Golf de luxe in île Maurice

Text: Jason Mylroie and David Taylor. Article from the May 2014 issue of Compleat Golfer Magazine.

Mauritius may be more synonymous with tropical beaches and fruity cocktails than anything else, but the island also offers a host of fine golf courses. Jason Mylroie and David Taylor crossed the Indian Ocean to sample some of these layouts and enjoy the five-star services the resorts have to offer.

Trips to the small island of Mauritius, situated in the warm Indian Ocean, have been popular among South Africans for a long time now, especially since it’s only a four- or five-hour flight to get there, depending from where in our country you are travelling. We love beaches. We love tropical fruit. Most especially, we love relaxing in the sun with a cold beverage, and Mauritius offers all of this.

However, over the last decade, with the increase in mostly European tourists visiting this former French colony, many resorts have found it necessary to offer more activities than just beach and water sports. And thanks to the many different terrains found on the stretch of land with a total area of just 2 040 square kilometres, created by volcanic activity some eight million years ago, the island has some of the finest golf courses. It’s not often you find layouts that use rocky outcrops caused by lava as aiming points and hazards, and as such, it makes for a unique experience.

Fortunately, there has been no known volcanic activity on the island for the past 100 000 years, and the only tremors you have to worry about are those caused by coconuts falling from the palm trees that surround the soft white beaches. Other than that, a holiday spent at any one of the many tropical resorts in Mauritius is bliss, especially when you get to tee it up on pretty spectacular golf courses.

Compleat Golfer is no stranger to the island, more commonly known as île Maurice by the local inhabitants, most of whom speak French or Mauritian Creole. In 2008, three CG staff members scoured the entire island, playing all the golf courses and indulging in the miles of beaches, crystal-clear pools and relaxing spas.

Two of us returned recently to see how things have developed, visiting seven of the more luxurious hotels on offer in Mauritius. We too covered every coast of the island and got to sample some of the best spas and restaurants – but it was really the golf that had us begging the editor to send us back as soon as possible.

Maritim

Maritim is a five-star hotel located between the capital city of Port Louis and Grand Bay, on the edge of Turtle Bay, a protected marine park. While we didn’t see any turtles, the resort features a tortoise sanctuary. These guys have been around for hundreds of years and if they were any slower, they’d be asleep. That said, offer one of these giant tortoises some food and they put on a surprising show of speed.

The resort opened in 1990, but was completely renovated in 2009. There’s a strong historical aspect to Maritim; the nearby Balaclava Ruins date back to the 1700s.Thanks to excellent sugar plantations, the French colonists decided to construct a fort to protect their newfound resource. The fort became more militarised over time and the French started storing gunpowder in its arsenal. In 1774, the kegs exploded and the resulting bang collapsed most of the fort. What’s left can easily be reached on foot from the hotel, as the fort’s remains fall within the hotel’s grounds.

Also worth a visit is Cháteau Mon Désir. Originally a country house for the first mayor of Port Louis in 1859, it’s now a colonial-style fine-dining restaurant featuring some eye-opening food at eye-watering prices.

It’s also well worth taking a peek into the cellar, packed with some of the world’s finest wine.

There are of course other restaurants within the resort, including La Maree, which is situated right next to the beach, and Les Fialos, a beach beer garden bound to be popular among South Africans.

Maritim also features the Tropical Flower Spa, complete with waterfall. The spa uses oils sourced from local plants and flowers, and treatments are designed around an individual’s needs. But if being rubbed down by a local doesn’t appeal and you’re after more physically taxing activities, you can hit Turtle Bay for complimentary waterskiing, windsurfing, snorkelling and canoeing.

From a golfing perspective, Maritim offers a small, undulating nine-hole mashie course with a par of 29. Built in a 25-hectare park and designed by Australian professional golfer Graham Marsh, the executive course is perfect for holiday-goers and beginners and is free for resort residents. For those looking to brave the longer 18-hole courses in Mauritius, Maritim offers reciprocal rates on three of the other championship courses on the island, for a reduced fee.

www.maritim.com/en/hotels/

mauritius/hotel-mauritius

Tamarina

Situated on what was once a sugar-cane farm, Tamarina Hotel, Golf, Beach and Spa is one of the more secluded resorts on the island. While it is regarded as a four-star boutique venue, it punches well above its weight in terms of wow factor. With one of the very few beaches in Mauritius capable of hosting surfers, this little hotel puts a special focus on privacy and tranquillity. There are just 50 rooms, so you can be assured the resort won’t be overcrowded.

