Ambre A Sun Resort

Built in 1990, Ambre Resort & Spa was a family-friendly property until 2012, when it became part of Sun Resorts' collection and the concept shifted to adults-only. Now, the resort offers a sophisticated, no-kids version of the classic Mauritian beach getaway. The lobby is impeccably clean done up in nearly all-white decor; strewn about are white wicker chairs, daybed-like couches, and decorative oversized vases. Palapa cathedral ceilings, white slat-wood walls, white-tile floors crossed by a wood-plank path, and a completely open front emphasize the beachy vibe. Outside, Ambre's spacious pool complex stretches toward the lagoon-fronting beach, where turquoise water laps gently over the white sand. The beach is naturally protected by a long peninsula to the property's south, so the waters in front of Ambre are especially calm. Though the lagoon beach is undeniably the star of the show, Ambre is outfitted with just about every feature a leisure traveler could hope for. 

The hotel is split into north and south sections, and most of its features and animation are concentrated in the middle, by the pool and restaurants, and in the south section, leaving the north side dedicated to peace and quiet. Ambre's adults-only concept, gorgeous beachfront, and excellent facilities make it a popular choice for intimate destination weddings (the hotel allows for a maximum of 40 guests). As of our visit in April 2017, the hotel already had 140 weddings booked for the year. The property is especially popular with travelers from the U.K., South Africa, and Reunion Island.

Ambre's entrance is right off of the main coastal road near Belle Mare, a small fishing and agriculture village on the eastern part of the island. Belle Mare's tiny village center is a short drive from the hotel (under five minutes). Here, visitors can find a small cluster of souvenir shops, clothing outlets, and roadside snack stands selling Mauritian-style fried noodles and halim (lentil soup with mutton). Around Ambre and the village, there's practically nothing but abundantly green sugar fields, wild-looking filao-lined beaches, and resorts. In this part of the world, a rental car, taxi, or guided excursion is an absolute must for exploring beyond the resort and village. The closest major attractions -- like Grand Baie, Port Louis, and Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden -- are 45 minutes to an hour away by car, and travelers should budget almost double that time to drive to Bluebay Marine Park in the southeast or Black River Gorges National Park in the southwest. The hotel is an hour's drive from Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam (SSR) International Airport.

Ambre's room lineup begins with 183-square-foot Courtyard Rooms and goes up to 775-square-foot Junior Suites and 860-square-foot Ambre Suites. With the exception of the entry-level Courtyard Rooms and some units from the next category up (324-square-foot Superior Garden Rooms), almost all of the rooms have sea views. In fact, of Ambre's 297 units, around 250 look out toward the turquoise lagoon. 

Size and courtyard-versus-ocean views are the only differences between categories; the decor and amenities are the same throughout the rooms. All units feature light, bright decor that feels slightly retro. Beige tile floors and white walls are accented by pale-blue desktops, orchid wall prints, blue padded headboards, and coral-, green-, and blue-striped bedrunners. Vintage-style minibars with pistachio-hued doors and sides, sunburst mirrors, and mossy green retro chairs with block ottomans (in some rooms) add a bit of a throwback vibe that is unexpected for a Mauritian beach resort. The look mostly works, but the flowery white curtains and dark-red bolster pillows clash with the softer shades.

All rooms are air-conditioned and come with king beds, but note that Courtyard Rooms feature two twin beds pushed together to create a king-sized bed, while all other room categories have true king beds. In-room minibars are free under the all-inclusive plan and topped off every day. They contain local Phoenix beer, coffee, tea, chocolate, milk, snacks, water, and glass-bottle Cokes and Sprites. Each room features a balcony or terrace; a flat-screen TV with English-, French-, and Italian-language channels; and an impressive amount of storage space (one of the units we visited had a large walk-in closet with shelves and a luggage bench). Some of the bathrooms have walk-in showers, but most have shower/tub combos, as well as hotel-brand toiletries and hairdryers. Large coral-framed mirrors provide a dose of color to the bathrooms, whose walls and floors are covered in beige tiles.

Interconnected rooms are available for groups. Wi-Fi is free in all rooms and throughout the resort.

The flagship feature at most tropical resorts is the pool, but at Ambre, the large pool complex -- complete with a main area and a lap section -- is second-string to the incredible beachfront, which has palapa umbrellas, sandy-colored loungers, beach volleyball, and food and drink service. A few filao trees provide shade. Because Ambre is positioned on a secluded lagoon, its boathouse only offers nonmotorized water-sports equipment, like stand-up paddleboards, sailboats, windsurfing boards, and Hobie cats. They're free to use, plus the hotel offers two free glass-bottomed boat trips and two snorkeling trips per day. Scuba diving is available for a fee. The hotel can also arrange trips to Ile aux Cerfs, a large, popular island to the south of the resort, where Ambre has an exclusive bit of beachfront. Ambre guests get free green fees at Ile aux Cerfs Golf Club.

Ambre's spa skips the usual spa soundtrack, so guests can instead hear only the waves, wind, and birdsong. The Tropical Spa has two double massage cabins on the beach, plus a pavilion near the water for guests to relax in before or after their treatment. There are also indoor steam and sauna rooms, an outdoor whirlpool, and an outdoor shower for pre- or post-treatment relaxing. The spa uses Germaine de Capuccini skin care and L'Oreal hair products, and the whole space is scented with moringa-diffused oil. Some of Tropical Spa's most popular massages include pressure point, aromatic anti-stress, and one using warm wax. 

Ambre's fitness center and tennis courts are free to use. The gym offers free classes (yoga, stretching, Tai Chi), though personal trainers cost extra. There is a nurse on-site to provide first aid, plus doctors on call. Wi-Fi is free throughout the resort, even the beach, and a small internet corner provides a pair of public computers for guests' use. Event and meeting space is extensive as well.

Ambre's 1990 construction predates the Mauritian law mandating that hotel facilities must be set back from the beach, so its beachfront restaurant, La Plage, offers a toes-in-the-sand dining experience for lunch and dinner. Pairs of white wood tables with turquoise chairs are nestled under thatched huts. La Plage serves Mauritian/Mediterranean fusion cuisine (primarily seafood and meat curries, like venison). At night, La Plage is lit by torches.

Ambre's main buffet, Indigo, is open for all three meals daily, with themed dinners rotating through a 12-night schedule. Once a week, the buffet hosts a Mauritian night with sega dancing. La Vita Dolce is an Italian a la carte restaurant open for lunch and dinner; reservations can only be made the day-of. It has outdoor seating, and features buffet-style salad and antipasti bars, plus a la carte menus, which feature tuna carpaccio, pizzas, pastas, and seafood risotto. Twice a week, La Vita Dolce serves a set menu and requires a dress code of pants and closed shoes. The hotel will also prepare free picnic baskets for guests going on excursions.

Coral Bar, Ambre's main bar, is located by the beach. Coral opens during breakfast service and serves all-inclusive drinks until midnight. Its long list of all-inclusive drinks includes cocktails, wine, homemade rums, and a few beer selections. There are extra charges for premium alcohol and any drinks ordered after midnight. An indoor bar off of the lobby, H&H, doesn't open until late in the day, but it serves coffee, tea, and savory and sweet snacks every afternoon before it officially opens. H&H has a projector and three flat-screen TVs for soccer games, rugby, Six Nations tournaments, and tennis matches. Beyond H&H is a small nightclub that is only for hotel guests, where a DJ plays reggae, '70s hits, and Mauritian music. The hotel presents a cocktail ritual every evening, featuring two different rum-based drinks, and there are self-serve taps with plain and sparkling water.