Trip report: Fs mauritius at anahita + visits to o&o le saint geran and le toussrok
Oct 20, 2010 | 4:40 am
Four Seasons Mauritius at Anahita
Trip report: Fs mauritius at anahita + visits to o&o le saint geran and le toussrok (0 Photo)
Four Seasons Mauritius at Anahita
We were very happy with service and information we got from the staff before arrival. My many questions by email were answered in perfect English, very promptly and with a high level of details. We had booked a stay 10 nights, pay 6 nights + 500 F&B credit package . When we decided to prolong our stay with three more nights, we were able to negotiate one further free night + additional 250 F&B credit.
I had read about people being dissatisfied with the arrival service, but we did not experience anything less than what one would expect: Meet and greet, help with luggage, nice resort SUV with plenty of space, cold towels, water etc. and a very nice driver who explained lots of things during the 40 minutes trip to the resort. At the resort we were served drinks in the arrival pavilion while doing the quick paperwork. During this the GM and other members of the senior staff greeted us. This together with an upgrade to a beach villa and a complimentary our spa jet-leg massage to be taken first afternoon - made us feel very welcome.
Room
We were very happy with the location of our villa which was situated at the so called Wild beach which is much more private then the two main beaches at each side of the pool. The view was sea/lagoon. The villa consists of a sleeping pavilion with a big bathroom and separate wardrobe + an outside terrasse with dining table, sofa and private pool with garden in front of it. Everything looked very new (resort now 2 years old) and modern. The only thing to complain about would be that inside of villa is pretty small. The extra bed for our son had to be placed in the bedroom (no space in the bathroom which is the case in for example FS Koh Samui, Landaa Giravaru, Seychelles etc.) meaning that we would not really have anywhere to sit inside except from in the beds. Sitting outside was of course possible, but given the strong winds during some evenings, it was not comfortable, even with the outside slides down. In addition we were missing some storage space, in form of more drawers in the wardrobe. There was an extra cupboard outside at the terrasse, but it was not very convenient to store clothes out there. Except from this, the villa was very comfortable. Great FS beds as usual, good light inside, flat screen TV, I-pod docking station, a nice Nespresso machine to make our own morning coffee (including complimentary fresh milk), little sweet surprises or fruit in the room every afternoon and very good housekeeping. Bathroom very spacious with separate WC (door can be closed), his and her sinks, large bathtub + inside and outside shower. The latter was used less than normal (I love these) due to the wind and lower than tropical temperature at this time of year (22-26 degrees Celsius during our stay).
Service
We have been to 10 FS and would rate the service at this FS resort highest. During the two weeks we were there, really nothing went wrong. This should maybe always be true at such a hotel, but we have never before experienced absolutely no problems when ordering meals, checking bills, asking for something special to be done etc. Everybody knew our names, and soon got to know our preferences for drinks, spicy food etc. The beach boys were really great always having our favorite place ready for us when we arrived at the beach, constantly serving us complimentary little drinks or iced fruit, polishing our sunglasses, removing sand and refreshing towels while we were swimming etc. Buggy service quick and if you do not feel like calling a buggy you can easily walk everywhere or there are bikes that you can use. Needs were anticipated and our requests over delivered.
Gym
Again the best that I have experienced. In addition to a fully equipped gym with the newest equipment, the resort had spinning bikes and a Power Plate. However, the best was the complimentary fitness classes offered once or twice every day: Spinning, water aerobics and a number of other classes (ABT, body toning etc.) with highly motivating and very good trainers. In addition there is tennis and a world class and very beautiful golf course.
Spa
I had four treatments during our stay, all to my full satisfaction. The spa looks beautiful and the therapists are very good. No special treatment that I will remember in particular, but I really felt very happy and relaxed after each spa visit.
Dining
Three restaurants: Beau Champ for breakfast (buffet with fruit, cereals, bread/rolls/Danish etc., salads and meat in addition to a wide selections of breakfast dishes made to order, of which the French toast and the Mauritian crepes + scrambled eggs with truffles deserve special mentioning). Dinner at Beach Champs are steaks and seafood, mainly grilled. Not our favorite food (we prefer Asian and lighter fare), but very tasty and perfectly prepared. Aquapazza serves Italian food at night, and while the pizzas were really good and very authentic Italian, we felt (as we normally feel outside Italy) that the other dishes are less good than they are closer to Italy. We did, however, really enjoy the third restaurant Bambou located next to the pool where lunch is served every day and where there are special theme dinners at night (ala carte Simply Asia, Indian night with a set menu and a wonderful Tropical buffet where a number of staff are cooking Mauritian and barbecued food to order in front of your eyes). We also ordered room service a couple of nights which was quick, tasty and enjoyable as well. However, the best food we had outside the FS resort when visiting the O&O Le Saint Geran at two occasions. Both the Indian restaurant Rasoi and the Spoon by Alain Ducasse were really excellent and more than worth the hour trip by taxi.
