan 35K, Alaska MVP, Marriott Titanium / Lifetime Platinum, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 4,609
What was the airport transfer like? Received an email offering transported in a Range Rover or Audi for between 260 and $400 usd one way. Thought that was exorbitant. Did anyone rent a car or scooter for the island, how are the roads? Side q, did anyone managed to hike to the top of the main mountain
The driving part was fine. We got a little lost but perhaps to be expected.
We got their via Star Alliance reward ticket from North America, destination MRU with a stopover in JNB on SAA.
May 4, 2014, 5:41 pm
#99
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: ECP
Programs: DL Diamond
Posts: 1,658
- 9k BA miles for DCA-JFK in AA Y (did this because of better EK space out of JFK and also for the 388)
- 200k Alaska miles for JFK-DXB (2 night stopover)-MRU in EK F
- ~57k Virgin America miles for DXB-MRU in EK J (this was the tricky part as I didn't have enough Alaska miles to return back to the States, and they don't allow EK bookings that don't originate or terminate in the USA)
- 180k AA miles for AUH-IAD in EY F
Not inexpensive, but hopefully worth it! Doing the WA Dubai for 80k/nt and StR Mauritius on C&P. I've already been upgraded to a Junior Suite 6 months out...
May 4, 2014, 11:58 pm
#100
Join Date: Dec 2013
Programs: BA Gold, Asiana Club Dmnd (*G), AA plat, Alitalia FA, SPG Plat, Accor Plat, HGP Dmnd, HH Dmnd
Posts: 145
What were the fuel surcharges etc like on the EK part?
St. R looks fantastic. Thanks for the photos ktjan!
May 5, 2014, 8:13 am
#101
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: ECP
Programs: DL Diamond
Posts: 1,658
I don't remember the exact #, but about $550 on 2 tickets, I think.
I'd actually booked economy tickets on HM (Air Seychelles) MRU-SEZ-AUH at about $450/ea, but I refunded them after the Amex-Virgin transfer bonus.
I'd actually booked economy tickets on HM (Air Seychelles) MRU-SEZ-AUH at about $450/ea, but I refunded them after the Amex-Virgin transfer bonus.
May 7, 2014, 3:51 pm
#102
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: ORD LAS HKG
Programs: Bonvoy LTT; IHG DiamondAmb; WoH Globalist; UA1K2MM; NationalEE; AvisPC; HertzPC
Posts: 703
Pricing for 2 pax:
- 9k BA miles for DCA-JFK in AA Y (did this because of better EK space out of JFK and also for the 388)
- 200k Alaska miles for JFK-DXB (2 night stopover)-MRU in EK F
- ~57k Virgin America miles for DXB-MRU in EK J (this was the tricky part as I didn't have enough Alaska miles to return back to the States, and they don't allow EK bookings that don't originate or terminate in the USA)
- 180k AA miles for AUH-IAD in EY F
Not inexpensive, but hopefully worth it! Doing the WA Dubai for 80k/nt and StR Mauritius on C&P. I've already been upgraded to a Junior Suite 6 months out...
- 9k BA miles for DCA-JFK in AA Y (did this because of better EK space out of JFK and also for the 388)
- 200k Alaska miles for JFK-DXB (2 night stopover)-MRU in EK F
- ~57k Virgin America miles for DXB-MRU in EK J (this was the tricky part as I didn't have enough Alaska miles to return back to the States, and they don't allow EK bookings that don't originate or terminate in the USA)
- 180k AA miles for AUH-IAD in EY F
Not inexpensive, but hopefully worth it! Doing the WA Dubai for 80k/nt and StR Mauritius on C&P. I've already been upgraded to a Junior Suite 6 months out...
I used C&P ($180 + Tax) and 10,000 points for the room and the staff at StR are eager to please platinum members and absolutely won't hesitate to upgrade platinum members to the best suites available.
On a side note, I stayed at the Le Meridien as well and they also treated the platinum members like kings as well. I was literally upgraded to Royal Suite, the largest suite (I paid the lowest rate of about $140). People on the island are really friendly!
