Shandrani Beachcomber Resort & Spa — Hotel in Plaine Magnien

We recently spent 8 nights at Shandrani Beachcomber Resort & Spa, and I can say with absolute sincerity that it was one of the most memorable and heartwarming holidays of my life. We were a family group of six (my wife and I, her sister and brother-in-law, and the in-laws), and from the moment we arrived, it felt like we were transported into a serene slice of paradise.

The resort itself is absolutely stunning. Nothing felt dated – everything from the reception to the restaurants and bars exuded that open-plan, beach-luxury charm that invites the outdoors in. We could see the beach and ocean from many of our tables while dining, which really made us feel like we were never far from the water. The rooms were cool, spotless, and comfortable – a haven after a long day in the sun. The bed was large and the pillows were so soft we almost found it hard to fall asleep (we’re used to firmer ones), but that’s hardly a real complaint!

The beaches – wow. Three different ones, each with their own personality. We spent most of our time at the larger, calm beach, perfect for paddle boarding, kayaking, sailing, and snorkelling – or just lounging in the shade. Despite the resort being fully booked (or so we were told), we never struggled to find a good spot on the beach or a comfy beach chair. Everything felt accessible and unhurried, which is rare these days.

Food was exceptional from the start. Le Grand Port Restaurant, the buffet, quickly became a favourite. Breakfasts were a joy – fresh breads, hot dishes, salads, build-your-own options, and wonderful desserts. Honestly, it was tough not to go back for seconds… and thirds. Dinner themes each night added some great variety, and even though the buffet was often busy, the selection made it well worth it.

We had two truly special evenings at Ponte Vecchio, the Italian restaurant. The food was bursting with flavour, and the atmosphere was so peaceful and welcoming. But what really made those evenings unforgettable was Stephane, our waiter. He was a highlight of our trip. Friendly, intuitive, incredibly professional – he wasn’t just serving us, he was crafting an experience. I honestly believe his title should be “Experience Crafter.” Stephane, you are a star and a credit to Shandrani.

We also enjoyed drinks at the bars, and shoutout to Atish who mixed some amazing cocktails for us – always with a smile and good energy. The bars were well-stocked, and the staff were quick and friendly, even during busier times. It was little things like these that made a big difference.

The water sports options were a lot of fun – and great for beginners because the lagoon-like waters are calm and easy to navigate. The spa deserves a special mention too – incredibly relaxing with a beautiful setting, sauna access, and a tranquil pool to unwind after your treatment.

There is a shuttle service between the main building and Le Sirius and golf carts are available as well.. Water stations are located all over, perfect for a quick refreshing glass.

There’s live entertainment each night at the bar – from piano music to singing – which added a lovely ambiance without being intrusive or overbearing.

Now, no holiday is ever 100% flawless, but honestly, any “negatives” we encountered were so minor they hardly made a dent. Le Grand Port could get very busy and sometimes it was hard to flag down staff for a coffee or drink, but given the crowd size, it’s understandable and not a dealbreaker at all. Our one dinner at the seafood restaurant was a bit drawn out because they were short-staffed that night, but the lone waitress did her absolute best and we were still able to enjoy a slow, scenic dinner. Light sleepers might notice a few planes taking off from the nearby airport – but they’re quick, and honestly, we barely noticed after the first day.

In summary: we left Shandrani feeling refreshed, cared for, and full of joy. The staff, the scenery, the food, and the experiences made this holiday one we’ll cherish forever. I can’t recommend this resort enough – and we’re already dreaming of the...

This was our 4th visit to Shandrani and quite possibly our best one yet! We have visited in 1998, 2018 and 2019 before and it was so nice to go back to celebrate my 50th Birthday.

From the moment you arrive, you are welcomed by the amazing team. The fountain is now a stunning reception area.

We were lucky enough to stay in one of the Senior Suites and it is worth every penny for that view every morning when you wake up. Extremely spacious and the little extra amenities you get in the Suite make it extra special.

I shall start with the food which was always very good but quite simply amazing now. Working in hospitality marketing, it was nice to get to know Executive Chef Mooroogun Coopen who puts so much love and creativity into every dish. The special meal he cooked for us in Le Sirius and the whole menu for Valentine's Day was out of this world. An amazing Chef and a great inspiration for his team.

We ate in all the A La Carte Restaurants as well as Le Grand Port Buffet. It is well worth upgrading to the All Inclusive Serenity Plus package to sample the restaurants and who doesn't like a glass of champagne before dinner of an evening..... I hope my review ensures all those that visit Shandrani, sample these amazing restaurants:

Teak Elephant - stunning Thai food with a beautiful ambience. If you have dietary requirements, nothing is too much trouble. This was my husband's favourite.

