Nestled along the pristine shores of Blue Bay in Mauritius, Shandrani Beachcomber Resort & Spa is a paragon of opulence and relaxation. Located on a peninsula on the south east corner of Mauritius, it is surrounded by the clear turquoise waters of a marine park. Shandrani achieves a perfect balance between vibrant, bustling pool areas and quiet peaceful gardens.
Built in the 1950s, Shandrani Beachcomber Resort & Spa is one of Mauritius' very first resorts (and the first of the eight Beachcomber properties on the island). Shandrani not only predates Mauritius' tourism boom by about two decades, it also predates the 1980s expansion of what is now the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport. Today, commercial planes thundering overhead are the main downside here, bringing momentary disturbances to the otherwise idyllic Shandrani peninsula.
The Shandrani sprawls over nearly 150 acres and its coastline extends for more than a mile. The hotel's dozens of room buildings and features -- pools, restaurants, kids' club, spa, golf course -- are spread throughout the peninsula, with buggies available to transport folks from point to point. The hotel lacks for nothing on the amenities front, but it's not totally impervious to its airport proximity, its years, or the occasional minor maintenance issue (like a broken lock or a rusty patch on a mirror). Nonetheless, this is a class-act resort whose size and scope appeal equally to families and couples on a romantic getaway year round. The resort attracts primarily British travelers, as well as those from South Africa and Germany, depending on time of year.
Thanks to its proximity to the Island’s only airport, around three and a half miles away, transfers are short. Shandrani's proximity to the airport is a blessing (it's a nine-minute drive) and a curse (planes fly overhead).The old capital, Mahebourg, is about eight miles away, and the capital, Port Louis, can be reached in just over 30 miles. The resort sits on the same lagoon as Blue Bay Marine Park and the historic town of Mahebourg is a 17-minute drive away. Black River Gorges National Park is about a 40-minute drive to the west (plan an en route pit stop at Bois Cheri Tea Factory), with Le Morne peninsula about an additional 40 minutes beyond.
Check-in & Check-out Details:
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- Normal Check-in: 14:00
- Normal Check-out: 12:00
Accommodation
All of the rooms are sea facing and the hotel offers a choice of three beaches, each with an individual atmosphere. A broad range of accommodation allows for single travellers, couples and families. Family apartments have two bedrooms and two bathrooms. Shandrani's room buildings follow the perimeter of the peninsula, allowing every single unit a view of the surrounding aquamarine water.
Inside, room decor eschews the typical whites and teals commonly seen in tropical resorts, and instead embraces warm earth colors, like the taupe shade of paint on the walls, the red and orange throw pillows on the bed and sofa, and the wood details throughout. More than half of Shandrani's 327 rooms are Superior Rooms. The 540-square-foot Superior Rooms are most basic of Shandrani's five room categories, which go up to 2,200-square-foot Family Suites. Rooms in all categories have independently controlled air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, and furnished patios or balconies that look over the green grounds and blue water.
Bathrooms come with separate tubs, rainfall showers, and water closets, as well as dual-sink countertops, magnifying mirrors, hairdryers, toiletries, and bathrobes and slippers. The Superior rooms offer one-bedroom Accommodation and a sophisticated bathroom equipped with the latest fixtures. All rooms' interiors will be non-smoking areas. Ideal for young couples spending their honeymoon at Shandrani, the Senior Suite offers direct access to the beach and features large rooms with elegant parquet flooring. The spilt-level Suite has a large bedroom leading onto a trendy bathroom featuring a spacious bath for two.
Room Types and Facilities:
- Tropical Room: Sleeps 3, Bed Type: King(s) or single(s). Features Satellite television, Minibar, Air conditioning, Separate Bath, Private bathroom, Separate Shower, Balcony/Lanai/Terrace.
- Deluxe: Sleeps 4, Bed Type: King(s) or single(s). Includes Private bathroom, Separate Bath, Separate Shower, Satellite television, Balcony/Lanai/Terrace, Minibar, Air conditioning.
- 2-Bedroom Family Apartment: Sleeps 5, Bed Type: King(s) and single(s). Offers Private bathroom, Separate Shower, Satellite television, Balcony/Lanai/Terrace, Minibar, Air conditioning.
Located between two of the resort’s private beaches, the Family Suite enjoys a fabulous beachfront location. It is the perfect option to enjoy all the advantages of Shandrani and its fully-inclusive concept “Serenity plus”. Everything was done to answer the needs of parents and children alike. The Suite is on two levels, with the top one entirely dedicated to children. Living areas are particularly spacious as seen in the bathrooms which are equipped with large round-shaped bathtubs. Family Suites have a dedicated entrance, direct access to the beach and a private secured garden equipped with a sand pit for children.
Facilities and Activities
Just about every leisure facility one could want is in attendance here. Shandrani Beachcomber has three different beaches to discover and there is a good range of water sports and on land activities to enjoy. Aside from the many beach areas, the two pools are the most popular hangouts. The main one practically starts in the lobby, fanning out quite some distance towards the inner lagoon, with a pool bar on one side and terrace seating for the main buffet on the other. There's a shallow area for kids separated by a bridge at the far end. A tiled deck surrounds the pool, with white-cushioned wood rolling loungers and umbrellas all around.
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Shandrani's six floodlit tennis courts are in the center of the property. Guests may borrow tennis racquets for free, but must buy or bring tennis balls. Tennis lessons are available for a fee. The nine-hole golf course rolls along the southern stretch of the resort; golf equipment rentals cost a fee, but ping pong and bocce ball are free. There's a free open-air fitness center (not open 24/7) with a sauna and fitness classes (personal training for a fee). Other planned activities throughout the day include beach volleyball, aerobics in the main pool, ping pong at the sports center, stretching and abdominal classes in the fitness center, and golf for kids at the kids' club.
