Sands Suites Resort & Spa

I'm not a big vacationeer nor I don't need much to feel well. This said, then I've been to many 5 star hotels across the globe from China to Iceland and all around Europe continent. Now where should I place Mauritius and the Sands Suits Resort & Spa... I guess, for beginning I need to write that this is the first time so many people requested me to write a review in Tripadvisor - haven't done this before so I'll be somewhat brutally honest. Starting from the arrival to Mauritius - the airport left a lot of room for improvement and the Southern attidude was immideatly recognized - the passport cheking employees took their time to deal with people and they had plenty of time to speak with their colleagues what to do after work meanwhile there was quite a big queue... Exit from the airport - we had a transfer arranged and that was quite as expected, but still a positive encounter =). The driver placed a local flower necklaces around our necks and did a picture of us. One very positive thing was a prepaid SIM card that was given to us by the driver arranged by the travel agency. In China I had to ask for it and in other countries it was somewhat kind of ignored request. Now about the resort itself and the actual review itself: Arriving to Sands Suites Resort - this was a very warm welcome and I can say that it is a location for those who don't plan to do much in the country itself and plan to enjoy the stay at the hotel. Everything and every request is highly taken care of and you will be treated as a VIP in that sense - nothing of uncommon, but highly appreciated and memorable. Also, while there were activities for the whole day, I must say that it was more towards more, umm, higher age group. Might not be much for a younger generations from the resort evening music choises and so to say, late night activities. It was a spa and not an active kind of resort =). The hotel room that we stayed in - no complaints at all. There was a full range of pillows for every taste. I prefer a smaller, thinner type of soft pillow and I had that right from the start. Sometimes getting a thinner pillow is a struggle for some reason, but not in Sands Suites =). We stayed in the room for 11 days and the room was kept clean by the room service all the time - zero complaints about the room service. The towels were always there (for some unknown reason all the towels on the floor were always rolled together after every time they were replaced :D - never encountered that before :D ). What I liked the most about the room, was probably the restroom - it was a private one without the glass separator that I unfortunately see quite often, especially in the highrise hotels. So we were able to do our business without the eyecontact :D. Food - despite having a different dish every day of the week, then eventually many european dishes were unfortunatelly kind of tasteless. And all those Indian dishes had (for me) too much ... I don't know the english term for that spice, but it resembles a salty soap taste actually... So I kind of skipped many main course dishes. But overall I'd give 5 out of 6 to the breakfast and dinner that was included. Maybe even 4,5 due to the fact that while in the morning, coffee, water, juice, was for free, but in the evening you had to pay for the water or any drink for that matter. That was somewhat of a bummer. I've been to hotels, where there are all drinks for a fee or some usual things are always for free (juices, water). This was a first time when it was a mix of both... But the dining was a buffee type and you never left the breakfast or dinner with an empty stomach. Now, about the staff itself. Yeah, I was very pleased. The reception was always ready to help and more than I'm used to. Usually if you are not able to get a rental car for example from your local trip agency, then it is no point to ask for anywhere else any more - well, not in Sands Suites. I must write about this, because this incident really made the reception (specifically an employee named Vishal from the reception) stand out from the past hotel receptions and even travel agency employees that I've had to deal with in the past. For some unforseeable instances I needed a car for just one day on the next day. After some enquiries to rental agencies (and even to an agency from whome we rented a car before - they didn't respond till the next day, EUROPCAR or something similar - I do not recommend them from my experience) and to our trip agency, I wasn't able to get any car. While the reception employee, whose contact I had, Vishal, had a day off, and as a last resort - I asked from him, if he knew a way to get me a rental car for the next day. It took only an hour maybe and he offered a selection of cars :D. That was an outstanding and above service - on a day off for a reception worker! Can't give enough kudos to this service! About the rental car service providers, I need to write about that. The first car we got from EUROPCAR or something similar named agency. Nah, not cool place to get a car. While the car, that we got, was hybrid, then the battery was actually dead and it drove only on petrol - okay, no biggie. But the day price that was initially stated, was not true and in addition, while I have all kind of insurances in place, then this car rental service provider still added some additional insurance fees to the daily price + when they brought the car to the hotel, they also wanted to ask for a delivery fee that was not agreed at all. Positive side - that delivery fee was deducted, but yeah... Not quite what I expected despite providing the necessary documents about being covered by insurance already... The second car that was arranged by the reception employee, Vishal, was from some ABC rent or something like that. This was the service that I expected. Since it was somewhat exprompt thing, then I was accepting any car that was available - so the cheapest one was good to go. When the car was delivered, then they had offered an upgrade for the same price from a small Micra to an Almera. And there was NO delivery fee nor any other hidden fees and all was as agreed prior to the rental. Perfect and big bow towards Vishal for arranging that rental car in the night before the rental day :D. Last, but not least, there was a customer relations something ... ugh, can't remember the proper job title, but basically a Chief Happyness Officer named Brenda - well, she was as active and lively as you'd like a customer relations employer to be. Always smiling and always ready to help with any request =). In conclusion - would I choose this establishment again for the next time. Well, maybe, maybe not. I can not unfortunatelly say that there was something special or outstanding compared to other similar resorts. Was it bad? NO, not at all, it wasn't bad - just nothing extra special. BUT, without the employees I would be quite neutral or emotionless related to the overall stay compared to other resorts. Thanks to the friendly employees (especially Vishal and Brenda), I am recommending this establishment to others =). Lastly, this was a bit enforced request, specially from the resort owner, to leave a feedback to trip advisor. While I get the gesture of a personal approach in that sense, it still felt a bit awkward to me. From my perspective, I do understand the request from employees, but from the establishment owner it sounded like a plea for help. Sorry and I don't mean anything harsh nor bad about it, just this request left me a bit dazzled. I wasn't that special quest so I'm sure that the same type of request is left to others also in a written form, but is it really necessary? I think that the general positive word is much better that a squeezed out review... Read less

