A Mauritian film-star retreat
1 September 2018
Home to royalty and movie stars, the Maradiva Villas Resort & Spa epitomises discreet luxury
Princess Stephanie of Monaco has a home there. Matthew McConaughey and Anne Hathaway stayed during filming for their neo noir thriller, Serenity. But Maradiva, the Mauritian resort situated in the tranquil Rivière Noire district, is about more than just people spotting.
Just off the east coast of Africa, one of Mauritius’ closest neighbours is Madagascar, and visitors will find the island similarly rich in rare plant and animal species.
This year is a particularly special time to visit, as Mauritius celebrates 50 years of independence. Owned and run by a prominent local family, this resort is an obvious choice for anyone seeking privacy. All guests enjoy their own secluded villa, complete with a private infinity pool and verandah for outdoor lounging and dining. The resort boasts 65 such villas, arranged in sleepy avenues across 27 acres of lush landscaped gardens.
Guests awaken to the perfume of hibiscus and frangipani and the mellifluous calls of the red-whiskered bulbuls that inhabit the island. For beachgoers, Flic-en-Flac is one of the island’s longest and loveliest, while the mystical Tamarin mountains lend a breathtaking backdrop to holiday snaps.
Away from the beach there are many incredible sights, from a day trip to bustling capital Port Louis to the waterfalls of nearby Black River Gorges National Park. Since 1994, the nature reserve has protected many endemic species from the fate befalling the island’s famous former resident, the dodo.
With year-round sunshine, a superb sports and sailing pedigree and an emphasis on excellent service, Maradiva is perfect for castaways seeking that something extra.
The extras:
Board the hotel’s private boat to snorkel with a pod of leaping spinner dolphins as the sun rises over Tamarin Bay, or take a private cookery lesson in the resorts’ two-acre kitchen garden. Among the okra, chillies and beehives, chef Warren teaches guests dishes such as his mother’s Mauritian chicken curry. After preparing each course you get to feast on your creation at a finely dressed table, shaded by fig, palm, guava and lycée trees. Meanwhile, a souvenir cookbook allows you to recreate the recipes at home.
Words: David G. Taylor