It features a spa and, for those of you who opt for the all-inclusive deals, you will receive a daily 45-minute massage.The spa also caters for golfers, and the golf-specific massage, designed to relieve your aching muscles, is a good way to forget a poor round.

If you’re feeling brave, you can make your way to one of the nearby attractions. Casela Nature & Leisure Park gives visitors the opportunity to interact with lions, cheetahs and tigers, and by interact, we mean walk and touch these big cats.

We’d advise doing what Tamarina guests do best, which is very little. If you’re a sun worshipper or swimmer, you’ll be very happy. Lazing about the pool and on the beach after playing golf sounds like the perfect holiday to us. If you’re in the mood for something more adventurous, then you can check out the PADI-affiliated scuba-diving school or go deep-sea fishing. Dolphins are often spotted in Tamarin Bay, so keep an eye out for them.

The main restaurant is La Madrague, but if you’re after fresh fish then best you investigate La Plage, a restaurant on the beach focusing purely on seafood.

Tamarina Golf Club forms part of the overall estate and was the first integrated resort scheme (IRS) on the island, offering foreign investors the opportunity to buy and own property in Mauritius. This property is in the form of 199 luxury villas surrounding the golf course, which has a surprisingly bushveld feel to it in some parts.

No expense was spared when it came to designing and constructing the course, with 200 000 cubic metres of topsoil needed to cover the huge stone slab on which the layout was built. However, once you are on the course, winding your way through valleys, gorges and dodging the Riviere du Rempart, it is hard to imagine how the land could have looked any different in the past.

The layout offers a challenge to all golfers thanks to five different tees on each hole, and while it doesn’t overlook the beach or ocean, there are great views of the beautiful, calm Tamarin Bay, especially from the signature par-three 13th hole.

Another feature that makes Tamarina Golf Club more of a member’s course is the large driving range, equipped with a modern golf academy where you can bring your family for lessons no matter their skill levels.

Simply put,Tamarina Hotel, Golf, Beach and Spa feels a lot more like home in South Africa than the rest of the resorts, with the addition of high service levels and increased privacy throughout the estate.

www.tamarina.mu

Heritage

Located on 2 500 hectares of land in the south of Mauritius lies the estate better known as the Domaine de Bel Ombre. Within the confines of this large estate are two five-star hotels, an 18-hole championship course, nine more holes of executive mashie golf, a nature reserve and luxury villas. What more could you ask for?

Heritage LeTelfair is one of the two hotels on the estate (the other being Heritage Awali), located between the Indian Ocean and the Heritage Villas, and is regarded as a traditional Mauritius hotel resort. The facilities are comprehensive and there’s pretty much no excuse for being bored.

Being a proper family-oriented resort, everyone is looked after. There’s a programme for the kids, babysitters on hand for the toddlers, and there’s no reason for teenagers to be sulky, with a decent activity list for adolescents.

Mauritius has always been a popular destination for honeymooners and you’ll find them rubbing shoulders with families at places like Heritage Le Telfair. That said, if you come on honeymoon with your golf clubs, you are probably asking for trouble…

As one of those ‘we have everything’ resorts, Heritage Le Telfair doesn’t disappoint in terms of culinary variety. Having sampled this resort on a prior trip, we can happily report that Cavendish Bar, Annabella’s and Gin’ja is an Asian-themed restaurant on the beach and its speciality is sushi.

That brings us to the Heritage golf course, a masterpiece championship layout designed by Peter Matkovich. Flanked by rolling hills and a nature reserve on one side and looking down across the Indian Ocean on the other, Heritage Golf Club offers one of the top tropical island golfing experiences anywhere in the world, with some of the best service in the clubhouse and on the course we’ve experienced. It is safe to say that Heritage Golf Club would easily make the grade for our Compleat Golfer 5-Star Golf Experience Awards – although it would be just as easy to give the award to the rest of the resort courses in Mauritius too. Service excellence is, after all, the highest priority when it comes to increasing tourism, especially from Europe.

