You’ve probably seen the photos. That impossibly turquoise water and the white-on-white aesthetic that makes LUX Belle Mare Mauritius look like a high-end Pinterest board come to life. But if you’re planning a trip to the island’s sunrise coast, there is a lot of noise to filter out. Most people think all Mauritian resorts are basically the same—palm trees, a pool, and a buffet. They aren't. Honestly, this specific corner of the island behaves differently than the North or the West, and if you don’t know what you’re walking into, you might miss why this place actually matters in the luxury circuit.
It’s about the wind. And the light. And the fact that they literally rebuilt the place from the ground up after a massive fire in 2022.
The "New" LUX Belle Mare isn't just a renovation. It is a pivot. Jean-Marc Tang, the architect, didn't just slap on some fresh paint; he leaned into a concept called Monochrome Pastel. It sounds fancy, but basically, it means the resort doesn't try to compete with the ocean’s color. It complements it. You won't find the dark, heavy woods or the "colonial chic" tropes that dominate other five-star spots like the St. Regis or the Royal Palm. It's airy. It’s light. It feels like a breath of fresh air, which is exactly what you want when you’ve spent twelve hours on a plane.
The East Coast Reality Check
Let’s talk about the location. Belle Mare is famous for having arguably the best beach on the island. The sand is like flour. It’s soft. It doesn't have that crushed-coral crunch that plagues some of the beaches near Flic-en-Flac. But here is the thing: the East Coast is breezy.
In the Mauritian winter (June to August), those trade winds are real.
If you’re a kite surfer, you’re in heaven. If you’re someone who wants perfectly still air while you sip a Phoenix beer, you might prefer the sheltered leeward side of the island. However, the trade-off is the water quality. Because the lagoon at Belle Mare is so vast and the water is constantly circulating, it is crystal clear. No murky patches. No stagnant heat. Just pure, vibrant blue.
Why the Design Shift Changed Everything
When the resort reopened in late 2023, the design world took notice. Most tropical resorts lean into "authentic" thatch and dark timber. LUX went the other way. They used sand-colored floors, coral pinks, and seafoam greens. It’s very Slim Aarons. It feels like a mid-century beach club that somehow landed in the Indian Ocean.
The rooms are huge. Even the entry-level Junior Suites give you enough space to actually live in, rather than just sleep. They’ve done away with those annoying, complicated light switches that require a PhD to turn off at 11:00 PM. Everything is intuitive.
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"The goal was to create a space that feels like a private beach house rather than a hotel room," says the design team.
And it works. You’ve got the oversized soaking tubs, the "Sleep Tight" mattresses that are honestly better than what most people have at home, and balconies that actually face the sunrise. Pro tip: wake up at 5:30 AM at least once. The sun coming up over the Indian Ocean at Belle Mare is a spiritual experience, even if you’re not a morning person.
The Culinary Landscape: It’s Not Just Buffets
Food in Mauritius is a melting pot of Creole, Indian, Chinese, and French influences. At LUX Belle Mare Mauritius, they don't just do a "theme night" and call it a day. They’ve got Amari by Vineet.
If you know anything about the culinary world, you know Vineet Bhatia. He was the first Indian chef to get a Michelin star. His food at Amari isn't your standard butter chicken. It’s complex. It’s refined. It’s arguably some of the best Indian food you will ever eat outside of London or Delhi.
But then you have Duck Laundry.
It’s a Chinese restaurant focused on duck. It’s moody, it’s dark, and the Peking duck is legendary. It feels completely out of place in a tropical resort in the best way possible. You forget you’re wearing flip-flops.
Then there’s the "ICI" ice cream parlor. It’s a small cart, but they make the stuff on-site. The flavors change daily. Sometimes it’s coconut, sometimes it’s some wild local fruit you’ve never heard of. It’s these small touches—the "Reasons to Go LUX"—that actually separate the brand from the big corporate chains. They have a hidden bar. They have a phone booth where you can call home for free (it’s vintage, it’s red, it’s very Instagrammable).
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Sustainability Isn’t Just a Buzzword Here
Mauritius is a fragile ecosystem. The coral reefs are struggling. The island imports a staggering amount of its food. LUX Belle Mare has tried to tackle this through their "Keen on Green" initiative. It’s not just about not washing your towels every day.
