CONSTANCE LE PRINCE MAURICE POSTE DE FLACQ

WHEN YOU FIRST ARRIVE at the Constance Le Prince Maurice you are struck by an awe-inspiring impression of space and calm , which remains with you throughout your stay here . Built in Mauritian style with thatched roofs , the structure of the hotel is immense and of a great height and yet , with its use of water , natural fabrics and colours , the atmosphere is serene and welcoming . This is enhanced by the courtesy and helpfulness of the staff members , who are dressed in a flowing Indian style of colours that reflect the spices of the island and the natural colours of the building . A flat-rimmed pool of water creates a natural line with the surrounding marble flooring . Beyond is the water of the swimming pool , and beyond that the deep blue of the sea . In the evening the atmosphere really comes into its own when the subtle yet dramatic lighting creates a quintessentially romantic but understated ambience that is both elegant and very special . Inside the main building is the à la carte restaurant , L ’ Archipel , which is spacious and open-sided , overlooking the pool and a lounge area . The space is divided into semiprivate sections with an abundance of comfortable sofas and chairs , offering intimate corners for an aperitif and to peruse the extensive dinner menu , which includes lightly spiced Mauritian specialities . Opposite the restaurant is the open-sided bar that is ideal for an after-dinner coffee or digestif ; there is also usually light , live music , perhaps piano or jazz . The bedrooms are housed in two-storey Mauritian-style buildings in the spacious grounds , some built on stilts into a lagoon . There are some beachfront rooms too . Rooms are very spacious with an extremely large bathroom and a balcony or terrace with an outside bed . They are furnished with teak floors , doors and shutters in the room and the bedroom ; the use of natural materials , subdued colours and space here creates a great sense of luxury . The bathroom too is ultra-luxurious with a pillow for the bath , bath salts with wooden ladle and glass jars of bath oil . A unique feature of the hotel is the lagoon , where there are some rooms built on stilts , and a floating speciality seafood restaurant called Le Barachois , which can be reached via a walkway through the mangrove . The hotel caters well for relaxation , with its white sand beach , cosy library with a range of books and games and the Sisley Spa . There are numerous active facilities on site , including water sports , tennis and a fitness centre , while golf can be played just ten minutes away . Children are welcome with supervised activities for those aged 4 to 12 and babysitting is also available . The Prince Maurice is a member of Relais et Chateaux , and is one of those very special hotels that exudes understated style and elegance , a timeless modernity , superb quality and an amazing atmosphere .