Category: Reviews

We had the most spectacular stay at the Taj Bentota Resort and Spa during the February half term. It was a much needed relaxing break from the chaos of our lives amidst EHCP and projects we have going on! Prior to leaving, I liaised with members of staff at the hotel via email to ensure our requirements were understood. They were really helpful and informative. On arrival, after a two hour drive from the airport, guests are presented with a fresh flower garland and welcome drink by warm welcoming faces. Check in was quick and easy. The hotel has lovely marble decor providing a cool and refreshing feel. We stayed in a Junior Suite (room 309) and were instantly wowed. It was by far one of our favourite hotel rooms and we enjoyed relaxing in the spacious and airy room. There was a good sized living area which the boys loved chilling in between swimming sessions and dinner times. The large bedroom comfortably fit a cot and a comfy king sized bed and also had a private balcony. The bathroom was a good size and the shower pressure was brilliant – perfect for washing my thick hair! My only qualm for the suite was the lack of storage space for the four of us but I was really pleased with the dresser and ample space for make up and toiletries! The bedroom had a cot and baby bath tub ready for our arrival. There were plenty of plug socket points in the room. The huge balcony boasted a panoramic view of the beautiful sea and came equipped with two sunbeds and a sofa. Room service were always very thorough with cleaning and once we’d informed them of our preferred times for our daily clean and turndown service, it was always done on time. We celebrated our 8 year anniversary while away and were treated to a beautiful chocolate cake by the hotel. It was divine! There is a buffet restaurant, The Palms, at the hotel as well as several speciality restaurants however we only dined at the buffet restaurant for ease with the kids. Breakfast is also served here. The breakfast selection was impressive and the food quality was brilliant. From masala dosas, to hashbrowns to aloo Puri to Gobi paratha to donuts and fruit … There is so so much to choose from! On holiday I usually end up overindulging but this holiday as the quality was so so good, I found I’d eat less but enjoy it so much more. Dinner at The Palms included such a great high quality variety. It wasn’t packed with non nutritious food like chips, pizza and pasta everyday. Instead we got to try many new dishes such as the Sri Lankan cuisine The boys are a whole variety of food while also being treated to their home comforts. The most delicious pudding for me was the hot chocolate dessert and the chocolate mousse – yum! As well as the property itself being beautiful, it’s really important to note that several staff members made our stay really special. Head Chef, Dalip, couldn’t do enough to make our stay more perfect. He’d ask us daily what our children would like to eat and he took the stress out of meal times being a faff. He lovingly prepared them fresh food be it paratha or cheese dosa and meal times became like a home away from home. We were also treated to some spectacular dishes by Dalip including aloo papri chaat, fresh gajjar Ka halva and chilli paneer – they were absolutely delicious! There were a few members of staff who seemed less than interested in their jobs and there was one incident where I requested a cup of tea three times and still didn’t receive it however the hospitality of the others mentioned more than made up for it! It was by far one of our best holidays because there wasn’t much fuss food wise with the boys and it also helped that Saajan’s meal times have massively improved! The swimming pool area was really pleasant. There is a large pool accompanied by a kids splash pool. Given we went during half term, I expected it to be very crowded but it didn’t feel too packed. Sampath ensured we had sunbeds daily and really took care of us – a true gem! Chamara was also really friendly and accommodating. There was a really great balance of poolside entertainment and it wasn’t too intrusive – for example during the aqua aerobics class, there was no loud music blaring making it peaceful for those that were relaxing. Menaka was always a good laugh with hosting pool side entertainment. The poolside menu was impressive and catered well to vegetarians from falafel wraps, to veggie burgers to Greek salads and pizzas. It wasn’t always easy to get hold of a waiter but once ordered, the wait time wasn’t too long. Our favourite and most helpful waiter was Roshan. He was always so jolly and kind despite working in such hot conditions. Again, Dalip was great at accomodating the boys if there was something they fancied that wasn’t included on the menu. Bentota beach is really beautiful – miles of untouched sand however the sea is quite tough and the red flag is flying everyday due to a strong under current. There are no sunbeds at the beach by the Taj however you are able to hire them for a cost without an umbrella. The boys loved spending time at the beach building sandcastle. Preetam and I managed to sneak in a date night – the perks of having the grandparents and masi to hand! We enjoyed a beautiful meal at Malli’s which is situated a short walking distance from the hotel. After, we enjoyed drinks and pool at the Tease Bar at the hotel. There is not much to do in Bentota which was ok for us as we were after a relaxing holiday. A few of the outings we had included: • Temple with a huge Buddha statue. It was impressive and about a 10 minute journey by tuk tuk. • Turtle sanctuary which is a few kilometres walk along the beach. Arjun enjoyed this a lot. • Bentota market – it’s a few shops selling similar items. We didn’t purchase anything. • Bentota river boat cruise and saw a few crocs and held a baby crocodile. Our time at the Taj Bentota was most definitely one of our most relaxing holidays. The casual dress code, delicious food, not being over packed and the friendly staff who went over and beyond for us made it what it was! Disclosure: This is a collaboration post in exchange for a double upgrade however all views expressed are my own.

