So, it won’t surprise you to learn that I’m not personally a rugby lover, but I am a fan of luxury hotels and anything that entertains and educates children. Which is why I thought the new “Rugbytots” program at The Residence Mauritius this summer was such a wonderful idea. From August 10th – 23rd, children aged from 2 – 7 years of age can learn basic rugby skills such as running with the ball, catching, kicking and passing. Parents can even join in with the weekly family session too and, being Mauritius, this can all be done in the glorious sunshine with movie set views to boot.

With over a kilometre of delicious white sand adjacent to the hotel and no less than ten acres of tropical gardens, The Residence Mauritius has been a firm favourite of luxury-loving families for years; such a verdant terrain makes it the perfect natural playground for the “Rugbytots” activities.

If rugby isn’t your kid’s thing, there are endless complimentary activities available through the hotel (tennis, scuba diving, kayaking and the like) as well as the Planter’s Kids Club, (where rugby lessons will continue throughout the rest of the summer, even after the specific Rugbytots classes have finished for the year). Set within those aforementioned tropical gardens, the Planter’s Kids’ Club is a gorgeous little property in its own right, (designed with an original sugar cane plantation in mind). Fully-supervised staff look after tots from the age of 3 all the way up to 12 there, arranging inspired and always age-appropriate activities, such as face painting, pony riding, glass-bottom boat tours and magical picnics.

And if, like me, you aren’t keen on partaking in rugby, you may prefer time spent in the stunning 600 meter squared Sanctuary spa while the kids are off having a ball of their own. If a sweet craving kicks in while poolside, you’ll love the sugary delights served up at the Gourmet Kiosk (popular, unsurprisingly, with children too), or if you have some time alone before the kids come home for the evening, grab a table in the gorgeous bar. There you’ll find an outdoor feel on the inside and double wide seats in which to enjoy a cocktail). With the Mauritian sunset outside and that warm, balmy air, you’ll be hard pushed to move for the rest of the night.

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