Seasense Boutique Hotel & Spa

Most of the staff were genuinely kind and tried hard, but the managers made a poor impression. They didn't seem to train or guide the younger team, and at times spoke to trainees in an unfriendly, hostile way. Having worked in a restaurant for a few years, I also found the table clearing inefficient: empty plates were handed to the first junior nearby, and sometimes people brought food out of the kitchen only for someone else to take the plates and serve it. With better management, the staff's efforts could make this feel more like a five-star stay. The beach location is good. We didn't hear the road, and the tides make this stretch feel more secluded than the larger resorts farther north. Our first room was extremely small for a five-star resort and full of ants. We understand insects can happen in the tropics, but this wasn't acceptable. After we pushed, we got an upgraded upper-floor room without ants, about the size we'd expect. The rooms are still small and a bit stuffy. Housekeeping kept ours clean, but the bathroom smell lingered despite airing it out. Breakfast was satisfactory, but lunch was expensive for what we got. A 900-rupee, about 18-euro, carnivore pizza looked like a defrosted one with extra cheese. We went to the Italian restaurant at Hotel Ambre a few times instead, where pizzas were fresh and much cheaper. Dinner was mediocre, and the chef's menu got worse as the week went on. Tomato soup as a starter wasn't acceptable to us, and on our last evening, a Thursday, the buffet consisted only of curries. Items outside the Half Board selection cost full price, not just a supplement, which we couldn't understand. Dinner service was very rushed, with a meal possible in 45 minutes, too quick for a holiday. Some nights our drinks hadn't arrived before the starters, and we had to ask for bread. I hope the hotel reads this. A few changes could improve the experience and offer customers more value.

The lagoon in front of the hotel is broad and shallow, with impressive marine life. I spotted a green turtle on my first swim. There's a sandy beach, and the whole place is picturesque, with service that adds a lot to the stay. Our room was spacious and modern, with a natural feel. The woodwork throughout was artistic, and the bathroom area was roomy and trendy. The restaurant serves Mauritian and international dishes, including a Mauritian cuisine buffet on Thursday, and the seafood was especially tasty. It's a lovely boutique hotel, and the staff make you feel like a top priority. I highly recommend it and hope to return soon.

New Year's Eve was a special part of our stay. The hotel arranged a gala dinner, lovely fireworks, and a DJ night, and the atmosphere was extraordinary. Everything felt well organized, and our experience was exceptional from start to finish. We were very happy with our choice.

The beach was lovely for a long walk, and we enjoyed the food and drinks. Staff were warm and welcoming. We had a peaceful, wonderful couple of days, and Mr. Vikesh and his team carried out my special request beautifully.