LUX* Le Morne Resort, Mauritius *****

INTERVIEW WITH ANABELLE :

MANAGER OF KIDS CLUB LUX* LE MORNE

The manager of a kids club is a very important person within a hotel. She is the first point of contact for parents and their children. That’s why Little Guest honors those personalities with whom your little ones will have a wonderful time.

An endearing and passionate woman, Anabelle Hugues Gregoire is the soul of the kids club of the hotel LUX* Le Morne Resort, Mauritius. She opens the doors of her little kingdom and gives us her secrets about making your children’s stay magical!

How long have you been working at the kids club at the LUX * Le Morne hotel?

I have been working here for 18 years now. I have always been dedicated to working alongside young children. I passed my pediatric nurse and animator diploma when I became a mother. My children are now in their twenties, but I have never stopped wanting to take care of the little ones. This job is a passion! I started my career at LUX* Le Morne Resort, Mauritius as a babysitter, before being promoted to hostess and then manager of the kids club. It is a wonderful job that requires a lot of patience, kindness and above all, to always have a smile! I am always looking for new activities that will appeal to children. A good way to do this is to listen to them and talk to them. Trends change, games evolve and kids always have great ideas for fun.

Why did you choose to work in this hotel, in particular?

The LUX * group has an excellent reputation. The supervision and the activities of the kids club are some of the major assets of this hotel. Here, we honour our commitment to celebrate the life and pleasures of little ones. Our main qualities are creativity, flexibility, openness, versatility and above all, continuous innovation. For example, a few months ago, we planned « parent-child » activities for a family who wanted to enjoy the kids club together. We worked very hard to meet this challenge and our efforts were rewarded. The children offered us beautiful drawings a few hours before their departure and their parents came to thank us and give us a big hug. It was very moving… It’s always gratifying when your work is appreciated and recognized by all members of a family.

At which children is the kids club aimed?

The kids club welcomes children from 3 to 11 years old. Children under 3 years old are also welcome, accompanied by their parents or nannies. These nannies are attached to the babysitting service of the hotel. Today, I’m in charge of training them and what better place for that than the kids-club? This is all about the complicity that can arise between a child and his nanny when she plays with him/her all day and watches him/her sleeping. Our team is multilingual. At the kids club, we speak English, French, Italian, and also German. What’s great with the little ones is that language is never a barrier. Access to the kids-club is totally free and a snack is always included. Only the lunch is charged (15.55€/child).

What are your daily tasks in the kids club?

I prepare the programme of activities, I organize team meetings, I answer parents’ questions by email and, above all, I do a lot of research to improve the proposals for our various workshops. I also take care of the children’s lunch, with special attention to birthday parties. Everything must be perfect! At the end of the day, I always take the time to talk with the parents. We invite them to visit the kids club from the first day of their arrival. It is important that they see for themselves the play area and the surprises that are reserved for their toddlers.

By the way, Anabelle, what’s the space available for the children?

The kids club is divided into two areas. First, there is a small house consisting of a playground, a lounge, a dining room and a kitchen. This is where children have fun playing board games, tinkering, dancing and learning how to make pastry. To immortalize each activity, children pose with their creations in front of a photo booth. Then we enjoy a courtyard and a garden where there is a playground, a pool and even a small farm. The farm, very popular with the little ones, is home to ducks, a turtle and three rabbits, Koko, Kiki and Cartouche, named by the children. Every day, children have the opportunity to pet and feed them.

What are the activities organized within the kids club?

There is no predefined programme for children who join the kids club. We organize our activities in different time slots, namely a new activity every two hours from 10 a.m to 18 p.m. Among our most popular activities are crab hunting on the hotel’s private beach, lagoon fishing, henna tattoo, a Sega lesson (traditional Mauritian dance) and yoga class. We are very flexible with our programme – everything can change according to the weather or the number of visitors.

Do you have an anecdote to share with us to conclude this interview?

Marion was only 3 when I met her here at the kids club. She immediately became fond of me. We played a lot together and I started to think of her as my own daughter… A few years later, her mother came back to LUX* Le Morne Resort, Mauritius to celebrate her wedding and guess who was chosen as maid of honour? Oh yeah! It was me! We stayed in touch thereafter and last year, Marion, who was by then 20, surprised me at the kids club for long emotional hugs, as you can imagine…

FOR THE children

The hotel offers a multitude of activities specially reserved for the youngest, thanks to two children's clubs: PLAY and STUDIO 17.

