Escape to Paradise: Auberge de Saint Aubin's Mauritius Magic
Escape to Paradise: Auberge de Saint Aubin's Mauritius Magic – A Review (with a Side of Sunburn and Existential Dread)
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the tea – the strong, bottomless, refillable tea that Auberge de Saint Aubin so generously provides. This isn't your typical, sanitized, corporate travel review. This is me, fresh off a plane, slightly sunburnt, and still wrestling with the profound beauty and occasional chaos that is Mauritius and, specifically, this hotel.
First Impressions (and the Battle with the Luggage Rollercoaster):
Landing in Mauritius is like stepping into a postcard. Seriously, the turquoise waters, verdant landscapes… it’s practically offensive in its prettiness. The drive to Auberge de Saint Aubin, a converted colonial plantation house, is a scenic roller-coaster. Prepare for winding roads and the occasional herd of goats casually enjoying the view.
Accessibility (and My Own Two Feet):
Okay, I'm not a mobility-challenged traveler, but I did notice the following: Wheelchair accessible is a definite thing, and it’s good to see. The paths are generally paved, though some areas, like the gardens, might present a bit of a challenge. I’m also pretty sure they’ve got elevator access. I saw it. I think. Honestly, after a long flight and a couple of rum punches at the Poolside Bar, my memory is a little… hazy on the specifics. (See Happy hour below, it deserves it's OWN section. Seriously.)
Rooms: My Sanctuary (and the Mini Bar’s Weakness):
The non-smoking rooms are a blessing (for a non-smoker like me). My room wasn't just a room, it was a sanctuary. Big, airy, with that classic colonial charm. Air conditioning? Oh, yeah. Essential. Blackout curtains? Hallelujah. I’m a light sleeper, and these were a godsend for those late-afternoon siestas after I’d spent all day by the Swimming pool [outdoor] (which, by the way, is glorious). There was a refrigerator which, of course, I immediately stocked with the contents of the Complimentary tea basket, and a whole slew of Complimentary tea and the Mini bar. The bathtub? Sigh… Perfect for soaking after a long day of, you know, being on vacation. And the slippers! bliss.
Internet (Because, Let's Be Real, We're All Addicts):
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Praise be! And it actually works! I had easy and reliable Internet access – wireless and even a Internet [LAN] – although I'm not sure why you'd need the latter in such a paradise. I mean, who needs a wire when you have palm trees and cocktails?
Things to Do… or Not to Do (and My Personal Philosophy of Relaxation):
This is where Auberge de Saint Aubin truly shines. I’m usually a “go-go-go” traveler, but here, I felt compelled to slow down. There were plenty of Things to do, but I took the liberty of doing, well… nothing much. This place forces you to relax, literally.
- Ways to relax: I started with a thorough assessment of that. The Pool with view was a daily ritual. And I highly recommend a Massage. I got one. It was… transcendent. I'm not even kidding. The masseuse was skilled. I drifted off to a place of pure bliss, a place where worries melted away like ice cream in the Mauritian sun.
- Spa/sauna/Steamroom: They have those. I may have caught a glimpse of the Sauna, and heard whispered stories of the Steamroom (but I avoided them – too much relaxation!)
- Fitness center/Gym/fitness: I walked around them.
Cleanliness and Safety (The New Normal, But Done Right):
The impact of Covid-19 is still felt. You can tell that safety is a priority. They’re taking it seriously, but they aren't overbearing about it. Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, and staff trained in Safety protocol were all evident. But the real win was feeling safe. No feeling like you were in a hospital, more like a luxury resort that cared about its staff and guests. They have some interesting aspects:
- Room sanitization opt-out available: Interesting, I did not use, so I cannot comment
- Shared stationery removed, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Sterilizing equipment: Smart!
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter
- Individually-wrapped food options
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (Where I Spent a Significant Portion of My Time):
Let's be honest, food is a major part of the travel experience, and Auberge de Saint Aubin doesn't disappoint. This place is basically a food coma waiting to happen.
- Restaurants: There are Restaurants
- A la carte in restaurant: Delicious. The restaurant serves a range of food. Don’t ask me specifics, I was too busy eating.
- Asian cuisine in restaurant: I ate the Asian cuisine in restaurant, and it was delightful.
