Le Meridien Ile Maurice – A Tropical Escape

Le Meridien Ile Maurice Review

When we discovered that our African cruise would be leaving from Mauritius, we looked forward to visiting the island again. We planned to spend 2 nights at Le Meridien Ile Maurice before we embarked on the cruise. Then a cyclone hit Mauritius, and we made a reluctant decision to postpone our flight to a day later in order to be on the safe side. However, we were quite dismayed that we would only have one night in Mauritius, especially after getting a glimpse of the resort the night we arrived.

We landed in Port Louis on a Saturday night. It was a one-hour drive to the resort where we checked in, had a quick dinner and went to bed. The following morning, we woke up to the news that our cruise departure had been delayed due to a suspected (but unfounded) health scare. Although it was disappointing, spending more time on the island was the silver lining, and the hotel was certainly not the worst place to be stranded especially after Norwegian Cruise Line generously offered to host us there on an all-inclusive basis until the cruise was ready to leave. We ended up staying there for 3 days and loved it.

Fountains at the resort

Situated on the northwest coast of Mauritius, in the village of Pointe aux Piments, along a kilometre-long stretch of ivory sand dotted with palm trees, Le Méridien Ile Maurice offers an all-inclusive resort experience that captures the essence of this stunning island.  The 5-star family-friendly resort is surrounded by natural beauty and encompasses 4 restaurants, a spa with a European inspired Snow Room, a beauty salon, a fitness centre, a games room, sports facilities, multiple swimming pools, and a private pier.

Suites from the outside

The 261 rooms and suites are spread along the beach, ensuring that all guests can appreciate the Indian Ocean views and breathtaking sunsets. Each room is designed with a blend of contemporary and traditional Mauritian elements, providing a comfortable and stylish retreat.  Nirvana, an exclusive adults-only section, has 51 rooms and suites, its own personal reception area, restaurant and infinity pool.

Our suite

Our suite was spacious and comfortable with 2 queen beds, a seating area, a workspace and a private balcony. My son had his own suite alongside ours. Family rooms are available too. A unique cabinet styled like a suitcase contained the beverage station, minibar and safe, and the bedside tables consisted of stacked suitcases. Gifts awaited us on the beds—my husband and son received fedoras while I was given a wrap. The balcony had its own seating area and I loved sitting there in the mornings, watching the ocean, as I enjoyed my coffee.

Decor and gifts in pour bedroom

The marble bathroom had a separate shower and toilet, a closet, double vanity basins and a standalone bathtub.

Our bathroom

The resort offers a multitude of activities. Younger kids will enjoy the Méridien Family Kids Club, while older kids will enjoy the games room. There are bicycles to ride, swimming pools for everyone and water sports galore, including scuba, snorkelling, water skiing, and boat rides. 

One of the swimming pools

We enjoyed a speed boat ride into the ocean where we saw turtles, and schools of fish. Dolphins had been sighted earlier in the day. The resort can arrange tours to nearby attractions too. We visited the Pamplemousses Botanical Garden and Sugar Museum.

Speed boat ride

Dining at Le Méridien Ile Maurice is a gastronomic experience. The resort has 4 restaurants, each offering a unique culinary journey, and romantic dinners can be arranged on the pier. We enjoyed the buffets at Nomad with its open kitchen, the Indian cuisine at Kumin, and the light lunches at Waves on the seashore. However, our favourite was Jade, with its decadent sushi, noodles and other Asian dishes.

Some of the dishes we enjoyed

Our time at Le Méridien Ile Maurice is a treasury of special memories—from relaxing at the poolside sipping fresh coconuts with the vast ocean before us, to the spectacular sunsets that mesmerised us as we savoured decadent dinners on the beachfront.

Sunset at Jade

And, although we were excited to embark on our cruise, it was with more than a tinge of regret that we left the resort.

Sunset

For more information, visit Le Méridien Ile Maurice or book here. As part of the Marriott Group, Marriott Bonvoy members can take advantage of points redemptions and other benefits.

See some highlights of our stay here:

Sara Essop is a travel blogger and writer based in South Africa. She writes about family travel and experiences around the world. Although she has been to 49 countries thus far, she especially loves showcasing her beautiful country and is a certified South Africa Specialist.