Review: Sofitel So Mauritius, Indian Ocean

Discover a world of eco-friendly elegance. Designed by fashion guru Kenzo Takada, So Mauritius is a place where luxury meets nature in the chicest of ways. Not to mention the comfiest beds known to man…

Any new luxury resort opening on the idyllic island of Mauritius seriously has its work cut out. Luxury travellers in search of tropical bliss jet here in their white linen-clad droves, often setting up camp in the same resort year after year. For So Mauritius, setting themselves apart from the strip of twenty-something hotel giants on the North coast of the Island was no easy job, which is why we salute them for blowing any potential rivals out of the oh-so turquoise water.

Located on the Southern tip of the Island, So Mauritius is nestled away in an area of untouched beauty, placing itself in a location (and league) all of its own. With no other resorts near by, So Mauritius assures it’s guest of absolute privacy, which acts as a major plus point for its often high profile clientele. 92 villas and suites are spread amongst the lush flora and fauna of the hotel grounds and were designed to offer guests complete privacy and peace of mind.

Architect Lek Bunang devised the whole thing on top of an ex sugar cane plantation. Vowing to preserve all natural elements on the land, Bunang conceptualised the resort around a natural river, which became a focal point of the grounds. This became the catalyst of the eco-chic concept of the hotel, seamlessly marrying the energy of holistic nature with unparalleled luxury.

Next came along the legendary Kenzo Takada to oversee the interiors of So Mauritius. His striking designs are light, bright and fresh, featuring tropical lime green and orange as two signature colours. The futuristically modern sea-front suites all come with private outdoor shower and bath, sun garden and of course, the MyBed. The MyBed concept is an experience all of its own, consisting of a super king size bed, crisp white Egyptian cotton sheets and a heavenly mattress that could keep you hostage for days. With the combined efforts of both designers, the eco-chic philosophy is consistently embraced in every corner of the resort.

One thing that sets this place apart from the rest of the big players on Mauritius is the service. Better known behind the scenes as the So Experience, these guys have got it spot on. From drivers to waiters and butlers to barmen, every member of staff provides a consistent level of professionalism and a passion for what they do. The 24 hour personal butler service comes as standard to all guests, and takes VIP treatment to a whole new level. Immaculately dressed in freshly pressed whites, the butlers constantly role change from your very own concierge and buggy driver to a handy opposition in a game of tennis. Each guest is assigned two butlers on a rotating cycle. This ensures a trusting and consistent relationship between butler and guest is built.

Despite providing all the formalities that you would expect from a butler service, the So Experience includes playful and thoughtful surprises that are organised by the butlers. Much more than just a chocolate on the pillow, the extra-special turndown service is just one of the ways the butlers go above and beyond the norm. Whilst guests are out for dinner or indulging in a few cocktails at the bar, the butlers magically transform their suites into colourful and atmospheric scenes with candles, music and lighting. Delicious treats and fresh fruit smoothies are also often waiting to be found in the guest suites after a luxurious day on the island. For honeymoons and special occasions, the butlers go out of their way to create unforgettable bespoke experiences such as organising a surprise candlelit dinner for your loved one or the perfect action-packed day.

As Mauritius is well known for it’s golf courses, it seems only fitting that So Mauritius provide it’s guests with access to the crème de la crème of courses. The Heritage Golf Club is an 18 hole championship golf course located just five minutes from the resort, along with it’s putting green, driving range and pro shop.

Back at the resort, you will find an oasis of calm at the SoSpa, which combines nature and stunning design with highest quality treatments. Peruse the SoSpa menu and experience blissful treatments such as the fresh papaya body scrub and the Bel Ombre massage. The SoSpa is proud to offer gold needle acupuncture, which is the signature treatment performed by highly trained professionals and is a highly effective anti-aging treatment. Yoga lovers can enjoy group or personal yoga and Qui-Gong classes on the beach or in the serene setting of the Yoga pavilion.

As well as everything on offer within the resort, the South of Mauritius is home to an array of natural beauty and activities and it would be a crime not to venture out and discover them The resort can organise private chauffeur driven excursions and day trips, ensuring the level of So Mauritius luxury and service is maintained wherever guests go. A tour of the south Island combines a hidden waterfall, a crocodile sanctuary, a visit to the famous Bois Cheri tea plantation and stunning panoramic viewpoints of the Indian Ocean. For those with a need for speed, pure adrenaline is offered in the form of the world-exclusive Sea-Karts.

A little hop over to the West side of the Island brings you to Sea-Kart HQ and the most vividly blue waters you have probably ever seen. Imagine the hybrid of a bumper car and speedboat and there you have it. Not available anywhere else in the world, Sea-Karts were brought to Mauritius as an alternative to the recently banned jet-skis (and are actually a hell of a lot cooler anyway). Sea-Karts skim the water in a hovering motion and can zip through the water at speeds of up to 70mph.  Of course, as a So Mauritius guest, the Sea-Kart staff roll out an imaginary red carpet and a very warm welcome. Choose between an hour long round trip or a full day excursion including a Mauritian barbeque on the private Benitieurs Island. Anchor up for snorkeling and discover the vibrant coral and tropical fish. Without a doubt, this is the best way to explore the West coast of Mauritius.

After long days of excitement or relaxation, the best way to enjoy the warm tropical evenings of So Mauritius is to enjoy fine dining and cocktails. Before dinner, tantalise your taste buds at Le Takamaka, So Mauritius’ chic cocktail lounge.  With a vast menu of both old classics and futuristic molecular cocktails, the highly trained mixologists serve up much more than your average pina colada.

Moving on to dinner, the So Culinary Designer infuses French cuisine with rich local flavours in the sophisticated Mauritian restaurant of Le Flamboyant. The So Culinary Designer is among the elite network of French chefs to have been awarded with a Maitres Cuisiniers title and takes you on a culinary journey of sight, smell and taste. Soak up the views of the infinity pool, an Indian Ocean breeze and live acoustic music sets the scene and begins you for a culinary experience you won’t forget in a hurry.

We all know there’s no such thing as paradise, but if you’re looking for a compromise, this place comes pretty close.