- International cuisine in restaurant: I did not know what the food was, I ate it all the same.
- Breakfast [buffet]: The Breakfast [buffet] was incredible. I’m a complete sucker for a good buffet, and this one was legendary. Fresh fruit, pastries, omelets made to order… You name it, it was there. I might have filled two plates. Or three. I’m not judging.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Amazing coffee to get you started. Amazing Tea while you are at it.
- Desserts in restaurant: Amazing deserts at the end.
- Desserts in restaurant: Amazing deserts at the end.
Happy Hour: A Love Story (And a Shoutout to the Poolside Bar):
Okay, this deserves its own section. The Poolside Bar is, quite simply, paradise. And the Happy hour? Unbeatable. They make the best cocktails. I’m not sure what kind, but there was something that involved rum and passionfruit that became my nemesis. (In a good way, because it was delicious, and I wanted one until it closed!) They were pouring drinks and the vibes were immaculate. This is the kind of place you can easily lose an afternoon, watching the sun dip below the horizon with a cocktail in hand, and the only sound is of the ocean softly crashing. And the pool as well.
- Bar: The Bar itself is pretty great.
- Bottle of water: They give you one.
- Poolside bar: The Poolside bar is where you want to be.
- Coffee shop: Didn’t visit that often.
- Snack bar: Used it, did good.
- Room service [24-hour]: Didn’t happen, too busy eating elsewhere.
Services and Conveniences (The Little Things That Make a Difference):
This place genuinely tries to make your life easier.
- Concierge: Good, I think.
- Daily housekeeping: Did very well.
- Laundry service: Used it.
- Cash withdrawal: Easy enough.
- Air conditioning in public area: Check.
- Room decorations: Looked nice.
- Security [24-hour]: Felt secure.
- Elevator: Good.
- Luggage storage: Useful.
- Doorman: Polite.
- Front desk [24-hour]: Helpful.
For the Kids (Because Some People Have Them):
I didn’t have any kids with me (thank God, after all the eating!), but I did spot some happy families.
- Babysitting service: Good.
- Family/child friendly: Seemed to be.
- Kids meal: I think.
Getting Around (And Avoiding the Tourist Traps):
I’d recommend arranging Airport transfer. The roads can be a bit confusing, especially after a few rum punches.
- Car park [free of charge] and Car park [on-site] are good, for people who want to drive.
- Taxi service: Didn’t need to use it.
- Valet parking: Fancy.
In-Room Amenities (The Nitty-Gritty):
Let’s be honest, the rooms are where you spend most of your time, at least when you're sleeping.
- Air conditioning is essential. Seriously.
- Bathrobes: Ah, the luxury.
- Alarm clock: Not necessary.
- Bathtub: Wonderful.
- Blackout curtains: Crucial for me.
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's itinerary. We're talking Mauritius, Auberge de Saint Aubin, and a whole lotta delicious chaos. Get ready to laugh, maybe cry (happy tears, hopefully!), and definitely question my sanity at some point. Let's dive in… or, more accurately, splutter into it.
Day 1: Arrival & "Coconut Crisis"
- Morning (Okay, more like mid-morning): Landed in Mauritius! The humidity hit me like a wall of warm, fuzzy regret over my choice of jeans. Immigration was a breeze (thank god, because I'm terrible at waiting), and then… the moment of truth: the Auberge de Saint Aubin transfer. The driver, Didier, was… let's just say his driving style involved more enthusiastic honking than braking. I clung to the seat, muttering prayers to the traffic gods.
- Afternoon: Check-in at the Auberge. Holy moly. The colonial architecture? Stunning. The welcome drink? Refresher, but also a bit like someone’s grandma’s old perfume. My room? Gorgeous, a little dated, but with a view that almost made me forget Didier’s death-defying driving.
- The Coconut Crisis (and a whole lot of bad decisions): This is where things get… interesting. I decide, brilliantly, to sample a coconut. I mean, how hard can it be? Turns out, real hard. I ended up wrestling with the thing for a solid ten minutes, nearly taking my eye out with a jagged husk, and ending up covered in coconut water. I looked, and felt, like a drowned rat who’d lost a fight with a tropical fruit. The staff were very polite about it, but the giggles were definitely there. I retreated to my room, defeated and slightly sticky, and vowed to learn the proper way to crack a coconut.
