As it says farewell to former glories, Le Touessrok Hotel & Spa in Mauritius has undergone the greatest change in her history with a massive renovation investment. It took US$52 million and almost a year to complete.
The famous five-star Le Touessrok hotel in Mauritius, proudly occupying a spectacular location on the east coast of the island, began its major renaissance in January for readiness this month. Le Touessrok will be repositioned as a world class luxury resort appealing to well-travelled guests and aims to rank, as of December 2002, amongst the most prestigious hotels in the world.

Located on the island of Mauritius in the sparkling Indian Ocean, new Le Touessrok will combine comfort, technology, design and service to offer a unique tropical centre of leisure and pleasure, bringing a new level of luxury to Mauritius.
The eleven-month rejuvenating cure, at the cost of over US$ 50 million, includes building totally new rooms on Ile aux Lièvres and Hibiscus beach, as well as the complete refurbishment of the guestrooms and suites.

This major undertaking is the collaborative effort of South African and Mauritian architects, Ridler Shepherd Low & Macbeth Architects, while the concept design was developed by a creative design team under the direction of its Chairman, Sol Kerzner. The world famous American interior designers ‘Hirsch Bedner & Associates’, whose talents re-established Le Saint Géran to its mythical place among the most elegant resorts in the world, will bring to Le Touessrok a touch of sophistication taking this resort to new heights of tropical contemporary luxury.

THE RENOVATION WORKS

A total of 98 brand new suites (six Ocean suites and 92 Junior suites) will be situated on the private island ‘Ile aux Lievres’, linked to the public areas of the hotel by a magnificent wooden bridge. These sumptuous suites will follow a circular pattern around the island and will all be sea facing. On the mainland, the Hibiscus wing will consist of 37 Deluxe rooms (refurbished Junior suites), 32 new Junior suites and the fully refurbished Royal suite.
The Coral wing will offer 31 Deluxe rooms (completely refurbished Superior rooms) and a Junior suite (refurbished Coral suite). Both Hibiscus & Coral wings stretch out along beautiful beaches on either side of the main building. The Junior suites and Ocean suites will be designed in a contemporary, tropical style to provide the utmost pleasure.

This ambitious major renovation will recreate the romance, comfort, and understated elegance of the original Le Touessrok, while bringing an updated and more contemporary expression to this most magnificent tropical environment.
The lobby is fresh, simple, elegant and stylish. The ascending progress through the space pulls the guest towards the superb views of the pool and the ocean beyond. Sculpted furniture with a modern touch adds vibrant colours to contrast with the soft, neutral architecture. The new lobby design sets the stage for the discovery of the newly rebuilt guestrooms.
The design of these new rooms and suites is light, airy and the openness of the spaces creates unparalleled views of the ocean from anywhere in the room, including the bathroom. Throughout the rooms, there are subtle references to the local architecture of Mauritius, such as the decorative carved wooden screens, the rich colours and textures of the contemporary design of the vertical wood shutters, and the strikingly colourful original artwork. Crisp white linens will contrast with colourful cashmere bed-throws and pillows.

THE GIVENCHY SPA

Situated next to the superb lap pool on the exclusive ‘Ile aux Lièvres’, is the Givenchy Spa, created as a tropic retreat of refinement. Dedicated to the well-being of both body and mind, the spa’s qualified personnel, carefully chosen and highly-trained by Givenchy, will undertake original treatments, such as the Canyon Love Stone Therapy and the four hands Ylang-Ylang massage, in its nine therapy rooms. There is also a ‘Bride’s room’ available, situated next to the Hair Salon for complete beauty therapy.

Embracing its spectacular setting, the Givenchy Spa, Matt Roberts gymnasium and the Hair Salon will adopt a contemporary holistic approach. Complete treatments together with a personalised sports programme and nutritional menu, as well as beauty and hair services will all be available. Integrated gardens and water features will bring a soothing atmosphere to the Givenchy spa.

Design is sublime and the buttery yellow tones of the walls and stone floors will be complemented by the rich cherry wood ceiling at the entrance. Archival Givenchy sketches and designs will adorn the walls and signature glass perfume bottles will be displayed as sculpture throughout this serenely spacious area.

FINE DINING

Overlooking the pool and the Trou d’Eau Douce bay, the main dining room will offer an exciting multicultural contemporary dining experience with six different themed areas spread throughout the restaurant on different levels. It will be permanently animated with action cooking. The themed areas to discover are a continental rotisserie & grill corner inspired by Central European cuisine styles; a fashionable & healthy Asian corner; and an Italian corner offering a variety of gourmet dishes and Mediterranean specialities prepared in a wood-fired oven.
There is also an enchanting Indian Restaurant with a modern interpretation of classic Indian cuisine where, once again, the preparation of dishes will take place in the very heart of the restaurant itself.

The Sega Bar, which offers a splendid view of the pool and Trou d’Eau Douce bay, is atmospheric with light entertainment such as jazz bands before & after dinner. Island style architect will be complimented with use of palm wood and coconut shell and the blue granite bar top will reflect the colour of the surrounding pool and sea.

HEALTH CONSCIOUS CUISINE

With wooden floors, thatched roofs and its contemporary Asian-inspired interior, this unique beach-side restaurant and bar offers the pampering experience of dining right at the shore-line overlooking the idyllic Trou d’Eau Douce bay. It will be open for health-focused holistic Spa breakfasts and upscale continental breakfasts. Lunch and dinner offerings will revolve around the restaurant’s exceptional show-kitchen concept combining a floor-to-ceiling glass encased sushi-sashimi section, an open European char-grill counter complemented with a traditional Japanese Robata grill and a salad & appetiser section facing the heart of the restaurant. The result will be a firework of trendy east-meets-west signature dishes.

The restaurant’s bar, located right next to the island pool and also facing the beach will offer a unique selection of herb-infused tonics and elixirs for the health conscious whilst also catering to the more ‘spirited’ hedonist.

ILE AUX CERFS AND ILOT MANGENIE

The beautiful islands Ile aux Cerfs and Ilot Mangenie, adjacent to Le Touessrok, also feature unique restaurants, redesigned to offer an even larger variety of tropical dishes and drinks.
A 7000-yard 18-hole championship golf course, designed by IMG and signed by Bernhard Langer, is also planned on Ile aux Cerfs.

THE FIRST CONTEMPORARY CONCEPT
The resort will maintain its original style of a Mediterranean village with uniquely Mauritian architectural features, such as thatched roofs and intricately designed wood pergolas. It will be resolutely trendy, contemporary and cool - the first beach resort in the world to offer this type of concept.

Le Touessrok became a member of Leading Hotels of the World in 1997 and has won many international awards.

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