LUX* Belle Mare Resort & Villas

The contemporary-style suites at LUX* Belle Mare are all carefully positioned either along the sugar-white sands or among the well-manicured tropical gardens. All of them are angled so you can enjoy shimmering Indian Ocean views, no matter where you choose to stay.

You really feel like you're staying in a luxury beach house at LUX* Belle Mare, with all of its accommodation based in modern whitewashed buildings with thatched roofs. Inside, the fresh interiors are all down to the genius of renowned designer Kelly Hoppen, with the soothing whites and light woods evoking elegant relaxation. That's not to say there isn't room for splashes of vibrant character, as the bed throws and cushions – in shades of tangerine, lemon, magenta and parrot green – attest. Comfort is king though and the comfy-as-a-cloud LUX* Sleep Tight mattresses, handsomely stocked bathrooms and furnished balconies and terraces so you can gaze at the ocean for as long as you wish.

If you're honeymooners or looking for a romantic break you'll be situated on the quieter side of the resort, in suites overlooking a pretty thatched gazebo which lies in the centre of a pond filled with koi and carp. The 12 villas are even more spacious and are akin to staying in a little beachfront village, with the cluster of villas set around a courtyard in a horseshoe shape and with their own semi-private beach.

Dining and entertainment is something they take very seriously at LUX* Belle Mare and with so much choice, you'll feel compelled to try every restaurant, bar and eatery during your stay.

As its main restaurant, MIXE is the place to start. Breakfast is served here every day and dinner is a delicious combo of traditional Mauritian specialities and international fare, with an Asian corner, tandoor oven and a dedicated teppanyaki live cooking station. If you've got room for dessert, then the restaurant's Chocolate Room will satisfy even the guiltiest sweet tooths.

For a true island experience, Beach Rouge is casual toes-in-the-sand dining at its best, Mediterranean tapas and dishes served alongside a refreshing choice of cocktails. The brilliantly named Duck Laundry is one of the best Chinese restaurants in Mauritius and, as the name suggests, duck heavily features on the menu in many different guises, along with noodle cooking stations, dim sum and a selection of Chinese teas and spirits from the Far East to wash your food down with. Headed up by Michelin-starred chef Vineet Bhatia is Amari by Vineet, which serves mouthwatering modern Indian dishes like fish encrusted in a coconut and peanut chutney.

For food in more relaxing surroundings, the LUX* RR Food Truck whips up Latin cuisine and Café LUX* brews its own brand of coffee. For an eco-conscious eatery try Keen on Green, whose menu is wholly plant-based and all its ingredients are locally sourced.

For a memorable tipple, LUX* Belle Mare isn't short of options for a drink somewhere, whether it's not moving from your sunlounger at Sandy Toes Bar on the beach or sipping under the stars after dark. K Bar, named after Kelly Hoppen, is the spot to be for a refreshing craft beer, the G&T 100 Club affords you the opportunity to sample a century of gins (perhaps not all at once!) and if you want to go local, Mari Kontan is a cabana-style rum shack featuring some of the island's finest blends. The romantics should head for FLUTE for a night of Champagne and tapas on the beach under the stars, while oenophiles will be in heaven at La Cave, a wine cellar offering experiences like yoga and rosé, blindfolded dinners and chocolate and wine tastings. If you're teetotal (or should that be teatotal?), then the resort's Tea House gives you the opportunity to participate in a traditional tea ceremony and try a diverse range of teas.

LUX* Belle Mare doesn't stop there. There are several unique dining experiences that will woo you, either on the beach or dining on fish and meat that's been slow-cooked underground at the resort's Aubergine Farm. The farm itself takes you back to the time of French Captain John Belle Mare, who founded the village that bears his last name and where this LUX* resort is located!

Without a doubt, LUX* Belle Mare's huge pool is its fabulous focal point. At 2,000 sq m it's one of the island's largest pools and with its split-level layout and palm-fringed setting, it's as idyllic as anywhere in Mauritius. For somewhere you're likely to devote an entire day to, it's good to know there's also a cabana-style bar and a retro ice-cream parlour also there for refreshments during the day.

With all that time spent ogling the Indian Ocean, we're sure you'll be tempted at some point to take a dip! Water sports are a favourite pastime here and there are plenty of complimentary activities you can do on the warm waters of the Indian Ocean – think stand-up paddleboarding, windsurfing, kayaking and glass-bottom boat trips. Payable activities like big game fishing, diving, catamaran cruises and kitesurfing.

On land, there's the option for classic games like beach volleyball and table tennis, while speedminton and tennis add even more choice. For the golfers among you, the resort can even help to book you onto one of the island's nearby golf courses.

