Where to go for 30th anniversary luxury holiday?

[Elmrosie]

We've not been abroad since the beginning of 2020 and I'd like to organise a week of total relaxation for the two of us at the beginning of September this year. We've been to Mexico a few times and have been put off by the drunken crowds in some resorts.

Ideally, we'd prefer adults only, direct flight and all inclusive/full board - normally we'd love to get out and about, but this trip is for lounging. I've heard that service and food in the Caribbean is still not back to pre-pandemic standards, don't know how true that is. Good food is one of our top priorities, so I would rule out Cuba for example.

I'm thinking about Mauritius, but am slightly out off by the lack of direct flights.

Does anyone have any recommendations for Mauritius or other places please? Or experience of how bad or good Air Mauritius is?

Budget would be £5-6k for the week.

If you do decide on the Caribbean either Jade Mountain or Anse Chastenet in St Lucia (sister hotels, Jade Mountain is more expensive) are lovely. No experience on Mauritius. How you have a lovely time whatever though.

I went to Mauritius about 5 years ago. Mexico is better, including food and service. At that time you could fly direct from Heathrow but we went from Manchester via Dubai on Emirates. Wouldn't go back.

Have a look at hotels like El Dorado Royale in Riviera Maya. Adults only, Gourmet all inclusive, not Cancun so no drunken groups like you say. Fives is also lovely but not adult only, although when we went there were very few kids there and those who were were impeccably behaved. I wouldn't stay on the hotel strip in Cancun but would go to Riviera Maya tomorrow.

@PieonaBarm

I went to Mauritius about 5 years ago. Mexico is better, including food and service. At that time you could fly direct from Heathrow but we went from Manchester via Dubai on Emirates. Wouldn't go back.

Have a look at hotels like El Dorado Royale in Riviera Maya. Adults only, Gourmet all inclusive, not Cancun so no drunken groups like you say. Fives is also lovely but not adult only, although when we went there were very few kids there and those who were were impeccably behaved. I wouldn't stay on the hotel strip in Cancun but would go to Riviera Maya tomorrow.

Agree with this. Although I prefer the Dorado seaside suites, quiet, good food and in a great position for days out etc.

@Gnomechomsky I've been to Seaside Suites too, in Jan 20 just before Covid hit, I would go back but would prefer Royale, I liked that it was bigger and you can use the restaurants in Generations which are excellent. Although SS was starting to have the rooms refitted when we were there - the work was in no way intrusive however!

Fairmont mayakoba in Mexico does not have the drunk crowds you describe. We loved it.

I can also recommend Maldives (you are spoiled for choice there tbh) but I find the flight and travel time a total drag

Ubud in bali has wonderful 5 star spa hotels.
We stayed here and liked it.
www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g297701-d12083148-Reviews-The_Udaya_Resorts_Spa-Ubud_Gianyar_Regency_Bali.html

Wild card suggestion....
If you want something more lively I really recommend Cape Town Garden route (so much fun stuff to do plus wine!) Followed by a trip to some of the private game reserves. Either kruger or for something a bit extra onr of the private game reserves...
I did a few nights here
www.welgevondengamereserve.org/lodges
It was INCREDIBLE (like once in a lifetime stuff)

We flew direct to Mauritius last week. There are flights three times a week from gatwick with BA. Check out BA holidays, it's a good time to go at the mo as prices low post covid. We love Le Monre as an area to stay but have stayed elsewhere previously, the whole island is nice, service is definitely better than the service we've had in the Caribbean.

Mexico we were also deterred by the spring break / drunken crowds if I'm honest, the beaches are lovely though.

Seychelles beautiful but no direct flights is an issue at present. Caribbean otherwise?

We went to Mauritius on honeymoon 10 years ago and it was amazing. Food and service were definitely better than we'd had in Mexico/Dominican and we didn't get caught up with the spring break crowd.

We didn't do a direct flight (in Scotland so anything "direct" involved a flight to London anyway) but others in the hotel went with Air Mauritius. We split up the travel and had a few days in Dubai.

I went to Mauritius in October for our 25th wedding anniversary holiday.