Heritage Golf Club does seem to stand out from the rest, however, when it comes to the spectacular layout, complete with flat holes and those heading up, down and through valleys towards the beach. The relaxed atmosphere on the course also makes you feel welcome and at home. Perhaps it’s the fact that a South African, Ryan Dodds, heads up the golf facilities and is always on hand to assist with anything, including helping you become a better golfer on the large driving range. Or it could be the little nine-hole mashie layout in the middle of the course that allows for players of all ages and skill levels to enjoy the game among the palm trees. Either way, when sitting on the clubhouse verandah enjoying a beverage either before or after your round, you will be well aware that you are on holiday in paradise, so soak it up and then head out for more fun.

Finally, The Villas, which overlook the golf course and the rest of the estate depending on where you are situated, offer some of the most modern and luxurious accommodation around. Each one comes fully stocked with everything you’d need to create that ultimate boys’ weekend. For those of you who want privacy and to not be disturbed, then one of these villas would be just perfect too. It’s no wonder they are referred to as the perfect ‘a la carte’ holiday venues.

Each has a rim-flow pool, high-speed wireless Internet access, four huge bedrooms, an outdoor patio with braai area and its very own golf cart. Essentially, all you’d need to bring are some clothes, mates and food/ drink. What makes this option perfect is your greenfees are included in the rate. Unlimited golf? Don’t mind if we do…

If you’re not in the mood to cook, the restaurant at Le Chateau de Bel Ombre offers great food and the opportunity to sit outside on the patio. Given the warm, humid conditions most of the year, al fresco is one of the best options. To get there, you simply jump into your golf cart and drive down the private roads. There’s even the option of a chef coming to your villa to cook just for you and your mates.

Strangely enough, Domaine de Bel Ombre offers so much for the whole family, it is easy to forget that there is a beautiful beach at your doorstep. But if you have the urge to spend your vacation time on the sand or in the salty water, head down to the Beach Club, where your standard water sports of canoeing, windsurfing and waterskiing are available. There’s also a heated swimming pool, which is a nice-to-have in the cooler months. As an added bonus, Heritage Le Telfair offers parasailing – a unique and exhilarating way to see Mauritius from the air.

www.heritageresorts.mu

Four Seasons Anahita

Mauritius is a country that suits most pockets. Whether you’re after a budget-friendly experience or want only the best, this little Indian Ocean island ticks both boxes. On the luxury end of the scale is Four Seasons Anahita, a lifestyle estate where every superlative in a journalist’s vocabulary can be liberally applied. Four Seasons Anahita is located on the east coast of the island on the edge of the lie aux Cerfs Lagoon. The nearest town is Beau Champ, which is a 10-minute drive from the resort’s gates.

In our last big trip to the island in 2008, Anahita was still being completed. We visited again for the launch and a few more times after that, but the establishment is now fully operational. The expansive estate consists of both suites and private villas, which are rented out in the owners’ absence. It’s a clever scheme, as homeowners are not always in residence and the villas are a luxurious option for holidaymakers. That’s not to say the other accommodation choices are poor in comparison, as the suites feature not one, but two queensized beds as well as a splash pool. The bathroom alone is the size of most one-bedroomed flats and is well kitted out.

Anahita prides itself on being one of the top-rated resorts on the island and this shows in the food and drink. There are two restaurants, with Origine being the most opulent.

There’s a reason Anahita wins numerous awards, and you get a feeling the place has only two aims in mind: relaxation and happiness. When you’re not taking advantage of the terrific beaches and playing golf on the Ernie Els-designed golf course, you can try your hand at one of the many water activities. Oh, and here’s a tip. Given the large size of the resort, the best thing you can do is hire a complimentary bicycle. Not only is it a great way to keep fit, but you can cover a lot of ground and do some exploring on the estate’s great cycling paths.

The lagoon provides great potential for snorkelling and fishing. Anahita offers Hobie Cats, windsurfing, kayaks and waterskiing free of charge. If you’re a novice when it comes to these activities, don’t worry, as tuition from the exceedingly friendly staff is readily available. There are also outings on a glass-bottomed boat, and deep-sea fishing trips can be arranged.

