As an ex-colleague, when Sharon reached out to me to help plan her big birthday celebrations, I was truly honoured. I knew that Beachcomber would deliver the perfect family experience, and it was such a joy to help her make it happen…
This year, with three momentous birthdays – 50, 21 and 18 – we wanted to celebrate in a way that brought the whole family together, including the kids and their partners. We wanted something truly unforgettable.
Flis’ expert advice on finding the best weather and value in September led us to the Indian Ocean paradise of Mauritius – a tropical island with just the right touch of something different.
We flew directly from London Gatwick with Air Mauritius, and while the 12-hour journey was long, the moment we touched down, the stress melted away.
A private transfer whisked us to our resort in the north of the island. Though the 90-minute journey was a bit tiring after the flight, the moment we arrived at the Cannonier Beachcomber near Grand Baie, we knew it was worth it. The hotel, nestled in its own bay, immediately felt like paradise.
With its blend of modern and colonial design, the Cannonier was stunning. Our rooms were close together, with breathtaking views of both the beach and the pool — such a perfect touch that made the experience extra special.
Flis had found us an incredible all-inclusive deal that included free water sports, and the food and drink were a real highlight. Each evening, the hotel hosted themed culinary nights, with an excellent buffet offering a huge variety of delicious dishes. While we enjoyed dining at the two à la carte restaurants, the buffet quickly became our favourite for its speed, variety and ease.
Bar service was equally outstanding, with friendly staff serving a great selection of drinks.
We wanted this holiday to be all about relaxation, but we did book one incredible excursion: the five-island speedboat tour. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience! From snorkelling with tropical fish to spotting dolphins, turtles and even monkeys, the day was unforgettable. We saw stunning waterfalls, secluded beaches and more — all arranged seamlessly by the Beachcomber representative at the hotel.
Though we arrived at the tail end of the Mauritius winter, we enjoyed sunny days around 26°C. Evenings were occasionally breezy, but a light jumper or cardigan kept us comfortable. Sunset came early, around 6pm, but the hotel kept the evenings lively with fantastic entertainment, including live music from an amazing band.
A special shout-out to Flis, who took care of every detail - from ensuring we had the best room views to arranging a surprise birthday cake. It was all so seamless and made the trip even more memorable.
One tip for future visitors: tipping isn’t mandatory, but we chose to tip some of our favourite staff at the end of our stay, which was much appreciated.
Our only minor critique was the airline experience. The seats were a bit cramped, and despite paying for seat reservations, they were changed on the return flight. However, we managed to resolve it on board, and it didn’t detract from our amazing holiday.
In summary, this trip was everything we had hoped for: relaxation, adventure and family celebration rolled into one. The beauty of Mauritius, the incredible experiences and the memories we made will stay with us forever. I’d go back in a heartbeat.
Thanks, Flis!
Sharon and the Johnson family
