Le Palmar Belle Mare

Just got back from a week's holiday at Le Palmar, Mauritius, on the east coast. The hotel is small and next to several other, more expensive, beach resorts. It was excellent value for money. The all inclusive is just that and though limited to local drinks we were spoilt for choice. Unlike other contributors, we preferred the buffet meals. The a la carte served at the table were just not up to standard and we were very disappointed. The buffet (lunch and dinner) were excellent with loads of variety and choice. Forget the diet while you are there. The hotel is less than 100 metres from the white-sandy beach which is beautifully clean and the sea (reef/lagoon)likewise. Thought the evening entertainment a bit iffy but the relaxed atmosphere is just what you need. Flew with Air Mauritius which was excellent - far better than reviews I have read elsewhere. We were lucky with the weather. The week before had had 4 days' solid rain. We had blue skies and 32 degrees. Take care in the sun. The ocean breeze tends to make you forget you can easily burn. We needed factor 25 and later 15! If you can get a good deal, don't hesitate.

Just returned from the Le Palmar Beach Resort.If you are on a tight budget I highly recommend this resort.It is budget priced, however it is a 3 star resort with a 4 star feel to it. The rooms were clean and looked as if they were recently refurbished. The beach was superb and the resort could offer almost everything those highly expensive 5 star resorts right next door could offer. The food was a bit average however there would always be something that would hit the right spot. I booked directly through the resort and paid half as much as booking through a travel agent.

Futher to previous reviews, we stayed in November. We found the food to be OK. It is all buffet, although for the first few days of our stay Lunch was from a menu, then it changed,

We found all staff very helpful (contrary to previous reveiwer).

There is a shortgage of sun beds, but reserving is against the rules, so just talk to a member of staff on the beach/pool, and they will remove towels, Then if you get some grief just refer them to the beach staff. (this works anywhere in the world!)

Not much to do on the Island. A day trip is best done by taxi, but not much to see.

There is a village a short walk from the hotel called "rip off" village. Buy nothing there, as water, cigarettes, sun lotion etc. were all twice the normal price. Any shopping go to Flacq.

The entertainment is "challenging", but after a few "peacocks" (cocktail), its seems OK, and they do try hard.

First time my wife and I had been away for Christmas.

Lovely weather (the odd thunderstorm), lovely beach.

All the staff very friendly.

No pressure to tip, there is a tipping box at receptionif you wish to use it when you leave

70 rooms, so not loads and loads of people

Good beach, good food, enough of everything

Daily snorkelling trips

Free use of water ski, pedalos, kayaks

Perhaps slightly better evening entertainment required

This is a 3 star hotel.Overall the food choice was good. The pancakes served at the beach bar in the afternoon are great.The drinks choice was fair but beer could have been colder.The service could have been a lot better.The bars and dining room get very busy, people are not served in the order they arrive, orders are forgotten and some are ignored. The main problem during our stay was the flies in the dining room.The hotel was fumigated during our stay but had little or no effect.The staff try to keep the flies off the food with nets but some guests leave the nets off when they have their food.Only the main dining room is included in the all inclusive package.You have to pay to eat at the beach bar but you get an allowace of 100 rupees (£2). We only managed to get a sunbed on the beach on 3 days out of 12. Most were reserved by 7.30am dispite it being against 'the rules'.The sunbeds are tatty. Pool is nice but small. Pool table in poor condition and no darts available.Most of the staff are friendly and polite. Overall good value for money but inconsistent service and lack of sunbeds on beach spoiled it.

Stayed here for 11 nights - small basic hotel but very friendly staff, clean and comfy, the all inclusive option was great value. Local drinks and cocktails were free, meals were varied and of good quality, mostly served, but with some buffets. There was entertainment most evenings by the bar which I could take or leave, but it was on offer! All in all great value for money and the beach here is lovely, best area on island, always a breeze so not too hot and good for sailing etc. There is a diving school next door with good staff and nice boat. The public beaches are also great fun you can meet the locals and they all love to chat. Go there if you can!

small and friendly hotel,nothing too much trouble.Always a smile and greeting.It was all inclusive but was not all buffet style meals.Dinner was either 4 or on Gala night 5 courses.Cocktails wonderful!!

Just returned from this wonderful small and friendly hotel. The staff are the nicest, friendliest, most helpful and sunny staff you could wish to meet, nothing was too much trouble and everything done with a smile and a chat. For all inclusive, the best I have ever been too with all lunchtime meals served and more than half of the evening meals served too. Highly recommended.

A cosy informal hotel that felt like home. The location was about 1.15minutes drive away to Port Louis or Grand Baie which had more tourism appeal ie: shopping, restaurants and bars. and not miles of sugar cane. However the "all Inclusive" water sports were great value including kayaking, snorkling the reef and water skiing, and other activities included the hotel organising horse riding on the beach, deep sea fishing and helicopter rides.

The rooms were clean and spacious with a lovely view over the beach or gardens, the meals were more al a carte than buffet and was a nice suprise except they do repeat the same choices quite often and did not always provide a vegatarian option.

Overall for a 3/4 star hotel it was good value especially as food and drink can be quite expensive at the hotel if not on AI. A good choice for those on a budget and in need of a beach holiday!!

Had a lovely holiday here. Very friendly hotel with helpful staff. Met on arrival with hot flannels and drinks. Shown to room just a few steps from the beach. Lovely food - especially the afternoon pancakes. Right on a lovely beach and within easyish reach of the local village. Would recommend for the money.