Bel Ombre: one site, three hotels under construction… an extensive project in the untouched South West, a massive investment well worth the 975 million rupees for Voile d’Or, 850 for Heritage and 1.3 billion for Telfair, to give tourists the opportunity to discover a special pristine part of Mauritius with its fauna and flora.

Although they are neighbours, each hotel has its own specificity, its own identity… They will all be ready in two to three months’ time but each individual special touch can already be felt. Their attractive and mysterious names hint at their specificity.

Heritage Golf and Spa Resort, a four-star deluxe hotel, suggests a touch of Mauritian tradition. Veranda Resorts has chosen warm colours and noble materials like thatch, stone and wood to convey a typical African atmosphere in its 160 rooms. “Because Mauritius is part of the African continent… We should not forget the heritage we have from this specific culture! When tourists come to the hotel, they should really feel that they are in Mauritius,” the hotel sales representative explains. “The mere mention of its name brings forth images of the magnificence and refinement of a rich past,” says the brochure.

The five star Telfair Golf and Spa Resort Mauritius exudes a British colonial style. It is named after the former British administrator of Bel Ombre, William Telfair. He is said to have done a lot for the country and deserves this tribute. The hotel is very different not only from the two others of the Indigo group but also from any other in the country. All the 158 rooms and villas are made of painted and carved wood both outside and inside. The result is a spacious and bright atmosphere as “luxury today equals space.”

As for the Voile d’Or Resort & Spa a five-star hotel belonging to Elegant Destination (company created by the Bhunjun group and Philippe Requin in 2003), it embraces the finest influences of the Old British Empire with a dash of French savoir-faire. With a soupçon of Moorish and Dutch Portuguese, the blend of cultures gives the 180 hotel rooms their special cachet. “If Voile d’Or remains 100% Mauritian, we have made the hotel with an ‘imaginary concept’: what would Mauritius have looked like if the first to have come here had stayed a little longer… Well, we like to think that it would have something to do with Voile d’Or.”

The hotels will be operational at different dates: Heritage will be the first as it opens in mid-October, Voile d’Or is expected to open in November and Telfair in December. But their joint official opening is planned for mid December.

<B>Golf course and gastronomy </B>

All the promoters have agreed to market Bel Ombre as the new destination within Mauritius, and therefore, to have a stronger impact, a common logo for this area is being created.

The Bel Ombre site will bear only one logo “Bel Ombre” and the hotels hope that this will promote development over the whole area. They hope other activities will start next year and will join the Bel Ombre logo.

They all agree that they have been welcomed in the region. “People were very happy that such a project was set up in this region. It will allow the creation of jobs and will help the region to develop.”

However, it is out of the question that the area be developed in a haphazard way. “We are very conscious of the ecology that has to be preserved in this untouched country-side.” Even the trees uprooted for construction works will be replanted soon after. The promoters are conscious that luxuriant vegetation brings comfort, peace and beauty to the place.

The three hotels will thus have beautiful gardens. The rooms all face the sea but guests will also have a wonderful view over the mountains in the background. Tourists will have the opportunity of discovering the natural beauty of the 3,500 acres of natural reserve on the South West coast through quad biking, horse riding and organised picnics…

Heritage and Telfair have also engaged in a joint project: a golf course for their guests at the foot of the mountain. The Château de Bel Ombre, managed by a French chef employed by Telfair, is being renovated. As soon as the hotels open, a gastronomic restaurant overlooking the golf course and with a beautiful view of the mountain will be open to hotel guests and to the general public for lunch and dinner, whilst at Voile d’Or world renowned chef, Michel Roux Jnr of Le Gavroche, London will preside over Le Gavroche des Tropiques.

The three hotels have banked on the peacefulness of this area to attract tourists. Although all of them aim at welcoming families, the hotels are built so that everyone can feel at home and enjoy maximum privacy as there is much space between the rooms and bungalows. The spa in each hotel is also another asset that should attract those in search of tranquility and relaxation.

The site is indeed an imposing mixture of cultural heritage and elegance. Though the construction is not finished, the excitement of the promoters can already be felt. They are so keen to see their “babies” born. So are we…

<B>Voile d'Or: EIA request contested </B>

Voile d’Or has asked the authorities for a new Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) permit. As the beach in front of the hotel is rocky, the hotel promoters have asked permission to reshape the beach and lagoon to accommodate water sports. The ministry of the Environment is still studying the EIA request. Ecologists are expressing their concern and opposition to this request. Asked for his comments, Jean-François Laurent, the general manager of Voile d’Or, explains that he is surprised and sorry to hear that this subject has created unnecessary confusion since he has not heard of any protests in the region. “The conservation of the environment is our prime concern as it is not in the interest of Voile d’Or to pollute and destroy the marine environment.” Moreover, the company has taken on board the advice and recommendations of Baird & Associates from Canada, well-known as one of the leaders and experts in marine environment.The latter are actually involved in futuristic and expensive projects, such as The Palm Island in Dubayy, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. “The EIA is now in the hands of the ministry of Environment, which is reviewing the experts’ report. I am prepared to demonstrate how we are, in fact, investing in order to embellish the environment.”