Heritage Le Telfair Golf & Spa Resort

Spread over 15 acres, Le Telfair Golf & Spa Resort in Mauritius nestles between the foothills of the Plaine Champagne Mountains and the translucent blue waters of the Indian Ocean. Occupying the former Bel Ombre sugar estate which was once the home of Charles Telfair the Irish surgeon and botanist, Le Telfair is tucked away in the unspoilt south of Mauritus – an island that retains exclusivity and appeal for upmarket travellers.

The resort reflects the glory of its old colonial past and includes many of the estate’s original buildings. Beautifully landscaped gardens surround whilst the 3,500 acre Valriche Nature Resort sits adjacent to the resort.  There’s a Six Senses Spa offering a range of wellbeing treatments and set a selection of restaurants offering varied cuisines and even the chance for guests to participate in the preparation of personal dishes.

One of the main attractions of the resort is the 18-hole, par 72, championship golf course ‘Le Golf du Château’ which winds its way through the contours of the former sugar cane plantation.

Designed by well-known South African golf architect Peter Matkovitch, the 205 acre course has wide, undulating fairways and two intersecting streams. Much of the landscaping and design, such as the use of Vettiver and Mondo grass, simulate the dramatic contours of the estate fields that still surround the course. All features come together to provide golfers the opportunity to show off their skills in the most exquisite environment.

With a warmer season from December to April and pleasant weather from May to November, Le Telfair’s course is fast becoming the serious golfer’s year-round destination of choice. Technically challenging for low-handicappers but also highly enjoyable for recreational golfers, each hole has five sets of tees. There are bunkers, water hazards and blind greens strategically placed, and two rivers, the Citronniers and St Martin, cross the fairways at unexpected points.

Each hole can be played in a variety of ways, some of which entail a greater degree of risk than others.  A typical example of this is at the 17th hole, a 430m, par four. The direct approach to the elevated green requires pin-point accuracy in order to ensure your ball does not to roll back some 40m into the swale in front of the green. However, there is a landing area just short and left of the green which provides a safe alternative and yet still offers the chance to get up and down for par.

With driving distances ranging from 178m to 523m, golfers will cover around 6,498m in total. For absolute beginners or those who want to practise their short game there is a 9-hole, par 3 course, the only one of its kind on the island.

As with any first class resort, golfers needing to fine-tune their game can visit the driving range or PGA-run golf academy for professional instruction. Additionally, there’s a well-stocked pro shop for those needing new clubs and equipment.

Drinks and light meals are served at the clubhouse, or there’s the original 19th century plantation house ‘Château de Bel Ombre’ offering afternoon tea but also hauté cuisine in the evenings.

Le Telfair can arrange week-long golf clinics, fun days, corporate challenges, mixed pairs tournaments, company days or simply just a two or four ball round. There are no green fees and all equipment can be rented from the shop. Individual lessons are available and free golf clinic on Tuesdays and Fridays.

For the non-golfers there is a numerous activities to entertain, or just simply relax in the luxurious surroundings of the resort.  The Six Senses Spa village offers an extensive list of treatments and includes nine independent double sized treatment rooms, each with their own private garden and open-air shower and bathroom.

Walking, mountain biking and guided 4x4 and quad-bike tours of the Valriche Nature Reserve allow guests to observe the natural flora and fauna of Mauritius.  Whilst sun lovers are spoilt with long stretches of white powdery sand and temperatures that rarely drop below 25 degrees. Water sports enthusiasts are catered for with the choice of kite-surfing, waterskiing, windsurfing, laser-sailing and kayaking, and scuba-diving, snorkelling or a glass bottomed boat offers the chance to explore the marine life and coral reef.

Accommodation is divided into villas set amidst tropical gardens with French windows which open onto wide verandas. Interiors are in keeping with the colonial style of the resort featuring highly polished floors, gleaming brass lamps, ceiling fans and free standing bathtubs. Fine fabrics in natural tones, deep blue and light gold cover four poster beds and divans, all lending to the undeniable grace and authentic style that is Le Telfair Golf & Spa Resort.

www.letelfair.com