When we booked our week stay in Mauritius at Club Med La Plantation d’Albion excitement immediately started to build. With thoughts turning to vibrant island life, tropical beaches, swimming in the warm ocean and varied cuisine. We were definitely looking forward to this trip! 

After a direct flight from London with British Airways we arrived approximately 12 hours later to be greeted with 30 degree heat at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport, ready to embrace the island life. Mauritius is an island with varied landscapes and as we sped up the motorway our transfer driver instilled tit-bits of local knowledge, with nods towards the history of Mauritius as well as the focus of where the country is striving towards in the future. We listened as best as we could whilst being distracted by the marvellous vibrant green mountains, bustling towns and mesmerising scenery. 

After an hour we arrived at our piece of paradise for the week, the Club Med La Plantation d’Albion, found on the west coast of Mauritius. We were greeted with a refreshing drink at reception and a warm welcome and then whisked off by golf cart to our room where our luggage was waiting. Now the hard part came, deciding just what we wanted to do with our time away.

We knew before arriving that a stay at Club Med La Plantation d’Albion would have more all-inclusive offerings than we could possibly hope to enjoy throughout the week, however we were ready to give it a good go. After being treated to a wide range of freshly cooked dishes at the buffet on the first evening, it was time for a quick glass of champagne at the bar before an early night to ensure we were full of beans for the next day. 

During our week on the island we alternated where we had breakfast, choosing between feasting on fresh tropical fruits at The Distillerie restaurant or having a late breakfast after a swim or a game of tennis at The Phare à la carte restaurant. This is within the adult-only Zen Zone area. 

The pictures don’t quite do the resort justice, it is absolutely stunning. The tropical lagoon waters are every shade of blue and green with soft white sandy beaches. After breakfast we often chose to walk along the beach and take a dip in the warm Indian Ocean before drying off on a sun lounger listening to the waves lapping the shoreline. The first couple of days were spent finding the perfect mix of relaxation and fun, playing petanque and golf, reading a book by the Zen Pool which was a quiet oasis, walking through the palm trees and discovering barefoot bliss. We also tried some of the activities including archery, sailing and enjoy a coffee or two at the bar.

Afternoons at Club Med La Plantation d’Albion can be exactly what you would like from your holiday, however after indulging in a massage at the spa I would highly recommend a visit to the spa to start your holiday in style, followed by a cocktail or two and an afternoon snack – the food on offer is sensational.

Mid-week we decided it was time to explore a little more of this wonderful island and so we booked an excursion with the staff at the excursions desk to discover Mauritius. Our local tour guide was excellent, showing us the real highlights of the island. These included the Château de Labourdonnais, one of the original sugarcane plantations, the Seven Coloured Earths of Mauritius which are amazing psychedelic dunes found in the Chamarel area of Mauritius (along with spectacular waterfalls), Le Morne mountain, hindu statues, temples and deities and a little of the culture as well. The day trip included an obligatory roadside stop to experience super sweet pineapple shaken with chilli flakes, tamarind and lime, a mouthwatering delight well worth experiencing.

The rest of our holiday at La Plantation d’Albion followed the same format. A heady mix of divine dining, plenty of complimentary glasses of wine and cocktails as well as sunbathing and swimming with some sport alongside this. The Phare speciality restaurant is a must for anyone visiting the resort, my tip would be to pre-book at reception for the following day and be treated to dishes like tuna and marlon tartare and curried lamb cutlets – these were some of the real highlights, but everything was delicious.

The week culminated in finally plucking up the courage to take on the trapeze. During the week we had marvelled at the GOs (Gentils Organisateurs – the resort staff) who had entertained in the evenings especially one night in particular with an amazing evening dining poolside whilst we watched acrobatics and performances that would not have been amiss at the Cirque du Soleil. And so inspired by this, these very performers were now teaching us how to take on the trapeze. Suddenly standing on a platform 30 foot in the air and jumping off (despite the net below) was a lot more intimidating than I might have imagined. However after much encouragement and a little practice learning the trapeze and finishing off with a flip to dismount made sure that it was definitely one of the lasting memories of the trip!

For those who want to unwind in beautiful surroundings, Club Med La Plantation d’Albion is absolutely perfect, as mentioned above, the resort is simply beautiful, and for those looking to enjoy culinary prowess, it is equally excellent, and for those who like to do a little more than lie by the pool on holiday, it is nigh on unbeatable. It is genuinely a resort to recommend to anyone.