The atmosphere here is one of relaxed elegance without being ostentatious – in fact there’s actually quite a lively atmosphere for such an upmarket resort with the various restaurants and bars all being located around the centre-piece of the resort, the enormous 2-tier swimming pool. From the majestic and spacious lobby you look out onto the crystal-clear swimming pool (at 2000 m² one of the largest pools in Mauritius) and the aquamarine lagoon beyond – protected by the reef, the lagoon provides an ideal setting for swimming and safe paddling for children, not to mention all the water sports on offer that you could desire, including windsurfing, sailing, snorkelling, water skiing, diving and fishing. In fact, the LUX* Belle Mare is particularly good for families as they have both an excellent kid’s club and a teenager’s club with a games room. But for those adults looking to relax there is also a lovely large health spa offering a wide variety of treatments.

The 174 thatched rooms overlook the stunning long white sand beach and the turquoise waters of the sheltered Palmar Lagoon – the hotel comprises two separate wings amidst tropical gardens, one of which offers interconnecting rooms and easy access to the children's facilities and the other is quieter and suited to honeymooners and couples. The rooms are some of the most luxurious to be found on the island, with the 12 villas in particular being very chic and contemporary.

All of the rooms are spacious and decorated with the vibrant colours of the island. All have terraces or balconies with views of the ocean and luxurious bathrooms, clad in Italian marble with oversized baths and separate showers. If budget is an issue then your choice would have to be one of the 162 entry level Junior Suites which still offer a high degree of luxury as you would expect in a 5 star deluxe hotel – at 60 m² they are still spacious and equipped with a king size bed, a dressing room and spacious bathroom with a large walk-in shower, two wash basins, a bath and separate toilets. They’re stylish too, with red and rust-coloured tones tastefully blending with mahogany wood panels and blinds. Honeymooners may find it worthwhile upgrading to one of the 90 m² Honeymoon Suites which are dominated by large four-poster beds and also feature luxurious Brazilian rosewood flooring underfoot.

But if money is no object then go straight for the 12 magnificent and luxurious Villas which are out of this world! Designed for guests looking for additional privacy and space, refinement and privacy, all of the Villas look out towards the lagoon and are set on the edge of a sheltered bay. A special feature is that each villa has its own individual, heated swimming pool with large, wooden sun loungers for soaking up the sun, as well as private gardens with outdoor showers. The wooden thatched gazebo with table and 4 chairs is ideal for a romantic dinner or for a private massage session.

Whether you stay in one of the Suites or Villas, guests have the choice of 4 excellent restaurants offering up a range of different culinary delights. Rive Gauche, the main restaurant, is set under a high beamed thatched roof with views of the lagoon and the swimming pool. Le Mediterranée has a relaxed air, right by the beach and you can dine with your feet in the sand. This is the place to try local Mauritian dishes, as well as Mediterranean specialities such as pizzas and salads. Indouchine looks out towards the lagoon and is synonymous with the best of fine dining, where French haute cuisine is flavoured with little Indian and Chinese touches to produce pure gastronomic delight. Le Langoustier is an elegant seafood restaurant set on its own terrace, overlooking the pool and the lagoon beyond. The jewel in the seafood crown is the special four-course lobster extravaganza which is served once a week.

There are a number of bars at the hotel so you will never be short of a place to enjoy a glass of fresh fruit juice in the morning or chilled glass of wine in the evenings. Club Savanne has an African theme and serves a variety of cocktails. The Monsoon Bar and Lounge has a colonial feel with furniture and furbishing inspired by the East Indies trade route. This is the place to relax in the evening and watch the evening entertainment. Fruit juices, drinks and snacks are available all day under your beach umbrella, or you can of course, take advantage of the 24 hour room service. It’s easy to see why the LUX* Belle Mare is so highly rated: it’s a big hotel with a huge number of facilities and activities including loads of sports, the spa and some great restaurants; the setting is stunning and the beach is lovely as it is both long and very wide; add in the charming staff and excellent service and you can see why it’s a great choice for couples and families alike, and where both the active holidaymaker as well as those that just want to relax on the beach will be delighted to stay!