- Evening: Dinner at the Auberge's restaurant. The food was excellent. The cocktails were even better. I may or may not have over-indulged. Let’s just say, I woke up the next morning with a vague recollection of telling the waiter my life story and attempting to sing “I Will Survive” in French. (Note to self: stick to water tomorrow.) Bedtime. Passed out.
Day 2: Vanilla Dreams & Rum Revelations
- Morning: Breakfast! Oh, the breakfast. Fresh fruit, pastries, eggs cooked every which way. Finally, the breakfast I dreamed of. I was trying to plan my day, and I was absolutely loving the view.
- Late Morning/Early Afternoon: The Vanilla Factory & The Great "Vanilla Sacrifice". This needs its own section. This was my highlight. We went to the vanilla plantation. I could smell it before I even saw it. Heaven. Seriously. The guide was brilliant, explaining the whole process, from the little orchids to the painstaking curing of the beans. But here's where things got… dramatic. They were having a vanilla tasting. Oh my! Okay, the tasting was amazing. They make the best vanilla-infused rum. As I sipped my rum, I started getting giddy. I purchased some vanilla beans that I have been told I should be giving to people as gifts.
- Afternoon: Relaxing by the pool, nursing a slight vanilla-induced buzz, and watching the world go by. Honestly, this is what paradise is all about.
- Evening: Dinner - tried again. This time had a lovely meal and some lovely wine. Stayed in and read a book.
Day 3: Sugar, Spice, and… Misadventures in the Jungle
- Morning: Attempted to be a "cultured traveler" and went to a local market. Let's just say, my bargaining skills (or lack thereof) resulted in me buying a frankly enormous pineapple for three times its actual value. But hey, it was delicious! The market was full of smells, noise, and locals that were very welcoming with how lost I was.
- Afternoon: The Rum Distillery… Ah, this is where I'm going to admit I became a bit of a rum connoisseur. The tour was interesting, but the tasting room? Pure bliss. We tried everything, from the light, breezy varieties to the dark, intensely flavorful ones. I purchased far more than I’d planned on.
- Evening: More food! More rum! More laughter! The best thing about this trip has been the conversations.
Day 4: Departure & "Goodbye, My Beloved"
- Morning: The dreaded packing. Ugh. Always the worst part. I spent a ridiculous amount of time trying to squeeze everything I bought into my suitcase.
- Late Morning: Final breakfast. Tears were shed. Not really, but I was sad. The view, the food, the people… it all became a part of me.
- Afternoon: Transfer back to the airport. Didier drove. I survived. Goodbye, Mauritius. Goodbye, Auberge de Saint Aubin. You beautiful, messy, chaotic paradise!
- Departure: On the plane. I am already planning my return.
Lessons Learned:
- Learn how to crack a coconut before you go. Seriously.
- Bargaining is an art form. Practice.
- Vanilla is the key to happiness.
- Don't be afraid to get lost (or covered in coconut water).
- Embrace the chaos. It's part of the fun.
This trip was messy, imperfect, and utterly unforgettable. If I could rewind time, I would do it again. Thank you, Mauritius and Auberge de Saint Aubin, for the memories… and the slightly sticky souvenir of coconut water. Until next time!
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Escape to Paradise: Auberge de Saint-Aubin's Mauritius – Honestly, It's... A Lot (of Awesome)
Okay, spill. Is Mauritius actually *that* picture-perfect? And did Saint-Aubin live up to the hype?
Alright, let's get *real*, shall we? Mauritius? Yeah, the pictures don't lie. Seriously. The water? That turquoise hue? Pinch-me-I'm-dreaming levels of gorgeous. Did *I* get sandy shoes, struggle to put make up on because of the humidity and drop my phone in the pool? Yes. Was I still happy? ABSOLUTELY.
And Saint-Aubin... Oh, Saint-Aubin. It's not a sterile, robotic resort, blessedly. It's more of a… lush, slightly-worn, utterly charming French colonial mansion. Think faded elegance meets genuine warmth. It actually *feels* like you've stepped back in time. I mean, not in a creepy way, but a “wow, the world is slowing down and I’m totally cool with it” kind of way. There was a slight issue of the wifi being inconsistent at times, and, well, I am on work calls from time to time, so that was a bit stressful but really, when I am away like that, I don't want to worry about it too much anyway.