Wow oh wow! I have no idea how I’m going to articulate the most incredible experience of our life to date, but I’m going to give it a go! For years, Preetam and I have wanted to go on a safari – we both love animals and are constantly intrigued by wildlife. Given both our parents origins are from Africa, it felt natural to want to visit. I’m not sure why it took us so long to take the plunge to go – perhaps the scaremongering stories you hear which actually aren’t stories just “what ifs” or it was the fear of not knowing how the boys would react. Would Arjun be terrified of live lions? Would Saajan understand to stay quiet or would he panic and make lots of noise? What if they got sick? My dad has visited many safari parks around the world and has become addicted and goes yearly since the last six years. When he suggested we just do it, something in me changed. Perhaps it’s watching Saajan over the last two years prove me wrong in so many ways. The sickness side – we’ve traveled around the world and we’ve been ok so I figured if we took all the precautions (yellow fever jab, typhoid jab and malaria tablets and mosquito deterrent) that should cover that fear. Where the boys were concerned, I reasoned with myself that it wasn’t for ME to decide how they’d react. That I couldn’t write them off before even trying! We decided to fly as soon as the summer holidays hit as July is perfect to watch migration. I’d spotted the Elewana Sand River lodges a while ago and had my heart set on staying there. I didn’t realise at the time that the camp is unfenced and that there are wild animals roaming free! I had a mini panic on finding out a few days before departure but knew that the camp wouldn’t be around if it wasn’t safe! Upon arriving in Kenya, we took a small plane to the air strip in Masai Mara. It’s about a 40 minute flight and the views as you jet over the Mara fill you with excitement as you catch the breathtaking view of wildebeest in large herds following each other like an amry of ants from the birds eye view. As we landed, we were instantly welcomed by three gorgeous giraffes walking elegantly in the distance. We were welcomed by Alex who warmly greeted us with cold towels, a selection of fresh juices and snacks as we took in our surroundings. I couldn’t believe we were actually there! Our safari adventure had began! We opted for an open vehicle making us as close to the animals as possible! We wanted nothing obscuring our view. Alex drove us through the Mara to the camp frequently stopping as we basked in the beauty of mother nature. The kids were so excited, I was so surprised by their reaction! Saajan eagerly waved at the Zebras who were a stone’s throw away from the vehicle and blew kisses at the wildebeest. I couldn’t believe it. I was consumed by emotion as I watched my littlest cub take everything in his stride – how did I ever doubt him? We arrived at the camp and were greeted with a warm smile by Frances – one of the general managers. Throughout our stay, after each game drive, we were greeted by the manager on duty. It gave a really warm feel to the camp. There didn’t seem to be a divide between management and staff – they all equally rely on each other for different expertise and it’s something that is really valued there. After a spot of lunch, we were shown to our tents. They oozed luxury with their gorgeous four poster bed, lounge area and a spacious bathroom. There was also a decking area right outside the bedroom which overlooked the Sand river.

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As mentioned, the camp is unfenced meaning that animals are free to roam so there is constant security to protect guests. Elewana Sand River is literally where luxury meets nature. Once the sun goes down, a ranger accompanies you on your walk to your room for safety. We were located in room 7 and it was quite a walk from the reception and dining area. Not going to pretend that that walk each night wasn’t possibly the most nerve wracking feeling ever! We were told that rangers often encounter lions and elephants roaming during the night (it’s ok for them to do so during the night while guests are asleep). Each day we were taken on a game drive at 6am and 4pm. Alex was our guide throughout and he literally became like family catering to our every need with such warmth. He would bring hot chocolate with us for our game drives knowing we loved a hot drink. The boys took to him so well and Arjun still misses him. He was so brilliant at answering all our questions and providing us with a story behind what was happening. For example on our first evening game drive, in the dark he spotted two lions, one lion appeared injured – he told us that they were probably brothers and that the uninjured lion would be looking for food for his brother knowing that his injured brother won’t survive without. The next morning, we witnessed the injured brother feasting on a fresh kill provided by his brother. It was fascinating. Alex was armed with a wealth of knowledge and you could truly see his love for the animals and his interest. The guides communicate with each other when there is a sighting which is particularly helpful in ensuring your time is maximised. Game drives typically last 2-3 hours however on our second day we were out in the morning for 7 hours! We had no idea how much time had passed as we were in awe of our sightings. The boys behaved beautifully and didn’t need the entertainment or distraction of anything else.

