Palmar/Mauritius. Hotel Review SALT of Palmar Mauritius Experiences | Research Stay
The Location
Palmar is located in Flacq, the largest district of Mauritius in terms of area. It is located in the east of the island and has about 140,000 inhabitants. The SALT is located directly on the beach, offering an enchanting view of the Indian Ocean and fantastic sunrises for the early birds. It is only about 50 kilometres from the international airport along the coast, but you will have to allow 1 hour by car.
Since Mauritius only measures about 60 x 40 kilometres, you are basically relatively quick everywhere. At least as long as traffic and road conditions allow. No place is more than 2 hours away by car. The famous mountain Le Morne is about 1.5 hours away and the capital Port Louis about 1 hour.
Style & Character
The SALT of Palmar is part of the Lux Resorts on the one hand, and part of the Design Hotels on the other. Stylish and unique design seems to be guaranteed. And that’s exactly how it is with the Moorish-style building. A little design surprise awaits you at almost every corner. The tables in the restaurant are tiled – sometimes in deep blue tones, sometimes in black and white checks. Together with the colourful cushions and the green of the plants, the result is a harmonious picture that immediately radiates cosiness.
The fine pool is located in the middle of the complex. Viewed from the lobby, it is the link to the ocean, to which it literally stretches out, lined with palm trees and sunbeds. The impression of a peaceful oasis is probably not entirely unintentional. And indeed, you can spend wonderful hours on the furniture under the chic umbrellas around the water.
The SALT does not claim to want to play in the top luxury segment. But the Adults-Only-Hotel offers everything the heart desires. Its unique character is due on the one hand to the unmistakable interior, and on the other hand to the outstanding staff, who all take pleasure in their work and put their own personalities at the service of the cause (and are obviously allowed and expected to do so!).
Amenities & Service
Part of the hotel is a small but fine spa area. And, nomen est omen, almost everything here revolves around salt. The highlight is the salt chamber, where you can fully enjoy and experience the healing powers of the precious mineral. Incidentally, this is the only facility of its kind in the whole of Mauritius. As a special perk, for every minute booked in the spa, the minimum is 30, you will receive an additional minute at the hotel’s expense. We also find it remarkable that there are no predefined treatments in the classical sense, but that they are adapted to the individual needs directly on site.
The chic pool overlooking the sea is, in a way, the heart of the hotel complex. Everything takes place around it. There is also a great water dispenser at the side of the pool. It supplies you with still and sparkling water around the clock, and also has herbs and lemon slices to spice up your healthy drink. You will also find sunscreen and aloe vera in this area in case you forget to apply the former.
The amount of sockets in the outdoor area deserves a special mention, as does the sunbed policy. If they are unused for more than 45 minutes, the staff make sure that they are accessible to the general public again. A good thing, but unfortunately not a matter of course. Also very important for the particularly hot days: the beach loungers by the sea have an emergency thirst button in case the way to the bar seems too far but your throat is already very dry.
Rooms & Suites
Roughly speaking, the resort has 3 room categories. On the one hand, there are the Garden View rooms, which offer a quiet view towards the lagoon and the greenery. On the other hand, there are the two categories Seaview and Bang on Beach (sic!), each of which guarantees magnificent sea views. The latter are as close to the beach as you will get in any other hotel on Mauritius. The Seaview rooms, however, are the larger ones. One thing is certain, you can’t really make a bad choice. We had room 301 with pool and sea view. It is the largest room at the SALT of Palmar.
The furnishings in the living rooms are remarkable. They deliberately do not have a TV, but smooth jazz music plays from the high-quality radio when you check in. In the room you will also find water, coffee powder from the island state, moringa tea and coconut chips – enjoy them and try the Pickled Pineapple, with salt, of course! If you’re lucky enough to get into a Seaview room, sniff the super comfy slippers. No kidding, they smell very pleasantly of cinnamon, which is what they are made of.
Food & Drinks
The gastronomic offer also promises true SALT of Palmar Mauritius experiences. This already starts with breakfast, the concept of which is unique. You can choose two main courses from the list. These can be, for example, the excellent avocado toast and the moringa omelette or the fabulous Eggs Vindaloo, and then help yourself to anything you like in the in-house bakery. Tip: Three of the larger dishes are actually enough for two. Especially if you want to indulge in the bakery’s great desserts afterwards.
Just as with the first meal of the day, the ingredients for lunch and dinner are regional and seasonal – sustainability is really lived here. Dinner is served à la carte, with four additional, changing special dishes on the menu every day. If you’ve always wanted to know how real curry is cooked, chef Visham can explain all the tricks in a cooking class at SALT.
The Rooftop Bar invites you to a fine aperitif daily from 5.30 pm. In a relaxed atmosphere, you can enjoy the evening atmosphere with a view of the sea while the entertaining bartender Ved conjures up the drinks of your choice. If you’re at the pool bar, try the homemade rums.
What we loved
The fact that all products come from local producers with whom guests can and should even come into contact. The water and sunscreen dispenser, the pool and the view of the sunrise early in the morning. We loved the croissants and avocado toasts and the salt scrub in the shower. There is an extreme emphasis on sustainability throughout the hotel. And, of course, that it is a boutique Adults-Only hotel.
What we didn’t love
It was not clear to us why the water served at lunch and dinner comes from the 24/7 free tap, but is charged for on these occasions. Admittedly, this is really complaining at a very high level.
Top-Tips
Room 301 is the largest in the complex. It provides an impeccable view of the pool, sea and the early sunrise. Plus, the slippers don’t just smell good, they’re insanely comfortable. If you’re in the mood for an underwater adventure, book the snorkelling tour, it pays off.
Take advantage of one of the countless opportunities to get in touch with local producers. Unique experiences are guaranteed and you might even learn a new skill along the way.
Bottom Line
- Friends
- Couples, even though it’s not a dedicated couples hotel
The SALT of Palmar Mauritius experience you can have here is indeed the only one you can have here. The enthusiasm of the staff and the exceptional range of activities, coupled with the original design, make for unforgettable holidays. It’s not for nothing that Time Magazine ranked the hotel among the 100 worlds-greatest-places 2019.
SALT of Palmar
Coastal Road, Palmar Belle Mare Belle Mare, 41604, Mauritius
saltresorts.com | €€
When we stayed there: Mai 2023
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