A deft swing of the heavy knife and the perfect drink for the beach was served up in style by the easy going barman.
It’s all about nature at the Heritage Awali and what better than a simple straw popped into a freshly picked coconut to quench the thirst.
Nestled next to the 1,300 hectare Bel Ombre Nature Reserve, the five star all-inclusive resort is proud of its African roots and the richness of tradition oozes through, from the sound of the welcoming gong to flora and fauna interweaved into the hotel landscape.
It’s all smooth wood and heritage inspired décor at the reception where friendly staff in smart traditional dress are on hand to explain how to get the best out of a stay.
Beautifully designed, it’s a joy to explore the Green Key winning sustainable resort and listen to the bird and wildlife which happily rubs alongside the guests and staff.
Stretched out front is 1km of stunning white beach and the turquoise blue waters of the Indian Ocean, with the comfy sofas on the balconies of the deluxe bedrooms providing lovely views of the sands and gardens.
The rooms are also steeped in tradition, simply but elegantly decorated with wood panelling, sprawling beds, a relaxing sofa and a large ensuite complete with bath and shower and toiletries made from natural Mauritian ingredients including sugar cane, banana flowers and coconut water. The mini bar is stocked up daily with complimentary alcoholic and soft drinks and there’s free Wi-Fi and a smart television.
The beachfront villa is a great choice for extra privacy and has its own private pool and gazebo, with the option for butler service.
The resort is spread across 2,500 hectares of nature, giving guests the freedom to explore easily and there are three swimming pools, including an adult only one to enjoy, as well as the beach and its hammocks and sun loungers protected by naturally crafted shades.
Next door is the Heritage Le Telfair, a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World and designed for guests wanting a child-free experience. With 13 very different restaurants across the two hotels to choose from, there’s a choice of cuisine for everyone.
Le Bomba is open twice a week and offers an African show and bonfire in the outdoor restaurant and is a great way to enjoy traditional food cooked over a barbecue along to the beat of the djembe drum. A taste of the finest Indian food is available in Zafarani, while Savana serves up nightly themed buffets and round the world breakfasts. For an early morning treat, the C Beach Club has healthy options to kick start the day. Live entertainment is on offer each night.
For a very special meal, Le Château de Bel Ombre is the place to be, set away from the main hotels and in a historic mansion dating back to 1765, the restaurant serves up Mauritian gastronomy through seasonal ingredients, local flavours and refined culinary savoir-faire, followed by a walk around the magnificent grounds to finish off a perfect visit.
Staying at the Heritage Awali on its all-inclusive package means lots of fabulous perks including unlimited sparkling wines served from 10am until 11pm, free access to the 18-hole championship Le Château golf course, with complimentary unlimited green fees from May to October, and one non-charged spa treatment and try out in the steam room and sauna. Also, children up to 35 months can enjoy a gifted visit to the Kids Club.
Golf fans can also book rounds at La Réserve Golf Links, which is the first of its kind in the Indian Ocean and host of the Mauritius Open, DP World Tour.
Back at the beach there are lots of free opportunities to try out water sports including snorkelling, kayaks and pedalos, plus land games of tennis, volley ball and table tennis.
Close by to the hotel is the Seashell Museum, the biggest of its kind in Mauritius, with 8,000 from the collection by Eric le Court de Billot’s whose parents spent hours collecting the precious pieces which are now housed in 68 display cabinets.
There’s plenty to see and do in Bel Ombre, an area rich with waterfalls, rare birds and animals. 30 minutes from the Heritage Awali is Chamarel La Terre des Couleurs or the seven coloured earths, a geological area of pastel sand dunes in Mauritius’s first geopark, which also features the island’s biggest waterfall. Close by is the Chamarel Rum Distillery, with fabulous views of the sugar cane plantations and a chance to see how the process of making the spirit is carried out, as well as sampling the drink and enjoying the restaurant’s top class food with rum influences.
This south west corner of Mauritius is also home to the Black River Gorges Nature Park which has the largest protected forest in the country and 50km of challenging and picturesque hiking trails and the incredible Alexandra Falls, making that important connection with nature that the Heritage Awali also does so brilliantly.
The Details
Heritage Awali Golf and Spa Resort, Coastal Road, Bel Ombre 61002, Mauritius.
Tel: +230 260 5101 / for the UK: + 44 2070 48 20 32
Website: www.heritageresorts.mu
Email: booking@heritageresorts.mu
The hotel is a 50-minute drive from the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport. Flights to Mauritius are available from all over the UK and I travelled via Paris from Edinburgh Airport where Airport Parking and Hotels (APH.com) offers a wide range of parking and overnight hotel stays at all major UK airports. One week’s airport parking at Edinburgh Airport costs from £90. For the latest prices and to book, please visit: www.aph.com/edinburgh.
Comfort before the flight is available at the Turkish Airlines Lounge operated by Plaza Premium Group Edinburgh.
Type of Hotel: 5-Star All-Inclusive Resort
Number of Rooms: 154 Deluxe Rooms, 4 Senior Suites and one Heritage Villa Beachfront.
Price Band: Rates start from £459 per night for a Deluxe Garden View Suite on an all-inclusive basis (based on rates from October 2026).
Insider Tip: Rise early to enjoy the spectacular nature call.
Additional Information: For details of activities and for more tourist information you can visit: www.worldofseashells.mu, www.chamarel7colouredearth.com, www.rhumeriedechamarel.com and www.mauritiusnow.com.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9/10
Author Bio:
Rebecca Hay is an experienced travel writer and member of The British Guild of Travel Writers. Follow her adventures with her family on Twitter and Instagram @emojiadventurer and on Facebook via EmojiAdventurers2.
Photographs courtesy of Heritage Awali Golf and Spa Resort
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