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Some of the wonderful things we got to see included: Watching the injured lion eat the kill close up (we were literally a few feet from him) and watching the vultures line up for when he was done and the stalks lining up behind the vultures for their turn! It was truly remarkable to witness the pecking order of the jungle Seeing crocodiles and hippos respecting each other in the Mara River Watching monkeys pinch our lunch at the camp! Watching a female cheetahs and her cubs – witnessing the mother scower for a kill and getting ready to pounce Watching two male lions offer their advances to a lioness by marking their scent. She responded with a loud roar to which Saajan roared back Hearing a lion roar in real life Watching a heard of elephants eat – fascinating to watch them use their trunks! Watching a lioness go for the kill – I’d always assumed it was easy, but unfortunately she failed as was outnumbered and got tired chasing the wildebeest We were fortunate enough to spot a giant cobra a few feet from us Watching young lions reunite with their mother – it was so playful and heartwarming and reminded me of how the boys are when we all get in to bed for snuggles Watching two young lions play like Simba and Nala A leopard guarding her kill with a panoramic view from the top of a tree Seeing a heard of wildebeest in their thousands migrate across the sand river Witnessing snarly hyenas

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As part of their all inclusive service, the camp also offers unlimited laundry which I wish I’d known before as I’d have packed a lot lighter! We packed several layers including costs, hats and scarves for the children as the mornings and evenings were pretty cold. Alex also provided us with shawls to keep us warm. We also chose to visit a local Masai tribe as part of our 3 night stay. It was so humbling to see how the tribe live and how content and happy they are. The food was top quality and they did a brilliant job at catering to our vegetarian needs. They even made my mum an eggless 60th birthday cake and the fun filled staff all joined together to perform a little dance to the famous Jambo song to mark the special occasion! We had breakfast in the bush twice and the experience was magical. Alex set up a table and chairs, crockery and cutlery and we had delicious hot food and tea and coffee while enjoying the backdrop of the Mara. They even had vegetarian sausages which is definitely a novelty when abroad!

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The entire time during our stay, it often felt like we were the only guests there despite the property operating at full capacity. As a party of 7, all our meals took place in a private tent and we had the same staff taking care of us each day – John and his co staff worked so hard to ensure we enjoyed our dining experiences. We truly were spoilt – we have the growing bellies to prove it!

The highlight of our trip (aside from the amazing sightings we witnessed) was definitely the sundowners experience. We were driven to a gorgeous spot on a hill where we were met by Frances and Jerrard – two of the general managers, a waiter and a ranger, Omari. Behind their warm faces was the glow of a beautiful campfire against the sunset – perfect for roasting marshmallows while sipping on hot chocolate after the beautiful finger food we got to indulge in! It was truly magical having a panoramic view of the Mara from a height while watching the sunset.

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My boys smashed every single fear I had and embracing the magical experience so so much. The very vivid sound of the lions calling for each other, hearing trees rustle as the elephants indulged in a midnight snack, monkeys jumping on our tent at night, the sound of a hippo waddling through the water a few meters away from our room and the sound of paw like footsteps on our decking – the only thing parting us – a tent wall, made our nights at Elewana Sand River so so magical and unforgettable. We got to experience each and every sound as though we were outside through the thin tent walls. As each night passed, our original fear turned to excitement as we tucked up in to our cosy warm beds (they place a hot water bottle at turn down so you’re warm!) anticipating what the night had in store for us! Waking up for our morning game drives and sometimes being greeted by a shy zebra or wildebeest through the bushes, or spotting a fresh elephant dung literally on our doorstep in the mornings was quite the experience and one we cannot wait to embark on again! A huge thank you to all the staff at the camp – to the rangers who kept us safe, Alex for being the most incredible guide, Frances, Faith and Jerrard for being so warm and welcoming and for all the restaurant staff and chef for going out of their way to keep us entertained while also keeping our bellies (over!) full! Thank you to all those that helped me plan the trip and gave and reassured me it would be fine! We had the holiday of a life time making memories watching the boys in awe of their surroundings – it was so different to our usual holidays!

