More about Ambre Hotel
Great Hotel and beach with horrible staff.
by TripAdvisor Member ChennaiTraveller
We're from India and have just returned from a week's stay (10th-16th May 2007) at the Ambre Hotel, Mauritius. Ours was a Privilege room facing the sea. On the whole the food, facilities and entertainment was good. The Italian chef was fantastic and the beach particularly enchanting.
However the attitude of the staff marred our whole stay at the hotel. It was disturbing to find that most of the staff especially at the main restaurant exhibited racist tendencies for example: we were often not allowed to sit at tables we wanted to owing to some obviously silly reasons. We were never greeted on entering the restaurant each time and were never smiled at by most of the staff, perhaps because of our identity. On an other occasion when we asked a waiter for a spoon, he brought it to us and just banged it on our table and left when normally he would hand other guests their cutlery neatly placed on a saucer which is done thing to do.
The accommodation was comfortable but could do better without the pests (cockroaches, bugs and ants.
Overall - a comfortable hotel with pathetic staff.
Very Disappointing Hotel
by TripAdvisor Member mel078
A Very Disappointing Hotel does even merit 3 stars.
Caters mainly for Italian guests.
We weren’t greeted with the usual fruit cocktail which is the normal welcome in Mauritius for guests after a long trip (even in 2 star hotels!). I noticed that none of the other English visitors were given this greeting but the Italians were greeted with drinks and flowers.
We were “All Inclusive” but not sure what was all-inclusive since we had to pay for espresso coffees, Hot Chocolates and sandwiches (we arrived after lunch on the first day and were a littler upset to have to argue about paying for something we thought was already included in our package).
The food is really aimed at the Italian guests and is really a bad mix of Italian food (which I normally like) and Mauritian food, which doesn’t work.
The service in the restaurants was non-existent; coffees were sachets of instant coffee and hot water which you made your self (which you don’t expect in a 4 star) which just about says it all.
The Chalet maids were charming and the beach and water beautiful but overall this was not a hotel for English speaking guests and certainly not a Mauritius 4 star.
On at least one occasion when I was driven back to the Hotel the gate Security staff were not on duty on the gate but busily talking to each other in their hut. This is almost unheard of in Mauritius again this just about sums up the hotel.
This hotel is part of the Apavou Group and I have heard similar stories about their other hotels. We won’t be going back to this hotel and my advice is to steer of Hotel Ambre there are many other better hotels on the Island.
happy honeymoon!
by TripAdvisor Member hillyCork
Myself and my new husband satyed in hotel ambre for 10 days in april/may of this year.
After the whole build up of the wedding, all we wanted was to chill out and relax! and we certainly did!..... I was reading back over the reviews of the hotel, and i was very surprised by the negativity.
We totally enjoyed our experience. We got a lovely warm welcome, a guided tour of the hotel, and were given a very welcome welcome drink!!!
Throughout our holiday the staff went beyond the norm, in terms of service, manners, help, etc. I could not commend them highly enough.
There was a lovely choice of dining venues every evening. We did go all inclusive(which i would totally recommend!) and we had a bit of a bill at the end, what with all the bellini's, but holidays are for enjoying yourself, anf not for counting the pennies!
All in all, a lovely relaxing stay, plus the entertainment staff were a great laugh every evening. would go back again tommorrow!
Wonderful holiday
by TripAdvisor Member WORLDwidetravellers1
We have just returned from a wonderful two week holiday at Hotel Ambre and ever since we have booked last year, I have kept updated with past reviews. Hence to say we were a little apprehensive. However we kept an open mind and continued with our "gut instinct". And we are so glad that we did, as we were not dissapointed. All the negative comments we feel have been unjust. Our experience has been outstanding from the moment we arrived, with the very warm welcome(cold towels and cocktails), and the beautiful surroundings, we knew then that we had made the right choice. Everything from the food choices and restaurants which were varied and tasty, and the service was always excellent, to the extremely courteous staff who never once made us feel inferior to other nationalities. It was also loveley not to hear too many other english speaking tourists around you.
The attention to detail was second to none and we were constsantly made to feel very special. The entertainment staff were outstanding and went out of their way to ensure you were having a wonderful holiday, and we became good friends. The evening shows were spectacular and something for everybody.
