Away from the hustle and bustle and delicately set on the unspoilt coastline is the Anantara Iko Mauritius Resort & Villas, opening in 2019. In this bubble of tranquility and nature, in the image of this southern region, a smiling team awaits me, eager to ensure the well-being of its guests.
As part of a small group of four, I’m about to discover Tai-Chi, the chef’s healthy menu and the Anantara spa, a tiny extract of the new tailor-made wellness packages (weekend, five or seven nights) being launched by the five-star hotel.
Delighted to be introduced to ancestral Chinese gymnastics, here I am under a peaceful gazebo surrounded by vegetation, facing Shehzad, a professional instructor of Tai-Chi and other martial arts such as aikido and karate. Precisely, he teaches us the rudiments of the discipline, the inherent breathing and relaxation techniques, and meditation. Dismayed, I realized that I lacked synchronization and fluidity in the sequence of movements, even though they were simple and slow. A failed hakka, that’s what my choreography looks like! On a more serious note, practice is surprisingly pleasant. The instructor corrects, explains and reconnects us with nature, instantly! Wet towels and detox water punctuate the session, which Shehzad completes with a rather impressive demonstration of self-defence figures and techniques. This martial art on the borderline between combat sports and gymnastics offers numerous therapeutic, psychological and energetic benefits.
At the Horizon restaurant – which takes its name from its unobstructed ocean view – the culinary ballet is worthy of the finest tables. From colorful verrines to papillotes, from brochettes to surprising gazpachos, Chef Sanjay Makoona is an artist, a natural flavor enhancer… but above all, a calorie reducer! With humility, he tells us about his healthy cuisine, his blends, his secrets. Here, there’s no butter or fat, and very little cream (or low-fat cream). Olive oil, lemon and other pesto sauces accompany heart of palm, smoked ourite, grilled tofu… and I can tell you that every flavor explodes in the mouth! As for desserts, the chef’s healthy cheesecake and tiramisu erase any frustration!
Nestled in the gardens, the spa is an integral part of our wellness packages, offering a choice of treatments, world massages and signature rituals in a cocoon of luxury and tranquility. I leave my head and shoulders to the therapist’s expert hands for a brief moment, before reconnecting (with difficulty) to reality! A detox smoothie, blending fruit and vegetables with ginger, punctuates the experience.
Like me, take the plunge and put together your own wellness package ! Nourish your body and mind, try your hand at a multitude of practices, leisure and sporting activities, get rid of stress, toxins or kilos, improve your sleep and fill up on energy!
651 5000
res.amau@anantara.com
https://www.anantara.com/en/iko-mauritius
