Veranda Paul & Virginie

3 readers found this review helpful

We went to Mauritius on 29th October 2008 for 2 weeks holiday staying at Paul & Virginie Hotel in Grand Gaube. We had a lovely sight seeing tour in the hour drive to the hotel which is in the north. The hotel is fantastic, only 3* but we felt like king and queen with the service provided. Our room was lovely, all have sea views. I have mobility problems but was able to get around the hotel with ease and onto the beach too. Watersports were good, and I noticed the staff were always watching you when you went out - pedloe,kayake etc and came out if they thought you were in trouble - excellent. For the more adventurous you could go diving. Saw a turtle in the glass bottom boat which was included in the price. The staff made us feel very humble as they did everything for you, with hugh smiles and were very warm. A special mention for our roomboy kiren who decorated our room so many times!! We added our wedding package late in the booking, and for 625 pound you couldn't ask for anything more, it was perfect in every way. Get a bus into Port Luis which stops right outside the hotel, takes about one and half hours, costs about 50p each and you see the real Mauritius. When you get there do go to the Central market great atmosphere. I don't recommend the loos at the bus station - a hole in the floor!!!!
Also visit the botanical gardens, you can get there on the same bus, really cheap and beautiful, but try and buy a guide book at the entrance.
Not to miss is the dolphins, we hired a private speedboat which was 380 pounds which was very expensive but worth every penny - saw about 30 dolphins, crew cooked us lunch on an isolated island, then went snorkelling on the reef. Split between four of us so 95 each.
Back to the hotel, evening entertainment was excellent, service at the bar was a bit slow but staff were lovely. Food was superb with lots of variety. Fish lovers will love the beach restaurant - second to none.
Couple of negatives - spa treatments were really expensive. There is a tip box in reception but the staff dont get the money so if you want to give a tip to an individual I would suggest you wait until the end of your holiday and give it to the individual staff member. Also if you fly with BA you should book your seats online the day before flying, we didnt and there were no decent seats left when we got to Heathrow. 12 hour flight with no legroom was no joke!
We can't wait to go back again, cant afford next year but will save for the year after. If you want to go to paradise and be pampered from sunrise to sunset I highly recommend Paul & Virginie hotel. Some guests staying were attending a wedding at the nearby 5* Legends hotel, and when they returned they said our hotel was much friendlier and not so much "in your face".
Debbie and Brad, Bristol