The kids' club PLAY offers children aged 3 to 11 years the chance to explore, to discover all the sights and points of interest on the island. If your child is under 3 years old but is already clean, they will be welcome at the kids club. Your darlings can also practice sports and outdoor activities: creative arts classes, treasure hunts, tennis lessons ... they will not have time to be bored!

Teens ages 12 to 17 will have fun at STUDIO 17 and explore every corner of the island, all under the supervision of competent and dynamic staff. Many activities are offered: local dance classes, learning the language of the island, sports on the beach and excursions.

The PLAY and STUDIO 17 are complimentary and open every day from 9 am to 9.45 pm. Meal options are available at noon and in the evening.

Want to thrill the family? Live a magical experience, swimming in the middle of dolphins. Accompanied by an experienced guide on a luxurious boat, you can dive in the right place ... and record your encounter with dolphins on GoPro. An opportunity to observe these fascinating animals and to swim with them. Back on board, a hearty meal will be served by your butler.

At dusk, go on the beach with your family for an incredible movie show under the starry sky at Paradiso Cinema!

Another unique experience for all the family: the bottle in the sea. The staff hides often a bottle in the gardens or even on the beach. If you have the chance to find it, read the message inside: it contains a gift! This may be a free massage or a surprise dinner, such as a bottle of champagne. This will give a playful and surprising side to your stay.

family EXPERIENCES

The beauty of the sunsets is particularly famous in Mauritius. Comfortably seated on the beach with your cocktail, rocked by the sound of the saxophonist, you can watch the sun slowly descend into the horizon, like a boiling orb slowly plunging into the sea. No doubt, a moment you'll never tire of.

Le Morne Brabant is undoubtedly the most spectacular peak on the island. Its ascent will offer you an exceptional view of the surrounding landscapes. Three types of excursions are possible on the Morne: trekking to reach the top (duration: between 3 hours and 4 hours, recommended for athletes in good physical condition), a hike of about 3 hours (easier and recommended for families with children) and a running trail (for experienced sportsmen, this trail consists of starting from the seaside and walking approximately 15 kilometres until reaching 260 metres in altitude). Whatever your choice, you will always be accompanied by qualified guides and a special backpack will be provided, with a homemade picnic and hiking equipment. The concierge at the hotel will be happy to plan your trip for you.

FOR THE PARENTS

In a calm and refined atmosphere, the 2,400 sqm Spa offers you moments of intense pleasure, with its LUX* Me program. The spa includes a hot tub, a hammam, a sauna, a cold water pool, an infinity pool, various treatment rooms, a treatment room for couples, a hydrotherapy room and a salon dedicated to manicures and pedicures. Among the treatments on offer is the Zengliao Chinese Medicine Treatment which targets sore areas to relieve tension and the Bali massage, which combines stretching and pressure movements. Relaxation guaranteed!

For the more athletic, the hotel offers a complete gym, equipped with modern and sophisticated machines. Bodybuilding, stretching, cardio ... The possibilities are numerous.

The water sports offered by the hotel are also plentiful. Let yourself be tempted by windsurfing, kayaking, sailing, water skiing, scuba diving or even kitesurfing, just 300 metres from the hotel, in one of the best spots in the world: One Eye.

Land sports include a gym, beach volleyball, table tennis, petanque, tennis and mountain biking.

Finally, for those who would like to improve their swing in a privileged setting, 2 golf courses are located less than 30 minutes drive from the hotel.

Imagine a huge sandy beach, a sunset, a warm and slightly salty air and the soft lapping waves in the azure water ... LUX* Le Morne Resort, Mauritius is the perfect setting to ask the elected of your heart to marry or renew your vows! The hotel has everything planned to make this moment unforgettable: a breakfast with breathtaking views of the lagoon, a bath of flowers, barefoot in the sand, against the backdrop of the majestic Le Morne mountain. .. And, finally, as the sun sinks into the horizon, embark on an unforgettable cruise aboard a Bennington boat, the ideal way to end your honeymoon.