Sands Suites Resort & Spa

My stay at this resort was extraordinary! A solid 10/10 for the staff- every single person I met was wonderful, well trained and truly dedicated to guest comfort. The hotel itself is excellent, beautifully maintained rooms that make u feel right at home. Everything was perfectly organized and you can tell there’s a real passion for hospitality here! Read less

We stayed at this resort drawn by the promise of a luxury experience with included water activities, but unfortunately, our expectations were not met. The property is undeniably well-kept and visually appealing; the rooms are spacious, clean, and very comfortable. The food is of good quality, with a varied, well-presented, and flavorful selection. However, beyond appearances, the resort completely lacks warmth and authenticity. The welcome was cold and overly formal, giving the impression of a place where everything must be perfect—at the expense of atmosphere. The staff, though professional, were so focused on precision and control that they created more tension than relaxation. There was no spontaneity, empathy, or genuine hospitality. The organization of activities was disappointing: everything had to be booked well in advance, with no flexibility, and staff made no effort to promote or encourage participation—especially the water activities, which were our main reason for choosing this resort, and sadly, the biggest letdown. They were only available after 1:30 PM, just when the wind made them unusable (why open the gate at 9 am? No sense!). Every time we asked to do something, the annoyed response was: “Tomorrow.” Of the scheduled slots (e.g., water skiing), only one actually happened. In seven days, we managed only 30 minutes of kayaking/pedal boating. The marine staff were consistently irritated, unhelpful, and never smiling. The only day snorkeling went ahead (others were canceled due to bad weather), it wasn’t offered to us, even though we’d checked at the desk multiple times. When the boat arrived, we were already out kayaking and couldn’t join. It seemed there was more attention given to French guests. Very disappointing for a resort of this level. We understand the weather was particularly bad, but in such cases, indoor or alternative activities would have been appreciated. Nothing was offered, and the lack of engagement made the experience even duller. Even the staff seemed bored, understandably so. Entertainment was limited to the evening hours, during or after dinner, and for guests like us—waking up early for excursions—it felt more like a nuisance than a benefit. Daytime activities led by an entertainer would have made much more sense and added energy to the experience. The pool, which could have been a relaxing alternative, was unusable due to freezing water (caused by a technical issue we only learned about after submitting feedback). It remained empty for our entire stay. To enjoy meaningful experiences, we had to rely on external providers, as the resort offered no valid alternatives. The atmosphere felt more like a retirement home than a lively resort. It's suitable only if your idea of a holiday is sleeping, eating, and staring into nothingness with a drink in hand. But if you’re looking for even a hint of liveliness, you’ll have to look elsewhere. The energy and activities promoted by the resort were completely absent. Tipping, while not explicitly requested, definitely felt expected—which created a slight sense of discomfort. Considering the resort’s category and cost, we expected a much higher level of service and guest engagement—especially for water activities, which were practically nonexistent. I would only recommend this hotel to those seeking an extremely quiet stay, with no expectations beyond the room and the food. Both are good, but the overall experience ends there. This review is, of course, personal and influenced by the bad weather and the fact that we’re a young couple looking for an active vacation. Sadly, neither Mauritius nor this hotel lived up to our expectations. Read less