The 200-room, plantation-style Preskil Island Resort delivers upscale big-resort features in a secluded, small-island setting. This review is intended to assist you in planning a trip to Preskil Resort, Mauritius. It is also ideal for more mature couples looking for a relaxed island escape in luxurious surroundings with good dining options. During our visit over the Easter holidays, most guests were families with children from various parts of the world. The location affords panoramic view of the nearby green mountains on the mainland (including iconic Lion Mountain), outer islands (including nearby Ile aux Aigrettes, a nature reserve), and the impossibly turquoise waters of the lagoon.
Reviewed, Preskil Beach Resort's location close to the international airport makes it convenient for those in transit or travelers on shorter stays, but this upscale all-inclusive is also a destination resort in its own right. Preskil sits on a natural peninsula that is practically its own island, attached to the mainland by a thin bridge of land.
Evident upon arrival is the fact that Preskil doesn't have quite the same patina as Shandrani, its main area competitor. Preskil is smaller and simpler, with Creole-style buildings with sloping tin roofs, stucco walls the color of marigold, and lots of open-air spaces. Most of Preskil's common features are clustered on the south end, with the majority of rooms -- garden units and beachfront cottages -- located in the middle and north parts of the island.
Location and Accessibility
Preskil's location is a big selling point. The hotel is just a 15-minute drive from the airport, but it is not susceptible to the distracting sights and sounds of airplanes, as is the case at the nearby Shandrani. The island juts into the lagoon, so the hotel is surrounded by water on all sides. The closest attractions are Blue Bay Marine Park (five-minute drive south along the coastal road) and the historic town of Mahebourg (eight-minute drive north), where vendors at the daily market sell produce, dried fish, woven hats and baskets, and street foods. Black River Gorges National Park is a 42-minute drive to the west (stop by the Bois Cheri Tea Factory along the way).
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Rooms and Amenities
Preskil's 200 units are divided among two-story buildings scattered throughout the peninsula. Only the most basic of the room types (the 385-square-foot Standard Rooms) lack water views. All other categories -- Lagoon Rooms, Prestige Cottages, and Deluxe Penthouses -- come with lagoon views. Cottages and penthouses are right along the outer lagoon, so have the best views.
I stayed in one of the upstairs junior suites, decorated in pastel shades of green. It is their most luxurious room type. It had enormous sliding doors and windows leading from the bedroom and seating area onto two balconies. The king-size bed was super comfortable, facing the majestic mountains and ocean. Although the room had complete block-out curtains, we preferred sleeping with our curtains open to wake up to unprecedented morning views. The fully stocked bar fridge was very convenient and replenished daily according to our needs.
No matter the category, rooms are air-conditioned, and feature balconies or terraces, flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, free coffee and tea, free Wi-Fi, and minibars stocked with beer, wine, soda, water, chocolates, juice, chips, and -- of course -- rum. In addition to sea views, Lagoon Rooms add about 20 additional square feet of space, compared to the Standards. Prestige Cottages are all set on the ground floor, and come with separate tubs and rainfall showers, plus bathrobes and slippers.
Beach and Water Sports
Preskil's headlining feature is its broad, beautiful beach facing the outer lagoon. The beach is much longer and wider than what's found at most Mauritius hotels, though the sand itself is grainy and well-packed, so it's not so soft as to encourage laying out a towel. Luckily, there are plastic sun loungers underneath palapa umbrellas throughout the beach's length, and a wooden daybed on a rocky outcrop by the jetty. Wherever beach-goers have set up shop, they can request fresh fruit, personal pizzas, mojitos -- even sunglasses cleaning -- as part of Preskil's beach service.
The boathouse offers free water sports, like water skiing, windsurfing, canoeing, and sailing. Pedal boats and glass-bottom boat trips to snorkeling sites and Ile aux Aigrettes (island wildlife reserve, home to endemic bird species) are free, though arranged excursions on Ile aux Aigrette cost extra. Use of Hobie cats and activities at the on-site diving center (PADI and CMAS) cost a fee. As mentioned earlier, this resort is ideal for families looking for a protected beach where their children can play in a safe and secure environment.
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Dining Options
The resort has three restaurants: Rendez-Vous, 1810 and Mosaic. From the moment we arrived at the resort, we were greeted by friendly staff, offering their assistance in their dedicated departments and assuring us of their commitment to ensuring we enjoyed our stay.
- Rendez-Vous: Rendez-Vous is the main restaurant offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffet-style. This was my favourite restaurant because it had different themes each evening, allowing me to savour classic dishes (they make the best pizzas) and other unique distinct flavours from the island and adjoining countries. Although the food displays were ordinary compared to other resorts on the island, the dishes were always fresh and tasty.
- 1810: The al la carte beach restaurant, 1810, required special booking and had a dinner supplement for half-board stays. Although it states that it is primarily a seafood restaurant, it had many classic dishes on the menu.
- Mosaic: Mosaic, the al la carte Mediterranean restaurant, also had a partial supplement and is extremely popular with guests. It is located directly next to the Rendez-Vous restaurant. The quality and variety of the food were good, and the service was attentive.
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Guest Reviews Summary
This property boasts exceptional spa services and delicious food, celebrated for its variety. Guests love the stunning private beach and numerous water activities, making it a go-to spot for surfing and cruising. The spacious rooms offer breathtaking views and comfort. While some users noted minor service organization issues, the overall ambiance, supportive staff, and engaging activities make it a memorable choice for your stay in Mauritius.
Summary of Ratings
Here's a summary of the guest ratings for Preskil Island Resort:
| Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | 7.9/10 |
| Service | Average |
| Food Quality | Average |
I enjoyed this hotel for its huge, airy suites, free water sports activities, and numerous dining options.
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About the Author
Bernie Van Der Linde is a freelance travel journalist and seasoned business professional who has made it her mission to explore the world's most unique and luxurious destinations. With a PhD in business studies from the University of South Africa, Bernie has channeled her passion for travel, web design, and writing into founding the travel blog Travel Buddies Lifestyle. Through her thoughtful writing and unparalleled passion for travel, Bernie van der Linde has made a name for herself in the world of travel writing.
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tags: #Mauritius
