From Sand Huts to Luxury Villas

From sand huts and shared bathrooms to luxury villas - things have come a long way since Club Med's humble birth 60 years ago.

The French resort chain still aims to offer the same all-inclusive holiday experience it did back then - there's just a lot more bling about it these days. So what better time for an introduction to the unique world of Club Med?

At the forefront of the upmarket push in recent years has been the five-star, or 'five-trident', La Plantation d'Albion resort on the west coast of Mauritius. Opened in 2007, the newer of two resorts on the breathtaking Indian Ocean nation - the other being the four-trident La Pointe aux Canonniers on the east coast - is a sprawling, 21 hectare property hugging the Indian Ocean amid rich jungle (and still home to its own resident monkeys and mongoose).

In recent years it has been one of Club Med's flagship destinations but it's now the undoubted pride and joy of the chain with the recent addition of 40 luxury one, two and three bedroom villas (although some are still to be completed). The villas, built adjacent to the main village and sold to outside owners seeking an investment opportunity and part-time holiday house, are aimed at attracting guests who want to blend a luxurious, private and exclusive experience with the traditional Club Med stay.

Villa packages firmly encapsulate Club Med's 'all-inclusive' policy with full access to the village, your own butler and designated chef and other benefits including free access to the nearby 18-hole Tamarina Golf Club course. The villas were designed by Marc Hertrich and Nicolas Adnet, the same duo behind the Albion resort and recent facelifts in Bali and Cancun, just prior to their official opening.

The properties are spacious and striking, combining African, Asian and Indian design styles, with the highlight a Mauritian-style veranda and pool in the backyard - an ultimate entertaining area complete with a floating, king-size sun bed. It's all very upscale and a far cry from when former Belgian water polo player Gerard Blitz started the club with a simple tent village on the Spanish island of Majorca in 1950.

The oceanfront suites, quite a bit cheaper than the villas, are spectacular in their own right. Situated just 10m back from the ocean and featuring a spacious veranda, the suites offer a sitting room, bedroom, bathroom, and even an alfresco shower.

Most of the village's key attractions are located within strolling distance of the rooms, or if you'd prefer to save your legs it's easy to holler a golf buggy to get you around. It makes it easy to fully immerse yourself in Club Med's philosophy of relaxation and recreation. For unwinding there's the gorgeous Zen pool overlooking the coastline, the world-class Cinq Mondes spa for pampering, the Le Phare restaurant for late breakfast and lunches (essential for the more party-minded likely to need a sleep in) and a small sand beach.

There are also plenty of activities, including a trapeze for the acrobatically-inclined, archery, snorkelling and a golf training centre where you can get some free, and in my case, much-needed lessons.

While all the great amenities were to be expected, the thing that strikes Club Med first-timers most is how much the resort's staff, or GOs (gentils organisateurs - gentle organisers), become part of your stay. From the moment they greet you like a celebrity upon arrival, they'll often join you for lunch, dinner, and can be reliable late-night drinking buddies at the bar. In no time you'll be on a first-name, and likely secret-handshake, basis.

They're multi-talented too - you'll probably see your new mate performing in the evening show before joining them on the dance floor for the somewhat-bizarre but fun 'crazy signs', a communal dance led by one of the GOs (tricky, but entertaining, when all the instructions are in French!).

The all-inclusive concept is a winner too, eradicating any of the financial stresses that sometimes come with a holiday. Food and drink are at your mercy, even the mini-bar is virtually bottomless, and the only things you'll need to fork out for are the spa and outside excursions - though it’s well worth getting out to explore the multicultural island. The cuisine is a superb mix of Mauritian, Asian, Indian and western food served at the main buffet, the list of cocktails is endless and the local beer, Phoenix, is a cracker and was apparently once voted best in the world.