ADVERTORIAL • December 2018
It’s not often that a hotel in Mauritius looks as good on the inside as the beaches do on the outside, but the LUX* Grand Gaube is as scenic as any paradise panorama. Newly transformed by the timeless tastes of British designer Kelly Hoppen, here’s a look inside the Mauritian masterpiece that’s held on to its tropical roots
Idyllic Grand Gaube (the hotel’s namesake) is a small ocean-front collection of crystal-clear beaches, exotic fauna and colonial-style architecture, resting on the northernmost coast of the island. For centuries, the locals have relished these calm waters and lived alongside some of the world’s most stunning reefs and ecosystems - both protected by fatherly rock formations and a location safe from rough tides. Not only do guests at the hotel have exclusive access to the treasured pools and warm Indian ocean, but every beachfront is peppered with postcard-worthy palms, perfect for a spot of shade after a hard day’s sunbathing.
Without doubt, an undeniable lure of LUX* Grand Gaube is its vast array of eating options, from vintage street-food vans to enchanting tree houses hiding locally produced rums. Come dinner time, your culinary circuit will take you through South America, Turkey, France and across Asia through the variety of live cooking stations. At the open-plan Palm Court Restaurant, every seat is sea-facing so you can watch the tide come in while enjoying a seared marlin steak, while a freshly-prepared pisco sour can be found at the liqueur’s eponymous bar. Or, for some sizzling seclusion, try Bodrum Blue – serving authentic Turkish dishes on its own mini peninsula.
When you step foot in the LUX* Grand Gaube, you are walking into a world of modern art. Amongst the featured artists at the hotel is Camille Walala and her pop art collection - a bright and shapely choice of paintings that are cleverly played against the environment they were intended to mimic. There’s a showcase of local Gouzo graffiti talent, and then there is the interior itself; you will be hard-pressed to find a more tasteful and pleasing hotel design than Kelly Hoppen’s tropical vision. It’s a successful blend of 1960’s, mid-century modern and fair-weather bohemian design, featuring plenty of hand-woven basket furniture and palm prints, rendering rainy thoughts a total impossibility.
At the hotel’s LUX* Me spa, every measure is in place to ensure that you emerge feeling amazing. This adults-only space has 12 treatment rooms where you can enjoy soothing aromatherapies and micro-current facials, plus there’s an on-site Essie nail bar and Kérastase hairdressing salon. You can also call upon the hotel’s Wellness Concierge and construct your ultimate rejuvenation itinerary. Outside of the sensational spa you’ll find tennis courts, a world-class gym, and an 18-hole championship golf course designed by Peter Matkovich. Wondering what the kids are up to? Look no further than the PLAY kids club, where they’ll be decorating cakes or kicking back at the outdoor cinema.
Thanks to Hoppen’s beach-chic interiors, rooms at LUX* Grand Gaube are all about timeless elegance and retro perfection. You’ll enjoy nights spent snoozing with a warm sea breeze passing through an open window and the sound of the waves lapping the sands. From the Ocean Villa and Superior Rooms, you’ll have your view of the blue horizon and a minibar so you can drink to it after a day exploring the island. Not only this, but all LUX* rooms come with Sleeptight mattresses, robes, slippers and spacious en-suite bathrooms – ensuring total comfort every night of your stay.
British Airways flies direct to Mauritius three times a week from Gatwick. To book your stay at the redesigned LUX* Grand Gaube, click here
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