I’m currently sat on the flight back from what was absolute paradise. Usually by the end of a holiday, we’re all ready to come home but something was different this time. This was the first time we’ve been away for longer than 7 nights, 9 nights in total and even then, we didn’t feel ready to come home. Perhaps it was having uninterrupted quality time with the whole family … all 9 of us. Perhaps it was mother nature’s infinity pool that boasted miles of crystal clear still waters. Perhaps it was the hospitality of the resort where we were so warmly welcomed. I can’t quite put my finger on what it was, but I wish every holiday felt this way. Finding a holiday during half term was a pain to say the least – I’m definitely not cut out for the extortionate prices you pay for over packed hotels. We searched low and high for hotels to ensure we had the right balance of the hotel being family friendly but also luxurious. We wanted it to be extra special given we were going away to celebrate my mum’s upcoming 60th birthday. The Lux Belle Mare seemed to fit the bill for what we were after. Prior to our arrival, I liaised with Sheila to discuss our needs and she put me in touch with Jennifer and Elvis to ensure we had a pleasant stay and my mother’s celebrations were perfect. Upon our arrival, we were welcomed with lots of warm genuine smiles – it was just what we needed after a long travel time. We were greeted by Sheila, Hema, Sueena and a few other members of staff who were quick to offer us a cold towel and a refreshing Mauritian drink while checking us in. Check in is a pretty relaxed process where you sit in the lobby as opposed to queuing in a formal reception type sitting. The gorgeous high ceilings, stylish thatched roofs with open air sides with the gorgeous backdrop of the pool and ocean scream paradise. The contemporary décor of the hotel was really refreshing.

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As well as the usual process of check in, we were also met by a member of staff from the Kids Club, Play, who gifted the boys a white sack which included crayons, juice and a note pad and the Kids club schedule. The lady kindly explained how Kids club worked. We were also greeted by Jennifer, the events coordinator at the hotel. We had discussed via email that we’d plan a surprise beach dinner for my mum so I met with her several times during our stay to discuss the finer details. Jennifer was more than just an events planner for us – she also took care of a few other things outside of her remit such as arranging late check out for us on our departure. In addition, Sheila had arranged for Sous Chef Randir to meet us on our arrival knowing our dietary requirements (vegetarian). Randir got to know our likes and dislikes so he could suggest meals for us throughout our stay to ensure we were catered for. It was a really nice way to be welcomed – we literally had no questions unanswered by the end of our check in. Their check in process most definitely made us feel extra special!  All three rooms were booked as junior suites and we were kindly located a stone’s throw from the swimming pool and a few metres away from the beach which was fantastic. We resided in rooms 1008, 1009 and 3008. The rooms are decorated with a bit of a Santorini feel with refreshing white and light shades of grey and a splash of orange. Upon first impressions, the rooms weren’t as spacious as we’d assumed they’d be though they were sufficient. The bedroom/lounge area was probably one of the smallest suites we’ve stayed in and with four of us, it didn’t feel like we had much room to store all our belongings. There is a walk in wardrobe area however there wasn’t enough storage for all of our clothes.

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The bathroom has a bath tub, a double sink and a large wet room style shower. It’s super spacious and the shower was without a doubt the best shower I’ve had in my life!! The power was amazing! The cot, stool and bath jug were all in our room on arrival for the boys. They’d also tailored the room to include two kids bath robes and a small toiletries pack for the boys which was a lovely attentive bit of detail.

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Though the room is perfectly located for the pool and beach, pre warning, the evening entertainment which goes on from 9-11pm is quite loud if staying in these rooms but we would pick these rooms again purely based on ease of location.

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The property itself didn’t feel too large which was a positive thing for the purpose of our stay. It was quite easy to find where any member of the family was without the use of a phone as everything was really close by. We loved this about the Lux. The swimming pool is spread across two levels and is the largest pool in Mauritius. It was ok but generally it was difficult to get sunbeds (we were a party of 9 though!) and to be honest, we didn’t enjoy it as much as the sea. There were a few loose tiles in the pool which were quite quickly fixed when I alerted reception and there also wasn’t enough stretch of depth for a decent swim.

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There are literally no words to describe the beach. We’d heard that Belle Mare boasted some of the most stunning beaches but we weren’t prepared for our holiday pretty much consisting of full days in the ocean. Where the Lux is located, the sea at the beach is a lagoon making it very still water with the odd super gentle wave. It was like an infinity pool where the ocean met the sky. The water was so clear – we were able to spot the beautiful white silvery fish darting around by our feet. The water was also a really good depth for the entire area – it was at the most shoulder height for me. There honestly aren’t enough words to describe how much we enjoyed our long days at the beach – building sandcastles, paddling in the water and just relaxing. We didn’t struggle to find 9 sunbeds as long as we were by the sea by about 11am after breakfast.