The place feels like it's been lived in -- in the best way possible. Its not all perfect, there are little quirks, but that's what makes it so bloody wonderful.
Tell me about the FOOD. Because, you know, that's important. Like, *really* important.
Oh. My. Goodness. The food. Where do I even BEGIN? Okay, let's start with the rum. Saint-Aubin has its own rum distillery. Let me repeat that: *their own rum*. The white rum? Smooth as silk. The spiced rum? Dangerously drinkable. Honestly, I think I developed a *slight* rum addiction while I was there. (Don't judge! It was vacation!)
The food itself? Incredible. Fresh, flavorful, a beautiful blend of French and Creole cuisine. I’m not even a huge fish person, but I devoured the grilled marlin. Devoured it! One night they had a buffet and I went for seconds, and thirds... because I was so full I thought I was going to explode, but the food was just THAT good.
Okay, one minor complaint: some of the portion sizes were *massive*. I waddled away from many meals feeling like I needed to be rolled back to my room. But hey, it's a small price to pay for paradise... and deliciousness.
What about the rooms/accommodations? Was it luxurious? Do I need to be rich?
Luxurious? Yeah, in a slightly-faded-glamour, old-world-charm kinda way. Think enormous beds, mosquito nets (thank god!), and antique furnishings that actually feel lived-in, not just museum pieces. My room had a balcony overlooking the garden, and I spent a *lot* of time there, sipping coffee, reading, and just generally trying to soak up the serenity. (Okay, and sometimes scrolling through Instagram, let's be honest.)
Do you need to be rich? Well, it's not budget backpacking, let's put it that way. But it's not unbelievably prohibitive either. There are different room types and packages, so do your research. You get what you pay for. I'd say it's a worthwhile splurge if you want genuine, authentic experience and not a big, generic resort. Frankly, it’s worth it. SAVE. UP. Because you'll want to savor every damn second.
What's there to *do* besides eat and drink rum? Is there stuff for kids and adults?
Okay, so, yes, you could *theoretically* spend your entire trip just eating and drinking rum. And honestly? I wouldn't blame you. But there's more! Saint-Aubin is located in a gorgeous area, and there are lots of things to do nearby. It has everything you expect.
For the more active type? Snorkeling, diving, boat trips, hiking... the options are endless. I, being more on the "relax on a sunbed and occasionally dip a toe in the ocean" scale, spent a lot of time by the pool reading and napping. Perfect bliss.
For kids, though it is more suited for adults, there are also things to explore. And the staff is incredibly welcoming and helpful. They will help you book excursions or arrange transport. For example, I'd imagine it would be quite a relaxing, kid-friendly place, because of that relaxed atmosphere!
Any downsides? Be honest! What didn't you like?
Alright, okay, here’s the real talk: It wasn't ALL sunshine and rainbows. I'm trying to be honest here.
The humidity? It's real. Like, your hair frizzes up the INSTANT you step outside. And I’m not going to lie, I spent a lot of time trying to get my hair to look even *remotely* presentable. That felt like a daily battle. My makeup was a constant struggle. I think I went completely without, and did that for a while.
The internet, as I mentioned before, was a bit spotty at times. Which was frustrating when I had to check business emails. But, given the overall awesomeness of the place, I'm prepared to overlook those minor flaws. It's not a place to work, it's a place to ESCAPE. And for that, it's pretty damn perfect.
Okay, final verdict. Would you go back? Would you recommend it?
Absolutely. Without a shadow of a doubt. 100% yes. I'm already plotting my return. I'm dreaming of that rum, that food, and that indescribable feeling of peace I found there.
Would I recommend it? YES! If you want a genuinely special, authentic experience, if you want to escape the cookie-cutter resorts and find something truly unforgettable, then book it NOW. You won't regret it. Just be prepared to get a little tipsy, enjoy a lot of amazing food, and maybe, just maybe, leave a little piece of your heart in Mauritius. I left more than a little bit, honestly. It's that good. Go. Now. Seriously. Go.
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