Designed By Kelly Hoppen, LUX* Grand Gaube Brings The White Lotus Dream To The Mauritian Coast

Jet‑setting has become the new norm in luxury travel, and the HBO series, ‘The White Lotus,’ has only heightened the allure, transforming dreamy backdrops into must‑visit destinations. As world travellers, DP feels that, after Hawaii, Sicily, and Thailand, Mauritius could be a good choice to take the spotlight. On this African island’s sheltered peninsula lies LUX* Grand Gaube, a resort that has been reimagined with a distinctly design‑forward spirit. From the grand lobby’s views that compete with recognisable global designs to the suites that spill onto the beach, where sea‑view bedrooms open to peaceful terraces, some with outdoor baths or sundecks edged by powder‑soft sand. Here, every guest seems to have that perfect table overlooking the ocean, and yet no two meal ambience feels the same. After a day’s excursion, one can bury sun-kissed feet in one of the beach lounges as one pauses for a relaxed lunch or a romantic dinner at the water’s edge. Wellness takes a next-gen approach, as vacation can be filled with yoga, holistic therapies, tennis, as it can be as beauty grooming at a chic nail studio and a designer barber’s shop. And with activities aplenty among padel courts, golf courses and onto the sea and land, there’s a constant hum of forward momentum. The White Lotus effect isn’t just a fleeting phenomenon; it’s a catalyst reshaping the way we think about luxury travel. LUX*  Grand Gaube taps into that same magic. 

Drawing on fond memories of holidays in Cape Town, Capri, Mallorca, and Antigua and finally inspired by the quaint spirit of the fishing village beside Grand Gaube, British designer Kelly Hoppen has redesigned the resort as an oasis, weaving in artistic collaborations that elevate the island’s tropical spirit with global sophistication. Complementing her vision, the Mauritian architect Jean‑François Adam grounds LUX* Grand Gaube in his deep understanding of the site’s character and nuances, ensuring every design choice reflects its authentic soul. 

Getting There: 

Mauritius is well-connected with direct flights from major cities, including London, Paris, Johannesburg, Dubai, Kuala Lumpur, and Perth. The Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport, located in the southeast at Plaine Magnien, is about an hour’s drive to ​​LUX* Grand Gaube Resort & Residences, en route through sugarcane plantations, pineapples, and tropical lushness. If arriving by cruise ship, you’ll likely dock in the capital city, Port Louis, from where the resort is approximately 25 minutes away by car.

Also Read: LUX* Grand Baie Mauritius, Gracefully Juxtaposes Modernity With Timeless Tropical Design

The Architecture Peacefully Blends In A Stylish Flow With Nature

Perched on one of the island’s most idyllic spots, flanked by two powder-white beaches and calm, lagoon-blue waters framed by coconut palms, the resort’s grand entrance makes an unforgettable first impression — a soaring archway framing tantalising glimpses of the Indian Ocean. Inside, lofty all-white wooden beams and iconic Emmanuelle chairs set the stage, while a cascade of oversized, bulbous white pendant lamps draws the eye down. For its US$32 million transformation, the creative duo, designer Kelly Hoppen and Mauritian architect Jean-François Adam, reimagined the property with a fresh, all-white design language — a striking departure from the standard limestone aesthetic of many Mauritian resorts. Hoppen also championed local craftsmanship, collaborating with island artisans on a range of products, including bespoke linens and bedding, outdoor furniture, lighting, and hand-thrown ceramics. Layered with tactile textures, vintage rattan, and hand-picked accessories, her signature style infuses every corner with a soulful, uplifting spirit, blurring the boundaries between indoors and the island’s lush, natural beauty. 

The architecture embodies the genius of its setting—the bold, ​​white facade of the main building contrasts beautifully with the sweeping, manicured tropical gardens envisioned by landscape designer Stephen Woodhams, where nature is seamlessly integrated into the understated luxury of the interiors. At every turn, dense foliage and swaying coconut palms create a cocoon of privacy, blurring the edges between built form and the island’s lush terrain. 

Also read: The 300-Year-Old Ran Baas The Palace In Patiala Celebrates A Rich Legacy Through A Masterful Restoration

Suites and Villas That Drift Into the Boho-Chic Beach House Dream

Kelly Hoppen brings her signature blend of clean lines and tactile warmth to all nine room categories. Sunlit, spindrift-white bedrooms are accented with hand-painted navy lines, wicker tables, and handwoven baskets, while geometric encaustic tiles and reclaimed Victorian bathtubs add character to the en-suite.

​​For a heightened sense of seclusion, the luxury villas offer the ultimate private beach escape, with uninterrupted views of the turquoise Grand Gaube lagoon and the northern islets. Step through the lobby, past the kitchen, into expansive living and dining spaces, and onward to the outdoor sundeck with its pool and gazebo. The master bedroom, framed by floor-to-ceiling windows and French shutters, leads to a dreamy bathroom, while the second bedroom features its own terrace and en-suite. Rollaway beds and baby cots ensure the space can welcome an entire tribe — your own private home in the tropics.

The Culinary Takes To A World Of Unforgettable Sensory Journey 

With six restaurants and nine bars,  including dining concepts making their Mauritius debut, the resort serves up vibrant energy around the clock. Each spot switches up its mood from sunrise to sundown, all while turning up the charm with live entertainment.

