Veranda Grand Baie Hotel & Spa — Hotel in Isle Mauritius

A Relaxing Family Holiday at Veranda Grand Baie – Great Staff Made the Difference||We had a fabulous family holiday at the Veranda Grand Baie, travelling as a group of five – two adults and three boys aged 16, 14, and 9. The hotel, with its charming colonial style, lush gardens, and comfortable rooms, provided a wonderful base for exploring the beauty of Mauritius.||Although the weather was a little mixed when we first arrived – some cloud and rain – this quickly improved and we enjoyed warm, mostly sunny days for the rest of our stay. If you're visiting in July or August, it's worth noting that this is winter in Mauritius, so slightly cooler temperatures and the odd shower are to be expected.||The hotel itself is peaceful and laid-back, particularly in the evenings. If you're looking for a high-energy nightlife scene, this might not be the place for you, though Grand Baie nearby does offer bars and clubs. For us, the tranquil setting was ideal, and we enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere.||Evening entertainment was fairly low-key but enjoyable. The fire show was a real highlight, and we also appreciated the casual events like rum tasting and the new arrivals evening (with a violinist playing), which created a nice opportunity for guests to socialise. Given the intimate size of the hotel, more of these informal gatherings could be a great way to build a stronger sense of community among guests.||Where Veranda Grand Baie really shines is in its people. The staff were, on the whole, friendly, hard-working, and welcoming. Jerome, from the food and beverage team, truly stood out. Incredibly polite, professional, and always warm, Jerome quickly became a favourite among our family. His attention to detail and genuine friendliness made every interaction a pleasure. He even taught my youngest son how to make a 'Mauritian Smile' mocktail while we were there (he's been having them every day at home since!!). Jerome is a credit to the hotel and has a very bright future ahead – I wouldn't hesitate to hire him myself if he ever wants to come and work in England.||Ajay (also known as "Ajay Coconut") deserves a special mention as well. Tireless in his work ethic, he was always on the move, always helpful, and seemed to genuinely care about the guest experience. Jordan in the entertainment team was fantastic with our youngest son, keeping him entertained with darts, volleyball, and plenty of laughs. Zach and Elisha at the bar were also consistently friendly and attentive – just a joy to deal with.||However, not everything was perfect. One aspect that left a sour taste was the pressure placed on guests by some members of the guest services team to leave five-star reviews. This included approaching our teenage sons—without our consent—and asking them to write glowing reviews. They did so under pressure, which made us uncomfortable, and we deleted the reviews once we found out. Genuine feedback should be encouraged, not coerced.||Additionally, while a few guest services staff were eager for personal name mentions in reviews, their actual involvement during our stay seemed minimal. At times, it appeared that some team members had little to do, yet were still focused on soliciting praise rather than providing proactive service. This disparity between their effort and expectations was noticeable and disappointing, particularly compared to the hard work evident across all of the other staff within the hotel.|||In summary, Veranda Grand Baie is a lovely boutique-style hotel with a serene vibe and fantastic staff – particularly in the food & beverage, gardening, cleaning, and entertainment teams. While we found the hotel a bit quiet in the evenings and slightly small for our liking, we had a truly enjoyable stay. Mauritius itself is stunning, and we would return in a heartbeat – whether or not we stay here again, we’ll remember the warmth of the people, especially Jerome, who helped make our...

VERY Disappointing (Beware of BAIT AND SWITCH)