They have an on-site herb garden and a hydroponic farm.
A significant portion of the vegetables you eat at the "Mondo" buffet (which, by the way, doesn't feel like a buffet because of the live cooking stations) comes from right there on the property. They’ve also moved away from single-use plastics. You get glass bottles filled with water desalinated and bottled on-site. It sounds small, but when you multiply that by 174 suites, it’s thousands of plastic bottles saved every month.
The Kid’s Club and the "Teen" Problem
Traveling with kids is usually a compromise. You either go to a "family" resort that feels like a playground, or a "luxury" resort where you feel like everyone is judging your toddler for crying.
Belle Mare hits the middle ground.
The PLAY kids' club is actually educational. They do gardening. They do local crafts. They don't just sit them in front of a PlayStation. And for the teens—who are notoriously hard to please—there’s Studio 17. It has DJ decks and paddleboarding excursions. It keeps them away from the main pool so the adults can actually read their books in peace.
What You Should Actually Do (Actionable Insights)
If you’re going to book a stay at LUX Belle Mare Mauritius, don't just sit by the pool for seven days. You’re in one of the most culturally rich places in the world.
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- Rent a bike and head to Flacq. The resort offers guided tours. Flacq is a local village with a massive market. It’s loud, it’s colorful, and it’s where you’ll find the real Mauritius. Eat the "dholl puri" from a street stall. It’ll cost you about fifty cents and it’s delicious.
- Book a "Message in a Bottle" search. Every morning, the staff hides bottles around the resort. If you find one, you get a prize. It could be a free massage, a private dinner, or a bottle of wine. It sounds cheesy, but grown adults get incredibly competitive about it.
- *Visit the LUX Me Spa.** This isn't just a place for a quick massage. They have a whole "wellbeing" circuit. They do a Chinese medicine assessment. They look at your posture. It’s surprisingly scientific for a beach resort.
- Go to the Rum Treehouse. Mauritius makes world-class rum. The resort has a small "treehouse" bar where they do tastings of infused rums. Try the vanilla and the chili-infused ones. Just don't plan on doing any heavy lifting afterward.
The Fine Print: What to Watch Out For
Is it perfect? No. Nothing is.
The East Coast location means you are about an hour and fifteen minutes from the airport, depending on traffic. Mauritian roads are narrow and winding. If you get motion sickness, take something before the drive.
Also, because it’s a premium resort, the extras add up. If you aren't on an all-inclusive package, the drinks and specialized dining can give you a bit of "folio shock" at checkout. It’s better to go for the "All-Inclusive" or "Full Board" options if you don't want to be calculating the exchange rate every time you order a cocktail.
Lastly, the vibe is "social luxury." If you want absolute, total isolation where you never see another human soul, you might want to look at something like Le Prince Maurice down the road. LUX is about energy. It’s about the "Aperitivo" hour. It’s about the live music. It’s sophisticated, but it’s definitely not quiet.
Your Next Steps for Planning
If you're sold on the idea, start by checking the Mauritian calendar. Avoid the peak of cyclone season (January and February) if you don't want to risk being stuck indoors, though even then, the storms usually pass quickly.
Check the "Offers" section on the official LUX* website directly before booking through a third-party site. They often run "Early Bird" discounts or "Long Stay" specials that include spa credits or private dinners that Expedia won't show you.
Once you book, email the concierge. Tell them if you’re celebrating anything. They are famously good at "surprises"—whether it’s a bath decorated with bougainvillea petals or a private table under the stars.
The real magic of LUX Belle Mare Mauritius isn't the thread count or the architecture. It is the fact that despite being a high-end resort, it still feels like it has a soul. It doesn't take itself too seriously. It’s luxury, but you can still get sand on your feet.
Next Steps:
- Verify the Season: If you're traveling between May and September, pack a light windbreaker for the evenings on the East Coast.
- Review All-Inclusive Options: Compare the "Bed and Breakfast" rate against the "All-Inclusive" package; usually, two cocktails and a dinner per day make the upgrade worth it.
- Book Dining Early: Amari and Duck Laundry fill up days in advance, even for hotel guests. Email the resort two weeks before arrival to snag your spots.
- Download the App: The LUX* app allows you to book spa treatments and see the daily "Message in a Bottle" hints before you even leave your room.