At one with the ocean

Tropical bliss abounds for Donna Richardson as she heads to Mauritius for a yoga retreat in the lap of luxury

With its lush, tropical mountains, miles of golden beaches, azure lagoon and thriving coral reef, Mauritius is a truly stunning island. In harmony with this natural beauty, the island has a host of fabulous five-star destinations, including the prestigious Heritage Le Telfair Golf & Wellness Resort where I was a guest for a unique yoga retreat hosted by Wellicious and Tara Lee.

Mauritius is located in the Indian Ocean 500 miles west of Madagascar. The warm year-round climate – around 30°C in January to March and rarely falling below 17°C – makes the island a dreamy winter retreat. With beautiful golf courses, picture-perfect beaches, and a crystal-clear ocean lagoon for snorkelling, paddleboarding and kite-surfing, it’s ideal for those who enjoy an active break.

Heritage Le Telfair is a colonial-style hotel rich in history and elegance. It is located in the south of the island, about an hour’s drive from the airport. On the drive down you’ll pass traditional villages before reaching the scenic Bel Ombre coastal region. It’s impressive villas speak to a bygone colonial era, indeed, the history of Mauritius should be explored further while you’re on the island, especially the sugar trade which remains a key part of its economy. Since gaining independence from the British in 1968, Mauritius has become a diverse melting pot of mainly Indian and African descent, with harmonious communities of Hindus, Tamils, Muslims, and Christians.

Stunning surrounds

Occupying the site of an important sugar plantation and estate that dates back to 1765, the Heritage Le Telfair Hotel in Bel Ombre embodies a world of European luxury. Upon arrival, guests are welcomed with a glass of champagne and a cool towel, immersing them in the elegance of the open-air reception, which is awash with the aroma of fresh flowers. You quickly realise that you have entered a realm of refinement, where every detail is expertly attended to.

As you venture further into the resort, it unfolds like a blooming flower, revealing a stunning swimming pool, with the beach and a shimmering lagoon just beyond. All around is lush greenery and shaded paths leading to various restaurants, recreational areas, and hammocks that sway in the tropical breeze. The hotel, a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, showcases many French colonial-style influences and is named after the famous Irish botanist Charles Telfair, who lived in the area 200 years ago.

I wandered through the leafy tropical gardens to my room on the ground floor of a fine building. I was one of the first guests to stay in the hotel’s new adults-only wing, which is beautiful and elegant, with a private terrace and heated pool. The bed was decorated with frangipani flowers, and there were coffee-making facilities, a desk, TV, deep bathtub and shower.

I was impressed with the spacious rooms and welcoming touches, including daily shortbread treats and a dedicated butler service. I also enjoyed the spa, which I paid extra for – additional wellness options are available with the Wellness Bliss Programme. There is also a waiter service by the pool, offering refreshing cocktails, unlimited snacks from the Tiki Bar and afternoon tea. Guests can book wellness activities, while the yoga retreat with Tara Lee and Wellicious, when running, is included for residents. My room host, Jasmina, explained how everything worked, and after chatting, told me she was working part-time to pay for her university education to become a lawyer.

An ocean of flavour

Heritage Le Telfair offers a wide range of high-end dining options, including three formal restaurants, a casual bar, a beachside dining spot, and access to twelve enticing restaurants across the nearby Bel Ombre hotels. Each day usually begins at Annabella’s, a charming brasserie named after Charles Telfair’s wife. Its picturesque wooden structure exudes a homely ambiance, featuring elegant colonial furniture that invites relaxation. Diners can gaze out over lush gardens in this open-air restaurant, providing a welcome escape from the tropical heat. The menu boasts vibrant fresh fruits, crisp salads, and the delightful aroma of omelettes and warm pastries, perfect for fuelling a day of adventure.

For lunch, the Tiki Bar offers a laid-back beachhut atmosphere where you can watch the chefs at work or dine at the beachside with a view of the rolling waves. This casual setting is ideal for light, informal meals – I enjoyed a delicious Captain Fish cooked in a tagine. Alternatively, La Palmier offers a laid-back, barefoot lunch experience, where guests can relax and soak in the tropical ambiance. I opted for a fresh prawn skewer, followed by creamy coconut ice cream, complete with uninterrupted ocean views.

The resort transforms as evening sets in, with the glow of gas lamps greeting elegantly dressed diners. Heading back to La Palmier, I savoured a three-course meal, complemented by a fine white wine. I ordered mussels for starters, followed by curried cauliflower, paired with a catch-of-the-day fish dish, and finished with a refreshing lemon sorbet. I then strolled to The Cavendish bar for live jazz, piano music, and traditional reggae.

One of my favourite experiences was my sunset walk by the lazy river to Gin’ja, before savouring delicious cocktails as the sun dipped beyond the horizon. Gin’ja specialises in pan-Asian cuisine, including sushi and teppanyaki. My stay happened to coincide with Michelin-starred chef Benjamin Patissier, who hosted an incredible tasting menu one evening in Gin’ja.

For that something extra

But for a truly memorable occasion, the hotel can arrange an fine dining experience at the Château de Bel Ombre – a historic 19th-century plantation house. During the annual Sustainable Gastronomy week, exquisite dishes are prepared by a Green Star Michelin chef. A host of award-winning chefs also visit throughout the year, so gastronomes should stay across the Château de Bel Ombre programme for cutting-edge cuisine.

