The Island of Mauritius
The island of Mauritius is located off the southeast coast of the African continent in the Indian Ocean and was formed approximately 10 million years ago by a volcanic eruption.

Colonial History
The known history of Mauritius begins with its discovery by Arabs as early as the 10th century, followed by the Portuguese in the 16th century and was subsequently settled by the Dutch, the French and the British in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. It finally gained independence in 1968.

Home of the Dodo
Mauritius was the only known habitat of the dodo bird. Dutch sailors first encountered the flightless bird in 1598. Within 100 years, introduced animals had wiped out the species. The last confirmed sightings were in the 1660s. It’s said that author Lewis Carroll was inspired to write his famous book Alice in Wonderland in part by a stuffed dodo at Oxford University Museum of Natural History.

The Famous Underwater Waterfall
Mauritius is almost entirely surrounded by coral reefs. There is 177km (110mi) of coastline, much of it covered by white, sandy beaches. Mauritius is home to a natural phenomenon, a spectacular ‘underwater waterfall’. It is actually an optical illusion best seen by air. Sand and silt on the ocean floor look like they are pouring down a waterfall, or like the entire island is being sucked down a vast drain. It’s really just the flow of underwater currents that create the dramatic image. You can view this magnificent sight by helicopter tour.

The Grand Bassin
The Grand Bassin is a lake which is considered to be one of the most sacred places in Mauritius. It’s also known as Ganga Talao, a name that links the water symbolically to the Ganges River in India. The waters here have taken on a similarly religious significance, with a shrine to Lord Shiva dominating the lakeside.

One&Only Le Saint Géran
One&Only Le Saint Géran is located on its own private peninsula surrounded by sixty hectares of tropical gardens, a beachfront that wraps around the resort and a beautiful, calm lagoon. There are 1,200 palm trees on the resort consisting of 10 different species. At the resort entrance, there is a palm tree called ‘Teddy Bear Palm’ (Dypsis Leptocheilos) which is tall and slender and can grow up to an enormous 40 feet. Many of the employees have worked at One&Only Le Saint Géran for more than 40 years, giving it a sense of family and authenticity.

Inside One&Only