Pure Indulgence

Marcellus Baptista laps up the luxuries at Radisson Plaza Beach Resort, Mauritius

Aerial view of the property

Frollicking fronds of sugarcane - smiling or shedding tears - depending on whether it is a sunny or rainy day. This was a glimpse of Mauritius as we drove past roads hugged by sugarcane fields. And onward to our last destination on the island in the Indian Ocean: Radisson Plaza Beach Resort. One step into the five-star deluxe resort and you know you are in the lap of luxury. The sheer splendour of it all envelopes you, caresses you with tender loving care, making you want to stay an extra day.

Located on the sheltered bay of Pointe aux Piments on the northwest coast of Mauritius, it is approximately 60 km from the international airport at Plaisance and 15 km from the capital, Port Louis. It is conveniently situated between Port Louis, the business, entertainment and shopping centre, and Grand Baie, famous for its many beaches and watersports.

A walk through this sprawling property with an inspection of the rooms, facilities, business and entertainment options, and discovery of the white sand on the long stretch of beach and the turquoise blue water of the ocean and you know that the resort is the ideal location for holidays, seminars and meetings.

No wonder, then, that it is the preferred hotel for the upmarket, corporate Indian traveller. The general manager, Praba Menon, is of Indian origin and the resident manager, Ravi Nagpal is Indian too. During our stay, we saw quite a few Indians who seemed to be having the time of their lives here.

Let’s now go into the decor, details and delights of the Radisson. All 198 rooms, including 190 deluxe rooms, 12 terrace suites and six presidential suites, are ocean-fronted, centrally air-conditioned and spacious with either a balcony or terrace just 30 metres from the water’s edge. They are equipped with a TV, video channels, mini-bar, individual safe, tea-coffee maker, iron and ironing board and lounge chairs. A large attached bathroom includes a bath tub and shower stall, double sink and a hairdryer. All the rooms are spread over six three-storeyed buildings.
Also on offer is the Plaza Club accommodation for the business traveller, equipped with dataport for e-mail and fax.

The resort offers complete convention facilities with flexible function spaces for meetings of all sizes, types and styles. The banquet hall has a seating capacity for 500 delegates and state-of-the-art sound and lighting facilities. This is divisible into four break-up rooms catering from 10-100 delegates. A separate boardroom can accommodate 10-15 persons. There’s a business centre and conference facilities like audio-visual equipment and secretarial services.

Baywatch Bar

On the food and beverage front, the resort offers three restaurants and four bars. Brasserie, overlooking the pool-deck and ocean, is a buffet-style restaurant serving local and international cuisine and also theme dinners. Surf Club is a beach restaurant with fresh seafood, grilled dishes and salads. Paprika specialises in an exotic blend of Western, Mediterranean and Indian Ocean Rim cuisine with an open kitchen concept. It also boasts live music and late-night entertainment.

Besides standard meal options on a half-board (breakfast and dinner) basis, the hotel offers specially designed food and beverage options for groups. These include beverage packages, special lunch menus and theme cocktail and dinner parties designed to enhance the atmosphere of the group’s itinerary.

Come sundown and it sizzles when the sega dancers come on at Baywatch, the thatch-roofed bar surrounded by water, overlooking the swimming pool and the beach. Creole jazz bands and other acts are in attendance.

Cocktails and dreams also await you at the Pool Bar in a lagoon setting with sunken bar stools. There’s the Lobby Bar in the main building and Paprika with a view of the gardens and the beach.

The Radisson Spa and Fitness Centre seems the ideal place to relax, invigorate the senses and renew your energies through new experiences. Nothing like relaxing under the spell of a sauna or luxuriating in a spa facial. The Health Club boasts sauna, steam room, cold plunge pool, Jacuzzi, massage rooms, aerobic facilities and gymnasium. You can find new vigour in a range of fitness programmes with state-of-the-art equipment and well-trained instructors. The centre provides natural beauty remedies and modern salon treatments with advanced technology. Of course, you can also refresh yourself in the swimming pool.

The resort offers various sports and recreational facilities like tennis, table tennis, beach volleyball and badminton. There’s also the Fun Club for children of age three to 12 years with games, video, beach activities and picnics. At the boat house, there are plenty of watersport activities including a glass-bottom boat trip.

Swimming Pool

Sure, there are shops in the resort with designer wear, jewellery and curios. And you can discover the great outdoors by availing of local tours and excursions. These include nature walks, catamaran cruises and sunset cruises from the hotel to Grand Baie with cocktails, snacks and on-board entertainment. And you may spot the dolphins and click a picture to take back home.

For reservations contact:
Radisson Plaza Beach Resort
Village Hall Lane,
Pointe aux Piments, Mauritius
Tel: (230) 2043333
Fax: (230) 2043344
E-mail: radplaza@intnet.mu