Overall
All in all a very relaxing and memorable holiday which I would highly recommend. Feel free if I in spite of the long report did not answer any of your specific questions.
Oct 20, 2010 | 5:38 am
We were very happy with service and information we got from the staff before arrival. My many questions by email were answered in perfect English, very promptly and with a high level of details.
We had booked a stay 10 nights, pay 6 nights + 500 F&B credit package . When we decided to prolong our stay with three more nights, we were able to negotiate one further free night + additional 250 F&B credit.
Arrival
I had read about people being dissatisfied with the arrival service, but we did not experience anything less than what one would expect: Meet and greet, help with luggage, nice resort SUV with plenty of space, cold towels, water etc. and a very nice driver who explained lots of things during the 40 minutes trip to the resort. At the resort we were served drinks in the arrival pavilion while doing the quick paperwork. During this the GM and other members of the senior staff greeted us. This together with an upgrade to a beach villa and a complimentary our spa jet-leg massage to be taken first afternoon - made us feel very welcome.
Villa
We were very happy with the location of our villa which was situated at the so called Wild beach which is much more private then the two main beaches at each side of the pool. The view was sea/lagoon.
The villa consists of a sleeping pavilion with a big bathroom and separate wardrobe + an outside terrasse with dining table, sofa and private pool with garden in front of it. Everything looked very new (resort now 2 years old) and modern. The only thing to complain about would be that inside of villa is pretty small. The extra bed for our son had to be placed in the bedroom (no space in the bathroom which is the case in for example FS Koh Samui, Landaa Giravaru, Seychelles etc.) meaning that we would not really have anywhere to sit inside except from in the beds. Sitting outside was of course possible, but given the strong winds during some evenings, it was not comfortable, even with the outside slides down. In addition we were missing some storage space, in form of more drawers in the wardrobe. There was an extra cupboard outside at the terrasse, but it was not very convenient to store clothes out there. Except from this, the villa was very comfortable. Great FS beds as usual, good light inside, flat screen TV, I-pod docking station, a nice Nespresso machine to make our own morning coffee (including complimentary fresh milk), little sweet surprises or fruit in the room every afternoon and very good housekeeping. Bathroom very spacious with separate WC (door can be closed), his and her sinks, large bathtub + inside and outside shower. The latter was used less than normal (I love these) due to the wind and lower than tropical temperature at this time of year (22-26 degrees Celsius during our stay).
Service
We have been to 10 FS and would rate the service at this FS resort highest. During the two weeks we were there, really nothing went wrong. This should maybe always be true at such a hotel, but we have never before experienced absolutely no problems when ordering meals, checking bills, asking for something special to be done etc. Everybody knew our names, and soon got to know our preferences for drinks, spicy food etc. The beach boys were really great always having our favorite place ready for us when we arrived at the beach, constantly serving us complimentary little drinks or iced fruit, polishing our sunglasses, removing sand and refreshing towels while we were swimming etc. Buggy service quick and if you do not feel like calling a buggy you can easily walk everywhere or there are bikes that you can use. Needs were anticipated and our requests over delivered.
Gym
Again the best that I have experienced. In addition to a fully equipped gym with the newest equipment, the resort had spinning bikes and a Power Plate. However, the best was the complimentary fitness classes offered once or twice every day: Spinning, water aerobics and a number of other classes (ABT, body toning etc.) with highly motivating and very good trainers. In addition there is tennis and a world class and very beautiful golf course.
Spa
I had four treatments during our stay, all to my full satisfaction. The spa looks beautiful and the therapists are very good. No special treatment that I will remember in particular, but I really felt very happy and relaxed after each spa visit.
Kids Club/Teenage Center
The kids Clubs is really a complete Kids Village, something I have never seen at other FS resorts. The range of activities and the personnel is great. Still our son did not go there that much, since many of the activities are maybe better suited for younger kids (ours is 7). When he was there, he enjoyed tennis with the pro, golf and playing wii or computer games. There is also a teenage center with computers, table tennis, sing star and similar things and our son liked going there better than to the kids club with the younger kids were He was allowed in there a couple of nights while we were having dinner when he was together with older friends.