Coming back to the golfing facilities at Anahita, the championship course caters for all levels of golfer, with five different tees on each hole and wide fairways. While staying at the resort or even living in one of the apartments or houses, golf is free and includes a GPS-equipped cart and plenty of additional amenities on and off the course. There are spectacular views of the Indian Ocean from some holes, while others require carries over water hazards. Ernie’s design really has a bit of everything, even a giant tortoise next to the 9th green waiting to welcome you through the turn.

It’s hard to imagine a more luxurious and modern resort than Anahita, especially when you eat breakfast each morning overlooking a man-made rock pool complete with a variety of sea life, before heading out onto the Big Easy’s island treasure.

www.anahita.mu

Constance Belle Mare Place

With not one, but two top golf courses, Constance Belle Mare Plage has become something of an institution for golf fanatics and, as such, has been regularly visited by Compleat Golfer over the years.

This presents a bit of a worry for the non-golfer, though. What is there to do if you’re not teeing it up? Thankfully, Constance Belle Mare Plage is well prepared for the constant stream of golf widows and children too young to play.

If Heritage LeTelfair was regarded as a family resort, then Belle Mare Plage can be seen as a super resort – a complex so big it could be considered a small town. You only need to walk from one side to the other to see exactly how expansive the facilities are.

During peak season, places like Constance Belle Mare Plage can become packed with holidaymakers, who tend to stay for more than just a week.

If you’re after some tranquillity and quiet, then this may not be ideal. If you’re open to making friends and being sociable, then keep reading.

As far as features and things to do go, Belle Mare Plage has everything. You’ll struggle to be bored, and there is a happy energy about the place. The facilities are staggering: the children’s club caters for the little ones aged between four and 11 years, and there’s even a mini shopping mall on site.

There are five bars and seven places to eat. Ranging from high-end restaurants to simple cafés, there’s a near unlimited choice. To be honest, the range is a little daunting, but you have to take your hat off to the resort: it really is trying to cater for everyone’s different tastes. There are also not one, but two spas.

As mentioned earlier, this resort can get a little busy during the peak season, so it pays to book ahead just to be on the safe side.

The array of complimentary water sports is impressive. There are the usual suspects like water- skiing, windsurfing and kayaking, but Constance Belle Mare Plage also offers free snorkelling trips as well as glass-bottomed boat excursions. If this sounds far too strenuous, then take advantage of the huge beach or cool off in one of the many, many swimming pools.

When it comes to the golf, you are spoilt with two fantastic championship courses run by Constance, which are open to hotel guests at both Belle Mare Plage and Le Prince Maurice. For those residents at Belle Mare Plage, you even have the chance to tee it up on the nine-hole course at the One&Only Le Saint Géran next door.

The Links at Belle Mare Plage is a short shuttle ride away from the resort and is considered the easier of the two layouts, with wide, undulating fairways and large greens.The course is a Peter Alliss design, and he used the contours of the land to carve out a great layout complete with stunning views, interesting water hazards and the odd crop of volcanic rocks.

While play can sometimes be slow due to the high volumes of tourists taking advantage of the course’s payability, there is always something to distract you while waiting, and the consistently high levels of service throughout the clubhouse and on the course will ensure you are always satisfied with your experience.

For those golfers who want more of a challenge and don’t mind taking on water hazards on almost all 18 holes of a course, The Legend at Belle Mare Plage will be your cup of tea. Situated across the road from the Constance Belle Mare Plage resort, The Legend layout, designed by Hugh Baiocchi, is one true test of golf, which is why it has been the venue for the season-ending MCBTour Championship on the European Senior Tour for the past few years. It too has some spectacular views of a surrounding lagoon once you reach the signature par-three 17th hole, which requires a carry across the lagoon.

You will also need to look out for herds of wildlife on the course while trying to avoid the water and dense bush surrounding every hole. Navigate your way through this and your post-round beverage at the tropical clubhouse will be that much more enjoyable. You can even stay for dinner should you prefer a more private silver-service dining experience.

Whether visiting Constance Belle Mare Plage on honeymoon, as a family or as a group of golfers on tour, the resort offers something for everyone, and that’s the reason it is so popular and busy all year round.

www.bellemareplagehotel. constancehotels.com

Constance Le Prince Maurice

The second Constance hotel in Mauritius is just a few miles down the road from Belle Mare Plage, and offers a slightly more luxurious and exclusive experience, should you have the extra fat in your wallet.

