Why go?
For foot-in-the-sand luxury. A palm-flanked refuge on the powder-soft stretch of sand in Flic-en-Flac, Sugar Beach Mauritius is a the sort of tropical reverie couples cling onto through the stressful wedding build up. Beaches are flawless, ocean views are breathtaking and old-school glamour (and superlative service) is as prolific as the sunshine.
Honeymoon Style
This glamorous Mauritian resort retains the thrilling glow of the golden age of travel, drawing in discerning, sun-seeking honeymooners who long to wake up the gentle wash of the turquoise Indian Ocean and enjoy spine-tingling sunsets after a day wallowing in the bath warm shallows. Reclining on an extraordinarily comfortable sun lounger along the beach, pool or their own private veranda, honeymooners are transported back to a bygone era of easy going elegance, with cocktails and Champagne on tap.
Set the Scene
Set on a long stretch of white sand that eases into a calm lagoon, the setting the very embodiment of far-flung bliss. Upon arrival, guests step into a porous, airy lobby with views that immediately give you a straight shot of piercing blue sky and impossibly turquoise water.
Built in the style of a historic mansion house, Sugar Beach is set in 30-acres of lush tropical garden, replete with palms and exotic birds chirping until dusk. The lobby lounge teases a stunning preview of the rest of the property with its sophisticated architecture and landscaped gardens that take design cues from estates of yesteryear, and are the perfect visual accompaniment to the hotel’s other-worldly island setting.
Everything coalesces around one of two freshwater pools, both lined with tempting sun loungers and shady cabanas. The smaller of the two pools is particularly alluring for honeymooners seeking a quiet, secluded spot.
With no hint of urban intrusions in sight, the property is a self-contained natural paradise cleverly woven into the sublime landscape. Meandering palm tree-lined pathways lead guests to beaches, whose sheer expanse of unspoilt sand and the vast Indian Ocean horizon, together, rarely fail to send a shiver of joy down the spines of those lucky enough to be there.
The Instagram gold is the long palm tree-lined walkway that serves as a metaphorical artery connecting the main house to the mesmerising Ocean and it’s ravishing sunsets, complete with a grand cascading staircase providing a stunning photogenic backdrop.
The property’s sprawling lawns effortlessly set the stage for Gastby-esque decadent wedding parties, with starry skies, swaying coconut trees, clinking Champagne glasses and the wafting of blooming bougainvilleas, creating the most magical of atmospheres.
The Story
This landmark resort is something of a Mauritian institution. The ultimate island-chic beachfront hideaway, Sugar Beach one of Mauritius’ original five-star hotels and well deserving of its reputation as one of the best on the island.
Old school splendour prevails at Sugar beach, not least through their recently launched collection of experiences to surprise and delight guests. For glamour-seeking brides and newly weds there is ‘ Beauty Bubble’ – a novel beachfront pampering experience where, makeovers, massages and nail treatment shaded by the groves with uninterrupted views of the endless blue sea can be enjoyed over cocktails.
Adding to these new experiences, the charming L’Atelier des Sens serves as a fragrance-making workshop where guests, under the guidance of a perfumer or ‘nose‘, create their own bespoke perfume to take away as a keepsake. A unique code is then generated for each perfume, a lovely touch which allows honeymooners to revisit the nostalgic scent with an order placed from home.
More light-hearted pursuits come in the form of crazy croquet on the beach. Aperol spritz in hand and white panama hat on head, honeymooners can socialise with other guests, or watch in amusement as things get competitive with teams jostling for a win of the last hoop and peg.
Evening entertainment is the beating heart of Sugar beach. Lovestruck honeymooners will relish “Putting on The Ritz” – a glamorous soiree harking back to an age of smart dinner jackets and ballgowns, with guests sashaying the night away, ballroom style beneath the starry skies.
