Mauritius 2025

 on 17th December we returned from 10 nights in Grande Baie.  This was our second visit to Mauritius and our oldest son joined us this time. We stayed in a boutique hotel owned by the Veranda Group, a South African chain.  Unfortunately our room developed a leak through the roof 3 days before the end of our holiday due to heavy rain and as it would take several days to repair, we were moved to their sister hotel, Veranda Paul & Virginie Hotel, Grande Gaube.  

These little nests are occupied by the tiny yellow weaver birds indigenous to Mauritius, they nest in colonies and prefer to live near people.  The nests, like little woven baskets, are built by the male.

It was almost too hot to wear much on this trip! but I did get my new silk dress out for an airing!

Beautiful calm sea

Both hotels were beautiful places.  The first had very pretty grounds and an open air shower filled with tropical plants, the walls built with volcanic rock, which is found locally, the top being open to the sky (and the odd visiting bird) which I loved.  The grounds were full of tropical plants, which made the holiday special for me.  It was on a small bay with limited beach area.  Both hotels had a good gym and I was in there every morning on the rowing machine (and also on the kids giant trampoline nearby when nobody was looking!).

In Grand Baie theres a fairly big town, with shops and a fish market, further out a hypermarket and even McDonalds.  Walking in 30f heat is tiring but we found little cafe type places to get cold drinks.  

The blue fish are parrot fish, they really are quite beautiful, as a vegetarian I felt a little saddened that they were going to end up on someones plate!

Below are shops we stopped at for cold drinks

In Grand Baie we explored little streets, local shops and the bay itself and found that was enough as far as excursions went!  Too hot to do more.  

above is the shoe repairer kiosk where I had my leather bag straps repaired ; the white tickets are bits of leather signed by happy customers.

The second hotel, Paul et Virginie, Grand Gaub, about 40 mins further along the coast, was equally beautiful. With a better beach as it didn't have the bay/boats and so there was unlimited access for swimming in the sea, both hotels had an infinity pool.

This area in Grand Gaube was quiet, no traffic or town, just a few small shops.  

We had 10 lazy days watching locals fish, swimming in a gentle sea and sunbathing.  Food at both the hotels was buffet style, we were all inclusive.  

We had mostly 30f temps and only 3 days of (torrential) rain.

A lazy holiday, not an adventure holiday, it was total relaxation and family time together which was just what we wanted.  Only regret is our younger son couldn't get time off to join us!