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The view from the beach was honestly like a postcard picture. Another brilliant thing about the Lux was that they offer free water activities at the Boat House such as peddle boats and kayaking which were lots of fun! Arjun had a blast in the glass bottom kayak counting fish! The hotel also offers free hour long glass bottom boat trips on a speedboat which we had the pleasure of going on – it was fascinating to see. 

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There was the odd bout of jellyfish which you need to watch out for after the rain but it didn’t stop us from enjoying the sea! Our room being a stone’s throw away from the beach made it really easy for us to go for a walk after dinner. The beautiful breeze made the temperature (even at 35 degrees!) bearable. At night, you get an incredible view of the stars and the moon glistening on the still water.

There was a really lovely garden area featuring the tree of wishes. The large swing was perfect to lay on to see the fruit bats at night – another fascinating thing to watch! The Kids club is for children over the age of 3. It’s a parent free zone and offers some of the best kid’s activities I’ve seen at a kids club. For example cake baking from scratch, t shirt painting, making your own aquarium and crab hunting. Arjun didn’t end up using the kids club much as he was too absorbed and thrilled by the prospect of being on holiday with his whole family! If we were to leave Saajan at kids club, we’d need to pay for a babysitter for a block of a minimum of 3 hours. We didn’t end up needing the service. The hotel isn’t only equipped with amazing activities for children, they also offer such unique experiences for adults and families. I attended the Photo Fanatics course by Kritz which covered how to take pictures using your phone and also editing them. It’s a free course and I took up the offer one rainy morning. It was great fun and definitely something different. There is also an option to pay for a course on how to use the different features on your camera for the keen photographers! As an environmentally friendly hotel, they also offer a Junk Art experience in their studio dedicated to creating beautiful works of art using recycled items. We spent a family afternoon creating our unique pieces of art – my sister and I a photo frame, Preetam a keepsake bottle that will be housed in our living room, my mum a bag and Arjun a monster! It was a wonderful and unique experience allowing us to exercise our creativity – it was nice to do something so different.

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The hotel also offers a chocolate workshop which I didn’t get the chance to attend as there simply wasn’t enough time! One of my most memorable things about this trip and probably for ever was that the spa here offers a kids massage (and facial, and manicure / pedicure!) and it meant that Arjun and I could have a mother and son afternoon. It was the cutest thing him having a massage and he enjoyed it so much that he fell asleep!! Children are massaged using chocolate oil and he had a full 60 minute massage while I had an energising massage which was equally as relaxing!

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Hotel guests have access to the spa facilities without having to book a spa treatment including the Jacuzzi, hammam and spa pool. As much as we had grand plans before we got to Mauritius to do several excursions, once we got there and the prospect of spending even a few hours away from the sea definitely squashed any grand plans. We literally couldn’t get enough! Belinda (Belinda’s boat tours) introduced herself on the beach and showed us a few water type excursions. She wasn’t the pushy sort and was such a happy soul. An excursion in the sea sounded like our kinda excursion! We decided to do a private speed boat tour. We set off the following day at 9am where we went on a quick 10 minute taxi drive to the speedboat location. The speedboat came with a cover which was important and they were armed with lots of water and soft drinks for us. Our hosts for the day were Jean Paul and Sebastian and honestly I don’t think I’ve met two nicer, such down to earth guys before. They were so friendly and were great at giving us highlights of the places we visited. We visited several stops including several spots in the middle of the ocean, snorkelled, visited the oldest light house in Mauritius which sits on top of a dried coral bed, met monkeys, encountered dolphins in their natural habitat, saw a gorgeous waterfall and topped it off with an authentic home cooked vegetarian Mauritian meal which was absolutely delicious! Watching Arjun snorkel for the first time and watching the joy on Saajan’s face from the excitement of the speed of the boat are memories that are forever etched in my heart. We returned back at about 4pm. It was well worth it at £450.

