LUX* Grand Gaube

With its out-of-city location among leafy plantation fields and tropical gardens, the LUX Grand Gaube is truly set apart from the noise and concrete of the city. As a result of this isolated setting, the resort is jam-packed with food, activities, and natural beauty to keep guests busy -- or relaxed. Aside from the horseshoe-shaped beachfront and crystalline lagoon, there's plenty of nature to ogle, including the resort's colorful garden, palm trees, or surrounding herb plantations. There's even a dedicated wishing tree on the property. 

While the resort is modern -- and its Mauritius setting certainly lends it come exclusivity -- it's not lavish, and despite offering boatloads of features, decor isn't up to the hotel's luxury claims. To be sure, public areas are pleasant, with plenty of open-air walls, soaring wood ceilings, and serenity-inducing details like vessels filled with floating flowers. The white-and-warm-wood motif also does a good bit to lend everything its island charm. Rooms, though, are simple and dated, and are a let down compared to what's on offer here. In any case, it's a well-liked property and a fine choice for an island getaway, provided expectations are managed. While this has-it-all spot is most frequented by couples, it's also an ideal choice for younger couples with children or families traveling with younger teens (thanks to the amount of activities, facilities, and programs geared toward younger guests). 

LUX Grand Gaube is located on the outskirts of Grand Baie among plantation fields and small neighborhoods. There is not much within walking distance outside of the hotel grounds. For anyone wanting to explore, a rental car will be necessary. While the remote plantation fields may be a quiet respite from the main tourist hub of Grand Baie, the city is just a 25-minute drive away. There is plenty of shopping, bars, restaurants in town -- as well as the closest ATM. One of the most scenic spots on the island, Le Morne Brabant, will take about 90 minutes to reach by car, while Flic en Flac Beach is a 75-minute drive from the hotel. SSR International Airport is about 70 minutes away.

The resort's weakest link are its rooms, which are slightly worn and a bit dated -- indeed, the rooms are the main factor in preventing this resort from achieving the luxury status that it claims. The style is simple and island-influenced, with an abundance of white wicker furniture, cheap-looking built-ins, and plain beige walls sparingly hung with just a few pieces of ocean-inspired art. Tan tile floors don't do much to up the wow factor, and some rooms have arched lattice work that feels particularly out of place in the 21st century. 

Deluxe Rooms are the resort's entry-level category. They come with king-size beds, large flat-screen TVs, small sitting areas, minibars, and French press machines. Spacious bathrooms come with premium toiletries and separate showers and tubs, as well as hairdryers, magnifying mirrors, and multi-country wall sockets. However, bathrooms are the most dated parts of rooms across all categories, with details that can include '90s-era tilework, tacky glass mirror frames, green marble accents, and a generally underwhelming look overall. Guests should note that most bathrooms only have swinging doors that do not wholly close them off from guest rooms.

Higher-category rooms have whirlpool tubs, island views, and tapas and/or fruit upon arrival. Junior Suites have large, furnished outdoor terraces overlooking the courtyard and ocean, as well as whirlpool tubs facing the terrace windows. LUX Villas are ideal for families, with two bedrooms, separate living room and dining room spaces, large private patios and garden areas with barbecues, and small dipping whirlpools. 

LUX Grand Gaube has a beautiful (if thin), horseshoe-shaped stretch of beach that leads into a small, crystal clear lagoon. The calm waters and shallow depth make it ideal for families with young children, while the quiet and private pockets are good for couples. Adjustable wooden beach loungers are arranged in pairs, each with a padded cushion and a shared palapa-style umbrella that offers some shade from the sun as well as a a spot to set drinks and high racks to hang towels. The two rows of loungers are zig-zagged along the narrow beach to ensure everyone gets a view of the water. 

It's hard to walk around the property without stumbling across one of the resort's many dining options. The Kitchen is the hotel's main restaurant and serves buffet breakfasts and dinners with views of the lagoon; this is the only spot that serves breakfast. Although the vibe here is beach-casual, there's a smart-casual dress code during the evening service. Abalone (open for lunch and dinner) is right on the beach and offers a fresh barbecue menu. Also open for lunch and dinner is the lagoon-facing The Beach restaurant that serves up a la carte Mediterranean dishes. Bayan - The Island Kitchen is only open in the evenings (located under a large Bayan tree) and serves up the hotel's take on local street food, often accompanied by live music. Note that all the sit-down non-buffet restaurants require reservations and can book up quickly. Food across the board gets solid marks from previous guests, and all-inclusive packages are available.

The LUX Grand Gaube resort offers an impressive selection of activities, including excursions like fishing and swimming with dolphins, as well as a PADI-certified dive center. From here, guests can visit several nearby dive sites, including a shipwreck, or become PADI-certified and take lessons. The hotel has a sports center with tennis courts and fresh water and cool towels, all adjacent to the large and contemporary gym lined with cardio machines and weights. The property also has beach volleyball, bocce, ping-pong, foosball, and other games. However, the real difference in selection can be seen in the on-site putting green, aqua aerobics, and wide variety of free water sports, both motorized and non-motorized. Many of these activities will be included with all-inclusive packages.

Families are catered to with kids' and teen's clubs (there's even an ice cream truck). Younger kids can splash around with their parents at the main pool, where there are two smaller and shallower circle-shaped kids' pools. Both the main pool and The Bayan Pool have lagoon views, while the third pool is surrounded by the teen club and fitness center. 

The full-service spa offers a beauty salon, large open steam room, and traditional sauna. The nearby LUX golf course is surrounded by high piles of volcanic rock and visited by the frequent sea breeze. Other services include a free welcome juice and cool towel upon arrival and free, high-speed Wi-Fi. Guests can make free calls via VoIP phones, and there's an internet station in the lobby. While free water is advertised, it's only available at certain times of day.