We were on an all inclusive basis and as long as you understood how it works from the moment you arrive, we had no problems what so ever, and could not want for any more.
The idea for signing for your order, I feel is a much more tasteful method than wearing an identity band, and was not a problem at all.
The beach, rooms and pool and hotel was kept immaculate.
Out party included my parents, my husband and my 4 year old littlr boy, and there was something for every body. So if any one who has booked and have any doubts, don't. This is a deserved 4 star hotel and we only wish that we were still there, and can't wait to return. From worldwide u.k travellers
We enjoyed it
by TripAdvisor Member I_Hate_Mushrooms
Just returned from 2 weeks at The Ambre in Mauitius and I have to agree with the last few reviews, Its does not deserve the bad reviews its been getting. We were really worried after reading them and very nearly changed hotels.
In the end we stuck with it and had a really relaxing holiday.
First of all I have to agree with the review from 'Trvelglobe Uk' about Air France, we also had the option and chose Air France as the flight times seemed a bit better. Wish we hadn't !!! Its like going back in time to the 70's with their plane, Came back on one of their 747's with only one film and the screen about 20ft away, not good on a 11 hour flight.
So the Hotel Ambre.
We arrived at around 9am and were greeted with a welcome drink and a cold towel which was nice after travelling for nearly 24hours including the wait at Paris CDG airport. After the quick formallity of check in we were showed to our room No222 which seem to bring a smile to every waiter when we gave our room number, not sure why.
The room was a sea view that we had paid I think £4 a night extra for and it was worth it, straight out onto the bay, Wonderful.
The room did have a slight fusty smell but again get the air con working and cleared quickly.
The rooms were cleaned every morning to a very good standard and of course the animals were created on our bed daily from the towels. Always makes me smile!
The food was ok if a little bland and repetative (wish some one would show them how to use chilli, garlic and onions) in the buffet or canteen depending on what you wanted to call it, we found for some strange reason the service was better and a little quieter if you went to the right hand side as you walk in. However you wont go hungary and the buffet changes every night to a different theme, Chinese, Indian, Mauritius. etc etc
The French restaurant is a complete must do, yes there is a small suppliment for certain dishes and imported wine but trust me it is worth it. The steak was cooked perfectly and so tasty foe 8euro extra and The lobster was devine for 22 extra. I still have a grudge at paying 35euro for a bottle of Hardys Chardonnay when its £5 in the uk, but hey we are on holiday. The service in here is excellent.
Wasnt so keen on the Italian next door though, the food was very bland.
Didnt try the beach restautrant as it was all seafood and I personally dont do seafood.
One small complaint on the food, both myself and my other half were ill, me for 3 days and her for 2 with the old stomach and sicky problems, put us both in bed for 24hours each, so that took a couple of days off the holiday which was a shame, maybe we were just unlucky.
The drinks at the bars we good with a good selection in the AI option, however as always expect to pay a premium for the real stuff, Jack Daniels 8 Euros, Irish coffee was 8 euro too.
However the local stuff was good and did what it said on the label,. The Bar staff know how to pour it too so you could actually taste Vodka, Rum etc and not just the coke.
The beach was nice and clean but a small problem with the amount of seaweed every morning washed up, but this was usually cleared by about 10 every day but it is winter so these things happen i guess, didnt spoil it though, howvever my own personal gripe.... why do smokers insist on putting the cigarette butts into the sand, Its so annoying!!! STOP IT.
The Spa was really nice, used it 3 times while therea couple of massages and treatments good value and relaxing.
Overall a really good holiday and very relaxing, take no notice of the bad reviews, I dont know what people expect sometimes, The staff were happy and helpful, the rooms were clean, the beach was nice, the drinks were good, the food was ok, you wont starve and the sun is shining.......well most days.
Go and enjoy, we did
A very bad experience!!!!
by TripAdvisor Member robix
We stayed two weeks at the Ambre hotel and since our arrival we were very disappointed by the hotel structure that were not at all a 4 stars level as expected (barely 3 stars).
It’s an old hotel that has not been renovated since its opening almost twenty years ago.
The rooms were big but noisy and stinking and the hotel was completely charm less.