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Being vegetarian, you never quite know what options will be available. Some countries absolutely nail it while others are lagging behind in their thought that vegetarians live off just vegetables. Chef Randir ensured our food was exquisite and made sure we had a good mix including tofu. The hotel includes several restaurants – many which are included in the half board/full board options. We didn’t end up having dinner at Amari by Vineet or at Duck Laundry (not included in our half board option) as the food at the main buffet restaurant, Mixe, served us so well. We were fortunate and super spoilt in being asked daily what we’d like for dinner the following day from stir fries to lasagne to vegetable pie! Mixe is the same restaurant where breakfast is served. At both breakfast and dinner the food selection is really good even for vegetarians – their Indian food for me in particular was absolutely delicious. Waiter Vik was really friendly especially towards the kids. Purran always ensured we had the best breakfasts from making us pronteh to masala dosas and tailoring them to my taste buds especially! There is a dedicated kids food area in the dinner buffet and the kids ate really well as there was something for them every night.   We visited K Bar which has outdoor seating overlooking the ocean. It has a really lovely ambience and chilled vibe however the service was pretty slow. We didn’t eat at K Bar but did go on a few occasions for a drink. This is also where the evening entertainment takes place which is full of colour and music!

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The beach truck restaurant was our favourite lunch time spot – they had such a fabulous and tasty vegetarian menu – my personal favourite was the quinoa burger and the vegetable heaven wrap. We enjoyed our lunches there most days. We found the food to be of a high standard and really tasty. Beach Rouge is an Italian restaurant also located on the beach with a refreshing vibe. We dined here for dinner and were particularly impressed with their children’s facilities – the boys were offered crayons and a colouring menu on arrival and their food arrived really fast too. We really enjoyed the creamy vegetable pasta along with the stone baked pizza with a breath-taking view of the sea.

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As mentioned, we went to Mauritius to celebrate my mum’s year of birth. I worked closely with Chef Randir and Jennifer the events planner to plan my mother’s special family beach dinner. From arranging a photographer for some portraits beforehand with Kirtz to carefully selecting the menu with all my mums favourite foods to discussing how we should serve the food to discussing the little details. It truly was a magical experience and we were so grateful to Jennifer for making it so special, to Chef Randir for making the meal so exquisite and to Kritz for the beautiful family portraits he was able to capture for us.

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ICE an ice cream parlour resides by the swimming pool and it was a part of our daily routine to indulge!!  I was a little apprehensive about how our trip would turn out based on reviews I’d read about the resort being super busy during school holidays but we didn’t feel like it impacted our stay much at all. If you’re a couple looking for a romantic break then perhaps yes but otherwise, we’d go back in a heartbeat! The staff truly make this resort what it is, that coupled with Mother Nature – it’s a the perfect recipe for a relaxing and memorable holiday in paradise! Our belly’s have grown, our hearts are full and our tans show we made the most of the beautiful beach! Disclosure: This is a sponsored post in exchange for complimentary spa treatments, portrait images and the surprise beach dinner however all views expressed are my own.

After searching the internet for reasonably priced half term breaks and really struggling with it, I turned to those that follow the blog to ask for suggestions. I was quickly swayed towards Rhodes as it was the most recommended suggestion! After doing a quick google image search of Rhodes coupled with a quick glance of prices on the British Airways website, we decided it was definitely worth a trip!

We decided somewhere in Europe would be best given Arjun would be back at school quite soon after we arrive back and we didn’t want to have to battle with jet lag. Greece only has a 2 hour difference.

We decided on the Atrium Palace hotel as it looked gorgeous and the reviews on Trip Advisor were really good – they mainly spoke of the brilliant customer service offered. The hotel is situated on a shingle beach and I knew Arj would want to build sandcastles – it was a short car ride away from Lindos where they have a sandy beach. I opted for a hotel that was located in a quieter part of the island.

The hotel management were brilliant with responding to our queries and arranging for the bits we needed for the kids beforehand over email. Their customer service was fantastic and they really wanted to go over and beyond to make our stay a good one and we felt very welcome!

On arrival at the airport, we whizzed through security – courtesy of the brilliant family route they have at Gatwick airport. After a spot of lunch we boarded the plane. This was our first experience of a half term holiday and to be honest I was quite nervous about how chaotic it would be – although the plane was pretty full of kids, it was a relief as I didn’t feel as anxious about how the boys would be on the flight. It was actually pretty nice having lots of other kids on the plane – oh how times have changed from our pre kids time!

Arjun kept himself pretty entertained with a crafts magazine we picked up for him – he made lots of monster crafts and used every bit of recycling he could find to create more crafts! We always find craft items a winner on a plane.

Saaj on the other hand was quite restless but managed to sleep and play with Arjuns Lego for a little while.

We hired a mini van from the airport as there were 6 of us travelling in total from Sixt which we picked up from the airport.

