Apologies for the lengthy review....but, please take time to read it all.........
If I could give The Westin Turtle Bay Resort & Spa more than 5 stars, I absolutely would. 10/10, 100/100 – whatever the scale, this resort deserves the highest score possible and then some.
Our stay was simply amazing, fantastic and incredibly relaxing. From the moment we arrived until the moment we reluctantly departed, every member of staff seemed genuinely invested in making our holiday as special as possible.
One of the first things that strikes you about the resort is the wonderful feeling of openness. There are no doors separating the main building and restaurants from the beautiful surroundings, creating an atmosphere that immediately encourages you to relax and unwind.
The welcome was exceptional. Rather than standing at a reception desk filling out forms, we were invited to sit comfortably in The Retreat Bar while the check-in process was completed. We were offered cool refreshing towels and one of the hotel's delicious signature elixirs while everything was explained to us.
A very special thank you goes to Varsha, who looked after us during our arrival and several times throughout our stay. She was warm, welcoming and genuinely interested in our holiday, always taking the time to ask where we had been exploring and what our plans were for the following day. Her friendliness and enthusiasm perfectly reflected the spirit of the resort and made us feel valued from the very beginning.
We were celebrating our 35th Wedding Anniversary and had mentioned this when making our booking. When we arrived at our room we were genuinely overwhelmed. Waiting for us was a fresh fruit platter, a bottle of sparkling wine and a specially prepared eggless celebration cake to accommodate my wife's dietary requirements. The team had even created a beautiful anniversary message on our bed using leaves and flower petals. It was such a thoughtful gesture and a wonderful way to begin our holiday.
The room itself was superb and throughout our stay the Housekeeping Team maintained it to an exceptionally high standard. Special thanks must go to Zabeer and Varousha, who were simply outstanding. Nothing was ever too much trouble and their attention to detail was first class.
The dining experience deserves special recognition. Breakfast each morning was an absolute delight, with fresh juices, tropical fruits, pastries, hot dishes and eggs cooked exactly how you like them. There was also an impressive selection of freshly prepared breads and cakes, including eggless options.
A special thank you to Chef Emy, who ensured there was always a wonderful selection of beautifully prepared fresh fruit available every morning. It became one of the highlights of breakfast and was always presented to perfection.
The ladies on the breakfast egg station also deserve special recognition. Every morning they greeted guests with a smile and somehow managed to make breakfast both enjoyable and entertaining. Their friendly personalities and excellent service added so much to the start of each day.
We would also like to thank Soonita, Mehfooza and Deven from the restaurant team. The service they provided throughout our stay was exceptional. Their warmth, professionalism and genuine interest in guests helped transform every meal into a memorable experience. They consistently went above and beyond and always had time for a friendly chat.
Dinner each evening was equally impressive. The soups, salads, freshly baked bread rolls and focaccia were all outstanding – incredibly fresh, light and full of flavour. The variety of main courses was excellent and there was always something new to discover. For us, the Mauritian Buffet was a particular highlight, providing a fantastic opportunity to sample local delicacies and experience authentic Mauritian cuisine.
Special thanks must also go to Chef Yanish and Restaurant Manager Norwaj. Beyond the excellent food and service, we enjoyed many wonderful conversations together and were made to feel more like family than hotel guests. Their passion, hospitality and genuine care for guests are a credit to both themselves and the resort.
No stay at The Westin Turtle Bay would be complete without a visit to the Boathouse. Although I unfortunately forgot to make a note of everyone's names, the entire team deserves recognition. We thoroughly enjoyed our kayaking trips around the bay and my wife especially appreciated the Laser Dinghy refresher session. She would also like to apologise for unexpectedly demonstrating an unplanned capsize drill!
If you are trying to decide which 5-star resort to choose in the north of Mauritius, stop searching and book The Westin Turtle Bay Resort & Spa. The facilities are exceptional, the location is stunning, the food is outstanding and the people are simply incredible.
What impressed us most was the attitude of every member of staff. Nothing was ever too much trouble. Whatever the request, the answer always seemed to be "Yes."
In fact, I genuinely believe the hotel should change its slogan to:
"The answer is YES... now, what is the question?"
By the end of our stay, we felt we had made new friends rather than simply stayed at a hotel.
One final recommendation: hire a car. While the resort itself is amazing, Mauritius is a beautiful island that deserves to be explored. From spectacular scenery to fascinating local attractions, there is so much to discover, and combining those experiences with a stay at The Westin Turtle Bay creates the perfect holiday.
Thank you to Varsha, Zabeer, Varousha, Chef Emy, Soonita, Mehfooza, Deven, Chef Yanish, Norwaj and all of the wonderful team at The Westin Turtle Bay Resort & Spa for helping us celebrate our 35th Wedding Anniversary in such a memorable way.
We arrived as guests, but we left with incredible memories, new friendships and every intention of returning.
