My family – husband and two children (19 and 22) just returned from a magic week at Sugar Beach.
It was our first beach holiday and I didn’t really know what to expect. All I knew was that I needed to pack beach gear and books.
Sugar Beach is about an hour away from the airport – it’s a beautiful drive as you wind through sugar-cane fields, a few narrow streets and pass by new housing developments.
Please see my review below, broken down into different areas:
STAFF:
Friendly, courteous – this is a well-trained team which not only understands their brand values but live it too! Nothing was too much trouble. Shamilla who cleaned our room daily has a heart of gold together with Fazle, one of the waiters at the beach. Always smiling, ready to assist. And, I never got the feeling that they were doing it for tips – in fact, both Shamilla and Fazle asked that we post about our experience so that more travellers could experience their resort.
THE ROOMS:
I felt myself beginning to relax the minute I stepped into our room – we had two interleading rooms. Clean. Neat. Practical. Our unit was sea-facing, which was a whole other bonus. My one regret is that I hadn’t packed my Epsom Salts for a soak in that beautiful tub. I still have the sound of the sea crashing, in my ears. I’ll go back, in my memory to this on nights when I’m tossing and turning at home in Johannesburg.
THE RESTAURANTS:
LA PATIO – buffet breakfast and dinners. Everything you could possibly want. And more. Much, much more. Everything from fruit, freshly squeezed juices (you choose the fruit and a chef does the rest), continental, hot breakfast with bacon, sausages, eggs, pastries, crepes … you get the picture. Friday dinner was a highlight – Indian themed, I had some of the best chicken tikka masala and jelebi.
BUDDHA BAR:
Good tip – the minute you get to Sugar Beach – please book your dinners here. There is normally a waiting list. We had dinner here twice and it’s really worth the time. With the All Inclusive package – you get to choose from a pared down menu – but still great options. If you want to order from their normal menu, then you can set your rs900 per person against your order.
CITRONELLA:
Really enjoyed our meals here. Stand-out pasta, fish and … special mention must go to the beef carpaccio – which I had more than thrice. Please ask for their chilli relish – it’s at all the restaurants – for some extra zing!
POOL AND BEACH MENU:
The one thing you will not be short of, with the All Inclusive package is FOOD. Cocktails … you think of it and it’s there. The menu is also pretty extensive – special mention of the Dim Sum. And please say hi to Fazle from Devi.
GOLF:
Free hourly shuttles are available from Sugar Beach to Tamarina Golf Club. My daughter went almost every day. As far as I understand it – golf is free.
ACTIVITIES:
There is a lot to do. And, if you’re like me who isn’t so comfortable with the idea of lying around, stuffing your face, then you could easily take a walk on the extensive grounds, with include La Pirogue (the neighbouring resort). There is also daily yoga, zumba, water aerobics, dance classes and a full gym. There really is not excuse.
TAXI’S:
Ask at the front desk for the taxi tariff – you could travel anywhere you need to and not worry about being ripped off. We took a three hour trip to the capital Port Louis and saw The Citadel and Market near the waterfront – well worth the time.
REST:
My best time was spent on the beach. Reading. Sleeping. Cocktailing my time. There is really something very magical about this resort. I arrived feeling rushed and left feeling calm and so relaxed. May this feeling last … I will definitely return. Hopefully within the year! Highly recommended. Great family bonding time. Pure magic!
