Translated by Bethszabee Garner

The summer of 2000 was a deadly one for Jacques Chirac. In terms of media coverage, that is, because otherwise the President of the Republic enjoyed a very happy vacation 10,000 km away from Fort Brégançon, the official residence of French heads of state, where, by his own admission, he gets bored... Accompanied by his wife Bernadette, he stayed at one of his favorite hotels in the world, the Royal Palm, a marvelous palace on the island of Mauritius, the jewel in the crown of the local Beachcombers group.

This time, the paparazzi were not fooled by the President's stratagems and managed to photograph him in shorts and loafers. In Paris, scandal erupted. How could Jacques Chirac take the risk of going on vacation so far from the national territory for such a long period? Was he traveling at the expense of the Republic? He will have to produce supporting documents to prove to the French people that he paid for this dream getaway out of his own pocket.

A year later, it happened again. Photos of Jacques Chirac at the Royal Palm were published in the daily newspaper Libération. But the scandal took on a different flavor. Because it wasn't his wife by his side, but his mistress, journalist Elisabeth Friedrich! In reality, the photo was old, as was the adulterous relationship, which prompted Bernadette Chirac, exasperated by this display in the press, to speak publicly about the infidelities of her beloved Jacques...

And that's how the Royal Palm in Mauritius became a legendary hotel on an international scale! It's a subject that we hate to discuss within the palace because, as Stéphane Poupinel de Valence, CEO of the Beachcomber group, points out, “confidentiality is our trademark.” “We work specifically with the housekeeping staff to ensure that guests' privacy is respected,” explains Jenny Lupier, quality manager at the Royal Palm, “because they are the people who see the most.” The “Chirac affair” is, in a way, the exception that proves the rule. Many famous people from around the world have stayed at the Royal Palm without anyone ever knowing.

Luxurious but not ostentatious

It must be said that the luxury of the establishment also remains discreet, even if it is very real. The architecture is not particularly impressive, the welcome is warm and even friendly, but there is no unnecessary bowing and scraping. In the rooms, the decor and furniture are not designed to dazzle guests, but everything is designed for maximum comfort. Getting around the Royal Palm is incredibly simple. You can step out of your room through the French windows, walk a few steps and settle into a deckchair by the heated pool. You don't even have to call a waiter before one of them brings you a bottle of cold water. And you only have to walk down a few steps to lie down on the sandy beach, where another deckchair is reserved for you as a guest of the palace. Everything is easy, pleasant and, therefore, extremely relaxing.

Jacques Chirac particularly enjoyed the gourmet cuisine, once telling his wife, “Ah, if only we had this kind of food at the Élysée...” Times have changed, but the exceptional quality of the restaurants remains. At La Goélette, after a period under the guidance of Cyril Lignac, the chef has entrusted his kitchen to William Girard, who has worked in the past alongside Michelin-starred chefs Yannick Alleno and Guy Martin, thus continuing the tradition of high-quality cuisine. The second restaurant, La Plage, treats its customers to fresh produce, all kinds of crudo, beautiful fish, camarons (the local lobster) with shellfish juice, and delicious fruit. And on the lower level, accessed by a large staircase, a third restaurant offers high-quality semi-gourmet cuisine.

Serve and smile

But, in truth, the absolute luxury of the Royal Palm lies in its exceptional service. The staff offer a sincere smile and unparalleled eagerness to satisfy guests. No request is too much, especially if you are one of the palace's loyal customers, who make up the majority of the clientele. “We have people here who have been coming since we opened in 1985,” says Stéphane Poupinel de Valence. Some who came as couples back then now book our large suites because they have families. “ The presidential suite and its large terrace overlooking the sea are definitely worth a visit.

The only downside is its reputation as a palace for the elderly, which has led to the establishment being nicknamed ”the quiet Royal." “We are happy to retain our long-standing clientele, but we also need to rejuvenate and renew,” explains Stéphane Poupinel de Valencé. "That's why, for example, we have developed an authentic kids' club with experienced entertainers who provide daily supervision. We now have a lot of families too." Thanks to its three swimming pools, you can always enjoy a peaceful swim at the Royal Palm, away from the children's games.

Returning to the service, the slightest problem in your room is dealt with promptly. Just call reception and a member of the competent team will come to your room. Problems are solved in no time. When you check out, you can have your luggage weighed to make sure it doesn't exceed the 23 kg limit for checked baggage, above which you have to pay a surcharge. It's tempting to bring back a few bottles of fine Mauritian rum or lychee wine (an exclusive local specialty) that you sampled during a tasting evening organized by the sommelier.

The Royal Palm also prides itself on offering tailor-made services. “I remember a South African customer who had booked a long stay,” says Caroline Hu, customer relations manager. "Before she arrived, we noticed while scrolling through her social media posts that she often took photos of herself with a teddy bear from a charity in her arms. Well, we made her one in the Royal Palm colors and gave it to her when she arrived. She was very touched.“ Another anecdote: ”We had a guest who preferred his room before it was refurbished,“ she says, ”so we put everything back the way it was to make him happy. Then we rearranged everything after he left!"

As for the spa, it has been Valmont since 2022. In addition to the hammam, sauna, and massage rooms provided by expert hands that our former president particularly appreciated, it offers exceptional anti-aging treatments that are exclusive to Mauritius.

The Beachcombers spirit

While the Royal Palm remains the flagship of the Mauritian Beachcombers group, the latter has a dozen establishments on the island, including the Dinarobin, which faces the imposing, almost ominous-looking Mont Morne when a large cloud covers its summit. The hotel also offers hikes on Le Morne. The Dinarobin has a charming restaurant on the beach where you can enjoy delicious salads and grilled fish, a great way to treat yourself without risking indigestion.

Another five-star hotel in the group is Le Trou aux Biches, a sprawling resort with swimming pools everywhere, a long beach stretching as far as the eye can see, and each room featuring a pleasant, secluded terrace where you can relax and listen to music without disturbing your neighbors.

Such is the family-owned Beachcombers group, which always does things very well. The Royal Palm has also been awarded a 5-star rating by the Forbes Travel Guide. And for several years now, it has been focusing on its carbon footprint and, more broadly, on social and environmental priorities. All lighting is LED, water is heated using solar energy, and bed linen is changed every day unless the guest declines. These efforts have been rewarded with gold certification from Earth Check, which sends auditors every year to verify the accuracy of the information provided.

In terms of integration, the group has set up a training program for young people from disadvantaged families and regularly recruits a number of them. It also supports a foundation that promotes local crafts, employing elderly or unemployed people to socialize them and provide them with a minimum income. Beachcombers: or how to combine lifestyle and generosity.

An article written by Yves Derai, featured in issue 9 of OniriQ magazine.