I to get a lot of emails asking me to try new products or visit new places. 95% of them are politely declined but, sometimes, something really special comes in. So, when I was asked if I’d like to go to Mauritius to experience the luxurious 5-star Constance Belle Mare Plage Hotel and play in the Legends Tour event pro-am, it was a fairly quick decision - Indian Ocean, here I come!

I’ve been lucky enough to have visited many wonderful golf resorts around the world, indeed I’ve been to a few others in Mauritius, but I can safely say that the experience at Belle Mare Plage is right up there with the very best.

Firstly, a few practical things. From the UK we were able to fly directly from London to Mauritius. It’s then about an hour to the hotel. There are other ways of doing it - flying through Johannesburg or the UAE are both options - but the direct flight is very helpful.

Secondly, we were there in December and, apart from one short sharp shower, the weather was good. Sunny, warm days and balmy nights. With its all-year-round delightful climate, there’s never really a bad time to go to Mauritius!

So what is it about the hotel that I liked so much?

Well, the accommodation is excellent. Rooms are strung out in small, thatched blocks along the gorgeous sandy beaches. That means that your room will only ever be a short stroll from the beach. Even the entry-level rooms have great views. They are spacious, with a balcony equipped with two loungers.

Post covid, a lot of hotels seem to have abandoned room servicing. Maybe they clean your room every 3 or 4 days if you’re lucky. Well there are no such worries here. The standard of room servicing was exemplary, and even included a great turn-down in the evening too.

In fact, it was the service generally which really elevated the experience Constance Belle Mare Plage.

Staff seemed genuinely happy to help, and nothing was too much bother for them. Some hotels have a veneer of excellence but as soon as you scrape away at it, the substance lets you down. Not so here. Every request was fulfilled and always in a really nice way. This aspect of our stay really stood out.

When it comes to relaxation, there are plenty of spots to lie back and take it easy. We spent a lot of time at the ‘quiet’ pool close to our room. With very attentive pool service, no-one trying to do conference calls from the poolside and lovely warm water, it was a great spot to spend time. There are three other pools on the site, with various different levels of activity, so there is something for everyone.

Everything else that you would expect from a 5-star resort is on offer too - tennis courts, water sports, a packed activity schedule. You really can do as much or as little as you wish here.

I also couldn’t write this without talking about the food - and the buffet in the main restaurant, Citronelle. People had raved to me about the quality and variety of the offering but, if truth be told, I didn’t really get too excited. I mean, seen one hotel buffet, seen them all, right? Little did I know. The range was just phenomenal, with food from all around the world. But, even better, it changes every day. It is quite something. You will never look at a buffet the same way after a visit to Belle Mare Plage!

There are many many other eating options onsite. One of my great regrets in life is that I only discovered the amazing Blue Sushi Lounge on the last day. The food there was so fresh and tasty, in a gorgeous setting next to the beach.

We enjoyed a special meal at La Spiaggia - a Mediterranean restaurant at the edge of the resort. Like everywhere here the food was great, and the service exceptional. As you can tell, I was genuinely impressed with the quality of what was on offer.

Of course, the main purpose of my visit was to watch the Legends Tour season ending finale, and play in the pro-am.

There are two courses attached to the hotel. The Legend Course is just a 5 minute walk behind the hotel and this is where the main event was being held. The course had a very pleasant layout and did exactly what you would would want from a resort golf course.

Apparently they have done a lot of work on the course in recent years which has really elevated the experience. Where previously it was quite tight from the tee, there is now enough room to breathe and you won’t feel too intimidated. Accuracy is still helpful, but the odd wayward shot won’t be terminal! The rough isn’t horribly punishing, although there is still a fair bit of water to navigate!

Perfect conditions on the course at Belle Mare Plage

I really enjoyed both playing the course and then watching the pros play it. The field was packed with the stars of the European Seniors’ Tour but access to watch them was fantastic. Entrance to the event was free and spectators could get up really close to the players. Even better, we could watch them play ‘down the line’ from behind.

It was an all star cast at the Legends Tour final

If you are thinking about a winter trip to Mauritius I would thoroughly recommend organising a few days of your trip to watch this event. Ideally, you would come to play the course yourself for a few days and then watch the pros take it on, or vice versa.

The weather was great, the service perfect and quality golf was on offer - both to play and watch. In a world where so many resorts around the world are vying to attract golfers for the ultimate experience, the Constance Belle Mare Plage really does stand out.

David stayed as a guest of the Constance, Belle Mare Plage, Mauritius - www.constancehotels.com