The Westin Turtle Bay Resort & Spa Mauritius ★★★★★

Mauritius, the epitome of luxury. It is a jewel in the heart of the warm Indian Ocean, flanked by plush, secluded beaches and peppered with elegant new-builds, old markets, and relaxing scenes. I landed in my own little pocket of paradise and sped off towards the north-west coast where I put down my suitcase at the Westin Turtle Bay Resort and Spa Mauritius.

This beautiful five-star hotel presents a sophisticated, contemporary exterior which blends in harmoniously with the surrounding, languid landscape. One that, in true paradisiac island style, is filled with coconut trees, fine white sand, and shallow turquoise waters. I really couldn’t have dreamt up how exquisite the scenery would be if I tried! Inside, the serene décor continues with natural materials such as teak, volcanic stone, and marble, which add a dash of elegance to the postcard-perfect surroundings.

In my room it was the personal touches that made me feel right at home – the selection of welcome cookies, marshmallows, a bottle of wine, and a deliciously vibrant fruit basket. And, for the young at heart, there’s a Wii console to while away the hours with. The room itself was enchanting, too, with a sea-view balcony perfect for enjoying lazy Mauritian evenings on, a spacious bathroom decked out in marble and with a huge tub, and a bed so comfortable that I couldn’t imagine ever wanting to leave. 

With a glass of wine in hand, I took a seat on my balcony and took in the view – what would the next few days be like? Hours and hours of relaxation of course, made easy by the peaceful Mauritian lifestyle and the secluded backdrop that surrounds the Westin. There would be sunbathing around the two picturesque pools, and there would be many a day spent on the white shores of the beach, scrunching my toes into the warm sand and dipping in and out of the dream-liked waters of the Indian Ocean. For little ones, there is a Kid’s Club and a series of games put on by the hotel.

Outside of the Westin (if you can bring yourself to leave), there is a rich collection of things to do, from the Pamplemousse Garden, forests characterised by lush, tropical vegetation, fascinating Tamil temples, and a rum distillery.

My program was punctuated with sumptuous meals looking out over the shimmering shores and past swaying palm trees. For breakfast, there were fresh juices, tropical smoothies, sweet pastries and cakes, and for dinner I was spoilt for choice with the Kangan Indian cuisine at the beach grill, and international fusion cuisine. My paradise island days were completed with a fruity cocktail at the beach bar – the perfect way to see the day out, facing the Indian Ocean and getting a private show from the incredible Mauritian sunset.

Mauritius is certainly paradise on earth – there’s no better way to describe it. And the Westin provided a splash of serene luxury set against the elegant backdrop of coconut trees, pearlescent shores, and the tinkling cobalt waters of the ocean.