Families will also love it at LUX* Belle Mare. Its Play kids' club is ideal for youngsters aged three to 11, with a spacious indoor area and outdoor park. Beyond, there's a roster of entertainment to keep them busy, from beach games to activities giving them an insight into the island's nature and culture. For older kids, Studio 17 (12-17 year olds) boasts a pool table, table football and table tennis. Like Play it also has an impressive schedule of activities, from adventure trips around the island to local dance and language classes.

Regularly voted one of the best on the island, the LUX* Me Spa is a serene sanctuary run by staff who welcome you with genuine warmth from the moment you arrive. There are 12 standard treatment cabins (including one specifically for couples), two Thai massage cabins and two Chinese medicine cabins spread throughout this pulse-slowing complex. The indulgent treatments draw inspiration from a multitude of places, from Bali for its soothing massages to the healing hands of renowned therapist Shirley Page. In addition to its menu of treatments, the spa also has a sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi and extensive relaxation areas both inside and outside. Yoga sessions, both as part of a group or individually, are also available.

Impromptu, surprising and pop-up are what LUX* like to be!

An ice cream cart here and an unexpected prize in a bottle there is the norm at LUX*, so keep a look out.

Prepare to be surprised with their reasons to go to LUX* Resorts & Hotels.

Ici

You can’t go on holiday without ice cream being involved! Ici is their very own ice cream brand and is a fat-free treat without the guilty feeling. Choose from flavours like bubblegum, crema with crunchy hazelnut and Sicilian pistachio. All served from retro-style mobile carts.

LUX* Me

An integrated philosophy of wellbeing. Hosting outdoor classes, yoga, pilates, meditation classes and nutrition advice all tailored to your goals to make you feel fitter than ever.

Message in a bottle

Keeping things fun and spontaneous, LUX* have hidden bottles in the beach or secret gardens for you to find. Discover the bottle and find out what unexpected treat you have won. It could be a candle-lit dinner at the water’s edge, a spa treatment or a diving lesson!

Tree of Wishes

Every LUX* Resort & Hotel has a tree of wishes. Tie your personalised unique ribbon around one of the enchanting branches and make a wish. While they can't guarantee your wish will come true, they can promise that once a year one tag will be selected and the lucky person will win a free LUX* holiday.

Café LUX*

Believing great coffee is a must and not a luxury, LUX* has created Café LUX*, which is located at the heart of all hotels. Enjoy organically blended coffee, roasted on-site in a unique setting.

Phone Home

You will find a vintage red telephone box where you can make as many international calls as you like free of charge. The only condition – please do not call the office!

Cinema Paradiso

Beanbags? Check. Fresh popcorn? You bet. Ice cream? Naturally. Our al fresco cinemas show blockbusters, family classics and much more – all under the stars, and completely on the house.

Aperitivo

A wandering bar – you have to hunt it down! An ideal spot for socialising and packed full of tasty tapas-style snacks and changing cocktails by the expert mixologist. You won't find it in the same bar twice!

While LUX* Belle Mare is a fairly large resort, its landscaped gardens and sprawling nature means it feels more like a small village. So, you'll get the best of both worlds: its sleepy, tranquil atmosphere but also the benefits a larger resort brings, such as a plethora of eating options and ample space to find your own tropical corner to call your own.

Absolutely! There are several family suites at LUX* Belle Mare which have the ability to interconnect with some of the Junior Suites, giving larger families and families with older children plenty of options for a fantastic holiday in Mauritius. Add to that two brilliant kids' clubs, PLAY (3-11 year olds) and Studio 17 (12-17 year olds), and youngsters will never get bored.

There are direct flights from the UK to Mauritius and LUX* Belle Mare, taking around 12 hours. From the island's international airport, the resort is around an hour away by car.

It actually boasts five restaurants! Between them, they seem to cover every cuisine imaginable from the Chinese-inspired Duck Laundry to the royal Indian setting of Amari by Vineet, while Keen on Green specialises in plant-based dishes. One thing's for sure, you won't go hungry at LUX* Belle Mare!

While LUX* Belle Mare is great for relaxing on its sugar-white beach, there's plenty to do here. Its water sports centre is comprehensive and you can do everything from Hobie Cat sailing to kayaking and snorkelling from the resort. Beach volleyball is a great way to stay active on the sand, while there are also tennis courts for those interested in racquet sports.

However, Mauritius is an island that merits wider exploration. There are jungle walks to waterfalls, hikes up lush peaks and the opportunity to delve into the island's heritage, through visits to sugar and tea plantations.

Yes, you can stay all-inclusive at LUX* Belle Mare but there is also the option to stay bed and breakfast, half board and full board.

LUX* Belle Mare is a five-star resort.