Mauritius Offers The Golf Trip of a Lifetime

The stunning island of Mauritius has so much to offer to golfers looking for a trip of a lifetime. Great courses, sun, sand, coral reefs and a host of world class hotels.

The Shangri-La Le Touessrok resort is one of the best on the island, and its location, degree of luxury, combined with unlimited golf on two of the island’s better courses, both within easy reach, makes it an ideal choice for a relaxing pampered holiday.

The Resort

There are few hotels in the world where you can open your room’s patio doors and step straight onto a white sandy beach with the ocean lapping gently at your feet.

Those staying in the Frangipani suites can do just that, while others staying in more modest entry level rooms will have plenty to enthuse over. Each has an ocean view, and what a sight it is. White sand dotted with black volcanic rocks sits in the foreground while beyond the calm azure waters of the lagoon, waves break over the coral reef. Welcome to tropical paradise.

The Hotel

A low level concept sitting unobtrusively by the beach of Trou d’Eau Douce offers a perfect retreat for couples and families who enjoy beach life in luxury accommodation. Rooms, set in small interconnecting blocks, are spacious and contemporary.

There are five restaurants and three bars providing plenty of variety for those content with saying put in the confines of the hotel.

Golf

Complimentary golf is offered at the Ile aux Cerfs and Anahita courses for guests staying a minimum of five nights. Both are extremely well maintained, yet contrasting in appearance and challenge.

Ile Aux Cerfs

The journey from Le Touessrok to the clubhouse of this Bernhard Langer design is one you will never forget. Situated on the small island a short distance from the hotel, the only way to reach the course is by boat from the hotel’s private jetty. The small motor launch takes about 15 minutes to glide across the tranquil waters of the Trou d’Eau Douce so you arrive relaxed and happy with the world. Golf ought to be straightforward after that experience, but Langer obviously thought otherwise. He has carved an intrepid course through the jungle clambering over the dark lava rock so typical of the island. The opening hole is about as challenging as you will encounter anywhere. Although short at around 350 yards from the yellow tees, it is fraught with danger. A tight tee shot over a pond fringed with a lava face to a tight fairway sets a scene that typifies the course throughout. Narrow and undulating, a sensible course strategy is required to remain in play on the opening hole, and it’s not one for the driver, a theme repeated elsewhere through the layout.

The course ends with an oddity. The 18th has two greens giving players the choice of a straight-forward mid iron to a new green to the left of the fairway or a nerve wracking carry over the jungle to a tiny sloping green to the right, in front of the clubhouse.

The beauty and tranquility of the place is overwhelming. A playing partner commented it was like playing golf in Jurassic Park, an apt description considering the location, vegetation and no shortage of natural hazards.

It is a challenging course, yet stunningly beautiful and a joy to play where you can truly feel at one with nature. No golfers’ visit to Mauritius is complete without at least one round here.

Anahita

By contrast, the Ernie Els Design’s Anahita course, just over a mile away, features wide open fairways and the opportunity to rip one from virtually every tee. The huge rolling greens match the width of the fairways in relative dimension so careful approach shots are required to avoid the risk of annoying three putts.

Its length, about 6,300 yards from the yellows, large bunkers and common breeze off the sea are the main defence although it does have a couple of quirky novelties. The 9th hole, "Lazy Burn", a risk or reward par 4 at a mere 285 yards, plays over a Scottish style burn meandering across the fairway - a very interesting diversion from the previous holes. The Scottish theme continues on the 14th where a dry stone wall made up of lava rock runs down and across the fairway. It’s Ernie’s nod to North Berwick and adds an intriguing challenge to an already difficult and long par 4.

Visually interesting, particularly the trio of closing holes, offering splendid views over the Indian Ocean, make it a great place to play.

The new buggies are a treat and the expansive practice area with complimentary pyramids of balls adds to the experience, setting you up for a memorable round.

Off Course

Mauritius is visually stunning at every turn. While most activity is beach and water based, the interior has plenty to offer with rainforest and stunning waterfalls amid the rugged volcanic landscape. Adventurers will enjoy Black River Gorges National Park, the Ile aux Aigrettes and a number of other wildlife attractions.

Getting There

Air Mauritius and British Airways have direct flights to Mauritius from London taking around 12 hours. Emirates flies from London and regional airports with connections in Dubai.

Climate

It’s warm and relatively humid with temperatures ranging between 17-31C all year round. There are two seasons; summer (Nov-Apr) which are hotter and wetter than winter (June-Sept) which tend to be drier but still warm. There are numerous micro climates so check resorts for variations.

Verdict

The Shangri-La Le Touessrok is a super luxurious hotel in a stunning location blessed with top quality amenities and high service levels. It would be hard to find a better hotel on the island. Golf lovers staying for five nights or longer have daily complimentary golf at the contrasting courses that are both a pleasure to play.

See our golf travel partner Golfbreaks for deals at Shangri-La Le Touessrok and other destinations.

Holiday Extras - What You Need to Know

Holiday Extras is the market leader in UK airport parking, hotels, lounges, and transfers - and last year its customers saved an average of £191 per trip by booking their airport parking in advance.

Booking Meet and Greet parking means you can enjoy more holiday with less hassle. Plus with Flextras, if you need to cancel or amend you can without charge. Four nights Meet & Greet parking at Manchester Terminal 1 is £112.19 based on arrival 27th May.

For more information and to book, see HolidayExtras.com or call 0800 316 5678.