We spent the first three days changing room each night because it was not possible to sleep for the bad mold smell or for the noisy.
The first room they gave us once arrived smelt of painting and mold so we immediately asked to change it. They gave us another room that was a little bit better but still stinking of mold. The first night after trying to sleep without success because of the bad smell (coming from pillows, covers, curtains) we called the director asking him to come in our room; he immediately came and after confirming that the smell was very strong he moved us to another room for the night.
The day after, we packed our staff and we moved to a suite room (the hotel kindly upgraded us to a suite).
We thought that our nightmare was over but we were wrong because the night when we tried to sleep we realized that our room was very noisy because the back of the room was facing the gasoline electrical power supply of the hotel.
We called again the director that kindly moved us to another room for the night.
The day after we packed our staff again and we moved to another room that was even noisier because we could hear from the air conditioning panel all the noise coming from the other rooms.
In the morning, as the previous two nights we packed our staff (for the third time!) and we moved to another suite room where we finally stayed until the end of our holidays.
The food at the buffet restaurant was quite good: always fresh vegetables and fruits.
The buffet restaurant atmosphere was a little bit sad….a company canteen looks better!
We had a full inclusive formula but we discovered that many things were not included like expresso coffee and some other drinks.
The other two restaurants, for which you had to pay a supplement for some dishes even if you have a full inclusive formula, were not as good as expected: the fish was not always fresh!
The service at the hotel was good, the night director was very kind and open to listening to our concerns trying to find a better solution. They kindly upgraded us to a suite room for apologies of the troubles.
We cannot say the same for the service gave from our travel agency KUONI that did a few mistakes with the reservation and did not help us solving our problems. We asked KUONI to find a better accomodation 5 stars hotel(even paying more for the difference) and instead of doing what we requested (and we expected from a travel agency), they suggested us to be more tolerant. They were useless in helping us with the troubles in the hotel.
Fantastic!!!
by TripAdvisor Member Cat25
ON the whole I cannot believe that I stayed at the same hotel as all the 'bad reviews' stayed at.
I was also on my honeymoon and thought that the whole experience was fantastic.
We have travelled the world and to be honest I have never come across more friendly and welcoming people. The Animation Team made our holiday!!! They got us involved with activities on the beach and really made us feel very welcome. I was so glad we stayed here instead of one of the posh hotels further up the beach, as people there looked like they were bored out of the minds...and very broke as these hotel's are far more expensive!
I loved this hotel. The French Food has the best, but the food was great everywhere.
I would highly recommend this hotel. If you do go please say high to Michael Jackson, David (Bob Marley) and Brunno - If you get involved with the animation team you will know who mean. Tell them we say Hi (Dan and Cat).
Have a fab time...if you don't I'll eat my hat!!
Great Holiday
by TripAdvisor Member vera1
We have had a lovely holiday at this hotel. Please remember reviews are from all sorts of people whose likes and dislikes differ so much. I read alot of the reviews before going to this hotel and became quite concerned. However we found the hotel, food and staff etc to be clean, efficient, helpful and friendly. While at the hotel I spoke to many other guests and mentioned the reviews on the tripadvisor and they were most shocked by these reports.
Following our 2 weeks at this hotel we also had a week in Dubai which was also wonderful. I was very pleased with Mercurry Direct and would not hesitate in using them again.
Wishing all happy holidays
Superb value
by TripAdvisor Member trvelglobe
You can only speak as you find.
Incredibly friendly island and hotel staff staff. Travelled end of May / June for 10 nights All Inc - sea view room upgrade as part of Mercury Direct special web offer.
Problem with aircon on 1st night - leaking drops inside wardrobe.
Staff could not be more appologetic or helpful. Relocated to alternate room, slightly larger with balcony, and 3 or 4 items of clothing laundered free of charge.
Other than that, facilities / beach / food were great.
Snorkelling, canoe, wind surf, small sail boat etc were all included.
OK, premium wines and imported beers were at a supplement, but the local ale, rum and wines etc were fine.
Food was a highlight, buffet breakfast, lunch, afternoon canapes, evening dinner at one of 4 resturants. Supplements for lobster, king praws (very king size) and fillet steak in the French restaurant - but only a few euro's and well worth it. Even if you did not want to pay any supplement there was still plenty of quality choices.
