Our opinion
Constance Le Prince Maurice “A magical hotel evoking an enchanting atmosphere – very special."
Hotel description
When you first arrive at the Constance Le Prince Maurice you are struck by an awe-inspiring impression of space, calm and water, which remains with you throughout your stay here. Built in Mauritian style with thatched roofs, the structure of the hotel is immense and of a great height and yet with its use of water, natural fabrics and colours, a serene and at the same time welcoming atmosphere is created, enhanced by the courtesy and helpfulness of the staff, dressed in flowing Indian style in colours that reflect the spices of the island and the natural colours of the building. A flat-rimmed pool of water creates a natural line with the surrounding marble flooring. Beyond is the water of the swimming pool, and beyond that the deep blue of the sea. In the evening the atmosphere really comes into its own when the subtle yet dramatic lighting creates a quintessentially romantic but understated ambience, elegant and very special. Inside the main building is the à la carte restaurant, L’Archipel, spacious and open-sided, overlooking the pool and a lounge area divided by semi-private sections each with abundant comfortable sofas and chairs, offering intimate corners for an aperitif and to peruse the extensive dinner menu, which includes lightly spiced Mauritian specialities. Opposite the restaurant is the open-sided bar, ideal for an after-dinner coffee or digestif, where there is also usually light, live music, perhaps piano or jazz. The bedrooms are housed in two-storey Mauritian-style buildings in the spacious grounds, some built on stilts into a lagoon. There are some beachfront rooms too. Rooms are very spacious with an extremely large bathroom and a balcony or terrace with an outside bed on it. They are furnished with teak floors, doors and shutters in the room and the bedroom. The use of this natural material, subdued colours and space creates a great sense of luxury. The bathroom too is ultra-luxurious with a pillow for the bath, bath salts with wooden ladle and glass jars of bath oil. A unique feature of the hotel is the lagoon where there are some rooms built on stilts, and also a floating restaurant called Le Barachois, reached by a walkway through the mangrove. The hotel caters well for relaxation with its white sand beach, cosy library with a range of books and games and the beauty centre. There are numerous water sports, tennis, a squash court and fitness centre at the hotel itself and golf just ten minutes away. Children are welcome with supervised activities for those aged 4 to 12 and babysitting. The Prince Maurice is a member of Relais et Chateaux, and is one of those very special hotels that exude understated style and elegance, a timeless modernity, superb quality and an amazing atmosphere.
Annual opening
Closed 1 July to 31 August 2012 due to refurbishment.
Distance from airport
About one hour by car.
Closest airport
Mauritius
Room types
All rooms have private bathroom with separate bath and shower, terrace or balcony, air conditioning, ceiling fan, safe, hairdryer, minibar, TV, VCD player, telephone.
Type A Junior Suite either in the garden, on stilts in the lagoon or along the beach.
Type B Villa with outdoor bath and living room with dining and sitting area, either on ground level with private pool and direct access to the beach or on stilts in the lagoon without pool.
Type C Princely Suite directly on the beach comprising two Junior Suites and one Senior Suite, inside garden/patio, mini-kitchen for staff use and two swimming pools, for maximum of 6 adults. Details on request.
Hotel facilities and services
Facilities at the hotel 89 suites, 2 restaurants, 3 bars, open-air swimming pool, 24-hour room service, beach service, boutiques, hairdressing salon and beauty centre, books and games library, babysitting, laundry, Les Petits Princes children’s club, weddings can be arranged.
Water sports
Complimentary: Waterskiing, pedalos, snorkelling equipment, windsurfing, kayaks, hobie cats, laser boats, glass-bottom boat.
Chargeable: Scuba diving, fly-fishing, catamarans, sunfish sailing, deep-sea fishing, cruise on fish reserve.
Land sports
Complimentary: Use of the gym, thermal pool, sauna and steam bath, 2 floodlit tennis courts, air-conditioned squash court, bicycles, putting green, unlimited use of 18-hole Belle Mare Plage golf club 10 minutes' drive away with free shuttle service.
Chargeable: Golf equipment and lessons, tennis lessons, yoga.
Out and aboutnearby/local interest
Children
Children of all ages are very welcome all year round. Excellent prices available. Les Petits Princes children’s club is available for children aged 4 to 12 with daily supervised activities and children’s menus on request.
Other information
Constance Le Prince Maurice is closed from 1 July to 31 August 2012 due to refurbishment.