The airport is about a 45 minute car journey from the hotel with no traffic. We landed at 9.30pm and got to the hotel by 11.30pm. Quite late for the kids but the odd flight times seem to be popular with most UK flights to Rhodes. The departure time from Rhodes was 10.30pm!

We’d visited Rhodes the last week before it became off season. The weather was pleasant for 4/7 of the days but very windy for the remaining 3. We didn’t let it hold us back from making the most of our trip though! Travelling at this time to this hotel also meant it wasn’t as packed as I’d thought it would be for half term.

The Hotel

Upon arriving at the hotel, the lobby area has beautiful marble and stone work reflecting ancient Greek art.

We were quickly checked in and had a quick spot of dinner before heading to the room. If you land late, the menu options in the bar are limited however they’re really tasty. We opted for a Greek pizza.

Superior Villa

We were fortunate to be kindly upgraded to the superior villa. It boasts a spacious dining and lounge area, a very large bedroom with an adjoining huge bathroom and an extra bathroom. The private pool area has 4 leather cushioned sun beds with a seating area making it perfect to escape from the hustle and bustle of the main pool and was perfect for a quick dip while the boys napped. Our outdoor area offered an uninterrupted stunning view of the mountains and sea – it was very peaceful.

The main bathroom had a huge Jacuzzi bath tub – perfect to relax in! The sheer size was really appealing especially with children. The bathroom also featured two sinks and a vanity stool which Arjun used to stand on when brushing his teeth or washing his hands! The power in both showers was phenomenal.

The storage in the villa was ample – we even had a few cupboards empty!

Coffee pods are replenished daily however water is not provided in the room on a daily basis which was disappointing.

I especially loved the decor of our villa. It was a beautiful blend of classical Italian and Greek styles. It was very different to what we’d usually go for but we loved it. The furniture comprised of mahogany and dark oak. My favourite part was the floral mural details on the ceiling and the beautiful art work which was spread over dual canvases differing in sizes. I’ve not seen anything like that before.

 

Breakfast

The breakfast selection is good. They were very accommodating to our vegetarian diet and told us to let them know if we fancied anything and they’d try and source it from outside if they didn’t have it inside. However we didn’t require it as there was more than enough vegetarian options! The fruit and fresh orange juice was absolutely amazing and I’d highly recommend their own brand Nutella!

Restaurants

Symposium

We had dinner buffet a couple of times at the main hotel restaurant – Symposium. The selection was really good for vegetarians such as a leak and cheese pie, enchiladas and lasagne and the desserts were especially delicious! The kids enjoyed trying new things such as the traditional Greek feta and spinach pastries.

Asterias & Vista Mare

The restaurant offers Greek and Italian food. This gorgeous up market slightly formal setting restaurant offers a stunning panoramic view of the sea and mountains nestled behind the hotel grounds. It’s really peaceful and so tranquil. As well as having dinner a few times here, I often sat here for hours while writing and enjoying a coffee. The staff were so generous and friendly and again, went over and beyond for example placing a shawl over my shoulders when cold! Dimitris, the manager, was so attentive and a pleasure to be around. The food was really lovely – I’d recommend their pizza and Greek salad. We didn’t get the chance to try their pasta dishes!

Swimming Pools

The hotel offers several swimming pools and we were lucky enough to have our own private pool as part of our villa.

The main pool was really cold during our stay so we didn’t end up using it more than once. The hotel does have an indoor heated pool which we didn’t get around to using! The pool bar offered a great selection of food and drinks and staff often go around providing free fruit for guests.

Spa

On one of our colder days, my sister and I decided to go to the spa for some relaxation. We spent an hour or two by the spa pool and enjoyed a dip in the warm water. I enjoyed relaxing on the water beds.

I went for a deep tissue massage and it was one of the best I’ve had. It was a high pressure but it felt really good to knock out some of the tension that had built up in my back and shoulders!

Beach

We were pleasantly surprised by the beach behind the hotel. I wasn’t particularly excited by a non sand beach but actually it was stunning. It was really quiet and as this hotel was the only one located on the stretch, you had a clear view for miles. Preetam and my dad enjoyed the sea water and actually it was nice to not have to worry about shaking wet sand off after a swim!

Mini Club

Mini Club is open from 10-6pm daily and children above 4 years are allowed to go without parent supervision. Kids younger are welcome but require supervision. Both the boys loved kids club so much so that Arjun cried the last day we left as he didn’t want to leave the girls. Celine, Debbie and Fally were all brilliant with the boys and so super friendly. It was really quiet as it was heading towards off season.