May 11, 2014, 7:30 am
#103
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: CO Platinum/1K, SPG Platinum/Ambassador
Posts: 1,705
Here now. Mixed feelings.
+
The hard product is phenomenal. The manor house suite is huge. The balcony is obscenely large and the room is very convenient. The manor house is the best possible location as it's right next to the pool and the restaurants and steps from the beach. The distant beachfront rooms are really a schlep.
The grounds are gorgeous. It's just a visually stunning resort.
-
The CS could use some work. People genuinely want to help but there's some minor language barrier issues for English which is odd. Further, things just aren't that polished. I'm constantly asked what my room number is, etc. check in was a bit haphazard, too.
The pricing at watersports for diving and kiting is close to gouge territory. 125 euro for a 2 hour lesson vs 70-90 at the beach 5 mins down the road. Diving is similar in the markup but I suppose they have a captive audience.
Overall, I feel it's totally worth a visit but I'm not sure it's 100 percent a st Regis in terms of experience.
As an aside, I'm unclear on the tipping situation. We're the 7th American guest there in 18 months according to one employee so our tipping culture doesn't seem to be common. However, I want to make sure I'm not under tipping.
+
The hard product is phenomenal. The manor house suite is huge. The balcony is obscenely large and the room is very convenient. The manor house is the best possible location as it's right next to the pool and the restaurants and steps from the beach. The distant beachfront rooms are really a schlep.
The grounds are gorgeous. It's just a visually stunning resort.
-
The CS could use some work. People genuinely want to help but there's some minor language barrier issues for English which is odd. Further, things just aren't that polished. I'm constantly asked what my room number is, etc. check in was a bit haphazard, too.
The pricing at watersports for diving and kiting is close to gouge territory. 125 euro for a 2 hour lesson vs 70-90 at the beach 5 mins down the road. Diving is similar in the markup but I suppose they have a captive audience.
Overall, I feel it's totally worth a visit but I'm not sure it's 100 percent a st Regis in terms of experience.
As an aside, I'm unclear on the tipping situation. We're the 7th American guest there in 18 months according to one employee so our tipping culture doesn't seem to be common. However, I want to make sure I'm not under tipping.
May 11, 2014, 12:06 pm
#104
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: ECP
Programs: DL Diamond
Posts: 1,658
The house cars are overpriced, especially the Range Rover option. I chose the Range Rover on arrival it was my first visit to the island and wanted someone from the hotel to look after us rather than someone I didn't have any connection with... plus it was so easy to do. The bonus was that the driver was fantastic, pointed out things along the way, and even stopped so we could get out at one of the points along the way to take some photos.
For the return, after seeing the other option the hotel has available... what they call the "family car" we took that as it was cheaper and it's great... it's some type of an oversized van, but new and very nice... roomier than the RR. On my next trip I'd just use the family car... I'm sure their are some car services that would be cheaper, but I like the hotel connection especially for the pickup.
There is also a taxi stand outside the main gate of the hotel which I think would be a good option for a return to the airport.
The St. Regis Mauritius is amazing... very special.
For the return, after seeing the other option the hotel has available... what they call the "family car" we took that as it was cheaper and it's great... it's some type of an oversized van, but new and very nice... roomier than the RR. On my next trip I'd just use the family car... I'm sure their are some car services that would be cheaper, but I like the hotel connection especially for the pickup.
There is also a taxi stand outside the main gate of the hotel which I think would be a good option for a return to the airport.
The St. Regis Mauritius is amazing... very special.
May 13, 2014, 12:06 pm
#105
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: ORD LAS HKG
Programs: Bonvoy LTT; IHG DiamondAmb; WoH Globalist; UA1K2MM; NationalEE; AvisPC; HertzPC
Posts: 703
St. Regis Mauritius Resort, Le Morne, Mauritius [Master Thread]
It's about 1800 MUR or less (~$60 and you can always haggle), much cheaper than the options offered by the hotel. Of course, don't expect it's as comfy as a Ranch Rover/Jag or even a Hyundai. It's an 1.25 hour drive.
Last edited by ktjan; May 13, 2014 at 12:11 pm