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18th June 2018: On a recent trip to Mauritius, Carla, Travel Specialist at our Taunton branch, had the opportunity to sample everything the 5* Beachcomber Shandrani has to offer. Situated on the beautiful island of Mauritius, Carla sampled everything from its fine-dining and fantastic location to its tranquil spa and spacious accommodation. See what Carla thought of this hotel, plus her opinion on its all-inclusive package.
Location
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Tucked away on the south coast, Beachcomber’s 5* Shandrani resort is beautifully set amongst 70 acres of gardens within the Blue Bay Marine Park. With no less than three idyllic beaches, the Shandrani provides guests with so many stunning locations to relax and soak up the sun.
Just 4 miles from the airport you’ll be on your way to divine luxury in no time.
The beach directly opposite reception, was my favourite part of the hotel; it's the most sheltered for families and close to all the amenities.
One thing that makes this hotel even more stunning was its backdrop; water skiers jetting around the glistening lagoon!
Accommodation
It's a spacious resort with rooms spread throughout, all tastefully decorated and comfortable. There are many different room types to choose from and all are sea facing so you can enjoy a great view from your balcony or terrace wherever you are. During my stay, I enjoyed a superior room which was spacious and a great location as it was close to the main hotel facilities and reception.
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All hotels at the Shrandrani are completed with air-conditioning, bathroom with bathtub, shower, king or twin beds, minibar (stocked daily), safe, hairdryer, international direct dialling telephone, free Wi-Fi, satellite television and complementary tea & coffee making facilities as standard.
Restaurants
In my opinion one of the Shandrani's best features, is its excellent all-inclusive dining. The resort has four restaurants in total; one buffet and three a la carte dining opportunities, all of which are included during your stay.
Le Grand Port serves international cuisine and seats 320 guests, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner this restaurant extends down towards the beach and around the pool.
Le Sirius Grill & Bar also serves a wide selection of dining options and looks out across the hotel’s second pool and seats just 120 guests. Evening meals are available here upon reservation.
The Shrandrani also has a beautiful Thai restaurant the Teak Elephant which is open daily. Here, guests can enjoy a fine dining taster menu which changes weekly. Seating just 70 guests, this restaurant is also open for guests over 12 years old.
My personal favourite was the Ponte Vecchio restaurant. Serving stunning antipasti and Italian dishes, the Ponte Vecchino provides guests with a lively atmosphere and serves delicious Mediterranean food right in the heart of the hotel’s entertainment area.
Not only this, the hotel is also home to two poolside bars which serve a variety of snacks and drink options throughout the day, so feeling peckish by the pool isn’t a problem. The dress code here is casual however guests are asked not to wear swimwear alone; shorts and t-shirt or a dress are acceptable.
All Inclusive
The quality of the true all-inclusiveness of this hotel is shown throughout, especially as special extras such as premium branded drinks, beach and poolside service, daily restocking of the mini-bar plus my personal favourite; champagne served from 6pm every evening are included as standard.
Spa
The spa is wonderful. You wouldn’t think it was in the heart of the hotel. Upon arrival, you feel as though you’re on an island of your own. The spa is completed wit 16 single massage cabins, four double massage cabins (should you want to relax with a friend or partner), a sauna, a tranquil pool, a hammam plus a hair salon.
The cabins surround the peaceful reflective pool and you feel truly relaxed even from the moment you walk through the door.
During my stay, I was lucky enough to receive their signature full body massage treatment. Every minute was heaven. With soothing sounds of the rainforest trickling around the room, I chose my essential oil and was treated to a calming massage.
Land and Water Sports
As with all Beachcomber hotels, the Shandrani offers a great selection of land and water sports. Due to its location and access to Blue Bay Marine Park, guests can enjoy a glass-bottomed boat ride and explore the nearby waters, water-skiing, snorkelling and kayaking just to name a few.
Guests can also enjoy diving, deep sea fishing as well as many other land sports such as mountain biking, trekking, golf and tennis.
Family Friendly
I would genuinely recommend Shandrani, however, in my opinion, the hotel is particularly great for families. During my time at the resort, the family rooms were amongst some of the most spacious. The facilities for children looked like lots of fun and there is genuinely something for toddlers right up to teenagers. A babysitting service is available until 11pm for an additional charge, however if mum and dad want an evening to themselves, it’s definitely worth it!
Evening entertainment is family friendly and can involve everything from a DJ party night to quizzes and games. The whole resort feels very inclusive which is important when holidaying as a family. Other hotels on the island feel more like tropical hideaways where people like to keep more to themselves.
Additional Information
Should you arrive before check-in and/or leave after check-out, there is a dedicated room with showers and a safe space to leave your luggage. The best part? Your all-inclusive is valid from the moment you arrive to the moment you leave so, if you wanted to have something to eat before your transfer back to the airport, you can.
Final Thoughts
For me, the Shrandrani is beautifully set and ideally located. For those looking for a great hotel with gorgeous food, a relaxing break away or somewhere for families to make new memories, I’d highly recommend the Shrandrani. Having experienced this hotel and many others on the island, please do not hesitate to contact me for more information.