You get what you pay for though, and that’s five-star-plus service and facilities. The accommodation is quite something, and you have the choice of either a junior suite, which overlooks a lagoon teeming with fish, or a thatched villa overlooking yet another lagoon. These lagoons are man-made and have an abundance of sea creatures in them. You can see schools of small tropical fish cruising the edges while bigger fish like barracuda lie in wait for their next meal.

If you’re into marine life, Le Prince Maurice will blow you away. Should you be keen, you can try your hand at fly fishing here. Or for those who just want to relax in a more secluded environment, you can take a quick swim out to a small deck in the lagoon and enjoy a private tanning experience.

One star attraction of Le Prince Maurice is its wine cellar with its professional, yet friendly sommelier. Capable of hosting guests thanks to its own dining area, the cellar boasts an astounding array of wines, ports and champagnes from around the world. Be sure to try the litchi wine made on the island – it’s different and most enjoyable.

Much like Belle Mare Plage, there’s plenty of choice when it comes to food here, with four restaurants offering different cuisine. A particular highlight was the Asian sushi bar, which offered sashimi using freshly caught local fish.

Overall, this resort feels a little more exclusive and upmarket when compared to the bigger Belle Mare Plage complex. If you’re after privacy and quiet relaxation, especially if you don’t have children, you need look no further. That said, there’s no shortage of facilities aimed at the younger generation and in true Mauritian style, the hotel staff are eager to please,

www.princemaurice.constance-hotels.com

One&Only Le Saint Géran

Le Saint Géran was one of the first five-star resorts on the island and has been going since 1975. Given the high-profile celebrities who have spent time here, you can use this resort as a benchmark for the complete Mauritius family experience.

It’s a large resort featuring 166 suites, which are well equipped and have enough technology in them to resemble extremely comfortable offices.There’s also a 24-hour butler service thrown into the mix. Le Saint Géran has been open for almost 40 years and you can see they’ve learnt a thing or two about customer service. Despite the age of the resort, the place is continually reinventing itself to ensure it stays modern and fresh.

The establishment has its own tropical garden with a river running between the buildings. In this garden you’ll find outdoor spa rooms, where the only sound you’ll hear is the little river. The spa itself features a lap pool – ideal for fitness enthusiasts.

The design of the Le Saint Géran resort is very clever. On the ocean side you have unspoilt beaches that are perfect for swimming and tanning, while just around the peninsula in the huge lagoon is the water-activity jetty. Here you can waterski, canoe and windsurf to your heart’s content and make as much noise as you want without disturbing the beachgoers.

When it comes to dining, you’re spoilt for choice at Le Saint Géran. The resort features a Michelin-starred chef, and its flagship restaurant Prime boasts some of the finest steaks. Prime sources its meat from Australia and, given the quality of it, it’s easy to understand why. For those who are after a less formal dining experience, LaTerrasse offers an international menu as well as a decent array of seafood.

The quaint nine-hole course on the estate was designed by Gary Player and plays a lot like a KwaZulu-Natal coastal course, with thick kikuyu grass surrounding each fairway and green. It’s a relatively short and playable course with a par of 33; however, the coastal breeze will determine just how well you score, with most of the holes either playing up- or downwind.

The course is open to both guests from Le Saint Géran and Belle Mare Plage next door at no cost, and has a full-time dedicated golf professional to help you improve your game.

The great thing about this little course is the speed of play and how open it is, making it a must for families and beginners or those honeymooners wanting to chase a little white ball for two hours before heading back to their better halves. It’s even easier to get out for a quick nine holes when the new wife is receiving a spa treatment or relaxing on the beach.

http://lesaintgeran.oneand-onlyresorts.com

Trip Advisor

Air Mauritius

The national carrier for the country has routes from three cities in South Africa (Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg) direct to Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport in Mauritius. Flights are daily from Johannesburg and there is one direct flight to Mauritius from Cape Town; however, it is not daily. The rest of the flights from Cape Town and Durban are via Johannesburg. Expect to pay between R8 000 and R13 000 return, depending from where you are flying and if you wish to plan your own trip. If you book through a travel agent, the flights are generally built into the cost of the entire trip. Perhaps the best part of all is that golf bags travel for free up to 20 kilograms.

Call 011 601 3900 or go to airmauritius.com for more details.

