The WanderHeart Suite List: No. 02: LUX* Grand Gaube, Mauritius
There are some hotels that completely change your idea of what luxury needs to look like and LUX* Grand Gaube in Mauritius is one of them.
After starting The WanderHeart Suite List with Le Sirenuse, a hotel that represents so much of what I love about classic, timeless luxury, I wanted No. 02 to be completely different.
And LUX* Grand Gaube certainly is. This is relaxed luxury. It is colorful, tropical, serene and fun, while still giving you all of those little things that make a stay feel incredibly special.
First, let's talk about Mauritius.
Mauritius is one of those destinations that somehow still feels a little under the radar, at least for American travelers. It is a trip that is beautifully paired with a trip to South Africa. If you are already that far away, why not tack on some more luxury and relaxation.
Sitting in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Africa, it has the turquoise water and white sand you would expect from an incredible island destination, but there is so much more to it than that. The culture, food, mountains and landscapes make this an island worth exploring beyond your resort.
That being said, LUX* Grand Gaube makes leaving the resort surprisingly difficult, and honestly, unnecessary!
The Design
The hotel was designed by Kelly Hoppen, and I think this is one of the things that immediately sets Grand Gaube apart because it doesn't feel like your stereotypical tropical resort.
There are natural textures, beautiful neutral spaces, unexpected pops of color and little retro touches throughout. It feels innately sophisticated without feeling overly designed. When you are walking around the resort, the flow is unmistakable.
The rooms have that same relaxed beach-house feeling. Depending on the room category, you can have direct beach access, huge terraces and even an outdoor bathtub overlooking the Indian Ocean.
And I am sorry, but there are very few situations in life where an outdoor bathtub overlooking the Indian Ocean is going to be the wrong decision.
The Food
This is also not a resort where dinner means deciding which version of the same hotel restaurant you want to eat at that night.
The dining is actually interesting which is something that can fall short at a luxury resort.
There is INTI, with Peruvian and Argentinian influences. Bodrum Blue, my personal favorite, that serves Turkish cuisine in an overwater setting. There is Beach Rouge for those who want to feel their toes in the sand while dining, and The Banyan area brings even more options.
There is even a treehouse dedicated to rum. The Captain Jack Sparrow in me knows that there is absolutely nothing wrong with that!
The Banyan
Another amazing detail about the resort is The Banyan. Its adults-only area.
LUX* Grand Gaube is a family-friendly resort, but this gives adults somewhere to escape when they want a completely different atmosphere.
There is an adults-only pool, a quiet cove and restaurants tucked into this part of the property. It allows the resort to work for families without making couples feel like they accidentally booked themselves into a family resort. This makes it a perfect location for those on their honeymoon as well.
The Luxury Is in the Feeling
And I think this is ultimately why LUX* Grand Gaube belongs on The Suite List.
Luxury doesn't always need to mean chandeliers, white gloves and absolute silence.
Sometimes luxury is waking up next to the Indian Ocean. It is taking a bath outside. It is spending an afternoon by a quiet cove and then having Peruvian or Turkish food for dinner. It is wandering into a rum treehouse because, apparently, your hotel has one.
It is being somewhere beautiful without feeling like you need to behave like you are somewhere beautiful.
LUX* Grand Gaube is relaxed luxury done incredibly well.
And that is exactly why it earns its place as No. 02 on The WanderHeart Suite List.