Escape to Paradise: The Westin Turtle Bay's Luxury Awaits
Escape to Paradise: Westin Turtle Bay - My Chaotic, Luxurious Adventure (and Why You Need One Too!)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the tea – the oh-so-delicious, overpriced-but-worth-it tea – on my recent escape to The Westin Turtle Bay in Mauritius. Prepare for a review that's as messy, honest, and slightly obsessed with the perfect beach as the experience itself.
(Please note: this review is based on my own experience. Your mileage, and particularly your willingness to embrace a little chaos, may vary!)
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Getting There & Around (Accessibility & Getting There):
The airport transfer? Smoooth. Pre-booked, waiting for me, AC blasting – a perfect start. Airport transfer: check. And the resort itself? Well, let's just say they get accessibility. Facilities for disabled guests: they've got 'em. Elevator: yup. *Car park [free of charge]: score! And the whole property felt surprisingly navigable, even for those with mobility concerns. *Accessibility:* tick, tick, tick. They also do Taxi service and Valet parking – which is handy, because trust me, after that first piña colada, you'll not want to be driving anywhere.
Arrival & First Impressions - Oh. My. God, the Beach!
Okay, I'm a sucker for a good hotel lobby. And this one? Divine. Think breezy, open-air, with that faint, lingering scent of frangipani. Instantly, I felt the pressure melt away. Check-in/out [express]: efficient. Concierge: friendly and helpful, always happy to point me in the right direction (mostly toward that beach). And the view… oh, the view. The Indian Ocean, turquoise and sparkling, beckoned. Front desk [24-hour]: convenient.
I swear, the entire reason I'd booked was for the beach. And it didn’t disappoint. White sand, crystal-clear water… I spent the first hour just staring. It's the kind of beach that makes you spontaneously burst into song, or at least hum a cheesy tune. The Pool with view? Yeah, great. But the beach? That's where it's at.
Rooms: Sanctuary of Serenity… with a Few Quirks
My room? A sanctuary, mostly. Non-smoking rooms? Naturally. Air conditioning? Needed!. Free Wi-Fi? Hallelujah! (More on that later). I had a beautiful Seating area, a massive Extra long bed, and a Private bathroom with a Separate shower/bathtub. Bathtub: I'm in! Bathrobes: Fluffy heaven. Toiletries: top-notch. They even had a Scale. Talk about keeping it real…
BUT, and there’s always a but, right? One small gripe: the internet. Internet access – wireless: yes. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Technically, yes. BUT it occasionally decided to take a nap, leaving me staring at my screen, muttering obscenities under my breath. Okay, maybe a few obscenities. Internet [LAN]: didn't try it, so can't confirm. The Wi-Fi in public areas also suffered the same intermittent funk. So, if you're planning on live-streaming the entire trip, pack your patience (or a very good data plan).
Dining, Drinking & Snacking (Food, Glorious Food!)
Food. Ah, the glorious food. And boy, did I eat.
- Breakfast [buffet]: Epic. Seriously, the buffet was a monster. Asian breakfast, Western breakfast, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Buffet in restaurant: the works! I loaded up on fresh fruit (the mangoes!), pastries, and enough coffee to power a small country. It was the perfect fuel for a day of blissful lounging.
- Restaurants: The Westin boasts several restaurants. A la carte in restaurant, Asian cuisine in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant: plenty to choose from! I loved the pan-Asian restaurant, which offered a tantalizing array of flavors.
- Poolside bar: Poolside bar: a must. Sipping cocktails while gazing at the ocean? Pure bliss. The happy hour ( Happy hour!) was a lifesaver… or at least a sanity-saver.
- Room service [24-hour]: Room service [24-hour]: ideal for those late-night cravings. Ordered a burger at 2 am one night. No regrets.
- Snack bar: Snack bar: handy for quick bites.
- Desserts in restaurant: Desserts in restaurant: prepare for sugar rush!
The Bottle of water was replenished daily, a lovely touch. And even though there was Daily housekeeping, I still managed to leave a trail of clothes and beach gear in my wake. It's a skill!
