Le Touessrok, Mauritius

PHOTOS: Dirk Pieters | PRODUCTION: Tina-Marie Malherbe | WORDS: Alma Viviers

A ticket to Mauritius always conjures up images of sandy white beaches, azure waters and green swaying palm trees. Yet, at the refurbished Le Touessrok resort, a new colour palette of black, white and red creates a refreshing perspective on the paradise.

Black as night

The silhouette of a massive banyan tree is etched against the starry night sky. Like an exotic menagerie, the tree is filled with birdcages that, instead of winged captives, hold lights that give the tree, standing guard at the hotel entrance, a welcoming glow.

As we step through the gateway of volcanic rock, the doorman sounds the gong to announce our arrival and a flurry of porters whisk away our baggage. In the open-plan reception area we are treated to a refresher towel and iced tea while jovial diners make their way to the resort’s several restaurants and live music drifts in from the pool area.

The main building forms the buzzing heart of Le Touessrok. From here, the suites and rooms are strung out like a string of pearls along the beaches of the archipelago of islands, which are connected by footbridges and pathways.

The resort recently underwent a rejuvenating refurbishment in celebration of its 30th anniversary but, as I am escorted to my Junior Suite on Frangipani Island, it is clear that much of the original Mediterranean style has been preserved, with just a hint of Mauritian flavour: dark thatched roofs and charcoal volcanic rock whitened with lime.

The split-level suites were also reconfigured to accommodate a generous bathroom with his-and-hers vanities, rain shower and large sculptural stone bath on the top level and bedroom on the lower. The cool contemporary styling gives the rooms a modern yet still distinctly tropical feel.

The white of morning light

Striped light falls through the wooden shutters of my balcony door, slivers of promise of the sun-drenched view beyond – there is something truly magical about waking up in a new place.

Since I arrived under the cover of darkness the night before, opening the balcony doors is like unwrapping a special gift on Christmas morning. There it is: the picture-perfect postcard view of a tropical paradise, a view each and every suite gets to savour.

Despite a view such as this, dragging yourself from the crisp Egyptian-cotton sheets might require more willpower than anyone could possibly muster. So, it is advisable to delay the inevitable and order breakfast in bed from the extensive room-service menu.

After breakfast I trade my luxurious bed for a comfy lounger on the beach. On the horizon a white line of waves breaks on the coral reef off the coast, resulting in warm gentle waves perfect for bobbing around in. But it is the large fluffy beach towels that await after a refreshing swim that prove to be one of the biggest treats. Scented with a special linen spray, the sun-warmed towels offer up an enveloping whiff of the exotic.

For lunch we head across the Trou d’Eau Douce Bay to Ilot Mangénie, one of Le Touessrok’s two islands. This is a public island and home to Crusoe’s Restaurant and Robinson’s Bar where you can sip rum cocktails and sample fresh fish caught that day. The second island, Ile Aux Cerfs, is home to the spectacular championship golf course designed by Bernhard Langer.

But since I have no aptitude for ball sports, I decide to head back to the main island to indulge in a post-lunch full-body massage at the Givenchy spa. The award-winning spa, which opened its doors in 2002, is set at the heart of Frangipani Island beside a heated lap pool. The spa building is adorned with archival sketches of classic designs from Givenchy in Paris, adding a touch of French sophistication. As with all Givenchy spas, each treatment room has floor-to-ceiling windows to allow in as much natural light as possible but trust me, you won’t be paying any attention to the decor or view once the pampering starts.

A fiery red sunset

As evening draws near the intricate glass mosaics adorning the walls of the hotel’s reception area come alive with crimson, saffron and silver in the late afternoon light. These spicy colours, along with the reds of tropical flowers such as hibiscus, red ginger, pendant heliconia and anthurium, are echoed throughout Le Touessrok’s decor.

It is little wonder that the colour of love is so prevalent here, since the resort is renowned as a honeymooners’ haven. When the sky turns to deep inky purples and reds, it is not uncommon to see romantic table settings spring up on the beach for intimate candle-lit dinners.

But tonight we are treated to a luxury reserved for only the most discerning Le Touessrok guests – a private dinner at one of the exclusive villas. The three villas share a beach and each has a separate entrance, garden and swimming pool, offering guests a private stay.

Each villa also has a chef, dedicated waiting staff and personal manager. After drinks on the terrace we head to the informal thatched pavilion for a sumptuous feast fit for royalty. Luckily you don’t have to stay in one of the villas to be treated this way – at Le Touessrok you really get the sense that your every wish is the staff’s command: not only will you have a personal butler at your service but every member of the friendly staff will also go out of their way to make your trip truly unforgettable.

• Le Touessrok: +230 402 7400, info@letouessrok.mu, www.letouessrokresort.com