Room Service: Legends

Mauritius

Don't be surprised by the petals scattered around Legends: they're all part of the hotel's philosophy. Built using the principles of feng shui, Legends hopes to instil inner peace through harmony with one's surroundings. Natural elements – wood and water, as well as metal, which represents strength – are used extensively, as are their corresponding colours. Sharp corners are avoided in the furniture design; mirrors are carefully positioned to avoid reflections from the beds – very bad feng shui, that; and doors open outwards wherever possible.

Don't be surprised by the petals scattered around Legends: they're all part of the hotel's philosophy. Built using the principles of feng shui, Legends hopes to instil inner peace through harmony with one's surroundings. Natural elements – wood and water, as well as metal, which represents strength – are used extensively, as are their corresponding colours. Sharp corners are avoided in the furniture design; mirrors are carefully positioned to avoid reflections from the beds – very bad feng shui, that; and doors open outwards wherever possible.

Whether this makes any difference, of course, is a matter of debate, but it is certainly hard not to feel at peace here. The natural surroundings – white sand, implausibly blue sea – certainly encourage the feeling. And there is plenty to help you to relax without ever having to leave the grounds of the hotel. Water sports, including waterskiing, are arranged every afternoon; the spa offers a vast range of treatments; the in-house cinema shows films twice a day; and there is often live music in Legends' four restaurants.

Location, location, location

Legends is at Pointe Réjane, Grand Gaube, Mauritius

(00 230 204 9191, www.naiade.com). The headland on the island's north-east tip has several small bays, and rooms are built around them.

Transport: the hotel is about 40 miles from the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam international airport, although distances on the island are usually given in travelling time – in this case, about 75 minutes. The only way to get there is by taxi, which costs 1,100 Mauritian rupees (£23). Each hotel has a list of official taxi rates to the airport and the main attractions, including the Pamplemousse Gardens for Rs700 (£15) return, and the capital, Port Louis, for Rs800 (£17) return.

Are you lying comfortably?

Legends has 198 rooms, of which the three most luxurious are the villas, one with its own private beach. Every room has a view of the Indian Ocean, and its own terrace or balcony from which to enjoy it, but try to avoid rooms 6079-6090, which face a less attractive bay at the back of the hotel.

Freebies: selection of toiletries, tea and coffee-making facilities, a bowl of tropical fruit, and a bag for taking stuff to the beach; there, you will find staff serving iced water, brochettes of fruit, and moist towels to cool you down.

Keeping in touch: All rooms have TV and radio, and also the hotel's DVD channel, which shows four films a day. Each room has a telephone and a separate modem connection.

The bottom line

There's no such thing as a standard room here; the most economical option is a superior, which costs Rs5,225 (£111) for a single and Rs8,040 (£170) for a double; these prices are for half-board. Should you wish to splash out, the Presidential Suite costs Rs54,590 (£1,160), but for that price you can accommodate six people.

I'm not paying that: Mauritius isn't a cheap destination, but along the Route Royale in the village of Grand Gaube, the Hôtel Paul et Virginie

(00 230 288 0215; www.verandagroup.com) is extremely good value. Singles start at Rs2,625 (£56) and doubles at Rs1,875 (£40) per person, for half-board.