The historic building, which was built in1810, provides a spectacular setting for equally incredible food, which included blue lobster tail, coconut-infused ravioli, and a decadent lobster bisque. Dining on the terrace, the crickets hummed as a pianist tinkered in the background. Each à la carte dish at Château de Bel Ombre is made with sustainable, farm-to-table ingredients, showcasing top-quality seafood, fresh produce, and exquisite delicacies.

While Heritage Le Telfair encapsulates British and French colonial elegance, the adjacent Heritage Awali Golf & Spa resort offers a relaxed, African-themed vibe. I enjoyed a hearty steak and red wine one evening, before dancing at the Zenzi Deck bar. The highlight, however, was the magical experience at Boma, where I followed the rhythm of beating drums into a sand-floored restaurant. An African tribe welcomed us with song and dance, inviting everyone to join in a feast of freshly cooked braai meat, enticing salads, and jollof rice, followed by a lively ceremonial celebration.

For a more laid-back experience try the sporty and fun C-Beach. Here, excellent pizza, poke bowls and other light meals and snacks are great after a day of watersports, and are served in a playful, party atmosphere.

Getting active

For such a tranquil retreat, there aren’t enough hours in the day for the amount going on at Heritage Le Telfair. I got involved in cycling, HIIT training on the beach, tai chi, reiki, and chakra balancing. The resort has a fantastic watersports centre where you can hire kayaks, paddleboards, pedaloes and catamarans to experience life above the waves, before exploring down below with diving and snorkelling trips. There are also daily glass-bottom boat rides.

Mauritius is a popular golfing destination. At La Reserve Golf Links Clubhouse, golfers can combine ‘tee time’ with an indulgent afternoon tea or lunch. This renowned 18-hole venue hosted the Mauritius Open last December and has only been open for just over a year. It is the Indian Ocean’s first links-style course, co-designed by former Open Champion Louis Oosthuizen. I decided to have lunch as I gazed out over the course watching the golfers in action, opting for a green salad followed by a prawn tagliatelle.

The resort also owns Heritage Golf Club at Château de Bel Ombre, an outstanding 18-hole course. While the course is impressive, the 19th-century mansion house – initially built for the wives of Hajee Jackaria Hajee Ahmed – is magnificent. Replete with ornamental French gardens and babbling fountains, while a large deck overlooks the golf course providing an ideal spot for yoga.

And breathe…

Hosted by Tara Lee, the Wellicious yoga retreat took place against the stunning backdrop of Heritage Le Telfair’s beachfront and the exquisite golf course at Le Château de Bel Ombre. I wore Wellicious activewear, which felt fabulous against my skin in this hot environment. As well as being incredibly comfortable, the Wellicious range is free of microplastics, toxins and produced ethically.

The first location was Château de Bel Ombre. As we stretched out and took deep breaths, the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm golden glow over the lush landscape. Tara’s calm, soothing voice enveloped us, inviting us to tune into the tranquil surroundings. She led us into a meditative state and encouraged us to flow gracefully through a series of poses and stretches. The rhythm of the class was gentle yet invigorating, tailored to everyone’s abilities, and a profound wave of peace and relaxation washed over me. After the session, we enjoyed canapés and a refreshing gin at the chateau, where peacocks and geese roamed, creating an enchanting backdrop. Playful monkeys swung in the trees as birds began to settle for the evening, this was unlike your average yoga session.

Dressed in my Bravissimo swimsuit, I took part in an aqua stretching course, designed to loosen me up before my yoga session. This enjoyable, water-based practice is ideal for all ages and fitness levels. My instructor, Shahid, a skilled reiki master encouraged me to embrace a fluid mindset. He also taught me essential breathing techniques to help release tension and I felt incredibly refreshed and invigorated.

Thanks to the earlier stretching session, I experienced the most peaceful, uninterrupted sleep and woke early, poised to take on my next yoga class. The stiffness that had plagued previous sessions vanished, and I enjoyed newfound suppleness and ease in my movements. Indeed, by the end of the week, I noticed that I had become much more supple and relaxed, making easier to slip into a meditative state.

From the resort’s atmosphere, the sunsets over the Indian Ocean, and yoga against stunning backdrops, I truly enjoyed every moment of my stay at Heritage Le Telfair. I admired the resort’s sustainable approach and was inspired by the sustainable yoga brand Wellicious and their biodegradable yoga clothing, which not only looks greats but supports climate change efforts as it is made of eco-friendly materials that can be recycled.

Heritage Le Telfair in Mauritius offers the perfect blend of an active holiday and relaxation. Time, they say, is the greatest luxury in the world, and spending it there was precious – time that I will cherish forever.

Suitcase Essentials

From yoga classes to poolside, here’s our author’s stylish suggestions:

Wellicious Easy Pocket Leggings Shoreline Blue
Wellicious Racer Tank with Print in Diamond White
Bravissimo Halterneck Swim Dress in Black
Bravissimo Seville Swimsuit
Letterbox Love Travel bracelet

*A Deluxe Seaview Suite in the Adults-Only Wing begins at £228 per night for two adults sharing on a bed-and-breakfast basis. The Wellness Bliss package starts at £570 for a 3-night detox experience. Other packages include the Healthy Weight programme which starts at £1,025 for 7 nights, and the Chakras Balancing and Yoga programme, which starts at £360 for 3 nights. Please visit: heritageresorts.mu/hotels-mauritius/le-telfair to find out more. Or for more on Wellicious head to: wellicious.com

*All rates subject to change.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Donna Richardson is a luxury lifestyle and travel journalist who specialises in travel, food, luxury goods and experiences. She has appeared in ‘Wanderlust’ and ‘Women’s Fitness’.

Follow her on Instagram @donnamlrichardson