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Four Seasons Resort Mauritius At Anahita Review: The Ultimate Island Escape

From sandy beaches to mountain ranges and lush rainforests, Four Seasons Resort Mauritius at Anahita ticks every box on the tropical terrain list.

Located between a serene turquoise lagoon and the majestic Bambou mountain, Lisa Haynes checks in to Four Seasons Resort Mauritius for the ultimate island getaway.


A 45-minute scenic drive from the airport, Four Seasons Resort Mauritius at Anahita is a secluded sanctuary located on the edge of the island’s east coast. This 26-acre retreat in Beau Champ is an intriguing blend of coastal and tropical landscapes, where you can go from mangrove snorkelling to mountain hiking, all in the same morning.


The Vibe

It’s easy to slip (bare)feet first into island living at Four Seasons Resort Mauritius. Think poolside coconut stands, open-air beach grills, and underwater excursions to spot tiny resident seahorses. The resort is located on one of the island’s largest natural lagoons so it’s fringed by a coral reef and azure blue waters that prompt an instant feeling of serenity as you sip on your welcome cocktail. On dry land, the tropical gardens are just as idyllic with towering palms, like the 20-metre-high Traveller’s Tree that resembles a giant fan. Chic resort-branded bikes are parked outside each villa so you can explore the grounds on two wheels.

From traditional Sega dance shows on the beach (partaking, optional-ish) to cooking classes in the art of making (and devouring) spicy local delicacies, the team at Four Seasons make your island adventures feel uniquely Mauritian. For a castaway-style experience, take the short boat trip to Four Seasons’ exclusive beach on nearby Ile aux Cerfs to soak up the stretches of white-sand shoreline. Welcomed with fresh coconuts and white towels, it feels like you’re marooned on a luxury desert island for the day. This secluded cove has swinging bar stools where you can sip on signature rum cocktails and an open-air La Plaz kitchen to tempt you with freshly-caught beach grills.


The Rooms

The 26-acre resort is home to 45 private retreats and 90 villas – each with its own garden, plunge pool and outdoor shower to maximise al fresco living. For large groups and Beyonce-types, there’s the Royal Sanctuary – three and five-bedroom uber-suites located on the tip of the resort’s private island. Embracing the resort’s diverse landscapes, it’s the island outlook that sets each villa apart with views of preserved mangroves, tropical gardens, or white-sand beaches. My garden pool villa looks out to a green corridor of preened palms and tropical blooms that bring just the right level of shade and seclusion on humid afternoons.

Mauritian-style design features, like rustic thatched roofs, wooden decking and stone walls, blend in seamlessly with the natural surroundings outside, while inside, white walls contrast with dark wood accents and cool stone floors. Other noteworthy touches include handy hessian beach bags in the walk-in closet and ceramic Diptyque vessels throughout the open-plan bathroom. A resort-wide re-imagination of villa interiors is planned for this year featuring contemporary earthy tones and brighter living spaces.


The Spa

The spa at Four Seasons feels like its own private wellbeing retreat with 12 stilted overwater treatment suites. Suspended above the peaceful Indian Ocean lagoon, this overwater spa instils a sense of zen and tranquillity before you’ve even changed into your robe and slippers. Floor-to-ceiling doors open out to mangrove and ocean views as you enjoy your massage. Signature treatments on the spa menu draw on island traditions, like my Mauritian Fusion Massage, which is 60 minutes of heavenly techniques that combine Meridian Therapy, reflexology and traditional massage to help release toxins, tensions and jet-lag from my body. While some treatments feature niche premium skincare brands like myBlend and TheraNaka, others (mine included), feature oils containing ingredients like coconut, lemongrass and aloe vera that are freshly plucked from the spa garden.


The Food + Drink

Mauritius is a religiously diverse nation with Hindus, Christians, Muslims and Buddhists all living in harmony; this makes for a melting pot of cultures and traditions that transcends to the island’s cuisine. The resort’s seven unique restaurants nod to a diverse mix of Creole, Indian, Chinese, and French influences, as well as local dishes, exotic fruits and breakfast stations that are proudly Mauritian-style. Dining settings span from relaxed, toes-in-the-sand beach grills and seafood spreads at Bambou and La Plaz, through to stylish waterside dining at the standout modern Italian restaurant, Acquapazza. Here, pasta dishes look (and taste) like works of art, elevated with sommelier-curated wine pairings.

Given the resort’s island location, fish and seafood take centre stage. I indulge my pescetarian palate at every opportunity trying out local fisherman’s catch, like ombrine, marlin and capitaine, and seafood feasts at Lazy Fish on Bambou beach. Made for sharing, order the signature ‘Patrick’s Platter’, which includes grilled lobster, giant tiger prawns, octopus, calamari and catch-of-the-day fillet, served with a local-inspired green papaya relish.


The Little Extras

Guest activities and experiences are given the Four Seasons extra-mile treatment to turn them into unforgettable moments. As we hike the 72-metre-high Mont Beau Champ and search for monkeys in trees, a hospitality squad in Jeeps arrives to curate a Champagne picnic at the summit, complete with gingham tablecloth and cushions on tree stumps. Admiring the panoramic views from the top of the mountain, we feast on British-inspired sandwiches, exotic fruits and ice-cold Mauritian Phoenix beers before our (easier) trek downhill. Even in-villa dining becomes a memory bank wake-up call as a heart-shaped floating breakfast tray is placed on top of my pool.


The To-Do List

From lagoon waters to Indian Ocean, Four Seasons Resort Mauritius is uniquely located for nature spotting and watersports adventures. We snorkel into the calm lagoon and spot small seahorses camouflaged against the seabed. Almost invisible to the average snorkeller, we’re led by Rick Bonnier who is the eagle-eyed Resort Ocean Environment Manager. The Four Seasons’ equivalent of David Attenborough, Rick is a fountain of knowledge on Mauritian marine life, trees and nature and champions ongoing conservation and reef restoration projects at the resort.

Outside the Anahita sanctuary, there’s tropical hikes or horseback rides to explore the island’s beautiful mountains, valleys and waterfalls. Venture out into deeper Indian Ocean waters with a sunset catamaran cruise, a deep-sea fishing excursion, or a four-hour private speed boat tour. Active types can brush up on their serve, or swing, with two tennis courts at the resort, and access to two nearby championship golf courses – the oceanfront Ernie Els–designed 18-hole course and Bernhard Langer Signature Course at Ile aux Cerfs. For some solo chill-out time, catch the sunrise yoga classes in the spa’s serene indoor-outdoor pavilion. It’s the most idyllic spot to practice tree pose as you tune in to nature’s soundtrack.


 

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