Heritage Le Telfair Golf & Wellness Resort

You’re forgiven if you don’t know much about Mauritius, save for the fact, of course, that it’s a world-class beach destination. It’s the kind of place with such staggering physical beauty — impossibly soft white sand beaches, crystal-clear water, and so on — that it’s become a magnet for honeymooners and resort developers for whom the island’s cultural history is, shall we say, secondary. They just want to stare at the sunset, and who can blame them? Enter Heritage Le Telfair Golf & Wellness Resort. Yes, it’s a resort, and a thoroughly luxurious one. But as the name suggests, it’s a resort that’s closely tied to the island’s past.

The elegant colonial-style hotel sits right on the sand, occupying the strategic location of an important sugar plantation and estate that dates from 1765. Much of the island’s significant history unfolded here; Heritage Le Telfair, in fact, is named for the 19th-century Irish naturalist who helped develop this agricultural landscape. It’s one of several hotels that Heritage Resorts operates here on the dreamy Domaine de Bel Ombre on the island’s south coast. Carving this massive piece of oceanfront real estate into a series of distinct hotels, as it turns out, was a smart choice: Heritage Le Telfair feels more intimate than you’d expect, especially given the fact that guests have access to a dozen bars and restaurants across the Heritage-owned coast.

Le Telfair’s main building has old-world charm, but rooms and suites are located in new villas, architecturally inspired by the plantation’s original buildings. High ceilings, parquet floors, a subdued color palette of ivory and chocolate brown, French doors leading onto balconies or terraces, many with sea views — you get the picture. Many rooms and suites have romantic four-poster beds draped with all-natural cotton that billows in the breeze, or quaint reading nooks, or period furniture. Or all three, if you’re staying in one of the more opulent suites. Standard amenities in all categories include large flat-screen TVs, tea and coffee stations, and large marble bathrooms.

The landscape itself is lovely, of course, sea-facing and planted with tropical gardens. Activities are plentiful: the resort is known for its European Tour championship golf course, but equally popular are water sports, yoga, the Seven Colours Millesime Spa, or just lounging by the pool. Borrow a bicycle and explore the island, or just hang around this edge of it — you don’t need to go far, as a wide range of high-end dining and drinking venues are spread throughout the Heritage resort grounds. The most picturesque option just might be French cuisine on the veranda at Le Château de Bel Ombre, Charles Telfair’s one-time mansion. You might not ever be an expert on Mauritius, but these historic spaces give you that satisfying feeling that you’re in an actual place with a specific story — not just a gated luxury complex with amazing views of the sea.

Booking Details: Heritage Le Telfair Golf & Wellness Resort requires additional information from guests to ensure the best stay possible. As such, reservations can only be confirmed through our customer service team. Contact us for assistance. Rates begin at 320 EUR per night.