We stayed at Belle Mare Plage for a week as part of our last leg of our honeymoon. Our first impressions of the hotel were superb, great attention from the reception staff and a lovely entrance to the hotel. The design of the complex is wonderful, very serene and calm.

We had a junior suite which was great. The room was extremely spacious and thoroughly clean. The attention to detail from the chamber maids was welcomed and daily updates on weather and sea temperature really helpful.

Food at La Citronelle was also impressive both from a choice and quality perspective. We did not once have a bad meal. We went to the Deer Hunter for one meal and agree with other comments that it does feel like a proper restuarant, however with a very limited daily menu, check out what's on offer first.

My only negative comments were that :-

1) swimming pools were cold but as it was the winter season I was not surprised. I believe they may be installing heating pumps soon.
2) Service was sometimes a bit slack so you would have to ask twice for something (more so in La Citronelle - asking for extra cutlery etc). However they were always apologetic and speedy once prompted.

However as it is such a chill out place, the negatives were so small they did not really bother us.

We were aware of the high prices for drinks so were prepared. We did go to the bar on a few evenings as we wanted to feel more sociable and the enterainment was OK if a little repetitive. If the hotel were to re-look at their pricing structure they would have so more people socialising in the evenings. Would still recommend going to the local supermarket for water and wine. Tip - we were told by the taxi driver it would have been cheaper if we had not asked the hotel staff to call for the taxi, just walk out from the hotel complex and the taxis are right in front - Belle Mare Plage must charge a fee for the taxis to come onto the boundary! We were charged 500 rupees for the round trip.

In summary a great hotel in a great location, just a shame about the rip off drinks pricing!

Arrived at the start of June and had an amazing time here. It was our honeymoon and we were gifted with a free bottle of wine and a free meal at one of their more exclusive restaurants (we had to pay for the drinks though). The setting was fabulous and the grounds gorgeous. All the staff were very friendly and there is a tip box in the reception so you are not expected to tip each and every one of them. The food is excellent with plenty of choice in the standard half board restaurant (although it is slightly tepid). However - the drinks are quite expensive so go prepared to spend some money - or take in some duty free and slurp it in the room (like us and most of the other people staying at the hotel). We upgraded to a Junior Suite which overlooked the beach and was well worth it. All drinks are priced in Euros so the rate vs pounds was not in our favour.
We hired a car one day and took a little trip around the island which is very beautiful - however we did get lost several times and found the road signs sparse.
All in all a fabulous place with great food, beach and plenty of activities to do. We will definitely go again in the future.

This was our second visit to the BMP and I have to say that it was even better than the first! Before the detailed account, here are a few tips if you're lucky enough to be heading out soon:

1. Don't bother taking too many Mauritian rupees (the hotel charges in Euros and you can put everything on your room bill except purchases in the golf shops) but you may need a few rupees if you're heading off the complex;

2. Get up early! The sun rises about 6.30 and sets about 5.30 so make the most of the day;

3. Hire a car and see the island and while you're at it, stock up on essentials (e.g. water, snacks, etc.) it will save you a fortune!

4. Enjoy half price drinks in the bar between 19.45-20.45 with a bit of unobtrusive entertainment (usually a bit of instrumental music from the band);

5. If you play golf, take lots of balls! The Legend is a ball eater. It looks tame but you just wait...

From the moment you step off (the very long) flight from Heathrow you do not have to lift a finger. Mauritours greeted us at the airport and our bags were loaded into a private taxi. It takes an hour to get to the hotel where you are greeted by a member of staff who sits you down in the beautiful bar and offers you a drink while they check you in. Your bags are waiting in your room for you when you arrive.

On our first visit we stayed in a junior suite which was large, beautifully furnished with a great balcony, air con, mini bar, safe, tv, fan, huge bed, etc. This year we were upgraded to a deluxe suite which had a lounge, two toilets, a huge round bath, lots of storage space and a huge balcony (thanks BMP!).

The service at the hotel is fantastic. We reckon that some guests never walk anywhere, they just get the hotel to pick them up in one of the buggies and cart them to dinner, the pool or the beach!

The beach is gorgeous. Lovely soft sand, clear turquoise sea, safe swimming area, activities that aren't too intrusive (e.g. water skiing) and great coral. If you want food or drink on the beach you put a flag up and someone is there within 5 minutes.

The food at the hotel is fantastic. Breakfast offers everything from fruit, cereals and toast to pancakes and a full english! Dinner offers three themed counters (Italian, Asian and Mauritian as well as meat and two veg). The choice varies every night and there is something for everyone. The desserts were just too tempting!

Despite the superlatives, however, there are a few niggles that we had. Firstly, the cost of drinks, lunch, golf buggies, etc. is a little excessive. You are essentially paying European hotel prices (e.g. 2.5 Euros for a small bottle of water, 35 euros for a basic bottle of wine) which seems a little odd in Mauritius! While you don't want to be worrying about your bill at the end of your stay or scrimping on this type of holiday, it might be worth heading out to Centre De Flacq and loading up with essentials like bottles of water.

Also, the gym is a little small with only a couple of treadmills, bikes, etc. but who wants to work hard when you're on holiday!

Other than that though, this was a wonderful holiday in a beautiful hotel that is well maintained, spotlessly clean with great staff and wonderful food.

Me and my wife stayed at Belle Mare Plage for four days. We should stay for 13 days, but managed to change hotel to Le Prince Maurice. That saved our honeymoon!

The room was ok, large and well decorated. However, it was not clean, there were ants everywhere, and the sheets were dirty.

The food was a catastrophe. In the main restaurant the buffet was luke warm. The omelette they served was raw, and I got food poisioned at the seafood dinner the management arranged for us.

The price level is too high for lunch and drinks.

You are hereby warned!