You don’t have to shut yourself off from the world to enjoy the benefits of a gourmet healthy food plan while on holiday, nor must you struggle with a barely-there diet and gruelling workout routine to come back feeling your best. Heritage Le Telfair Golf & Wellness Resortis attracting travellers with a moderate approach to health-focused holidays.
Perhaps the best thing about the southern Mauritius destination for those keen to take advantage of nourishing food and a range of physical activities during their getaway is that partners accompanying travellers don’t have to get involved at all because there are plenty non-wellness options to indulge in.
Experts at the colonial architecture- style resort will curate a personalized programme for your needs, advising what to eat, wonderful workouts and terrific treatments to benefit your body.
House of Coco stayed in a Garden Villa which had access to its own hammock via the back-door deck. As if peering out to the garden while soaking in the complimentary salt crystals wasn’t enough, even the botanical artwork in the room was a reminder of the lush surroundings.
House of Coco eased into our stay with a Jet Lag treatment at the Seven Colours spa. For 30 minutes, a therapist rubbed away the stresses and strains from the flight using a choice of aromatherapy oil. Each one correlated to a colour, and my attraction to yellow during my pre-massage consultation led me on a ginger-based journey. I emerged feeling invigorated thanks to the fiery root ingredient being slathered all over my skin and absorbing into my tired muscles. Post-treatment guests are invited to lounge on a shaded outdoor bed by the 2,000 sqm spa’s heated pool. Don’t forget to spritz yourself with insect repellent before you sip herbal tea in a cosy robe.
While anyone is bound to melt into an after-flight massage easily, my next treatment wasn’t for everyone but one unique to the resort and a great antidote for deeper issues.
The Ohashiatsu master instructed me to sprawl out on a large flatbed situated in the Wellness Sanctuary complete with soothing sounds from the water features and surrounded by drapes for privacy and to keep out mosquitos. You may have heard of shiatsu, but Ohashiatsu takes things one step further by making the receiver feel more relaxed and therefore gaining more benefits from the limb rolling and stretching techniques.
I particularly enjoyed the gentle pressure applied to my stomach as the area is often avoided in traditional massages and the tummy is linked to many health concerns. It turned out that was the case for me as the master said he tuned into anxieties and fatigue from performing his healing moves over my abdomen.
The Wellness Sanctuary is also where yoga and meditation took place. Returning guest instructor Karine Kleb invited those staying at Heritage Le Telfair to rise early and work on tuning out internal chatter to just focus on being in the moment.
Her narration in both English and French (the language spoken by locals) ensured a good mix of beginners and intermediate participates joined the sessions each day. When the weather called for it sunset Hatha yoga classes took place at C Beach Club, where guests paddle board, kayak and snorkel away the day right up until mats are set out on the sand of the resort’s 1km beach.
Another unique offering from Heritage Resorts is access to the waterfalls, streams and wildlife within Domaine de Bel Ombre. During our excursion we drove past the rows of giant sugar canes and to the nearby Frederica Nature Reserve for the perfect Forest Bathing setting.
The trendy wellness activity does what it says on the tin – using the sights and sounds of nature to cleanse participants of everyday stresses. Think of it as a more active version of meditation. A reiki master took us out on a hike where monkeys hurried across our path and deer were spotted darting off into the distance as they heard our footsteps. It’s something that would’ve gone unnoticed without allowing ourselves to enjoy the quiet, simply noticing what naturally surrounded us.
As well as showing us how to connect with the universe out there in the fresh forest air, the reiki master also gave a beginner’s course in aura reading. Moving our wind-facing palms like a body scanner, the idea was to detect any areas on our partners body connected to emotional or physical problems. This would be identified when our own hands heated up as we hovered our palms from the head towards the toes.
If the activities on offer don’t help you work up enough of an appetite, the gym is open 24 hours.
And you’ll want to make room to sample what’s on the various menus across the resort. Beachfront Le Palmier restaurant has fish of the day, palm heart salad and carpaccio as highlights and guests taking advantage of the wellness program should look out for the handy correlating symbol next to the name of dishes for what’s recommended.
Breakfast is served buffet-style at Annabella’s with chefs whipping up omelettes on demand and freshly squeezing juices as part of the international offering best enjoyed on the veranda. The restaurant also serves dinner and helps out when it comes to selecting dishes from the extensive menu by displaying the dishes on offer each night.
For a dinnertime treat, the Asian cuisine offering at Ginja restaurants takes things up a notch at the Teppanyaki table where the chef makes a show out of serving up meat, rice and vegetables from the griddle.
But the ultimate lavish experience comes with a short journey to Le Château – a castle with a Presidential Suite that guests can also stay in. Its garden grows herbs used in the resort’s dishes and picked by guests in preparation for cooking classes. You won’t want to miss out on tasting tipples in the private wine cellar next to the dining room, if only to try the lychee wine which is unique to Mauritius. Afterwards, butlers present a dazzling display of plates from French Chef David Toutain that are best rounded off with some famous Mauritian rum in the piano lounge.
After all, wellness isn’t about deprivation, and House of Coco believes finding the right balance is the true meaning of self-care.
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