With so much going on, it may sound like pockets of peace are hard to find, but the beauty of Sugar Beach is you can lean into (or out of) the activity list as you wish. On Thursdays, a romantic lobster dinner can be set up on the beach for doe-eyed honeymooners, complete with candles, flowers and the soothing sound of the waves. It can also serve as the idyllic backdrop for a romantic proposal for those thinking of popping the question in this extraordinary setting.
Rooms
Scattered along the cove, you can take your pick of 238 rooms that include 2 suites and 20 premium suites across the Manor house. The overall aesthetic is a bohemian spin on refined beach mansion, with cool, contemporary interiors keeping in step with the natural environment for a laid back, but luxxy beach house feel. With their porous, open plan layout, wicker furniture and ceiling to floor voiles, the spaces embody island chic and allow the warm breeze to fill every crevice.
And if that’s not enough, most of the rooms overlook the sugar white sand and turquoise waters. Plump for one of the Garden Manor House villas that spread out from the main house, with their views over the gardens providing the perfect stages from which to embrace the full glory of the resort, and of course, those Indian Ocean sunsets.
Food and Drink
Mauritius, with its blend of South Indian, Chinese, Creole, French and English influence, is undeniably a cultural melting pot and nowhere is this more apparent than in the cuisine. This comes alive in the international buffet service and live cooking station at Mon Plaisir, the resort’s main restaurant. If your tastebuds are hankering after a taste of the Mediterranean, these cravings are duly sated at Citronella’s Café, its fresh Italian cooking. The newly refurbished Tides is your destination for a stunning à la carte seafood show, with bar & pool service to boot. Buddha Beach Bar with its front-row sunset seats will be honeymooners’ new favorite spot for romantic candle-lit beach side dining. By day, it transforms into a bohemian pool bar overlooking the lagoon, that serves up pretty sun-dappled views.
Family Friendly
With its expansive layout the resort successfully manages to keep couples and families apart to delicately cater for each group’s needs. The main pool is designed with children in mind, with honeymooners having the option of ensconcing themselves in the more private pool – tucked well away from any splashing in the furthest part of the cove. The impressive Kids Club offers many free activities, including a generous list of water sports and excursions to keep little ones busy and ensuring every member of the clan has plenty of fun during their stay.
Spa
A meandering path leads you to Cinq Mondes, a tropical-chic spa and nirvana of tranquility, enveloped by lazily drooping palm trees. At the heart of the spa is a relaxation area that encircles a balmy outdoor pool. Here, you can snooze pre or post treatment in the shade and sweet scent of frangipani and hibiscus. We recommend couples indulge in the spa’s signature hammam treatment, for complete reboot and reset following the flight and wedding build up.
Eco friendly
Sugar Beach is a solar powered resort where rainwater is collected for drinking, and the delicious nougat is craft from the bees in the property’s own bee colony. Impressively, (and unusually for far-flung island hotels) 85% of food and drink in the resort is locally sourced. The hotel’s emphasis on sustainability is most emphatically expressed through their coral farming initiative, which invites hotel guests to plant their own coral reef. Non-motorised water sports that destroy coral reefs are banned here, but water sports enthusiasts need not fret – kayaking, kite-surfing, and snorkeling are all available, so they can still enjoy expanse of calm shallow waters.
Location
Sugar beach is the jewel in the crown of the warmer, sheltered west coast of Mauritius, sprawling across Wolmar beach – a magnet for both travellers and locals. While secluded, it’s a mere half hour beach stroll or 5 min taxi ride to the bustling Flic-en-Flac. Honeymooners can also take advantage of free access to Île aux Cerfs Leisure Island and Ile aux Cerfs Golf Course, complete with transfers. Excursion to the La Pirogue, Sugar Beach’s charming sister resort, are highly recommending for a full immersion in its traditional fishing village aesthetic and Mauritian caché.
Book the Honeymoon offer at Sugar beach here
A deluxe Sea View Room at Sugar Beach starts from £371 per night.
Caribtours can offer a seven-night stay at Sugar Beach on a half board basis from £2,269 per person including return flights from London. For more information or to book visit Sugar Beach Golf and Spa Resort, Mauritius | Caribtours