My Favourite Experience - The Spa: Where Stress Goes to Die (and my wallet weeps a little)
Okay, this is where it gets really good. The Spa at The Westin is a masterpiece. A true Spa/sauna haven. I indulged in a massage ( Massage - heavenly), a Body scrub (felt like I'd been reborn!), and generally wallowed in the sheer pampering. Sauna, Steamroom, Foot bath: Check, check, and check. I felt like a new person. Or, at least, a very relaxed, fragrant, and slightly broke one (the spa treatments are splurge-worthy).
Things to Do, Ways to Relax & (Trying) to Stay Active
Besides beach bumming and spa-ing, there were plenty of options. Swimming pool [outdoor]: beautiful. Fitness center: I tried it once (after my third piña colada), and nearly sprained something. Gym/fitness: they have one. Kids facilities: looked amazing, but I didn't have any. But for me, it was all about that damn beach.
The resort also offered various water sports. Swimming pool: of course. Bicycle parking: present. I loved just strolling along the sand at sunset. Proposal spot: a romantic option for couples!
Cleanliness & Safety (In the Time of Everything)
Let's be real: safety is everything these days. And The Westin was on point. Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Rooms sanitized between stays: they were taking it seriously. Cashless payment service, Contactless check-in/out: super convenient. I felt safe and secure throughout my stay. Hygiene certification: yep, they got one.
Services & Conveniences (The Little Things That Matter)
- Concierge: Always helpful, always courteous.
- Dry cleaning, Ironing service, Laundry service: necessary after my messy packing habits.
- Gift/souvenir shop: perfect for picking up a tacky t-shirt (or two).
- Luggage storage: useful for holding my overpacked suitcase.
- Daily housekeeping: a lifesaver.
- Air conditioning in public area: essential for survival.
- Elevator: thank goodness.
- Cash withdrawal: handy for those spontaneous shopping sprees.
- Doorman: welcoming smiles and helpful hands.
For the Kids - Family-Friendly Fun (Though I Didn’t Have Kids)
The resort is incredibly Family/child friendly. They have Babysitting service, Kids facilities, and Kids meal. So if you're travelling with little ones, they've got you covered.
Business Stuff (Because Sometimes You Have To)
I didn’t need to work, but the resort has Business facilities, Meetings, Seminars, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Meeting/banquet facilities. Wi-Fi for special events: obviously.
Getting Around
As well as the airport transfer, they provide Taxi service that is reliable. Very important!
Final Verdict: Run, Don't Walk to Paradise!
Look, The Westin Turtle Bay isn't perfect. The internet can be a bit temperamental. You might end up spending way more money than you planned. And you may find yourself spending hours just staring at the beach. But would I go back? Absolutely. It’s a true escape. A chance to recharge
Wuzhou's BEST Hotel? Canghai Lake Park Views from City Comfort Inn!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're about to embark on a trip to The Westin Turtle Bay Resort & Spa in Mauritius. Forget pristine itineraries; this is gonna be a glorious mess. Prepare for questionable decisions, questionable tans, and a healthy dose of existential dread mixed with supreme relaxation.
MAURITIUS MADNESS: A TRIP (MORE OR LESS) PLANNED
Day 1: Arrival and Oh-My-God-This-Is-Paradise (Plus the Great Robe Debacle)
- Early Morning (Seriously Early): Flight from… wherever. I'm still blurry from trying to catch some z's on the plane. Arrival at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport (MRU). Holy moly, the humidity hits you like a warm, velvet glove. Passport control? Smoother than I expected. Score! (This feeling will likely be short-lived).
- Mid-Morning: Transfer to The Westin Turtle Bay. The drive? Stunning. Lush green everywhere. Coconut trees standing like perfect little soldiers. Okay, I'm officially smitten. The resort itself? Grand. Glimmering. Almost intimidatingly perfect. Check-in. (Minor hiccup: I swear they gave me a room with a view of the other rooms. Minor complaint, major first-world problem.)