‘The Palm Court’, set right on the beachfront, is a feast for the senses. From beautifully designed interactive stations and a walk‑in refrigerated glass pantry brimming with the freshest produce, to a lively Southeast Asian corner,  every corner invites discovery. ‘The Palm Court Bar’, draped in hanging greenery, is a breezy poolside haven with views of the lagoon. The entire space captures the vibrant spirit of a stylish, street‑chic global food lounge. ‘Beach Rouge’ is an Instagram‑perfect beachfront spot to enjoy DJ‑driven nights or a languid apéro with someone special. Follow the sandy path to a sprawling centuries‑old banyan tree and discover the open-air ‘Creole Smokehouse’, where cured fish, smoked meats, and charcoal‑grilled specialities capture the island’s true flavour. In the adults‑only Banyan Area, ‘Rum Treehouse’ keeps the island spirit flowing, with no fewer than 88 varieties of rum — each available neat or in inventive cocktails mixed to order when you tug a cabana‑style rope to summon the bartender below. The ‘G&T 100 Club’ offers a world-class gin selection for sundowners. Tucked in the banyan’s shade, ‘BB’s’ serves the island’s best gourmet burgers, and the ‘Bee Honest Bar’ by the serene green corner, invites guests to shake honey‑infused cocktails, fresh juices, craft sugar scrubs, or savour dishes sweetened with freshly harvested on-site honey. Coffee lovers will want to linger at ‘Café LUX*’, the resort’s own roastery beside the grand lobby, where beans are roasted at LUX* Belle Mare and distributed to all LUX*  resorts for the perfect cup.

The culinary journey continues at ‘INTI’, Mauritius’ first Peruvian restaurant, where Chef Pedro pairs ceviche and seafood with cocktails from the dedicated ‘Pisco Bar’, all to a Latin‑American soundtrack. Across the bay, ‘Bodrum Blue’ honours LUX*’s award‑winning Turkish resort with mezze, kebabs, and signature spirits like raki.

Also Read: ​​3 Design-Forward Bar Restaurants In Bengaluru To Make You Dine In Style And Splendour

The Wellness Integrates The Hallmarks Of Ancient Healing With New Age Therapies

Kelly Hoppen’s distinctive style extends into the serene LUX Me Spa*, where soaring all‑white wooden beams meet warm honey‑toned accents to create a modern sanctuary. The spa features 12 elegant white‑themed treatment rooms and three indulgent spa pools offering cold, ambient, and heated bathing experiences. Signature treatments range from the rejuvenating sugar glow scrub and mood‑enhancing facials to Eastern‑inspired therapies such as Balinese, Thai, and Chinese meridian massages — perfect for restoring energy and easing jet lag.

For deeper renewal, alternative therapies blend bodywork techniques like foot reflexology, targeted spinal massage, abdominal oil packs, breathwork, sound healing, and aromatherapy. Guests can soak away stress in the hydrotherapy pool, unwind in the aromatic steam room and sauna, or simply drift into stillness on a shaded thatched spa bed in the outdoors. 

Wellness here extends beyond the spa, with a state‑of‑the‑art ARTIS® Technogym fitness centre, open‑air callisthenics, cardio boot camps, meditation, yoga, a tennis academy, padel tennis, complimentary bicycles, and personalised nutrition guidance from Bobo, the resort’s Wellness Concierge. Beauty and grooming complete the holistic offering: an ‘OWAY’ flagship salon for signature hair rituals, flawless manicures and pedicures from the brand EVO, and the Murdock barbershop, bringing London’s finest men’s grooming to Mauritius. 

Final Thoughts 

Set amid sprawling, manicured tropical gardens overlooking a serene topaz lagoon and two pristine white‑sand beaches that feel entirely your own, LUX* Grand Gaube draws a discerning crowd — lovers of art, design, and modern wellness as a way of life. An optional all‑inclusive package unlocks world‑class gourmet experiences, inventive mixology, elegant afternoon teas, curated excursions, water‑sports,  spa access, and active sports from tennis to golf. For those seeking the future of wellbeing, LUX* Grand Gaube is an active‑lifestyle luxury resort, seamlessly blending elevated living ensconced within some of the planet’s most beautiful landscapes. 

DP Loves 

#1 From a private cinema to a chic bridal salon, men’s grooming lounge, tennis academy, and even a bee-keeping experience, LUX* Grand Gaube hums with the energy of a White Lotus–style paradise. Add a library for slow moments, and endless Instagram-worthy corners, and you have a resort where every hour feels like its own adventure.

#2 In honour of ‘Earth Hour’, LUX* Grand Gaube curated an unforgettable ‘Dinner in the Dark’ experience. Heightening taste, aroma, and texture, the experience reimagines the art of dining, with part of the proceeds directed to an NGO supporting the visually impaired community.

#3 Whether you’re a nature lover, gourmand, culture enthusiast, thrill-seeker, wellness devotee, or simply seeking quality family time, there’s something for everyone. Water-sport aficionados can indulge in snorkelling and paddleboarding, taking in the island’s beauty from a dazzling ocean vantage point.

#4. A first for Mauritius, the resort boasts an ‘EVO’ nail bar and an authentic Murdock London barbershop, famed for its classic men’s grooming. 

#5 The Wellness Junior Suite is tailored for fitness enthusiasts, couples, and solo travellers alike. Styled like a breezy beach house with retro-chic touches—think standalone bathtub, lush indoor plants, and soft salmon-pink walls—it comes equipped with bespoke wellness amenities for a rejuvenating stay.