Royal Palm

Grand Baie

In the heat and humidity of the Mauritius’ north coast, Grand Baie bustling tourist activity breaks the quiet monotony of insular life. What was once a quiet little fishing village is now a busy, modern center with trendy boutiques, bars, restaurants and nightclubs. The most popular destination on the island is a city nestled in the alcove bordering the turquoise water of the bay, with easy access to the nearby beaches. Although the beaches of Grand Baie tend to be somewhat overcrowded during certain seasons, the Trou aux Biches and Mont Choisy regions provide superb stretches of find sand beaches far from the crowds and curious eyes.

A mythical and intimate palace

During the twenty years since the Royal Palm Hotel opened, it has resisted stiff competition. Luxury hotels have flourished on what is known as the Royal Road, but nothing compares with the prestige and quality of service provided by the mythical Royal Palm whose reputation goes far beyond the borders of Mauritius. Luxury here is of the discreet variety, with only 84 rooms, whereas many other hotels possess more than a hundred, and unequalled service thanks to a staff of 500 serving 170 guests. The wide range of services initiated by the former director and the soul of the palace, Jean-Paul Chaumard, has created a list of well to do and demanding guests. Celebrities include French actors Alain Delon and Catherine Deneuve, and businessmen and politicians such as Louis Vuitton and former French president, Jacques Chirac. Many guests “come running back”, according to the present director, Jacques Silvant. The secret of the hotel’s success are a personalized, irreproachable and barely visible service, a wide range of activities including the Clarins Spa, specializing in beach related treatments, and a varied high quality cuisine adapted to the needs of each individual guest. Chef Feroz Abdool runs the Natureaty restaurant which offers an innovative, light cuisine using natural, organic products.

The Royal Palm now has its own “Royal Palm, refreshing water” perfume. In the words of the young creator, Stephanie de Saint-Aignan, “I created the Royal Palm after falling in love with this exceptional Indian Ocean hotel. I couldn’t possibly have left there without taking up Jacques Silvant’s wonderful proposition to create a perfume that resembled all the aromatic memories in a glass jewel box. – Maurice.runweb.com