- Early Afternoon: The Great Robe Investigation. Let's get this straight, I need a good hotel room with a fluffy bathrobe. I went to the pool and wanted to know if the robe would make me feel like an emperor. I was expecting a plush cloud of cotton, but the thing felt like a slightly-softened burlap sack. DEVASTATION. I might need to write a strongly-worded email about this.
- Late Afternoon: Poolside. Finally. Sun, book, cocktail (a ridiculously sugary concoction with a tiny umbrella – judge me). Bliss. Or, as blissful as you can be when you're internally debating the merits of the aforementioned robe. I swear, this vacation is all about the robe. I can give up anything, but not that kind of comfort.
- Evening: Dinner at Mystique. Ah, the food! The seafood was divine. I ate everything. EVERYTHING. Maybe even took a second helping that I didn't need. The waiter was super patient with my attempts at French (utterly hopeless, but he pretended to understand). I think I flirted with someone. Maybe. Ok, definitely. Maybe my mind was just as happy as my stomach.
Day 2: Snorkelling, Sunburns, and Existential Questions (And Why Do I Always Lose?!)
- Morning: Snorkelling trip to the reef! Crystal-clear water, vibrant fish, and… me, flailing around like a particularly clumsy sea creature. Surprisingly, I did see a turtle. An actual turtle. Pure magic. (Mental note: invest in better flippers).
- Mid-Morning: Sunblock application (or lack thereof, apparently). I swear, I put it on! But the Mauritian sun is a sneaky devil. Sunburn starting to simmer on my shoulders. (Should have listened to my mother. She said: "Wear sunscreen, you idiot!")
- Lunch: Casual beachside restaurant. Ordered a burger, because when in paradise… eat whatever the hell you want. The burger was good. The company was, on the other hand, even better. We talked about everything and nothing. I might have said too much.
- Afternoon: Decided to be adventurous and try some watersports, the only thing I regret. I had to compete against other guests for a chance to go kayaking, the only thing I regret. The thing is, I can't kayak. To make matters worse, I always lose. I got so frustrated, I spent the rest of the day sulking.
- Evening: Dinner at Seasonal Tastes. The buffet. Oh, the buffet. I swear, I think I tried everything again. The dessert section? Dangerous. I felt like a kid in a candy store, except the candy store was filled with crème brûlée, and, well, more crème brûlée. Passed out.
Day 3: Spa Day, Sunset Views, and the Eternal Search for the Perfect Cocktail
- Morning: Spa time! A massage. A facial. Pure, unadulterated pampering. I emerged feeling like a new woman. (The robe in the spa? Much better. Soft. Plush. Possibly dreamy.) The treatment was amazing!
- Mid-Afternoon: Lounging by the pool. Feeling like a sun-worshipping deity after that spa. I'm starting to get into this whole "doing absolutely nothing" thing. It might be addictive.
- Late Afternoon: Sunset cruise. The boat, the views, the… cocktails. Beautiful golden hour. The sky exploded with color. I think I shed a tear or two. (It might have been the rum, but still.)
- Evening: Another meal at the resort, this time at Kangan. I felt like a celebrity, the service was impeccable, the staff was amazing. I can feel my pocket being robbed but can't help enjoying it and it feels good as I finish to drink my last cocktail.
Day 4: Departure and The Great Robe Legacy
- Morning: Last breakfast at the resort. Tears in my eyes. Seriously. Actually, it might have been the exhaustion that I am feeling. The end. I'm going to miss this place so much.
- Mid-morning: Check-out. Attempted to subtly "acquire" a robe. Failed. (They know their guests, apparently.)
- Afternoon: Travel back to the airport, pondering my life choices. What will I do with the robe? Where will my next adventure be?
- Evening: Plane. Home. This trip was a blast! Will come back and find the perfect, perfect robe.
And That's It. Mauritius. Complete.
Look everyone. This trip wasn't perfect. I ate too much. I got sunburned. I lost everything. But it was beautiful. It was funny. It was messy. And it was mine. Until next time, paradise!
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