We booked this hotel 6 months ago when planning our honeymoon. Originally we were working with a travel agent, so it came upon her recommendation. It was more expensive than what I wanted to pay, close to 800 euros for three nights (or a little over 250 euros a night), and far more expensive than the airbnbs we were staying in for other parts of the trip, but I thought, "Hey, let’s splurge for this portion, it’s our honeymoon and this looks like a beach paradise." The website really made it look gorgeous. Fast forward to our actual honeymoon: our flight from Johannesburg was delayed by 3 hours and we didn’t end up getting to Veranda until 1:30am. A not-so-friendly hotel reception guy unenthusiastically greeted us. I got slightly annoyed when he gave us just one room key card and when asked for a second, he said he’d have to charge us 50 rupee for it. "Um... really? Forget about it." A security guard then walked us to (what felt like) the furthest room in the resort. I couldn’t believe my eyes when we entered the room. It was NOTHING like the photos online. (Other reviews and guests I've spoken to at the hotel share the same experience). Part of me wondered if they had put us up in one of the hotel worker’s rooms. The reception guy had said prior to giving us our key that if there were any issues with the room to call 9. I remember thinking that was a weird comment, and in my head thought that it should be fine if it was like the photos (although the lobby was very underwhelming as a first impression). Anyway, I was exhausted from a full day of travel, but called him to say we were not happy at all with the room, it was nothing like the photos! I was dying for a shower after the long day of travel but couldn’t bring myself to shower in the room (see photo). I had a hard time falling asleep because I was so angry at the fact that we had paid over 250 euros a night for this dump. The next morning we went to the lobby and spoke to the manager. She said they would “upgrade us to a superior room” from our "comfort room". I had wanted a refund of that first night at the very least, but she flat out said no. In retrospect I should have pressed it but figured maybe the upgrade would be worth it. We went to see the new room and this so called upgrade was the room in the photos I had booked us, the “comfort” room!! The manager said no, the comfort room is what we stayed in last night. I said no, here, LOOK AT YOUR WEBSITE (I had my phone). That’s flat out false advertising. We went back and forth, with her being defensive and sticking her ground, and me as well. I was getting increasingly upset, and as I am pregnant, my husband gently said to just leave it. He didn’t want me to stress. She finally said she would have marketing look into this (incredibly annoyed even as I write this, what a scam). This “upgraded” room was definitely better than the first night, but the room, coupled with the resort, amenities, cleanliness, service, etc, I would honestly not pay more than $80 a night for it. She tried to sell it by saying we had a "view of the pool". Gee, thanks. They give you one sheet on the bed, the bathrooms are crawling with ants, the showers are gross, and it’s just not what it appears online. (BEWARE: if you book the comfort room based on the photos on their website, that is NOT the room they’ll actually put you in.) They charge you for every little thing including the individual tea packets in the room. Nothing annoys me more than being ripped off. To think we splurged on this when practically anywhere else in the world you would get a much nicer stay with that kind of money. The beach is in fact a marina , so you’re secluded to a small area to swim. It’s so hot and the pools are warm, not cool or refreshing. The food is mediocre and again, overpriced. This place is not worth even close to what you pay. I do not...

A Slice of Paradise An Unforgettable Stay at Veranda Grand Baie!!

From the very first moment we arrived at Veranda Grand Baie, we were embraced by an atmosphere of warmth, elegance, and genuine care. The reception team greeted us with radiant smiles and the utmost courtesy, offering chilled welcome drinks that instantly made us feel at ease and pampered while we waited for our room.

I would like to also mention a few of the staff members Zack,Vish,Daren,Rishi Stephan,Roukaya sports team also great for the Active type (Christlella Jordan)

And what a room it was immaculately clean, beautifully spacious, and overlooking a lush, tranquil garden that felt like a private oasis. Every detail was thoughtfully arranged, creating a haven of serenity that we couldn’t wait to return to each day.

The resort grounds are nothing short of stunning. From the crystal-clear pool to the inviting beach dotted with ample sun loungers, every corner is designed for pure relaxation. The entire setting feels like a dream where nature meets comfort in perfect harmony.

But it was the people who truly stole our hearts. The staff were beyond exceptional genuinely warm, endlessly attentive, and always going above and beyond. The animation team brought energy and joy to each night with their vibrant entertainment, while the bar staff made every moment feel festive and personal. Celebrating our birthdays here was magical we were treated to special drinks, and I was surprised with a lovely bottle of wine in my room. It was a heartfelt touch I’ll never forget.

One of the absolute highlights was the glass-bottom boat and snorkeling excursion. Gliding over turquoise waters and witnessing the dazzling marine life beneath us was a breathtaking experience. The guides were not only professional but incredibly kind and passionate about making the trip unforgettable.

Mornings were equally delightful. The breakfast buffet was a feast for the senses beautifully presented with a wide array of delicious options. And the coffee Simply divine.

Even when the skies opened up with evening rain, the magic never stopped. The hotel offered plenty of engaging activities and cozy spots to enjoy, and the surrounding area is vibrant and full of things to explore. Thoughtful touches, like providing bug plug-ins and refills, added a layer of comfort that showed just how much the hotel cares about its guests.

In every possible way, Veranda Grand Baie surpassed our expectations. It was more than a holidayit was an experience that touched the soul. We left with hearts full of gratitude and memories we will cherish forever. Without a doubt, we will return to this...