Vacoas-Phoenix Holidays from £1,310

Beach and staff were amazing

The room and resort is very well maintained and care is given. The pool and grounds are kept very clean. The food is part of the experience of the hotel and is prepared with expertise.

The receptionist, named Jeremy, is bald with a beard. He's terrible, disrespectful, and rude. He's damaging the chalet's reputation. He accused me multiple times of taking two drinks from the minibar, and I told him repeatedly that I hadn't taken anything, but he wouldn't believe me. He's impolite, unprofessional, and a liar. The driver called him to ask if the road to the chalet was safe and good, and Jeremy replied that it was unsafe, bad, and difficult to reach. When we took the road, it turned out to be safe and good! Jeremy ruined my vacation and made my wife and me unhappy. I paid a lot of money to have a pleasant trip, but he spoiled it. His attitude is disgusting and rude. He should be fired from the chalet so that it doesn't lose more customers. I'm going to change chalets and never return to Chalet Shamral. There are other beautiful chalets in the same area with respectful and courteous staff. The waiter at the restaurant, named Kafan, is wonderful, helpful, and respectful. The porter, named Abdul Hakim, is polite, respectful, and excellent. I will send this message to all tourist websites, hotels, and tour operators. You must buy enough water before arriving at the chalet because there is no grocery store nearby, and the chalet's restaurant closes early and is very expensive. You will need water at night.

We enjoyed our week-long stay at Seasense and would give it a 4.5 score if we could. This small 63-room adult-only boutique hotel is beautifully designed and the rooms are well appointed. Service is friendly and attentive, but can be slow at mealtimes. The exclusive beach is quite small and shallow but fine for a splash or a snorkel. The pretty à la carte restaurant is right by the sea, and there was no shortage of loungers, including with shade. The small pool is heated and lovely for a quick dip. The modest spa and sauna is a nice touch. Two issues however. First, noise from the road: the hotel is sandwiched on a small strip or land between the main coast road and the sea. More importantly, we found the food quite variable: occasionally excellent, always presented beautifully, but often bland and under-seasoned and cold. A shame given the reputation of Mauritian cuisine. Also, half the menu items (and nearly all the fish options) are subject to hefty supplements. The buffet night (combined with a free cocktail party for guests) was however enjoyable.