You can also indulge in relaxation and rejuvenation at the Spa - The Art of Wellness, amidst lush tropical surroundings. Book a soothing treatment and you'll also have access to the hammam and sauna facilities free of charge. Kids and teenagers alike can also enjoy treatments when accompanied.
- Laundry/Valet service
- Business center
- Sauna
- Non-smoking rooms (generic)
- Spa
- Complimentary in-room coffee or tea
- Exercise gym
- On-Site parking
- Hair dryer
- Tennis court
- Beauty shop/salon
- Hairdresser/barber
- Massage services
- Safe deposit box
- Live entertainment
- Free parking
- Dry cleaning
- Shop
Kids Club
There is a dedicated kids' club for children aged 3 to 11 years old, and an outdoor play area. Free for ages 3 to 12, the kids' club offers drawing, painting, T-shirt painting, cooking classes, and treasure hunts, as well as a playground and enclosed garden. The Petit Club (additional charge) caters for little ones aged 2 to 3 years offering numerous activities too.
Popular Amenities:
- Pool
- Bar
- 24/7 front desk
- Connecting rooms available
- Spa
- Laundry facilities
Beaches
The shape and size of the Shandrani peninsula allows the resort more than a mile of shoreline with several separate beaches: two calm lagoon-side beaches across from one of Mauritius' biggest marine parks and a long crescent beach facing the ocean. This beach is large and wild, with a big sweep of white sand and actual waves. It's one of the prettiest spots at the resort, so it's no surprise a thatch-roofed wedding pavilion with gauzy white curtains is set here.
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Located on the beach by the main pool and buffet, the boathouse offers free motorized and non-motorized activities: water skiing, sailing, kayaking, snorkeling, windsurfing, and pedal-boating. Glass-bottom boat trips, Hobie cats, and lasers (mini sail boats) are all free as well. The only things not included in the rates are private lessons, speedboat trips, and scuba-diving at the diving center.
Dining
Shandrani Beachcomber Resort
Overlooking the sparkling pool and bay, Le Grand Port serves delicious international-style buffet meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner (no reservation required). Nightly dinner themes at Le-Grand Port include Mauritian, Italian, French, and Asian. For something a little more intimate, head to Ponte Vecchio and dine on authentic Italian a la carte poolside or stop by Le Sirius for Mauritian-inspired dishes and fabulous views of Blue Bay's Marine Park - for both restaurants you'll need reservations which you can make on arrival at reception. Le Boucanier is a seafood lover's dream. Open in the evenings, the a la carte menu shines with international, traditional local and seafood specials (extra charge). Teak Elephant is the resort's adult-only eatery offering bold Thai flavours and elegant setting, while Ephemera showcases trendy international cuisine.
Shandrani's three other dining spots are a la carte and require reservations. Ponte Vecchio is an Italian a la carte restaurant on the opposite side of the main pool from Le-Grand Port, open for lunch (seasonally) and dinner. Adjacent to Le-Grand Port is Teak Elephant, an adult-only a la carte restaurant with a Thai menu that changes weekly. Room service is available for a fee.
Bars
Shandrani Beachcomber Resort & Spa also has a trio of bars to keep you refreshed all day. Blue Bay Bar is the main hub, open from 10:00 until 23:00, and serving light bites, fluffy pancakes and all your favourite cocktails - on occasion, you'll even find a late-night disco happening here. You can also savour refreshments and tasty baguettes at both Sirius Bar and La Playa.
There are two a la carte bars, one by each pool. Both are open from midmorning to late at night and serve afternoon snacks (free for all-inclusive guests).
Spa & Wellness
For those in pursuit of wellness, the resort’s spa is a sanctuary of serenity. Revel in rejuvenating treatments and massages while gazing upon the azure waters. Shandrani's secluded spa is set in a private tropical garden -- away from the bustling heart of the resort -- where the scent is an intoxicating mixture of vanilla, cinnamon, amber, and lapis lazuli. With 20 treatment rooms, the spa is one of the largest on the island. Outdoor cabins are enclosed by stucco walls and bamboo shades, and kept cool with thatch roofs and fans.
Before and after treatments, spa guests can unwind in the outdoor sauna and steam room or on cushioned loungers set on grassy pockets and terrace areas around the private, shallow spa pool, which has a floor of teal and green tiles. La Source Spa : Feeling the need for pure relaxation and pampering? Cabins have high ceilings and feature walled gardens with private outdoor showers. Get a free massage : Each adult staying at Shandrani will receive a 45-minute massage at the new Massage Centre completely free of charge.
Activities and Excursions
Do you want to improve your short game? If so, Shandrani 9-hole golf course is perfect for you. Golf at Shandrani is completely free with complimentary collective lessons included. Par 29, the course is a "Pitch and and Putt" (Mashie) course which runs alongside the lagoon. Enrol at the Shandrani Sailing Club*, a member of the Mauritian Yachting Association, for your chance to acquire new skills under expert tuition! Courses combine both theory and practical elements and cater for both children and adults. You can progress from beginner's level to advanced level. Shandrani is the perfect spot for beginners.
But why take our word for it, come and experience the Shandrani Kitesurf School* for yourself! Learn how to kitesurf and enjoy the kiting lifestyle. Three sea dives per day are organised under the watchful eye of professional divers. Be sure not to miss out, take up this adventure and explore the most beautiful diving sites in Mauritius!
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