The salads and fruit were excellent.
Tips:
1. Use the local taxi's (not through the hotel +% !).
Effectively a private chauffer any where on the island, will stop and wait if, for example, you have a couple of hrs in the capital St. Louis. Total for the day... 30 Euro.
2. If you have a choice of Air France or Air Mauritius (as Mercury direct do) at no price difference, then choose the later. Older Air France 747's have no seat back video and your'e stuck with the films they show and a pathetic music choice.
Total for 2 adults & 1 child ~ £2300. Fantastic value.
Would we go back? Silly question.
Tired hotel but good fun
by TripAdvisor Member DebLeics
On reading the reveiws about the ambre we were quite concerned, on arrival we were greeted with welcome drinks, we were taken to our room which was sea veiw and near to the end of the beach, lovely big rooms but smell a bit musty until you get the air conditioning on then it soon clears.
The main all inclusive restaurant left alot to be desired, lots of flies, birds the odd cat, rickity tables etc we nicknamed it the zoo.
The staff couldn't do enough for you very freindly,especially the animation team they worked so hard, if anybodys going say hello to david and bruno there really good lads.
we were pleased to find the italian, french and beach restaurants the beach being our favourite it was worth paying the small suppliments.
To sum the holiday up people freindly, lots to do around the island, qiute abit of rain, hotel could do with a revamp, good stretch of beach, grand baie, worth a visit.
Deb. Leics
Forum Posts
Walk through resort beaches
by trasgugrao
Just a question.
Staying at a resort in Belle Mare (i.e. ambre hotel). Is there any problem to go walking through resort beaches for example until I arrive to St Geran resort beach??.I'm thinking about the possibility of discovering another parts of the beach if the one just in front of my resort is not very nice.
Thanks in advance.
Best regards
Honeymoon to Mauritius
by bozzy20
Hi folks, for our honeymoon to Mauritius - I have a choice of which hotel to book for - the Ambre hotel (situated in Belle Mare which is on the East Coast near Palmar Bay) or the Le Preskil hotel (situated in south east). Which one should I go for? I can't make my minds up as both looks really nice on the website!
We are flying out on 6th May 2007 and it has to be perfect!
Thanks.
Boz.
RE: RE: Honeymoon to Mauritius
by pink_jules
I would personally go with the Le Preskil, it is slightly more isolated than the other hotel so could be less crowdy, it is also on the south east coast so should be less breezy. The Ambre does look really nice too but it does attract more families. Although the ambre does have more facilities i.e spa/massage which would incur a charge locally. Preskil is a newer hotel and I think is more suited for a honeymoon.
RE: RE: Honeymoon to Mauritius
by pink_jules
I would personally go with the Le Preskil, it is slightly more isolated than the other hotel so could be less crowdy, it is also on the south east coast so should be less breezy. The Ambre does look really nice too but it does attract more families. Although the ambre does have more facilities i.e spa/massage which would incur a charge locally. Preskil is a newer hotel and I think is more suited for a honeymoon.
RE: Honeymoon to Mauritius
by pink_jules
I would personally go with the Le Preskil, it is slightly more isolated than the other hotel so could be less crowdy, it is also on the south east coast so should be less breezy. The Ambre does look really nice too but it does attract more families. Although the ambre does have more facilities i.e spa/massage which would incur a charge locally. Preskil is a newer hotel and I think is more suited for a honeymoon.
RE: Honeymoon to Mauritius
by pink_jules
I think Preskil looks better, the facilities of both hotels are similar but the ambre does tend to attract more families. Preskil is also on the south east coast which will be less breezy than the east coast.
RE: Honeymoon to Mauritius
by pink_jules
Sorry, I had a problem with my p.c.....
Re: Honeymoon to Mauritius
by mauritianboy009
hello, am ritesh from mauritius island .i was looking around the web when i went through this site and saw your request.
well i think i can help you in many ways . please do drop me a mail and i'll help you out . riteshjaunky000@yahoo.com. meanwhile we can be efriends.????
be assured am not any travel agent or anyone to have business with you.
bye and hope to hear back soon .
ritesh
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