In the beautiful hotel in Mauritius with the largest villa in the Indian Ocean
In a part of the world where every hotel chain wants to be the biggest, fanciest or lavish, it’s a surprise that the Indian Ocean’s largest and most luxurious villa is almost completely hidden.
The Grand Beachfront Villa at the JW Marriott Mauritius Resort is discreetly located on a secluded stretch of white sand beach against the backdrop of the majestic, unspoilt Le Morne Brabant mountain.
Spread over an impressive 1,660 square feet, it comes complete with a private butler and 24-hour chef.
And it’s so discreet that most guests enjoying the five-star luxury in the other 171 suites don’t even know it’s there.
The villa has its own private entrance, leading to an interior living and dining room, TV and games room, office, bar and numerous alfresco dining options, including an outdoor lounge, perfect for a drink or two while marveling at those beautiful Mauritian sunsets .
JW Marriott Mauritius Resort is located below Le Morne Brabant Mountain, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Above this is the resort’s Grand Beachfront Villa, the largest and most luxurious in the Indian Ocean
The five-star resort offers 172 suites, beautiful beaches and protected coral reef
It’s a perfect romantic getaway, says James, with couples having breakfast or dinner on the private jetty
Floating Market Restaurant offers a fusion of Southeast Asian cuisine, including delicious Thai, Malaysian and Vietnamese dishes
There is also a private fitness center, steam room, hot tub, infinity pool and three plunge pools, plus a sun-drenched deck with lounge chairs.
We were given a tour of the villa and could only conclude that it is fit for a king. But then every guest in this little corner of paradise – located on the southwestern side of Mauritius – is treated like royalty.
As we found out.
The personal service was amazing, but not overbearing. The same goes for the delicious food, pristine modern facilities and beautiful grounds and scenery.
With five exquisite gourmet restaurants, the serene Pure Spa, the Kite Flyer’s Kids Club and a fully equipped water sports center, there is something for all ages to enjoy.
We didn’t want anything too energetic after a hectic year at home. So a great morning trip to swim with dolphins – and open a bottle of bubbly at sunset with a real (very sharp!) saber – was as exciting as we got.
The Pure Spa was everything we could ask for, with amazing signature treatments and luxurious spa packages in a tranquil setting. It includes two couples rooms, a hair and nail salon for ladies, a special grooming salon for men, a sauna, a steam room, a hot tub and a relaxation terrace to relax in paradise.
The resort houses five characteristic gastronomic restaurants. Guests can journey through the exotic flavors of Southeast Asia, experience the fresh flavors of a beachside grill, savor perfectly spiced Indian food, and savor the best of French-Mauritian cuisine.
But the highlight for us was the teppanyaki night, as the chef dazzled us – and everyone else in the restaurant – by theatrically preparing his Japanese meat and fish dishes.
The sunsets were spectacular, with breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean, James explains
All suites have private terraces or balconies overlooking lush tropical gardens or the shimmering azure ocean. Pictured above is a junior suite – the room type James stayed in
The resort first opened in 2012 and was renamed JW Marriott in 2021
The Grand Beachfront Villa (above) is near the iconic ‘One-Eye’ kitesurfing spot – known as the best in the Indian Ocean
The Grand Beachfront Villa has an on-site fitness center, steam room, hot tub, infinity pool and three plunge pools
You can go windsurfing, snorkeling, sailing, water skiing or kayaking through the turquoise lagoon. There are also glass bottom boat rides, speed boat rides and swimming with dolphins
All suites offer first-class amenities and colonial-inspired decor with a choice of suite categories to suit every taste. The resort is proud of the island’s colonial history, and fittingly we enjoyed delicious local specialties a few hours after arriving on Mauritius Independence Day.
And almost all of the staff we spoke to were from Mauritius, generous with their time and so eager to brag about what the island had to offer to new tourists like us.
We enjoyed so many great once-in-a-lifetime experiences on this relaxing vacation in sun-filled heaven, including a private breakfast on the jetty, wine tastings with fun, passionate sommeliers, and those cocktails on the beach during a beautiful sunset.