Outrigger Mauritius Beach Resort

We had three days scheduled at Outrigger and I wish it was longer than that. It was a great experience, the staff was kind and the service as well. The property is beautiful, you can easily lose time there! If I have to go again, I would plan a couple of weeks just at Outrigger! They won my heart.

We booked the Outrigger on New Years Eve completely missing the chimes of Big Ben. This gave us access to an all inclusive deal. First impressions were good being met and escorted to our room by Janitta who took a great deal of trouble to explain the “AI” deal and mini bar inclusions. As our week has progressed we have noticed some things that could be addressed. Service can be very slow some staff can appear preoccupied yet others can’t do enough. Arrun (Wednesday to Monday) at the “quiet pool” has been excellent and attentive. Pryia our room maid has done a great job of servicing a room which appears a little tired. As mentioned in previous reviews the curtains have missing clips, and this morning Mrs Wetleg was covered in a shroud as she pulled back the curtain whilst welcoming the day, the main door is difficult to open and close (note to self: pack a wood plane next time), the security chain on the French door has obviously been repaired many times, you get a free shower as you enter or leave the room due to the dripping condensation from the unit above the door, which makes it quite hard to keep the room clean. Whilst the towel art on the bed has been very impressive. I can’t help think the room maid should turn her hand to a spot of DIY, planing down the door, fixing the LED strip behind the headboard and colour matching the low energy bulbs in the room. On a couple of occasions we have had towels with holes in which are also threadbare at the edges as was one of the pillow cases on the bed. The reason I married Mrs. Wetleg some 30 years ago was for her enduring beauty but also that mosquitos are attracted to her and not me. Despite keeping the room at a constant 18 degrees the Vape mosquito repellant appears to act as little more than a navigation beacon as they enter a holding pattern before departing via the ILS to leg 28 Left. On the first night we thought we would test the “AI” drinks menu in the Market buffet restaurant and order some Port to go with the cheese. This we were told was not available. The next night we dined at Edge Water which was excellent and so was the cheese selection but still no Port, such a shame, by the fifth night the Drambuie and Cointreau were unavailable in the buffet restaurant. The hotel has what looks like an excellent wine list but I would be put off spending extra money on a bottle by the service and knowledge of the staff. Often our AI wine order would turn up after we had finished our appetisers. Sitting at certain tables in the buffet restaurant can lead to free laser eye surgery as placed in the roof are laser spot projectors which send green and blue laser dots around the room. For a moment due to my PTSD I though I was about to be shot by special forces. On the positive side, my astigmatism is completely cured in my remaining eye! There are a few sparrow type birds flying around the restaurant which are not really a problem. Could I politely suggest that the management invest in a bird of prey to patrol the restaurant when closed? Failing that why not play the subtitle sounds of a hunting eagle over the speakers similar to the way in which birds are cleared from runways. Mrs. Wetleg decided to take up the offer of the free 30 minute massage. She was allowed to combine it with my massage, as I’ve never been keen on having my body messed around with by anyone not fully certified by the National Association of Chiropractors and Mrs. Wetleg of course. I understand that two complimentary massages are not the “full monty” but she felt that some medical history should have been taken prior to starting the treatment. They were so keen to get to work on her that she wasn’t fully prepared and still had her top on. At previous spas she has been sat down and given tea and relaxing music whilst her full medical history has been taken, (not a task undertaken lightly). This is not only important but would give the spa a chance to up sell. Are we too old? What is it with this New Age music being played in the restaurant and through the nice Bose speakers around the pool? Sadly it makes us feel like we are trapped in a New York lift or sitting in a chapel of rest. A number of hotels we have stayed in have App based programs which allow you to book restaurants and excursions. This could be extended to allow guests to have some limited control over the Muzak, it may also help to keep guests in the bar later. I was confused by the board at the water sports boathouse which I thought was the sushi menu for the Crab Shack restaurant, it was in fact a “wanted” poster of all the things looking to attack you in the sea. The Valentine's set meal at the Plantation Club was a bit of a disaster as we were served the "amuse bouche" three times and served the starter twice. This was handled well by the management and the bill cancelled. Having said the above we had a really good nine nights at the hotel. The evening buffet was very nice and one section had a different theme every night. You probably have to accept the hotel rooms have seen better days and are not 5* but we had a very nice time and sitting by the quiet pool it was never busy.