Background
This hotel originally opened as a 10-room guesthouse in 1943 and was among the country’s first hotels. It became a Le Meridien property in 1985, underwent renovation in 2003, re-opened in 2004 and joined the Starwood Hotels & Resorts stable in 2005. There is a second Le Meridien on the island, in the form of Le Meridien Barbarons, which is located further south.
Where Is It?
It’s situated in the north-west of Mahé, approximately half an hour’s drive from Mahé International Airport, and a little less from the capital Victoria. Le Meridien Fisherman’s Cove is located in the Beau Vallon bay, which, interestingly, is the only bay on the island permitted to offer motorised water sports.
Room Facilities
The hotel has 68 rooms and suites. We were accommodated in a ‘deluxe suite garden view’, which was tucked into the back of the property, but just a two-minute walk from the beach. These suites are ideal for those who value their privacy, peace and quiet. The remaining rooms and suites are all sea-facing and range in size from 30 to 70m2, along with small variations in the extras – coffee machines, iPod docking stations, garden terraces etc. Some of the suites are located just off the sea-facing boardwalk that fronts the property. Our suite was 60m2 across two levels, with a lounge suite, work desk, 32-inch flat-screen TV, DVD player, telephone and door leading out onto a patio with lounging furniture all occupying the lower level. The top level consisted of an open-plan bedroom and bathroom concept, with a king-size bed, cupboard space, safe, two basins, closed toilet, rain shower, deep bath, Philips stereo on the wall, plenty of plug points and stocked mini-bar, along with an Illy coffee machine on a dresser with a kettle, tea/coffee, mirror and obligatory air-conditioning, all together in a tasteful room with a high-pitched ceiling.
Restaurants and Bars
The hotel has two restaurants – Le Cardinal is located adjacent to the vast lobby area and serves breakfast and dinner, whilst Le Bourgeois is LMFC’s a la carte restaurant and is off the jetty to the left of the property – a great outdoor dining option. Here I opted for the Red Snapper – otherwise known as Bourgeois – with aubergine and tomato, and stuffed with cottage cheese. In a word, superb, and followed quickly by the equally impressive chocolate fondant. The previous evening I feasted on the Creole buffet at Le Cardinal, where the octopus curry was the highlight, along with a chilled glass of the local beer, Sey Brew. The other eating options are the Cocoloba bar, which offers snacks and is the ideal venue for lunch, particularly with its view of the water and proximity to the hotel pool, whilst the Sunset Bar serves complimentary tea and coffee every afternoon.
Business and Meeting Facilities
Not a priority for LMFC, but Le Bourgeois can accommodate about 60 delegates for a cocktail function out on the Sunset Bar deck. Complimentary Wi-Fi is available in the lobby and bar areas, and in the rooms at a cost.
Leisure Facilities
The user-friendly, quiet beach in front of the hotel was the highlight for me, although you may prefer the pool that looks onto the water. The snorkelling in front of the hotel also comes highly recommended, whilst a variety of water sports can be arranged at a cost at the nearby Beau Vallon beach. The hotel has a tennis court, spa and small gym, and if you’re after a massage and aren’t afraid of a strong deep-tissue session, then ask for Sabrina, who is a whiz at ironing out all those city life kinks!
Verdict
A great place from which to explore what Victoria has to offer, snorkel or just relax, either on the beach, by the pool or in the breezy lobby area that looks down onto the bay.
Dylan Rogers
Contact
Address: Bel Ombre, Mahe
Tel: +248 4677 000
Email: sales.fishcove@lemeridien.com
Web: www.lemeridienfishermanscove.com