One&Only Le Saint Geran

I stayed here a few times many years ago and fell in love with the place and especially the people. I think it was 2001, long before one could leave a review like this but the service was so good that now I need to mention what amazing staff you have in every department. I’d like to mention the two guys in reception that year when I stayed but I can’t remember their names but they went far beyond the call of duty. In the morning of the day in question I asked at reception if the Liverpool FC UEFA CUP game was on tv that evening and I was told that it was. Later in the afternoon I was contacted on the beach by one of the guys on reception who told me that the game was not on tv after all but that I should be in reception for 9pm that evening. I got to reception at 9 and the 2 reception guys were waiting out of uniform. We all got in a taxi that they had arranged which then drove for approximately 40 mins to a large village hall where they had a big screen showing the match full of many Mauritian soccer fans. We had a fantastic night and could not have been looked after better and on top of that they wouldn’t allow us to pay for a thing. What an amazing gesture by the hotel it will stay with me forever. Can’t wait to return and see how good the refurbishment is when I’ve saved up again !! Thank you again Regards Mark Cooper Read less

I’m not sure why this hotel elicits such polarised reviews. I venture that it is the expectation that the promise, reputation, branding and pricing of One & Only, that makes customers expect perfection, and then those that don’t receive it feel cheated. This hotel strives to deliver it and they come close. It is old (1975 or thereabouts) but a recent makeover has freshened it and the elegance of the original design does not get out-wrestled by the slight lack of modern functionality denied by the layout. It sits discreetly in its beautifully landscaped grounds behind a sandy spit of peninsula studded with palms and other mature trees that rise above the eaves of the two-storey accommodation wings. It is under new’ish management and previous criticisms of invisible senior management have been exorcised. Enda Mullin and his management team are ubiquitous and consummate. One of the things that stood out for us was the willingness of all staff to take responsibility for guests’ needs with a genuine concern. This was underpinned by an unfailing propensity to follow up any engagement and make sure the guest was satisfied. I doff my cap to the management capability that has instilled this in such a large team. I could dissect every sinew of the operation of this hotel and at the core I would find a commitment to deliver an exceptional guest experience. It is a human endeavour, so it is not perfect, but I did not resent a single cent of the fare that was charged to experience their quest. In short order... Outstanding Traits: The best core restaurant experience of any hotel we have enjoyed. The La Terrasse breakfast and evening buffets are a cornucopia of international cuisine, backed up by an a la carte menu and superb friendly service. They have sectionalised the buffet and every part is a delight. One section contains the best tandoori dishes we have ever experienced and the cheese & dessert selection is incredible. We booked a Beach Front suite. It was brutally expensive but it is beautifully appointed and extremely spacious. There are lovely complimentary touches including a reserved cabana on the beach, sundown drinks, soft drinks, daily gifts... the list is endless and indulgent. I read a complaint suggesting the cabana is elitist. Is like complaining that someone who pays for a pool villa gets a pool. The Staff Nuff said above. Across the board they are wonderful. If you engage with them they will reward you genuinely & endlessly. Shout out here to Darberry, Nichol, Latchmee, Satish, Dhiraj, Andre & Akash in La Terrasse. Amit the tandoor magician, and Baasil & Roshan our amazing butlers. In the interests of the relentless quest for perfection I might humbly point out the following observations, some of which is for mother nature’s attention... The beach is a bit of a minefield. I destroyed a foot on a sand ledge that crumbled onto an underlying basalt rock and then spiked it on a hidden projecting end of some chainlink buried in the sand. I’m hoping they’re not going to charge me for the resulting medical attention. Getting into the warm & welcoming sea is a game of risk with the scattered objet coral and the grand national of submerged shelved gravel. There is excellent live music every night in La Terrasse, but if you want to retire early and your room is in proximity, then you’d better bring earplugs. Proceedings do however end at a respectable 11pm. There’s no avoiding this. The swimming pool situation is perverse, in comparison to the outstanding nature of everything else. If you want to swim conspicuously amongst breakfasters and lunchers in an unfinished jigsaw of a pool, then the La Terrasse pool is for you. Otherwise you can head to the La Pointe pool which is the scattered missing parts of the unfinished jigsaw, and if you like, you can impress your friends by paying a criminal minimum consumption charge to enjoy a cabana, instead of the perfectly comfortable beach recliners. Oh just look at you with all your bling. When I was a kid growing up on a council estate, I dreamed of visiting a desert island paradise. I don’t want to ever find it as it will shatter the dream. The One & Only Le Saint Geran comes uncomfortably close to achieving that. Read less

We are leaving today and regrettably we have endured 2/3 days of tropical rain but then it is February. HOWEVER, nothing could detract from our delight and pleasure staying in this superb hotel. We had a Lagoon Suite that was excellent and we could walk 25 metres from our patio to the beach. The main Buffet Restaurant was as good as anything we have ever enjoyed ; a little disappointed with the Fusion Restaurant but the Grill was excellent. The gardens and buildings were brilliant and the staff kind , courteous and very efficient. Entertainment was better than anything else we have experienced. Will definitely return but might consider a different time of the year to avoid the rainy season.. Read less