The itch to escape the dreary city life takes hold every once in a while and with its golden shores and azure seas Mauritius beckons as a long favoured beach destination one that has inspired writers and revellers alike. Nestled along the shores of Baie aux Tortues, more commonly known as the Turtle Bay, is The Oberoi, Mauritius. Sprawling across 20 acres and steeped in indigenous culture, the hotel architecture pays homage to the island’s African and Asian heritage. Derived from nature, it makes extensive use of local materials and Creole culture where villas sprinkle over a beautiful expanse to resemble a luxurious village.

Of the 72 villas, the Royal Villa is the only one that comes with a tropical garden and a private pool; it also offers a picturesque view of the sea. The luxury villas offer either a private garden or a pool. The setting is an arboretum of sorts. Populated with exotic, sub-tropical hedge plants, the hotel milieu invites leisurely strolls. The designers strove for a peaceful ambience by using natural coloured fabrics and timbers to create muted tones that complemented the verdant exteriors.

The spa is a sanctuary with warm tones and placid waters that envelop you in a wellness of being. Its holistic treatments include lunge pools, traditional treatments with local oils and fruits as well as full body massages. The coconut husk body brush and massage with freshly ground coconut is truly invigorating. For sheer unadulterated relaxation, the hotel provides a private butler service and sunken baths. It also offers many sporting facilities especially for water babies. If you want something leisurely, you can take out the paddle boat or snorkel in the aquamarine bay. Windsurfing, waterskiing and sailing on the other hand are sure to get the adrenaline pumping.

A gastronomic pursuit here culminates in contemporary French cuisine peppered with Mediterranean flavours while a quest for wine ranges from Italian and French strains to the Californian and Australian variety. Known for being an epicurean’s delight, you can dine in the comfort of your villa or at the restaurant overlooking the sun that melts into the sea.

Reminiscent of the turquoise waters and dramatic hills that surround it, The Oberoi, Mauritius is an organic haven. With ocean spray at the crack of dawn and sugarcane thatched roofs, terracotta-tinged trails that lead to natural water bodies and exotic foliage that arrest the senses, this is an idyllic retreat that promises to free you from the hassles of yuppie life.