The type of understated luxury and discreet service on offer at the superb Royal Palm would usually be more associated with an older clientele than a younger couple (and the not inconsiderable price tag will no doubt also encourage that demographic!) But recent times have seen a younger clientele also being attracted to the unmatched elegance and class of this truly unique five star exclusive hotel. If you can afford it then this extremely classy hotel is unlikely to disappoint even the most discerning traveller as Royals, international sports celebrities and stars of the silver screen return year after year to their corner of paradise in the Indian Ocean!

The unparalleled and thoughtful service begins the moment you arrive at the Royal Palm after your private car transfer. Instead of an elaborate check-in procedure on arrival, you'll instead be shown to your suite, allowed to settle in, and complete the necessary formalities there in the comfort of your new home. You'll continue to experience this warm service during every part of your stay. With twice-daily maid service, beach assistants supplying fresh towels and cold drinks to your plush lounger overlooking the Indian Ocean, and a staff that always addresses you by name, you might start to feel a little spoiled. And no wonder too either considering that the Royal Palm has a ratio of 4 staff to every suite!

The surroundings certainly won’t disappoint either – the Royal Palm is set on a stunningly scenic stretch of beach just outside Grand Baie which is quiet and hidden and this sense of tranquillity extends to the hotel’s public areas where the decor is warm and welcoming yet with a restrained elegance (this is definitely not a hotel where glitz and bling are the order of the day!) The same applies to the hotel’s 69 suites with their colonial feel, none of them more than 30 metres from the sandy beach – enhancing your sense of privacy are the many gorgeous palm trees spread throughout the stunning gardens. The suites underwent an extremely stylish rebuild back in 2014 and the result is the epitome of elegantly stylish luxury!

They are split into 8 different suite types: the entry level rooms are the Junior Suites (55m²) boasting an open plan bedroom including a lounge area and a balcony or terrace. If you need more space then you could choose a Tropical Suite (70m²) or a Palm Suite (85m²), the latter being located on the ground floor with access to a terrace and the gardens and beach beyond and the former being on the first floor with direct access from the terrace to the gardens and beach beyond. Then there are the spacious Senior Suites (103m²) where you can relax in the separate lounge area opening onto a terrace. Whilst all of these suites can accommodate 2 adults and 1 child under 18 years, should you have a bigger family there are other (more expensive inevitably!) options with 2 bedrooms – these include 3 Garden Suites (115m²) consisting of two bedrooms each en-suite with a lounge area sharing the open plan sleeping area for the parents, 3 gorgeous Presidential Suites on the top floor (178 m²) with 2 large bedrooms each with beautifully furnished en-suite bathrooms and a huge living room area with a panoramic view of the ocean, and finally the stunning double storey Royal Suite which boasts a walled private garden, a decked terrace area and a private plunge pool – this must be close to the ultimate in space and luxury! That "ultimate" designation though, has to belong to the Penthouse, a superbly spacious 122m² of pure luxury (with a massive balcony adding an additional 78m²!) Families can also opt to book two Junior suites where the option of inter-leading suites may be requested at time of booking.

The beach at the Royal Palm is fantastic, with talcum powder soft sand lined with luxuriant palm trees fringing the impossibly blue lagoon. Or if you prefer to look at the sea rather than swim in it, then the comfortable loungers around the gorgeous swimming pool will make an attractive alternative. In fact the pool deck area must rate as one of the most attractive of any resort on the island! Go for a dip and on your return you’ll find an attentive staff member ready with a brand new towel! Whilst there are plenty of watersports available, the average guest profile here means that you’re unlikely to ever have to queue for water skiing for example. Other activities available include kayaking, snorkelling, glass bottomed boat trips, tennis as well as a sophisticated fitness centre with state-of-the-art equipment. For many people though the superb Spa will be even more of an attraction – this must arguably be ranked in the top couple of spas on the entire island and is also listed in the “Leading Spas of the World” portfolio - the options for spoiling yourself with pampering treatments or massages are almost endless, including a special area dedicated to stunning Ayurvedic treatments! For therapy of a different sort, if the urge to splurge is too strong to resist then the Royal Palm is perfectly placed for you to be able to pop out to the boutiques of nearby Grand Baie for a spot of retail therapy!

Whilst all the suites accommodate children and there’s also an excellent kid’s club offering such fun activities as treasure hunts and even learning how to bake cakes under the guidance of a chef, you need to be comfortable that your kids are going to feel at home in these quite exclusive surroundings. Many families who are used to staying in hotels such as the Royal Palm will accept nothing less than the service they are accustomed to and would only find at the Royal Palm – and hence their children are used to staying in hotels such as this with their peaceful and tranquil ambience. If your kids are more boisterous though, then such exclusive hotels as the Royal Palm are probably not the best choice for your family holiday – in which case rather take the kids somewhere more casual where they can relax and let their hair down without disturbing anyone.

One of the real benefits of staying at the Royal Palm is that the fantastic cuisine is offered on a half-board a la carte basis allowing you the freedom of choice to enjoy some of the islands finest cuisine with not a buffet in sight (although some specialties will still be at a supplement). The superb kitchens are overseen by head chef Michel de Matteis, who is a winner of numerous awards and previously ran several Michelin-starred restaurants across France. The Royal Palm offers 3 restaurants - La Goelette is the hotel’s main restaurant with panoramic views across the bay, serving breakfast and gourmet Creole and international cuisine, whilst Le Bar Plage provides the perfect beachfront setting for a leisurely lunch. All of the tables here are set on wooden decking under the shade of a huge Badamier tree and the delicious menu includes light snacks and a selection of chef's salads made using local produce. Then there’s the intimate La Brezza Trattoria, located in a stunning spot at the ocean's edge. Authentically Italian in every sense, the mouth-watering flavours and warm atmosphere will enchant diners for the evening meal. For small private parties there's also the option of dining at the Captain's Table, a small private dining room. Afterwards light evening entertainment provides the perfect opportunity to relax in style – you could enjoy an evening at the piano bar or dance to the resident band. It’s all about enjoying an atmosphere of refined elegance in one of the most stunning settings in Mauritius – no wonder then that since its opening back in 1985, the Royal Palm has enjoyed a well deserved reputation as one of the Indian Ocean’s very finest hotels!