Hotel reviews: Shanti Maurice

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• Overview
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Shanti Ananda : two words in Sanskrit ( Indian literary language ) which respectively mean "peace" and "happiness". It could also be the motto of the resort, because the place and the staff are working to create appropriate conditions for a deep body and mind relaxation.
A resort, and not just a hotel, where the key element is the spa. This is the definition of the Shanti Ananda. With 17 rooms spreading on an area of 4700 m², terraced gardens, pavilions for relaxation, where you can hear the sound of water, where you will be surrounded by flowers and greenery, the hotel justifies its definition, even if, to go from one place of life to another, the eyes sometimes stare at grass only, and the shingle roofs tend to "pack down" the prospects of the buildings.
A tip for lodging
Given the luxury and the comfort provided with each accommodation, the first room category ( junior suite of 81 m² ) is widely sufficient. Nevertheless prefer a room upstairs : you will have a balcony as wide as the terrace on the ground floor, but a fuller view onto the Bay of Saint-Felix ( south-west, think about the camera for sunsets ).

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Traditional reception in an Himalayan peace : water full of flowers, a necklace of dried berries ( from Himalayas ) ... Compared to other hotels and spa centres in Mauritius, the Shanti Ananda ( opened in December 2006 ) offers complete wellness programme. We advise you to bear the kurta pyjamas placed in the room : tunic and light trousers in white cotton. It fits well both men and women As the fabric is translucent, plan to bring discreet underwear to dress on underneath. At the beginning, You think you won't leave the room dressed like this, then you feel like you have to and go to have dinner this way ( that is recommended ). You feel a little bit cold ? The staff will bring a pashmina shawl to take on. The kurta pyjamas are changed daily, but not offered at the end of the stay, it is a pity.... It can be purchased for € 35.
As for infrastructures, the volumes of the resort are turned outwards, the lay out focuses on space and design, ponds and fountains structure the gardens, at the same time as sculptures of lava. Several buildings on maximum one floor, with shingle or thatched roofs, are scattered on 14 hectares of land. The swimming pool, in rectangular shape, is stone tiled with green glints and faces the bay. No accumulation of deckchairs around it. Because you won't come here only to bask near the water. Take a glimpse at the silhouettes dressed in kurtas pyjamas like you : they head to the fitness room, spa or the beach for a morning walk.

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There are 55 lodgings in all. Not more : your stay here will rank you among the "happy few", to borrow the words of Stendhal. Especially since the first category room is a junior suite of 81 m². On the ground floor or the upper floor, with a terrace furnished as a loggia with sofas, armchairs and a table. Direct view over the bay of Saint-Felix, sunsets are a bonus. The other categories are villas ( with a swimming pool and a private housing surface of at least 200 m² ). However, they are a little further away from the seashore and overlook the rocky coast, which begins in the east of the Bay of Saint-Felix and continues until Souillac. Simple and elegant, the decoration combines elements from the Middle East ( Japanese sliding panels along the bay window), Creole style ( fan on the ceiling ), Indian culture ( furniture, decorative objects ) and Art Deco style. Perfect comfort is provided thanks to the plasma screen television, air conditioning ( in addition to the fan ), direct telephone line, a mini-bar and a tea / coffee kit, a musical selector ( with relaxation atmosphere ) which also operates in the bathroom. It is very spacious, begins with a dressing room and continues with a room with a window ( above the bathtub ) overlooking hills and sugar cane fields.

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The main restaurant Pebbles is laid out in a U shape in the extension of the lounge bar. Tables located semi-indoors or semi-outdoors in the patio that overlooks the pool. The furniture, in exotic wood and in Art Deco style, is chic and refined. The service is impeccable, like the menu. But it is so restrictive in calories ( not a single dish, vegetables included, exceeds 703 kcal ) that you wonder, when reading the titles ( miso soup, risotto with asparagus, beef fillet with polenta, palm heart salad ), if you won't eat in a saucer. Fortunately, not ! Portions can be satisfying, even though ( yes ) the creaminess of fat is replaced by the lightness of emulsions. Moreover, no buffet is prepared, especially not for breakfast, to avoid the effect "what if I had pancakes with chocolate" ... Coffee is rather American style ( very diluted ) in order not to excite. Homemade jams ( but no butter available ) served in a small dish, mini Viennese pastries, egg whites omelettes without cholesterol, plain rice or tofu upon request ... Play the game, you will lose at least 2.2 lbs per week, and up to 22 lbs, as some customers, overweight, but determined.
Do you dream about pizza at night ? Book then the Mediterranean restaurant Da Maurizio ( located next to the Pebbles, in in extra to the full board package ). Tuna carpaccio, crab risotto, swordfish with mozarella ... Melting textures soaked with soft, fat and succulent flavours, as it is a gourmet restaurant.

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• Overview
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• Food and drink
• Beach
• Photos

The beach on which the Shanti Ananda overlooks is the one bordering the Bay of Saint-Felix. A 800 m long crescent one of which peaks extends to Bel Ombre and another looks at the side of the lava fields of Souillac. Some big rocks are clearly visible in the water, with coarse sand on the beach : here, the island of Mauritius looks like in the time of the early explorers. You had not planned to spend all your time on a deckchair, so much the better ! These are still set up in front of the building housing the junior suites and in the extension of the swimming pool. You can see if the beauty of the bay justifies idling around. You must know that you can only paddle at low tide ( water to your knees or to the waist, depending on your stature ). Things to do: walking in the morning with a guide (included) to train and discover at the same time the ecosystem of the lagoon.