1. Would you introduce Maradiva Villas Resort & Spa and Sands Suites Resort & Spa, and explain how each property reflects your vision of luxury hospitality in Mauritius?
Both resorts were founded by my late father, Sir Kailash Ramdanee, whose ambition was to build the best five-star deluxe resort in Mauritius.
He started with Sands Suites Resort & Spa which opened in 2001. At the time, many advised him to start with a four-star property and gradually move upward, but his vision was always clear. Sands Suites is an all-suite, sea-facing resort overlooking the magnificent Tamarin Bay, with dramatic sunsets on Mauritius’ west coast on one side and the mountains as a backdrop on the other. Its current rating is Five Star, and it is member of Preferred Hotels. By night, the ambience transforms with coastal lights and a sense of exclusivity created by the crescent-shaped bay. Location is important, and this has been key to the resort’s success, with an average annual occupancy of around 90 percent. It is also renowned for excellent service.
Maradiva Villas Resort & Spa followed in 2004. Initially managed by The Indian Hotels Company Ltd (IHCL), we took over management in 2009 and rebranded it as Maradiva. The name combines Latin and Greek, meaning “divine sea.” Maradiva is an all-villa resort with just 64 private pool villas (one bedroom and two bedroom), offering exceptional privacy and space. The natural beach of one kilometer is something to behold, which roughly translates into 16m of beach per villa. It is also the only Mauritian family independently owned five-star deluxe resort on Mauritius’ west coast, which further enhances its exclusivity. Maradiva is a proud member of The Leading Hotels of the World.
2. Mauritius is positioned as a premium Indian Ocean destination. How do your resorts help reinforce the island’s reputation for exclusivity, authenticity, and world-class service?
We actively promote Mauritius internationally at prestigious venues where luxury travelers naturally gather. Maradiva has been represented at events such as the Golden Globes in Hollywood, Royal Ascot (at the Royal Enclosure) in the UK, the Cannes Film Festival, Dubai Beach Polo and Snow Polo in St Moritz. These events help position Mauritius as a refined luxury destination on the global stage.
Locally, we support initiatives such as the Mauritius Classic Car Tour, showcasing lesser-known parts of the island, and we host an Artist-in-Residence programme, inviting international artists to live, create, and exhibit work inspired by Mauritius. Art is an integral part of the luxury world, and this initiative adds a strong cultural dimension to the guest experience.
Within the resorts, we continue to innovate. Maradiva now features a dedicated Chef’s Table, offering an intimate, bespoke dining experience, and the largest cigar humidor in Mauritius, which can house up to 3,500 cigars, mostly rare Cuban selections, making the resort a destination in itself for cigar connoisseurs.
3. High-end travellers increasingly seek personalised and experiential stays. How are your resorts evolving to meet these expectations?
Personalization is at the heart of what we do. Both resorts have Clefs d’Or concierges, which is rare in Mauritius, only 13 exist nationwide, and two are with us. This reflects our commitment to exceptional concierge service. Together with the team, they can craft bespoke experiences for our guests. We have done so for over fifteen years now.
As a Mauritian family-owned group, not part of an international chain, we are able to offer a more authentic and flexible experience. We celebrate Mauritius’ multicultural identity through religious and cultural festivities such as Holi, Diwali, Chinese New Year, Eid and others, shared with guests in a warm, personal way, just as we would celebrate with friends at home. This is something uniquely Mauritian, and something no other resort does to the same extent.
4. Wellness, privacy, and space are now central to luxury travel. How have these trends shaped your offerings?
We approach wellness in a bespoke, non-prescriptive way. Guests are not obliged to follow rigid programs. At Maradiva, for example, we have an on-site Ayurvedic doctor who advises guests on treatments and dietary preferences tailored to their needs, while still allowing them to enjoy the diverse culinary options available.
Space is a fundamental element of luxury. Our entry-level one-bedroom villa measures 165 square meters, the largest in its category in Mauritius, each with a private heated pool. The spa alone spans 1,250 square meters. Guests never feel crowded; the atmosphere remains serene and unhurried.
Ultimately, we focus on the human touch. One memorable example is a hotelier friend who arrived unable to walk after a serious accident. Through personalised care and treatments (all natural), he left walking independently. These stories define what we do far better than any brochure.
5. Service excellence is a defining factor in luxury hospitality. How do you train and empower your teams?
We consider our team members family. My office is deliberately located near the staff area, not removed from daily operations. As such, I get to interact with almost all of them regularly We invest in international training through organizations such as Leading Hotels of the World, Preferred Hotels and Forbes Travel Guide. The training process is continuous with regular appraisal taking place.
One unique initiative is taking team members abroad with us during international travel. They can be from F&B, Front Office or any other department irrespective of grade, they accompany us to experience world-class service firsthand. This exposure is invaluable, and they return inspired, sharing their experiences with colleagues. It is one of the most effective training tools.
6. Sustainability is increasingly important to travellers. What initiatives have you implemented in this area?
Maradiva was built with sustainability in mind. Only one-third of the original 27-acre property is developed; the rest is lush gardens with over 50 percent endemic plants, attracting rare fauna and preserving biodiversity.
We are cautious about sustainability solutions, preferring long-term, research-backed approaches rather than rushed implementations that may not suit a small island ecosystem. We already operate sewage treatment plants, avoid single-use plastics, and closely manage energy and waste. Our goal is meaningful, lasting environmental responsibility rather than short-term gestures. As such, we are in contact with academic/research centers in view of finding viable and appropriate long-term solutions
7. The Middle East, especially the UAE, is a key source market. How do you tailor experiences for Gulf travellers?
Privacy is paramount, which is why Maradiva’s fully private villas are particularly popular with Gulf guests. We also adapt dining hours, culinary preferences (Halal certified), and leisure offerings such as shisha.
This market is highly connected, when guests are happy, they share their experiences instantly on social media and by word-of-mouth, this helps in bringing new visitors. Since the reopening, we have seen a substantial increase in guests from the Gulf region. We work closely with partners such as Emirates, Dnata, Saudia Airlines, and we have heard that the Government is currently in discussions with Qatar Airways.
8. With increasing competition among luxury destinations, how do your resorts differentiate themselves while maintaining authenticity?
Our strength lies in independence. We are not bound by rigid brand templates, allowing us to innovate quickly and empower our teams to take decisions that enhance guest experience.
We also allow our staff’s personalities to shine. Guests frequently mention individual team members by name in reviews, which speaks volumes about genuine Mauritian hospitality and human connection.
9. What are your strategic priorities for the coming years?
Sands Suites will undergo a full renovation next year, led by a Dubai-based interior designer, bringing a contemporary international touch while preserving Mauritian authenticity. Maradiva has undergone a complete renovation in 2023 and will continue refining its outlets and experiences.
There will also be the launching of Shoba and Serena, two branded villa and residences projects in partnership with MJ Developpement. These properties will be managed by Maradiva and Sands respectively, offering luxury residences with hotel services, an exciting new chapter for us.
10. Finally, what message would you like to share with Khaleej Times readers?
Mauritius is a truly special destination, and we would be honored to welcome your readers to experience it with us. At Maradiva and Sands, luxury is not only about space and privacy, but about meaningful, human experiences that stay with you long after you leave.
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