SALT of Palmar opens in Mauritius as brand’s first hotel

730 565 Hamish Kilburn
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SALT of Palmar opens in Mauritius as brand’s first hotel

SALT of Palmar, the first hotel in a new sub-brand from The Lux Collective, has opened in Mauritius…

With a strong commitment to sustainability, SALT of Palmer opens in Mauritius. Setting the foundations for a series of planned openings within the SALT brand, the 59-key hotel introduces a new breed of hospitality for the culturally curious, challenging perceptions of often unexplored regions.

The completely new sub-brand for The Lux Collective has been designed and created by branding agency & SMITH with aim to appeal to a younger generation – one that would celebrate the undiscovered beauty of destinations where travellers may hold preconceived ideas or would traditionally stay within the confines of a resort rather than exploring the local area.

“The first SALT had to be in Mauritius. It’s our home, our love, and our pride and joy,” the hotel’s website states. “Its colours, stories, customs, sounds, and flavours form a brilliant, heady mix that is impossible to ignore or forget. If you experience it. ”

“Every element of the SALT experience is rooted in the island culture.”

Inviting guests to continue this journey of exploration, the hotel offers its guests a guidebook called ‘This is Mauritius’ when checking in. Working in close collaboration with locals, the illustrated book is full of tips and advice for discovering the island’s hidden gems, including maps of where to go in Port Louis, the best sunrise spots, or where to listen to live music.

Back at the hotel, every element of the SALT experience is rooted in the island culture, from the handwoven baskets in each room created by a local craftswoman to the curated menus of seasonal produce and the opportunity to visit a house near the resort to learn how to make rum the Mauritian way.

“Every SALT hotel will have its own farm to provide guests with menus designed around what is in season.”

No endless buffets, no bath menu, no single-use plastics

At the heart of the SALT identity is a brand-wide commitment to sustainability. In addition to prioritising fair trade, organic and non-toxic produce, and limiting energy use, waste and emissions, every SALT hotel will have its own farm to provide guests with menus designed around what is in season and nothing more.

“For Mauritius, the common perception is endless images of white sandy beaches under cloudless blue skies, perfect for honeymooners drinking cocktails or having dinner for two on the beach,” said Rachel Smith, Creative Partner at & SMITH. “From our past visits to the island, we knew the island had so much more to offer and could attract a different audience.

“It’s bursting with vibrant experiences – from brightly coloured houses to bustling markets and the most amazing street food culture. Also, the waterfalls and greenery of the inland are just as beautiful as the beaches. There are so many reasons to step outside the resort and explore Mauritius, so we wanted to create an identity that captured the vitality and depth of the island, and invited travellers to explore on their own.

SALT of Palmar in Mauritius is the first property within the brand portfolio, with plans to open the next hotel in Wolong, China.

Hamish Kilburn / 05.04.2019

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