We flew from Manchester with Emirates. So, Manchester to Dubai, 2 hour wait and then Dubai to Mauritius.

I liked the fact that the journey was broken up into 2 flights.

We stayed at the Preskil Island Resort. Short transfer from the airport. The resort was beautiful. Lovely food, beautiful beach and all the water sports were free.

We booked through Trailfinders.

Due to covid our holiday was cancelled 3 times. This was the 4 resort we booked. It was a relief to finally get there

How about Seychelles?

Definitely check the weather in September - isn’t it hurricane season in the Caribbean?

Have you been to Thailand? It ticks the good food box and 5/6k would go very far there.

I’d really really recommend the Ikos change of resorts in Greece.

We stayed Deluxe in Aria and it was incredible.

I’m surprised by the pp’s who thought Mexico had better food and service than Mauritius. I found Mauritius much better for both aspects, I have to say one of the main positives for me for Mauritius over Mexico and the Caribbean was the lack of Americans

Also as the time difference isn’t much, Mauritius is probably an easier destination if you are only planning on going for a week.

Mauritius is a great destination I went a few years back for my honeymoon. I flew direct there with BA and stayed at the LUX Belle Mare www.luxresorts.com/en/mauritius/hotel/luxbellemare I am a big foodie and can honestly say the food was a great standard. I couldn’t fault this holiday in any way what so ever. I’ve done a few all inclusive (they are not always my favourite option as I am a self confessed food snob) but I would go back here in a heart beat. The Lux brand do have 2 other resorts in Mauritius too.

Thanks all - we've done The Fives and Seaside Suites. The latter had LOTS of drunk Americans and the service in the second week really dropped off when the hotel was full. I do like the Karisma group though.

We've been to Thailand and loved it! That's a good suggestion.

Haven't thought about the Seychelles, I think I've confused them with Polynesia actually . They're similar distance to Mauritius/ Maldives I think. Any recommendations for there please?

@uggmum

I went to Mauritius in October for our 25th wedding anniversary holiday.

We flew from Manchester with Emirates. So, Manchester to Dubai, 2 hour wait and then Dubai to Mauritius.

I liked the fact that the journey was broken up into 2 flights.

We stayed at the Preskil Island Resort. Short transfer from the airport. The resort was beautiful. Lovely food, beautiful beach and all the water sports were free.

We booked through Trailfinders.

Due to covid our holiday was cancelled 3 times. This was the 4 resort we booked. It was a relief to finally get there

Oh my goodness, did you kiss the tarmac on arrival?

@Elmrosie

😂I actually had tears in my eyes when i stood in the hotel foyer and looked out to the sea.

After a 2 year wait and 3 cancellations (one of which was 14 days before travel) I thought I would never get there.

We had such an amazing time. It was paradise

@Elmrosie we came back from The Maldives last week; absolutely stunning! We stayed at The Residence on Dhigurah. I can certainly recommend it. It's joined to the sister island by a 1km bridge and you can use the facilities on both islands. Everyone is given a bicycle to make getting around easy although there is a golf cart service also!

Seychelles recommendations wise, we stayed at the Constance Lemuria which was absolutely heaven on earth. However. We probably wouldn't go back as now they have cut the direct BA flight route, you have to layover on the way AND the hotel is on Praslin, a separate island needing sea plane/ferry/helicopter transfer. Unlike the Maldives, a lot of the packages don't cover this and you run the risk of being stranded on the main island if the weather is bad.

If we returned, we'd do the Constance Ephelia which looked beautiful :)

Personally, in your position, I'd stick with Mauritius and stay down in le morne. Beautiful!

Did Mexico last year, not impressed- lots of rowdy Americans and food really below par, wouldn't go back. Maybe I picked the wrong resort but I did do my research
Did Mauritius in 2016 - absolutely beautiful. Food was amazing and such a beautiful friendly island. Direct flights with Air Mauritius. We stayed at Zilwa on the East Coast . Would go again definitely.
Went to Barbados in January - Stayed at Sugar Bay in Hastings - Fantastic resort with amazing food . Best food of any All Incl I've had - also stunning friendly island