Our stay was amazing, cannot fault the reception we had on arrival. The staff were truly devoted to making our holiday enjoyable and made every effort to facilitate our every need,from providing little snacks and cleaning our spectacles while on the beach. We had a relaxing full body massage in the spa, which is something we do on almost every trip, and I can honestly say this is the best we have had to date. We had a meal booked at the Pink Peppercorn, which was excellent food served by Hitesh, who made the experience memorable, to say the least. I'm a very fussy eater, so one evening, Sandia organised a Mauritian curry, especially for me instead of the buffet Italian. Was very thankful for that. Special thanks to Brenda at the guest relations desk, who facilitated our trip to the Bambous Registration office to pick up a birth certificate. Also to Selven, who is probably the most attentive staff member I have ever met. Our vacation to Mauritius was made special by the hotel and its staff. We will definitely return. Read less

Just returned from a lovely 10 night stay at the Sands Suite Resort. The resort itself is beautiful and our room was spacious with a fabulous Sea and Mountain View. The buffet was varied so something for everyone. We also booked a meal at the Pink Peppercorn restaurant onsite which gave us an opportunity to experience a twist on Mauritian food. We booked a couples massage and I have to say it was one of the best I’ve ever had. The facilities and activities provided at the resort are top notch but the key asset is really the staff! All were helpful, cheerful and informative, from Stephane at the water sports desk to all the beach and pool staff. We were appreciative of the cold flannels, glasses cleaning service and little snacks that were provided. A nice touch. The housekeeping staff were all very nice and kept our room spotless. Special mention though to Selven, Hitesh and Sandia who were especially attentive to us and the glamorous Brenda who went over and above when she helped us navigate visiting the Registrar office in Bambous. She made the whole process quick and simple for us. We will definitely be back. Read less

We had a wonderful time and would definetely go there again. The service was incredible we never experienced that before and the hotel itself is beautiful. Everyone takes care of your needs and helps you get around especially the concierge Vishal! The tennis court is great you can even borrow equipment and play as long as you like. You have sauna, spa, table tennis and billiard included as well and lots of water activitis. The rooms are great too and clean! Read less

We had a fantastic stay at Sands. The main things that made it so good were the staff, there are too many to name as they were all so attentive during our stay. Nothing was ever too much of a bother for anyone. The rooms were lovely and clean with beautiful sea/beach view. The buffet food was great, lots of choice and i felt it was much better for me being vegetarian in comparison to other hotel buffets I’ve experienced. The location is stunning overlooking tamarin bay, the only downfall is it is a bit of a walk into Flic en Flac but you can hire bikes or get the bus, taxi’s are also available but they do charge tourists more. We had an excellent massage too during the stay as well as taking advantage of the free water sports! The sunset on the beach is truly stunning too! Overall I would highly recommend this hotel, we couldn’t really find anything to fault it. Read less