BACKGROUND: Indigo Hotels has five properties in its portfolio, with three of those – Labourdonnais Waterfront Hotel, Le Suffren Hotel & Marina, and Le Suffren Apart’hotel – located in Port Louis. The group also has the Hennessy Park Hotel in Ebene Cybercity and The Address Boutique Hotel in nearby Port Chambly. Labourdonnais Waterfront Hotel was the first 5-star business hotel in Mauritius and opened in 1996.
WHERE IS IT? The hotel is situated in Port Louis at the edge of the Caudan Waterfront. It’s approximately 40 minutes from Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport, although it’s advisable to leave more time if you’re looking to catch a flight, due to possible traffic. Right on the water, the hotel offers great views of the marina and is within walking distance of plenty of shops, restaurants, banks, major offshore companies, embassies and government offices. A complimentary shuttle service takes guests daily to Ebene.
ROOM FACILITIES: There are 105 rooms and suites, including 85 deluxe rooms, nine superior rooms, 10 suites and one penthouse. I was escorted to my room on the fourth floor and given instructions on how to access the free wi-fi. Guests are allocated 500MB per day, although when accessed in the public areas of the hotel, such as the restaurant, there is no limit. The room was large, with a comfortable king-sized bed, plush carpets, a sitting area, views of the waterfront from a sliding door, a work desk with easy-to-access power points, a flat screen TV with satellite TV channels, an iPhone speaker next to the bed, a tea and coffee making station, and a powerful air-con unit to combat the heat and humidity. The bathroom offered a shower cubicle, a full-sized bath and luxurious Bulgari toiletries. Just off the bathroom was a walk-in closet with an electronic safe and bathrobes. I do suggest that you pack a British-style three-pin adaptor for your laptop, as you will battle for power with anything else. Given the hotel’s proximity to the promenade, where parties are sometimes held, rooms overlooking the marina can find themselves on the receiving end of noisy celebrations.
RESTAURANTS & BARS: The hotel has two restaurants and a bar on the ground floor. Breakfast is served at Brasserie Chic, with an extensive buffet and a la carte menu. You can help yourself to freshly-squeezed fruit juice, cereal, yoghurt, croissants, muffins, cold meats and cheeses, and honey straight from the comb, and then order a hot breakfast. Everything is fresh and expertly prepared and I enjoyed my selection of muesli and yoghurt, followed by scrambled eggs and bacon hot from the kitchen, accompanied by a frothy cappuccino. Dinner is also served here, or you can choose to dine at Yuzu, which brings together the best of Thai, Vietnamese, Chinese and Japanese cuisines in a fusion of culinary offerings. If you find yourself at the hotel around lunch time, there is a lunch menu which is served around the bar area. I enjoyed a fancy take on a cheeseburger and French fries, served on a hot, crunchy bun and accompanied by a salted caramel milkshake, both of which were delicious. The Post Box Lounge Bar serves cocktails and snacks to be enjoyed while taking in views of the setting sun.
BUSINESS & MEETING FACILITIES: Conference facilities are located on the first floor. The five newly-refurbished conference rooms can collectively accommodate up to 225 delegates in more than 440m2 of floor space. Meeting rooms are also available for smaller gatherings. What sets Labourdonnais apart from other hotels is its catering – refreshments are on offer throughout the event, continually replenished at no extra charge.
LEISURE FACILITIES: At the hotel, you have access to an I Spa Suite which features a fully-equipped gym and a pool, whilst twice a week the hotel’s catamaran, Le Sophisticat, sails around the Port Louis harbour. Head out of the hotel to shop along the waterfront or step into the nearby casino for a game of blackjack or poker.
VERDICT: A stylish, upmarket hotel in a great location with all of the amenities you need for a successful business trip to Mauritius.
Kate Kennedy
CONTACT
T: +230 202 4000
E: info@indigohotels.com
W: labourdonnais.com