Exchange Rate

The Mauritian currency is the rupee (Rs) and at the time of going to print, R1 would buy you Rs2.81. Most resorts also use euros.

Visas

Visitors travelling on a South African passport do not require a visa to enter Mauritius, and the same applies for nationals of most European and Commonwealth countries. If you do have a foreign passport, check with your travel agent first whether or not you will require a visa.

Seasonality

Being a tropical island in the Indian Ocean, there is plenty of sunshine and fine weather during the year. The seasons in Mauritius can generally be divided into a wet summer from December to April, which is still very hot, and a dry winter from May to November. It is marginally cooler during these months.

The climate on the east coast also differs from that on the west, with the south-easterly trade winds affecting the east coast more, bringing added moisture. Cyclone season usually occurs between January and April; however, all resorts and hotels have been built to withstand these high winds.That being said, it makes a day on the beach rather uncomfortable, so rather look at travelling during the middle of the year. You will probably pick up some great deals too at this time, as it is not considered high season for European tourists.

Gastronomics

Most resorts in Mauritius offer accommodation on a half-or full-board basis, where breakfast and dinner are included in the package. But most also don’t include alcoholic beverages unless stated, and these beverages are where they make their profit, along with food not included in your package.

It is worthwhile checking out the smaller restaurants and bars in the towns should you wish to spend a bit less, and it is also here where you will get to taste many more authentic Mauritian dishes.

Reciprocal Golf

While staying at one resort for your trip, you may want to play some of the other courses on the island. Check with the concierge for reciprocal rates, but be prepared to shell out in excess of R1 000 for these courses, excluding transport.

The Holiday Factory

The Holiday Factory is a vibrant and dynamic wholesale tour operator based in Johannesburg. The company is a little bit younger, faster and has a refreshingly different approach to travel. This difference is reflected in the way it sources and packages its holidays, how it operates and, ultimately, in the way it services its clients.

The Holiday Factory is one of South Africa’s largest outbound tour operators and after just five years of service, has already established itself as a major player in the South African wholesale travel industry – it is constantly improving, growing and evolving as an organisation.

The company, which is committed to providing its customers with the best service available, offers its clients a choice of packaged holidays to a number of destinations including Mauritius, the Seychelles, Maldives, Zanzibar, Thailand, Bali and ski holidays in North America and Europe.

Reader Offers

The Holiday Factory is giving Compleat Golfer readers the following exclusive reader offers. These offers are valid from 1 May to 27 June 2014, and are subject to currency flirtations, availability and The Holiday Factory Standard Terms and Conditions. Please quote Compleat Golfer Reader Offer when enquiring. Booking conditions apply.

♦ Seven nights at the Maritim Hotel from R14 215. Package includes return flights from Johannesburg, return resort transfers, seven nights’ accommodation in a Standard Room, breakfast and dinner daily, free and unlimited golf at Maritim and all current airport taxes.

♦ Seven nights at Heritage Le Telfair from R17 930. Package includes return flights from Johannesburg, return resort transfers, seven nights’ accommodation in a Superior Room, breakfast and dinner daily, plus free lunch (available from 15 May), free and unlimited golf at Bel Ombre and all current airport taxes.

♦ Seven nights at the Four Seasons Mauritius at Anahita from R28 955. Package includes return flights from Johannesburg, return resort transfers, seven nights’accommodation in a Garden Pool Villa, breakfast and dinner daily, free and unlimited golf and golf cart at Four Seasons and all current airport taxes.

♦ Seven nights at Constance Belle Mare Plage from R19 140. Package includes return flights from Johannesburg, return resort transfers, seven nights’ accommodation in a Prestige Room, breakfast and dinner daily, free and unlimited golf on two courses and all current airport taxes.

♦ Seven nights at Constance Le Prince Maurice from R24 165. Package includes return flights from Johannesburg, return resort transfers, seven nights’ accommodation in a Junior Suite, breakfast daily, free and unlimited golf and all current airport taxes.

♦ Seven nights at One&Only Le Saint Géran from R23 595. Package includes return flights from Johannesburg, return resort transfers, seven nights’ accommodation in a Junior Suite, breakfast and dinner daily, free and unlimited golf and all current airport taxes.

Contact The Holiday Factory on 011 233 2300 or visit www.holidayfactory.co.za.

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