They offer several classes for children throughout the week. Arjun really enjoyed the Master Chef Junior class where he made his own pizza and received a certificate at the end! He enjoyed eating it after too!

The hotel also offers Mini Golf which we didn’t get the chance to try and also have two play areas for kids which the boys enjoyed!

Mini Market

There is a mini market shop on the hotel premises which proved really useful. I’d forgotten our travel adapter at home and managed to pick one up for 3 euros here. It was probably a little more expensive than usual but the convenience was fab. It was also a great place to pick up pool side snacks and souvenirs.

The thing that stood out to me about this stay was just how friendly and accommodating ALL the staff were at the hotel. We didn’t come across a single person that wasn’t polite, helpful or friendly – especially towards the kids. The staff really are a credit to this hotel.

As we’d hired a car, we wanted to explore the island and we had such a fab time doing so! Here are some of the places we visited.

Rhodes Old Town

This was about an hour away from our hotel but so worth the trip. It’s a Medieval town with lots of shops where they sell local items such as handmade leather sandals, t shirts and souvenirs. There are lots of restaurants and we’d highly recommend Da Vinci for the most epic milkshakes and gelato!

We enjoyed walking through the castle and exploring the grounds. The castle itself was breathtaking and it was so nice to be able to walk through it. I really loved Rhodes old town – I think it was my favourite place I’ve ever visited in Europe while on holiday!

Butterfly Valley

We decided to venture out to Butterfly Valley but just a heads up – there are no butterflies from September onwards. Arj was disappointed but the view was beautiful none the less! There’s also a restaurant located here which we enjoyed our lunch at.

Seven Springs

This was a bit of an anticlimax as the main waterfall is man made and not very impressive at all. The seven springs were dried out due to the weather. The tunnel lake that takes you to the main waterfall is quite narrow and low so watch out if you’re tall like my husband! Also look out for the little crabs rushing past.

Olive Factory

We visited two olive factories on our journeys. It was nice to try different olive oils – my favourite was rosemary and garlic. However it was a little disappointing not being able to see how it’s actually proceed. More than factories, they are shops and museums showcasing historic production machinery. It was a nice little stop off en route to our destination.

Local Honey Stop

It was our mission to locate a local honey production source and try their honey. We were fortunate enough to stumble upon one on our way back from Agathi Beach and it did not disappoint! The hand written labelled jars made it feel all the more authentic! We purchased a few jars of Erika honey and chestnut honey as well as beez wax which is meant to be a brilliant ointment. I’d highly recommend stopping off at one of these side street pop up stalls and honey tasting

Beaches

Lindos

This is a pretty popular beach in Rhodes. The beach itself is a beautiful sandy beach with still crystal clear blue water – perfect for the children. By the beach, there are also lovely restaurants and local shops – similar to those at Rhodes Old Town but pricier.

Agathi

This beach feels a lot less commercial than Lindos. The access from the car to the beach is a lot easier too. It’s less of a town than Lindos but offers the same crystal clear blue still water which stays shallow for a while. The view is simply breathtaking. It’s hard to believe we were in Europe and not in the middle of the Caribbean! There were two tavernas located on this beach – perfect for a spot of lunch.

We enjoyed building sandcastles and paddling in the sea as well as absorbing the breathtaking view.

Restaurants

Panchos Mexican

This restaurant has a lovely ambiance with its beautiful Mexican decor. The staff were friendly and accommodating to our dietary requirements. The food was tasty but the fajitas were a little spicy – even for me! We enjoyed the meal overall.

Sartaj Indian Restaurant

Just past mid week, we all fancied Indian food. Especially as it was a particularly windy day we wanted something warming! I searched for the best Indian restaurant in Rhodes and was drawn to Sartaj purely based on its 5 star rating (with over 500 reviews!) – it had to be good! Had I not seen the review, I’m not sure we would have even noticed the place if we’d driven past as it’s quite modestly placed and isn’t huge.

We had high hopes and it’s safe to say we were not disappointed. So much so that I’d rate it one of the best Indian restaurants I’ve been to in the world – and we’ve travelled a lot! The family that own the restaurant were really lovely and the food reflected their love for what they do. It tasted authentic, not too greasy and you could tell that everything was fresh. Their delicious homemade paneer and dehi were also impressive.

We’d highly recommend this place for a lovely authentic Indian meal and what’s even better – it has a direct sea view!

We had a really lovely half term break with lots of high quality food, scenic views and meeting such lovely friendly people! We’d recommend Rhodes and this hotel most definitely.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post in the form of remuneration or a gifted product or service. However all opinions and views expressed above are my own.