Food
Three restaurants: Beau Champ for breakfast (buffet with fruit, cereals, bread/rolls/Danish etc., salads and meat in addition to a wide selections of breakfast dishes made to order, of which the French toast and the Mauritian crepes + scrambled eggs with truffles deserve special mentioning). Dinner at Beach Champs are steaks and seafood, mainly grilled. Not our favorite food (we prefer Asian and lighter fare), but very tasty and perfectly prepared. Aquapazza serves Italian food at night, and while the pizzas were really good and very authentic Italian, we felt (as we normally feel outside Italy) that the other dishes are less good than they are closer to Italy. We did, however, really enjoy the third restaurant Bambou located next to the pool where lunch is served every day and where there are special theme dinners at night (ala carte Simply Asia, Indian night with a set menu and a wonderful Tropical buffet where a number of staff are cooking Mauritian and barbecued food to order in front of your eyes). We also ordered room service a couple of nights which was quick, tasty and enjoyable as well.
However, the best food we had outside the FS resort when visiting the O&O Le Saint Geran at two occasions. Both the Indian restaurant Rasoi and the Spoon by Alain Ducasse were really excellent and more than worth the hour trip by taxi.
Activities/excursions
The Boathouse (run by outside company) offers complimentary water skiing and non motorized water sports in addition to snorkeling trips (did not try), glass bottom boat trips (tried nothing special really) and trips to the nearby island every day + a number of other activities and excursions for a fee. Very good, but really quite expensive activities ( 60 for 15 minutes).
One day we went on an outside excursion (The North Tour) to see the island, booked through FS. We went in the resort SUV with a friendly driver who took us to see the most important sights (botanical garden, sugar cane museum, Port Louis). While I feel a need to see more than just a resort when I am away for 2 weeks, I cannot say that what we saw during this excursions is something that I would consider a must see. Also the shopping opportunities were nothing to write home about (no new shoes ;-)
We also spent a full day at the beautiful O&O Le Saint Geran which is a great hotel with very good service and food (see above). Their beach is really beautiful, they have a great kids club and the spa treatment I had there was one of the best massages I ever had (90 minutes restorative massage). The rooms are spacious but, given the age of the resort, not as modern and fresh as the FS villas.
We were also lucky to be invited to visit Le Toussrok island Ilot Mangnie during one day and had a very memorable outing including a great lunch at the rustique and charming restaurant on this beautiful paradise island.
One of our last days we were invited to join friends at a chartered yacht (Princess 50 three bedrooms, two bathrooms etc.) and had a great day at a fantastic boat with dolphin watching (yes we saw them!), snorkeling and a wonderful lunch. Highly recommended, but a little bit expensive to quote the captain of the yacht.
***
All in all a very relaxing and memorable holiday which I would highly recommend. Feel free if I in spite of the long report did not answer any of your specific questions.
Oct 20, 2010 | 8:28 am
No problem to answer more questions!
Beach and surroundings are much better at the FS Seychelles compared to the FS Mauritius!
FS Mauritius is located within a lagoon and though the setting is quite spectacular with high mountains behind the resort, this location does not come close to the stunning location of the FS Seychelles. The beach(es) at FS Mauritius are all man made and there is no snorkelling off the beach while the beach at FS Seychelles is a real gem with powder soft sand and great snorkelling just off the beach (manta rays and sea turtles seen several times in addition to lots of fish - not as good at snorkelling in the Maldives, but still very good). Also the possibility to see more beautiful nature outside the FS resort is better at the Seychelles, with lots of beaches, rocks, jungle etc. to explore.
Also the villas at the FS Seychelles are significantly better than the villas at FS Mauritius.
However, Mauritius wins 10-1 when it comes to service. It cannot be compared at all. There has been significant work done at the FS Seychelles to improve this (lots of staff from other FS has been there to help according to senior management), so it might be better now than a year ago when we were there. While the service issues we experienced at the Seychelles did not ruin our holidays, it was disturbing at some times, and the amazing service we experienced this time in Mauritius really made a difference in terms of giving us a totally relaxing and worry free holiday.
Last but not least, the food was better at Mauritius, so where to go, really depends on what is most important to you.
(Maldives have great beaches if you go to FS LG and good service + nice villas at both FS resorts, but the experience is more comparable between Mauritius and Seychelles since these two has more varied nature, not just sand banks and palm trees.)
You can, however, have beautiful beaches, ocean views etc. at Mauritius, for example at Le Toussrok and O&O St. Geran. I have been talking only specifically about the FS.
Regarding prices:
For this time of year, the prices in Mauritius are higher than the prices at the Seychelles, so I do not understand your question.
