Imagine living in a luxury resort with no sense of being in a five-star hotel. No bustling reception area; no staff around every corner beaming greetings and seeking assurances that you had a good rest/ breakfast/ sleep/ visit; no queues around busy buffets – just quiet and calm, and a feeling of open space that draws you into nature as fast as the red-whiskered bulbuls and small Mauritius sparrows arrive at mealtimes. 

That’s not to say the staff aren’t there – they’re just discreet, waiting in the wings for a sign to do your bidding. Stroll into the unassuming, circular structure that serves as a welcoming reception, and staff on duty will often know your name and room number without being told. The breakfast waiters will learn your preferred morning beverage, gardeners and cleaners will greet you from beneath shady fronds and stairwells, and spa therapists will appear magically at the spa entrance to guide you into the cool interior if you’re like me – wandering around lost, again. 

It can happen when you’re staying at Anahita Golf & Spa Resort on the east coast of Mauritius – whether you’re a homeowner of one or more luxurious properties, a digital nomad on a long-term rental for a year or more, or a short-term tenant living your best life in the Anahita Mauritius precinct for up to 90 days. The combination of fresh sea air and superior service lulls you into a blissful state, enabling you to work (if you must) but in a more relaxed fashion. Island style. For those enjoying permanent downtime, here you can expect next-level luxury through hospitality and property investment solutions honed since inception in 2008.

Set amongst 213 hectares of tropical gardens, Anahita Golf Resort offers a vast range of the most sought-after activities: an exceptional 18-hole championship golf course designed by Ernie Els, exclusive beach experiences (one being Ile aux Cerfs, which is the iconic island facing Anahita and  boasts a second golf course, designed by Bernhard Langer) boutiques, a gym, Anahita Spa by Thémaé Paris, tennis courts, a brand-new padel court, Kids’ and Teens Club, and a water sports centre.

“The biggest USP of coming here is our exclusive beach at Ile aux Cerfs. It’s amongst the best in the world. You can walk into the water for a kilometre, with sand under your feet. There is an open-air restaurant and bar. Lifestyle-wise, that is a huge element of the Anahita Mauritius concept. Nobody else has that unique opportunity to take an eight-minute boat ride from the resort, followed by a five-minute buggy ride, to reach one of the most beautiful beaches in the world,” says Dhiren Pereira, COO, Hospitality & Leisure at Alteo Property/ Anahita Estates Limited.

Meanwhile, in the central square, there is much to contribute to a guest’s entertainment or penchant for retail therapy. New signage helps direct guests towards two art galleries representing international artists and sculptors, three boutiques, the spa, and Sugar, the resort bakery. “An art garden has been developed around the galleries, featuring sculptures as art installations, which adds to the classy atmosphere. There is always lovely work for people to see,” says Pereira.

Two of the boutiques are rented by homeowners who showcase their own apparel. The resort boutique has been completely revamped, stocking menswear, ladieswear and jewellery by local and international designers.

Votre Pôte Agé is new to the courtyard mix. The high-end fresh produce shop makes it easier for residents to stock up on daily requirements like fruit, vegetables, cheese, eggs, milk, meat and salmon instead of driving 20 minutes to the nearest supermarket in Flacq.

“We have improved our offering at our own bakery called Sugar and invited a local artist to paint the interior. It offers a very vibrant atmosphere now and is doing very well. People come for their coffee or croissant in the morning, or a hot dog in the afternoon. Tacos are an option every alternate afternoon. You can buy wine at very affordable prices, too,” says Pereira.

Soft lounge music permeates the square, adding to the ambience, with hanging baskets of ferns and new lighting at the central banyan tree enhancing the atmosphere day and night. Everybody’s invited to Wine o’ Clock on Thursdays – a supplier wine tasting accompanied by a DJ playing festive music from 5pm to 6.30pm. “If you buy a glass or bottle of wine, you have a chance to enter a raffle for a free bottle,” he adds. 

It’s more than you might expect to discover at a fancy resort, but it makes it an extra-fun place to be and live and visit – for as long as possible. There are plans for future markets – arts and artefacts and monthly food fairs, making leaving the property even more unnecessary. Everything you need to live will be right there!

It’s a natural reaction to want to make your stay permanent after visiting this haven of wild island beauty. Anahita Golf & Spa Resort, the rental and property management operator, has several options. Set at the heart of Anahita Mauritius, it has 78 keys, including Junior Suites and apartments and villas with private swimming pools (private owners).

Completed in 2016, 24 Junior Suites of 60m² are now available for sale as two communicating units, meaning that they are packaged in pairs with an interleading door at around R10 million per deal (for two suites totalling 120m²). Foreign buyers, their spouses, parents and dependents are entitled to the Mauritian residence permit, valid as long as they own the property.

The Junior Suites are located in the Amalthea neighbourhood, along holes 1, 8 and 9 of the Ernie Els-designed golf course with views of the tropical gardens or the course itself. They comprise one-bedroom ensuite, elegantly decorated units with their own covered entrance, a cosy living room, kitchenette and terrace. They are fully air-conditioned. Other features include a king-size bed, walk-in closet, luxurious bathtub, walk-in shower and double washbasins.

 “They are very close to the large swimming pool at Amalthea. There are three blocks of residences on the golf side and three others on the swimming pool side. Each block has two interleading Junior Suites on the ground floor and two on the first floor. Of the 12 pairs for sale, four are sold and one is reserved. Only seven are still available,” says Alexandre Gelle, Alteo Property Executive – Commercial.

The Junior Suites form part of a rental pool for 10 years, after which that agreement can be renewed. Owners benefit from 3% rental revenue per year for five years and get a credit of 45 room nights per suite, making it 90 on a half-board basis (breakfast and dinner). “Imagine the value of a couple being able to come to Anahita and stay up to three months on half-board. Or someone who is a great golf fan who chooses to purchase the breakfast-only option and get unlimited golf access for 10 years,” says Gelle. 

Homeowners also enjoy access to all the amenities at Anahita, including preferential rates at Anahita Golf Club, discounts at restaurants, and free boat rides to the private beach at Ile aux Cerfs. During the first 10 years, homeowners don’t have to worry about renovation or repairs; it’s all handled by the rental operator. In addition, when the owner occupies the suite, utilities have no extra cost.