Le Sirius - my favourite. Beautiful setting and exquisite food. The Valentine's Day Dinner was amazing and I will remember the night for a long, long while. - the cuisine was out of this world and the ambience and service made it a perfect evening. The attention to detail was very impressive.

Ponte Vecchio - Fine italian and Mediterranean food which we thoroughly enjoyed.

Natura - a new concept offering local healthy and balanced cuisine which was amazing. You could almost taste how healthy it was but delicious too. I really liked this idea and I hope it continues.

Le Boucanier - sophisticated gourmet food offering the best flavours from the sea on your plate. Stunning!

We used the little beach outside the Suite every day, where you can just walk into the sea and see the marine life. Snorkelling from here is pretty good and you also get a nice welcoming breeze.

The whole resort is amazing and everyone works so hard to make your stay a pleasant one. We stayed between the two recent cyclones and it was amazing to see the gardening team at work. Lots of the team have been with Shandrani for quite a while which is so nice to hear. Staff are very atttentive and always there but also discreet and mindful of their guests.

We didn't use the watersport facilities but watched the team encourage guests of all ages onto the water.

We visited the Spa twice and on both times had amazing massages and left feeling completely chilled. That view of the pool is just like looking into a glossy magazine - serenity at it's best.

Jean-Yves is a lovely man who looked after us so well and it was nice to catch up with Raphael towards the end of our stay. They both love to know what you as guests think and customer service is so important to them. All I can say is their staff did them proud.

The hotel is I feel sometimes forgotten about by Beachcomber who need to shout out about it more. The resort may be close to the airport but the planes taking off are not intrusive and you have the choice of two swimming pools and three beaches. The weather is always good as it is protected by the Blue Bay Marine Park and I am sure has it's own climate.

We had such an amazing holiday that after the last two years was so welcomed and as I opened my review in saying, Shandrani continues to blossom into the paradise it is. We cannot wait to return.

Thank you to the whole team for helping us create amazing memories that will stay with...

We opted for the full inclusive serenity package which was expensive. Food and drink did not reflect the value of the hotel. Firstly the Thai restaurant was closed for the duration of our stay so we did not get the fancy restaurant option. Our only options were the main restaurant buffet and the bar menu. The Mauritian gourmet restaurant did not appeal and the Italian was fully booked. We ate mainly the bar food as the buffet was not as nice. I felt there was more food that did not appeal then did appeal. The fried foods were too oily, the grilled fish tasted weird and there were not enough hot veg options, most of the veg were cold salad options or curried. We arrived on the Saturday, had lunch and dinner at the main restaurant buffet with a couple of drinks. It was African themed food and I spent the night with bad tummy pains, severe diarrhoea and constant throwing up both lunch, alcohol and dinner (vomited 10 times that night). Something I ate from the buffet had stayed out too long or gone off or might have had flies (constantly buzzing throughout) landed on it. The drinks at the bar especially the cocktails were badly made. The mojito I ordered tasted nothing like a mojito, even the strawberry daiquiri tasted weird. I found out later cheap white rum (Goodwill) was used which ruined the taste. Better options are Prosecco etc which could not be substituted with cheaper alternatives. For the price I paid I expected better cocktails.

I felt that some of the food was not fresh, especially the cold salads I didn’t appreciate forking out on an expensive stay and then served with poor quality rum and cocktails. I would have preferred more fresh vegetable options, eg sautéed veg, grilled veg, baked even, roasted potatoes would have been good as well. Most importantly, when I had the food poisoning during my first night there, I contacted reception to request a nurse or somebody to check me out. I had chills, tummy ache, diarrhoea and vomiting. The nurse came quite quickly. He check my blood pressure and advised me that in food poisoning cases they could only request a doctor. Only problem with the doctor is that he lives about an hour away and if I did need to be hospitalised following the doctor’s visit I would be taken to a clinic in Grand Baie, that is on the other side of the island, which was another hour minimum drive. So effectively suffer with my symptoms for another 2 hours at least before I get some kind of treatment. I didn’t choose this option and said I would get myself to the local hospital 10 minutes drive away should I need to, by taxi. On this front I think that a quicker access to medical help could be improved on. Also I received no follow up call from the nurse after my night visit which I assume would have been recorded somewhere or any kind of concern from the hotel management as to my condition which was probably caused by the hotel food. Another thing to improve upon is any kind of aftercare for a guest who felt unwell during their stay, for instance a complimentary massage or spa treatment given that my body was in so much pain from throwing up all night, or perhaps even a fruit basket since I could not even look at the buffet food again after that.

The entertainment was frankly boring, I was hoping for something more lively, people were sat watching football on their phones during the live entertainment.

TV channels were playing those types of movies that hardly rate 5 out of 10 stars and there was no tv menu to see what was playing and what time.

Positive The kids club was amazing, kids really enjoyed the variety of activities on offer. The room was nice but there was a weird smell from the walk...