Weather:
I was really worried before going there, reading about 22 degrees celcius since I really love the typical tropical climate with 30 degrees. The first two days it was also that "cold" (still spring) and together with the sometimes very strong wind at the east cost where FS is, it was comfortable in the sun during daytime but too cold for my liking to sit out at at night (not in the restaurants where there is no wind, but outside the villa) at a bit coldish in the early morning.
However, the summer came on our fourth day and we had around 26 degrees which was great. Still a bit chilly at night, but not so that it would put me off going back, even if I surely prefer the normal tropical climate. I would, however, rather go late October than early October to be sure to have 26 rather than 22 degrees.
Last edited by Musken; Oct 20, 2010 at 8:53 am
Oct 20, 2010 | 9:55 am
- so kids club was best, beating langkawi?
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/12788422-post4.html
* best service and gym/classes
* recommend food/spa at le saint geran
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Oct 20, 2010 at 10:30 am
Oct 20, 2010 | 10:05 am
- so kids club was best, beating langkawi?
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/12788422-post4.html
- best service and gym/classes
- recommend food/spa at le saint geran
I must add that I also got a very good impression of the Kids Only at O&O Le Saint Geran where our son spent some time during our two visits to this hotel. Also this clubs is a whole little "village" with a wide range of activities offered in addition to all kids of high tech equipment/games etc. The one big advantage for the O&O kids club is that it stays open longer (until 2100 hrs at night), so that the kids can play and eat there while the parents eat at Spoon (possible to take kids to Spoon, but not really a "kids place" if you know what I mean). The FS Kids Club closes at 1500 hrs.
Last edited by Musken; Oct 20, 2010 at 10:20 am
Oct 20, 2010 | 10:31 am
how did spa and pool compare to langkawi etc?
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/12015933-post3.html
Oct 20, 2010 | 10:53 am
how did spa and pool compare to langkawi etc?
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/12015933-post3.html
Don't get me started at my favorite FS-list..
OK, a few:
Best SPA: FS Langkawi, FS Maldives LG
Best view: FS Seychelles
Best pool: FS Langkawi
Best lounging during day: FS Seychelles, FS Koh Samui
Best beach: FS Maldives LG, FS Seychelles
Best food: Indian restaurant at FS Maldives KH and Ikan Ikan at FS Langkawi (yes I like Asian food)
Best service: FS Mauritius, FS Maldives LG
Best villa overall: FS LG (though I did not like the overall design with lots of concrete)
Best bathroom in villa: FS Seychelles
Best villa outside lounging: FS Bali Jimbaran
Best breakfast: FS Mauritius
Best private pool: FS Seychelles
Best beach service: FS Mauritius
Best bircher musli: FS Bali Jimbaran
Best french toast: FS Mauritius
Best beef sandwich: FS Seychelles
Best buffet/theme meal: FS Mauritius Tropical Buffet, Indian feast at FS Maldives KH
Best pizza: FS Langkawi
Last edited by Musken; Oct 20, 2010 at 10:59 am
Oct 20, 2010 | 11:59 am
Musken, I totally agree with you about these two restaurants (and yes, I like Asian food, too). You make me want to return!
What about FS Bars? I still think that the Rhu Bar at FS Langkawi is tough to beat, although FS Beirut & Damascus, despite being indoors, are both special.
Oct 20, 2010 | 12:09 pm
Musken, I totally agree with you about these two restaurants (and yes, I like Asian food, too). You make me want to return!
What about FS Bars? I still think that the Rhu Bar at FS Langkawi is tough to beat, although FS Beirut & Damascus, despite being indoors, are both special.
Oh, yes: Rhu bar - nothing comes close!!! My 2nd outside bar would be the sunset bar at FS Maldives KH.
Oct 20, 2010 | 12:15 pm
Oct 20, 2010 | 12:17 pm
Best fruit in room: FS Maldives at LG (huge fruit presentation with really everything, refreshed every day)
Best in room surprises: FS Mauritius (sweets and cakes and sometimes fruit, something new every day)
Best welcome treat: FS Seychelles (champage (love it almost more than the asian food :blush) and small treats of mezze to eat when we arrived tired and hungry in the middle of the night after a 17 hours flight delay)
Best welcome treat for kids: A sweet bun looking like a teddy bear with chocolate cream to dip (actually I think the mother ate more than the kid
)Best place at beach: Bale at FS Langkawi, but will be FS Mauritius after they get the Dedon loungers in November
Best non-alcoholic drinks at beach: FS Koh Samui (they had some healhy choises with ginger and carrot and something else that I cannot remember)
Oct 20, 2010 | 12:18 pm