LOUNGE /
FEATURES
June 1, 2015
Feature: European Seniors' Winter Retreats
Feature: European Seniors' "Winter Retreat" Destinations
Mauritius: A Golf Resort Stay (Part 1)
Mauritius is a destination many seniors visit during the winter months. What draws them here? Kazuyuki Murai, representative of "Cosmocreats Travel" and an expert in luxury travel, headed to this Indian Ocean island to uncover the truth behind the rumors.
Text & Photographs by KAZUYUKI MURAI
Golf: A Sport for All Ages and Genders
I've recently become quite fond of golf. Whenever I travel abroad, I make sure to bring my golf bag. After all, it's a sport playable almost anywhere in the world; you'd probably have an easier time finding countries without golf courses. And it's no exaggeration to say it's one of the few sports where people of all ages and genders can play together under a single set of rules.
While I've visited many countries and regions, traveling with a focus on "golf" is an entirely new experience in my journey as a traveler. Since it's a sport that requires a certain amount of money and practice time, the nuances of each country's situation, as seen through the lens of golf, are subtly different and quite interesting.
Constance Le Prince Maurice, one of Mauritius' premier luxury hotels, boasts excellent golfing facilities.
In Japan, with its distinct four seasons, cold winters and hot summers can be challenging for golf. This past winter was particularly cold. Naturally, one would want to enjoy golf in a warmer climate during the cold season. Hearing rumors that many Europeans visit Mauritius for golf during the winter, I decided to travel to this island golf resort in the Indian Ocean.
I flew Emirates from Tokyo to Dubai, then connected to Mauritius. This is the most convenient route. With two daily flights to Mauritius, access is excellent, and the connections are smooth.
Moreover, Dubai itself is a world-class golf city. Winter in Dubai is the best season for golf. Arriving in Dubai in the early morning from Tokyo, if you choose a late-night flight to Mauritius, you even get the bonus of being able to play golf during your layover (a report on golf in Dubai will be featured in the next issue). Japan – Dubai – Mauritius. This is the "Golden Route" for golf enthusiasts!
Mauritius has ten golf courses, perhaps a legacy of its British colonial past, and all of them are of a remarkably high standard. Some are prestigious courses that host the "PGA European Tour."
This time, I stayed at the luxurious Constance Le Prince Maurice, operated by the Constance hotel group which manages high-end resorts in Mauritius, Seychelles, and the Maldives, and played extensively at the hotel's two golf courses, "The Legend" and "The Links."
An approach practice area within the hotel grounds.
The Legend features a signature short hole that requires a shot over mangroves.
Feature: European Seniors' "Winter Retreat" Destinations
Mauritius: A Golf Resort Stay (Part 2)
Golf Courses of Hotel Quality
Guests staying at Constance Le Prince Maurice can enjoy complimentary green and cart fees at both golf courses. The ability to play as much as you like, whenever there's an opening, is truly remarkable.
The Legend, a championship course that hosts the "PGA European Seniors Tour," was originally a habitat for wild deer. It's quite amusing that play sometimes has to be interrupted when herds of deer appear. The course is flat with wide fairways, appearing deceptively easy at first glance, but numerous creeks are strategically placed, requiring careful consideration of where to land the ball.
The other course, "The Links," is quite tricky. The fairways are undulating, and there are many blind holes where the landing area for the second shot is not visible. It's a pleasure to be able to enjoy two courses with such distinct personalities.
While playing golf, I noticed that during this season, the golf courses and hotels are filled with European seniors. "The Legend," in particular, with its flat terrain, attracts a concentration of senior players. Conversely, "The Links," being tricky and challenging, was relatively empty.
During a break, I spoke with other guests and learned that some senior couples were staying for 42 consecutive nights. Mauritius in winter truly serves as a winter retreat for European seniors. It's rare to see such a collection of golf bags at a luxury resort hotel.
The golf courses are managed by the hotel, so the staff's service is impeccable and pleasant. The restaurant "Deer Hunter" within "The Legend" is of such high quality that hotel guests frequently dine there. It allows for completely stress-free immersion in golf.
In front of the hotel entrance lies an approach practice green.
Le Prince Maurice offers another landscape that symbolizes a golf resort: right in front of the hotel entrance is an expansive approach practice green. At first glance, it appears to be a beautiful garden, but the two hitting bays are neatly stacked with balls, allowing for practice at any time. I intended to try a few shots but ended up practicing for 200 balls. When I finished, hotel staff would collect and return the balls. After practicing, one could take a dip in the pool, dash to the pristine white beach and dive into the beautiful sea, or relax with a treatment at the exquisite spa.
After a day of golf, the evening is dedicated to enjoying the lifestyle at Constance Le Prince Maurice, one of Mauritius' premier luxury hotels. Cocktails while watching the sunset are particularly special.
A unique waterside bar recommended for cocktail time.
Furthermore, Le Prince Maurice features unique waterside bars and restaurants that take advantage of its mangrove inlet location, offering not only golf but also a luxurious resort experience. While Mauritius may seem like a distant paradise, the presence of Japanese staff and Japanese information services ensures a satisfying stay for Japanese guests, with thoughtful service.
A golf resort with such comprehensive offerings, like Constance Le Prince Maurice, is rare globally. For golf enthusiasts planning their travels, why not escape Japan during the cold winter, indulge in a resort stay filled with golf in a warm climate, and prepare for the spring golf season?
Constance Le Prince Maurice
Route Choisy, Poste de Flacq, Mauritius
http://www.constancehotels.com/en/hotels-resorts/mauritius/le-prince-maurice/
Inquiries
CONSTANCE HOTELS & RESORTS Japan
Tel. 045-367-4567
constancehotels.jp@spmc.jp